Council Connection

COUNCIL MEMBERS ADVANCE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE AIMING TO REDUCE ICE’S IMPACT

The Prince George’s County Council is taking steps to safeguard community members and limit the impact of federal immigration enforcement in the county. On Tuesday, March 3, Council Members, sitting as the Committee of the Whole, advanced six pieces of proposed immigration enforcement legislation with favorable recommendations. Prior to Tuesday’s voting session, legislative sponsors Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7), Vice Chair Eric Olson (District 3), and Council Members Tom Dernoga (District 1) and Wanika Fisher (District 2) held a press conference alongside Council colleagues and representatives from CASA to discuss the four bills and two resolutions included in the legislative package.

“We’re here to say this boldly, and loudly, and clearly, so there’s no confusion; ICE and their terrorist tactics have no place in Prince George’s County,” Chair Oriadha said during the press conference. “We are going to protect our immigrant population here in Prince George’s County because we realize that they matter, too.”

The legislative package, which includes CB-5-2026, CB-6-2026, CB-7-2026, CB-8-2026, CR-8-2026, and CR-9-2026, seeks to ban federal immigration agents from wearing masks, conducting operations on county property, and gaining employment with the county’s public safety agencies. Proposed legislation also aims to enhance accounting of residents taken by ICE and to require Prince George’s County Police to respond to immigration enforcement operations when the legitimacy of the operation is called into question.

COUNCIL INTRODUCES RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ENHANCED AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY STUDIES

A new resolution proposed by Council Member Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5), CR-12-2026, at the Council meeting on Tuesday, March 3, supports mandatory teaching of African American history across all grade levels in every school in the county. The resolution would urge the Maryland State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, and other African American and Africana studies experts, to develop an appropriate curriculum, which is inclusive of Prince George’s County and Maryland history.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUPPORTS BILLS PROTECTING COUNTY GREENSPACE, STRENGTHENING AI PROTECTIONS FOR TOYS

Among the five state bills the Council’s General Assembly Committee voted to support on Tuesday, March 3, was HB-1267, a bill aiming to protect and preserve the natural beauty of two properties currently owned by the federal government in Prince George’s County. Under the proposed legislation, if either the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center or Patuxent Research Refuge is sold, leased, or transferred by the federal government, the land would be required to maintain its open space zoning classification, protecting greenspace and preventing commercial, industrial, or residential development. The Committee also voted to support HB-1261, known as the Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act. It would require special labeling for toys that include AI technology. The bill would also set strict guidelines for the use of data collected by AI toys. Companies would not be permitted to sell the data or use it for targeted advertisements.

PHED COMMITTEE BRIEFED ON MASTER AND SECTOR PLANS

On Thursday, March 5, the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee met with members of the Prince George’s County Planning Department to discuss the Plan Evaluation Program (PEP) assessment of 36 active county Master Plans and Sector Plans. The evaluation of each plan produced progress reports which will inform Planning Board decisions. Council Members shared their thoughts on the PEP assessment and ideas for improving the planning process to meet the needs of all residents.

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 9 - EWD Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

March 10 - Sitting as the Board of Health - 9:00 AM - DETAILS

March 10 - General Assembly Committee - 11:00 AM - DETAILS

March 10 - Sitting as the District Council - 12:15 PM - DETAILS

March 10 - County Council - 10:30 AM - Proclamations

March 10 - County Council - 1:00 PM - DETAILS

March 10 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

March 10 - County Council - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

March 11 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

March 12 - TIEE Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

March 12 - GOFP Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.

CHAIR ORIADHA PARTICIPATES IN BLACK HISTORY MONTH MUSICAL, DISTRICT 7 SENIOR LUNCH TOUR

Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) participated in a powerful celebration of Black history and culture through the musical Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest at Creative Suitland on Saturday, February 28. The evening was filled with inspiration, reflection, and a moving tribute to the life and legacy of Congressman John Lewis, reminding everyone of the courage it takes to stand up, speak out, and create change. Chair Oriadha also attended a Senior Lunch Tour in her district on Thursday, February 26.  The Chair enjoyed listening to meaningful conversation and sharing valuable resources, ensuring that seniors feel seen, heard, and valued. She remains committed to uplifting and serving the senior community every step of the way!

COUNCIL MEMBERS IVEY, BLEGAY, AND HUNTER ATTEND 45^TH ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH BREAKFAST

At-Large Council Members Jolene Ivey and Wala Blegay and District 6 Council Member Danielle Hunter attended the 45^th Annual Maryland 4th & 5th Congressional Districts’ Black History Month Breakfast on Saturday, February 28, hosted by Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Glenn Ivey. The breakfast honored Maryland’s rich Black history. Attendees also honored Congressman Hoyer for his dedicated decades of service to Maryland and the entire country as he prepares to retire at the end of his term.  

COUNCIL MEMBERS BLEGAY, FISHER, AND ADAMS-STAFFORD CUT RIBBON ON NET ZERO HOMES IN FAIRMOUNT HEIGHTS

Council Members Wala Blegay (At-Large), Wanika Fisher (District 2), and Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5) participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony and pocket park dedication for six new net zero energy homes in Fairmount Heights on Friday, February 27. The opening of these new homes by the Housing Initiative Partnership represents progress, sustainability, and investment in the community. These net zero energy, solar-powered homes are a powerful example of what intentional redevelopment looks like: modern design, energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and expanded homeownership opportunities for Prince George’s County families.

COUNCIL MEMBER IVEY ATTENDS DISTRICT 21 NIGHT IN ANNAPOLIS, BOWIE POLICE ‘COMMUNITY MATTERS’ MEETING

Council Member Jolene Ivey (At-Large) was honored to attend the annual District 21 night in Annapolis, on Monday, March 2.  Attendees had the chance to connect with members of the District 21 State Delegation and discuss legislative priorities for the 2026 General Assembly session. Council Member Ivey was glad to see her counterparts in Annapolis and will continue to work hard to move the community forward! She also attended the City of Bowie Police Department’s Community Matters meeting on February 18 alongside State’s Attorney Tara Jackson.

COUNCIL MEMBER HARRISON VOLUNTEERS ON MISSION TRIP TO EAST AFRICA

Council Member Sydney Harrison (District 9) spent two weeks on a mission trip volunteering in East Africa with Prince George’s County-based nonprofit DHR Ministries.  The group works on building water wells, bathhouses, hospitals, and schools in remote communities without running water or electricity. While returning to the DC area, Council Member Harrison’s flight from Uganda to Dubai was forced to turn around due to military bombings in the region. After overcoming a few logistical challenges, Council Member Harrison is now safely back home in Prince George’s County.

COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS PARTICIPATES IN ‘EARNED IT’ PRESS CONFERENCE WITH GOVERNOR AND COMPTROLLER

Council Member Tim Adams (District 4) joined Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Governor Wes Moore, partners from state agencies, other local elected officials, and community outreach organizations for a press conference on Monday, March 2 highlighting the work of the 2026 "Earned It" campaign and the usage of the Earned Income Tax Credit as a powerful anti-poverty and economic mobility tool. The event highlighted results from the campaign, shared stories from on‑the‑ground partners working directly with Maryland families, and outlined plans to broaden outreach efforts across the state in the coming months.

COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS-STAFFORD PARTICIPATES IN READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY

Council Member Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5) was honored to serve as a guest reader for Read Across America Day on Monday, March 2, at Ardmore and Gladys Noon Spellman Elementary Schools. She enjoyed spending time with the students and celebrating the power of reading. She loves encouraging young scholars to develop a love for books and learning, and is grateful to the amazing teachers, staff, and administrators for hosting such a wonderful experience!

COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY HOSTS FARMERS MEET-AND-GREET, ATTENDS HEART HEALTH EVENT

Council Member Wala Blegay (At-Large) hosted a Rural Tier meet-and-greet on Wednesday, February 25 in Brandywine where she was honored to listen to residents, farmers, and families share insight into issues impacting their community, from development and land preservation to infrastructure and quality of life. She is committed to working hard to address the concerns and protect the character and future of the Rural Tier and Brandywine communities. On Saturday, February 28, Council Member Blegay attended the Heart Red Saturday event, aimed at bringing awareness and promoting prevention of heart disease in communities of color.