Council Connection

COUNCIL MEMBER BURROUGHS CALLS FOR UTILITY RATE INVESTIGATION, LAUNCHES PHASE II OF SENIOR SUPPORT

In response to an unprecedented increase in utility costs across Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland, Council Member Edward Burroughs III (District 8) is taking action to stem the soaring costs and aid some of his district’s most vulnerable residents. On Tuesday, February 24, Council Member Burroughs introduced a resolution, CR-11-2026, seeking an investigation by the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel into utility companies and their pricing.

“We know for a fact that we have senior citizens who have reached out to our office who are literally deciding whether or not to buy prescription drugs or pay their Pepco utility bill,” said Council Member Burroughs. “We’re asking for transparency. We’re asking whether or not these increases are justified. For so many residents, we can’t fathom that these rates could be justified. And we’re asking for our customers to be protected.”

Following the Council meeting, Council Member Burroughs held a press conference launching Phase II of his District 8 Senior Support Fund to help seniors in his district pay their electric bills. Since its launch in July 2025, the District 8 Senior Support Fund has helped more than 2,000 District 8 seniors with property tax relief, utility assistance, rent and mortgage support, and lawn care. Phase II is specifically targeted to District 8 residents aged 65 and up who need assistance with Pepco electric bills. Qualified residents who apply before March 29 will receive at least $500 for their household on a first-come, first-served basis while funds last.

COUNCIL MEMBERS HOST MEETING WITH CONGRESSMEN HOYER, IVEY

In what was likely one of his last visits to the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building prior to his retirement, Council Members hosted Congressman Steny Hoyer, as well as Congressman Glenn Ivey, for a meeting and discussion on Monday, February 23. Council Members received several updates on happenings on Capitol Hill and discussed a variety of pressing and important topics with the Congressmen, including federal immigration enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security budget, the battle over the future of the FBI headquarters, rising utility and health care costs, the need for more affordable housing, and the loss of federal jobs in Prince George’s County. Council Members also presented Congressman Hoyer with a proclamation honoring his nearly 45 years of service in the House of Representatives as he prepares to retire at the end of his term.

COUNCIL CONFIRMS NEW DISTRICT 9 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER

District 9 has a new representative on the Prince George’s County Board of Education. On Tuesday, February 24, the County Council confirmed the appointment of Chaundrai Jackson-Saunders, a nationally certified school psychologist who served the District of Columbia Public Schools for 35 years. She also worked as Chief Operating Officer of Interdynamics, Inc., where she provided executive oversight of a Prince George's County-based organization delivering mental health and educational support services to Prince George's County Public Schools. Congratulations to Ms. Jackson-Saunders on her appointment!

EWD COMMITTEE BRIEFED ON WORKFORCE DEMAND, HIRING CHALLENGES

In an effort to learn more about the state of the workforce in Prince George’s County, the Education and Workforce Development Committee hosted representatives from local health care and technology companies, a local trade union, and Employ Prince George’s for a briefing on Monday, February 23. Jeffrey Swilley, interim president and CEO of Employ Prince George’s, told Council Members that the county’s unemployment rate is currently 4.3%, higher than the state rate of 3.7%. He also explained that Prince George’s County lost 19,000 jobs between July and December of 2025. The entire state reported 87,000 job losses during that same period. According to Swilley, the most in-demand industries in the county include transportation, cloud technology, information and computers, science and technology, health care, retail, and financial services.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUPPORTS HEALTH AND PRICE PROTECTION BILLS

On Tuesday, February 24, the Council’s General Assembly Committee voted to support two health and wellness bills currently in consideration in Annapolis, as well as a bill outlawing dynamic pricing in grocery stores. SB-870/HB-1092, supported by the Committee, would require the Maryland Department of Health to establish and operate at least 24 youth psychiatric inpatient beds in Prince George’s County. Currently, there are none. The Committee also supported HB-1533/SB-656, known as the Crown and Care Act. The proposed legislation would make anyone using, selling, or making harmful hair chemicals liable for civil damages.  Additionally, the Committee voted to support SB-387/HB-895, a bill banning grocery stores from using dynamic pricing, the practice of changing the price of items throughout the day based on consumer demand or artificial intelligence (AI) models.

TIEE COMMITTEE TALKS STATE OF COUNTY WINE INDUSTRY

Ahead of Maryland Wine Month, celebrated throughout March, the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment Committee met with representatives from Prince George’s County’s wine industry on Thursday, February 26. Prince George’s County is home to six wineries. The owners from three of those wineries, as well as Janna Howley, the principal and executive director for the Maryland Wineries Association, briefed the Committee on how their agritourism businesses are doing and where there remains room for growth and improvement. The three businesses reported great success but worry there are still not enough people who are aware of the high-quality wine being produced right here in the county. Council Members and the winery owners discussed ways to generate better awareness and recognition across the region.

SIGN UP TO TESTIFY ON COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW

The Prince George’s County Charter Review Commission is working to finalize its comprehensive review of the county’s charter and wants to hear from you! Community members are invited to attend the Charter Review Commission’s meeting on Wednesday, March 4, starting at 5:00 PM, and weigh in during a public hearing, starting at 6:00 PM. You can sign up to testify, or submit written testimony, at https://pgccouncil.us/speak.

COUNTY TEEN AND YOUNG ADULT SUMMER JOB PROGRAM APPLICATION NOW OPEN

Applications are now open for the Prince George's County Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP). Teens and young adults, ages 14 to 24, are encouraged to apply! The program provides career development, job readiness training, and hourly or stipend pay. SYEP runs from July 6 through August 14. The application deadline is March 31.

March 3 - General Assembly Committee - 9:00 AM - DETAILS

March 3 - County Council - 10:30 AM - DETAILS

March 3 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 11:15 AM - DETAILS

March 4 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 11:30 AM - DETAILS

March 4 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 5:00 PM - DETAILS

March 4 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

March 5 - PHED Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.

CHAIR ORIADHA HOSTS AUTISM SYMPOSIUM, MOMMY MEETUP

Council Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) teamed up with Board of Education Member Dr. Phelton Moss to host an autism symposium on Saturday, February 21. The Chair was proud to bring together families, caregivers, educators, and community partners for a morning focused on empowering parents, sharing real strategies, and strengthening support systems to better serve children with autism. Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) also stopped by to support this important event! Later that day, the Chair partnered with The NU You Inc. to host a Mommy Meetup as part of her Mothers First initiative. The event featured a fun, safe, and welcoming space for moms to connect, engage in interactive activities, enjoy great food, and have meaningful conversations about their journeys through motherhood.

VICE CHAIR OLSON SPEAKS TO HANSON OAKS HOA

Vice Chair Eric Olson (District 3) joined the Hanson Oaks Homeowners Association for its latest meeting, speaking to the group, connecting with residents, and sharing Council updates. State Senator Malcolm Augustine also participated in the meeting!

CHAIR ORIADHA, COUNCIL MEMBER IVEY ATTEND ICE PROTEST

Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) and Council Member Jolene Ivey (At-Large) joined Congressman Glenn Ivey and County Executive Aisha Braveboy in attending a protest against a proposed ICE facility in Hyattsville on Thursday, February 19. Council Members want the community to feel safe, protected, and supported. The Council recently introduced a legislative package to protect the community from ICE enforcement.

CHAIR ORIADHA, COUNCIL MEMBERS BLEGAY AND FISHER CELEBRATE OPENING OF DAUGHTERS OF ZION GLOBAL FOUNDATION, INC.

Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) and Council Members Wala Blegay (At-Large) and Wanika Fisher (District 2) attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting for Daughters of Zion Global Foundation, Inc. on February 21. They enjoyed celebrating the organization’s new chapter!

COUNCIL MEMBER IVEY CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY

Council Member Jolene Ivey (At-Large) enjoyed visiting Northwestern High School’s annual Black history art exhibit, It’s A Vibe: The Black Music Experience. The exhibition was bright and productions reflected and embraced Black history, Black culture, and the contribution of Black Americans in our country. Council Member Ivey was joined by Congressman Glenn Ivey as they attended the Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project’s presentation of The Untold Story of the 1875 Lynching of John Henry Scott in Oxon Hill. Council Member Ivey also participated in Cheverly’s annual Black History Month event, hosted by Community African American Civic Organizations (CAACO) and the Fourth Ward Civic Association, celebrating 100 years of Black history.

COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY DISTRIBUTES FOOD IN OBSERVANCE OF RAMADAN, HOSTS ‘STATE OF THE POWER’

Council Member Wala Blegay (At-Large) distributed food to refugee families and communities in need, marking the start of Ramadan. The event on Saturday, February 21 was in partnership with the I See You Foundation. Ramadan Mubarak to all who are observing. Council Member Blegay also hosted her second State of the Power event on Monday, February 23, where utility company representatives shared insight and answered questions about what is leading to rising utility costs across the region.

COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS PARTICIPATES IN FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Council Member Tim Adams (District 4) participated in Reid Temple AME Church’s free food distribution on Saturday, February 21. He was grateful for the opportunity to assist community members in need and was inspired by the resilience of Prince Georgians.  He is committed to supporting essential programs, like this one, to ensure no one goes hungry.