Council Connection

COUNCIL MEMBERS JOIN COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S UNIFIED COMMAND CENTER TO TRACK WINTER STORM

Council Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7), Vice Chair Eric Olson (District 3), and Council Members Edward Burroughs (District 8), Wala Blegay (At-Large), Wanika Fisher (District 2), and Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5) joined County Executive Aisha Braveboy at her Unified Command Center in College Park Sunday to provide a collaborative response to Winter Storm Fern. Some Council Members stayed overnight into Monday, continuing to track conditions in the county.

Chair Oriadha joined the County Executive for a press conference Monday morning updating residents on the snow removal status. Crews began plowing residential neighborhoods Sunday night and continue to do so Monday. As of Monday at 10AM, Pepco and BG&E report only five homes are impacted by power outages countywide.

“We are in that phase of almost getting there – we are at the residential roads – but we want to make sure that we work as a community, we still stay off the streets, and know that it’s still dangerous, so make sure that everyone moves with caution,” said Chair Oriadha.

The County Executive’s Office has launched Operation Silver Shovel, a program to provide emergency snow assistance to disabled seniors 70 and older with limited mobility who reside in a single family or townhome. Sign up HERE.

Public safety remains the highest priority, please stay home if possible! Visit the county’s Winter Weather Hub HERE.

COUNCIL BEGINS 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITH NEW COMPOSITION

As Council Members embark on a new legislative session in 2026, there are some new faces on the Council. Over the holiday recess, Council Member Calvin Hawkins (At-Large) resigned his seat to accept a new position on the County Executive’s team as Assistant Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Economic Development. Council Member Wala Blegay (formerly of District 6) was appointed by her colleagues to fill the vacant At-Large seat, which then created a vacancy in District 6.

The Council appointed now-Council Member Danielle Hunter to fill that role. On Friday, January 23, Council Member Ingrid S. Watson resigned her District 4 seat on the Council to begin leading the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation as President and CEO. On Friday, January 23, the Council appointed Timothy Adams, the Mayor of Bowie, to fill the District 4 vacancy.

COUNCIL MEMBERS TAKE PART IN TWO-DAY COUNCIL RETREAT AHEAD OF NEW SESSION

Prior to the start of the 2026 legislative session, the Council Members gathered for a two-day retreat, on Thursday, January 15, and Friday, January 16, in College Park to come together as a Council, discuss best practices, and set their legislative agenda for the session. Meeting at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, the Council Members were joined by County Executive Aisha Braveboy and heard from several of her cabinet members during briefings about housing, economic development, and other top issues. Council Members also met with DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, Montgomery County Council Member At-Large Will Jawando, and Monica Beyrouti Nunez from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to discuss ways to collaborate and solve cross-jurisdictional concerns. Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman was also among the distinguished guests who participated in a discussion about aligning state and county priorities. Overall, it was a very successful retreat, helping Council Members lay the groundwork necessary for a productive year.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTEND OPENING DAY FOR MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The Maryland General Assembly is also kicking off its 2026 session and several Council Members were there in Annapolis on Wednesday, January 14, for opening day. Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) and her colleagues presented an award to Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk, who represents Prince George's County and made history as Maryland's first Afro-Latina House Speaker. Council Members are excited to work hand-in-hand with state lawmakers to improve the lives of all Prince Georgians.

TIEE COMMITTEE BRIEFED BY DPW&T AHEAD OF SNOWSTORM

Prior to this weekend’s snowstorm, the Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and the Environment Committee held its first meeting of the year, on Thursday, January 22, where Council Members were briefed by leadership from the county’s Department of Public Works and Transportation on their snow removal plan and ways the department has improved since last winter. This year, DPW&T has added nearly 200 trucks to help clear the snow. It also repaired and tested its snowplow tracking website, PGCTrackSnow.com, ahead of the winter season. Prior to the storm, in accordance with legislation passed by the Council last year, CB-12-2025, DPW&T shared its Situational Awareness Report with Council Members and updated them every three hours once the storm began. Two teams worked 12-hour shifts over the weekend to provide 24-hour snow removal coverage. Residents are encouraged to report any snow removal issues via 311.

GOFP COMMITTEE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS THREE APPOINTEES

At its first meeting of the year, on Thursday, January 22, the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee favorably recommended the confirmation of three of County Executive Aisha Braveboy’s appointees. The Committee recommended approval of Gerald Folsom and Lori Matthews to serve on the county’s Board of Ethics. The Committee also favorably recommended Anthony Jones for the position of County Attorney. All three will appear before the full Council in the coming weeks for a final confirmation vote.

January 26 - EWD Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

January 27 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 4:00 PM - DETAILS

January 27 - General Assembly Committee - 9:00 AM - DETAILS 

January 27 - County Council - 10:30 AM - DETAILS

January 27 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 12:30 PM - DETAILS

January 28 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

January 28 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.

COUNCIL CHAIR KRYSTAL ORIADHA LAUNCHES COUNTYWIDE LISTENING TOUR

Registration is NOW OPEN for Council Chair Krystal Oriadha's countywide Listening Tour! Join the Chair and her Council colleagues for three sessions where you are invited to share your thoughts, ideas, and what matters most to you. We look forward to hearing from you!

COUNCIL MEMBERS JOIN GOV. MOORE FOR FLU SEASON DISCUSSION

Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7), Council Member Danielle Hunter (District 6), and Council Member Wala Blegay (At-Large) joined Gov. Wes Moore at the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center to address the ongoing flu season and the surge in respiratory illnesses across the state. The discussion focused on Maryland’s preparedness, our healthcare capacity, and how we can continue working together to ensure families have the support and care they need during this challenging season.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTEND 2026 STATE OF THE SCHOOLS   

Council Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) and Council Members Edward Burroughs III (District 8), Wala Blegay (At-Large), and Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5) attended this year’s State of the Schools where Superintendent Shawn Joseph unveiled his roadmap for excellence in PGCPS. Chair Oriadha spoke at the event. 

VICE CHAIR OLSON AND COUNCIL MEMBER FISHER ATTEND ICE OUT VIGIL  

Vice Chair Eric Olson (District 3) and Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) attended an ICE Out for Good Vigil in Hyattsville, joining the Route 1 Communities Indivisible group, local residents, and elected officials. In Prince George’s County, our local law enforcement does not cooperate with ICE and does not ask about immigration status. The Council Members joined the vigil to stand against terror and killing, and to remember Renee Good and all victims of ICE. 

COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS-STAFFORD ATTENDS TEEN & YOUTH ALLIANCE COALITION, HOSTS EDUCATION VISIONING SESSION, AND VISITS GLENARDEN WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 

Council Member Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5) joined the Teen & Youth Alliance Coalition at their MLK Day program and is thankful for their continued commitment to county youth. She was also thrilled to host an Education Visioning Session with the New Tech Network, the school system, community, union and business leaders. Lastly, she is grateful to Glenarden Woods Elementary School for hosting her so she could see this top-performing school and its high-quality instructional learning firsthand.  

COUNCIL MEMBER BURROUGHS TAKES STUDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY TO MASSANUTTEN 

Council Member Edward Burroughs’ (District 8) Student Leadership Academy took an unforgettable trip to Massanutten, where students spent time connecting through a mix of fun, teamwork, and shared experiences. The trip included snowboarding and other winter activities, bowling, and games. The Student Leadership Academy is a program designed to support student growth through leadership development, collaboration, and community building experiences. 

COUNCIL MEMBER HARRISON ATTENDS GRAND OPENING OF ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY  

Council Member Sydney Harrison (District 9) attended the grand opening of Beloved Homes Assisted Living Facility and congratulates his dear friend Dr. Racheal Jordan. This special milestone reflects Dr. Jordan’s heart for service, compassion, and commitment to providing quality care and a nurturing environment for seniors.  

COUNCIL MEMBER IVEY ATTENDS D-22 EVENING IN ANNAPOLIS, JOINS SCLC MLK BREAKFAST 

Council Member Jolene Ivey (At-Large) had wonderful time at the District 22 Evening in Annapolis! She enjoyed interacting with counterparts in Annapolis who share a love for our county. Council Member Ivey and her husband, Rep. Glenn Ivey, also attended the annual Southern Christian Leadership Conference Prayer Breakfast honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY ATTENDS MLK PRAYER BREAKFAST, MEETS WITH SEN. VAN HOLLEN, HOSTS CONNECTTECH EVENT  

Council Member Wala Blegay (At-Large) had an amazing time at the 31st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast. She thanks Charles County NAACP President DyothaSweat for an outstanding and impactful event. It was powerful to stand alongside labor leaders, community advocates, and Congressman Steny Hoyer to reflect on Dr. King’s call to action. Council Member Blegay was also honored to meet with Sen. Chris Van Hollen to discuss concerns about data centers’ strain on the power grid. She was joined by Montgomery County Council Member Will Jawando. These conversations are critical as we work to protect our communities and build a more reliable, affordable energy future for Maryland. Finally, Council Member Blegay thanks everyone who joined her for ConnectTech on January 14. It was an incredible evening bringing together tech professionals, entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders to continue building a strong and connected tech ecosystem in Prince George’s County. The event reaffirmed that our county has the talent, ideas, and energy to build a thriving tech hub. ConnectTech will continue as a quarterly series. 

COUNCIL MEMBER FISHER ATTENDS GOV. MOORE’S PUBLIC SAFETY PRESS CONFERENCE 

Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) joined County Executive Aisha Braveboy at Gov. Wes Moore’s press conference where he announced his administration will be investing $124 million to support public safety efforts in the state of Maryland. She is thrilled that Gov. Moore is committed to making our state a safe and equitable place for everyone.