COUNCIL CONNECTION

CORRECTION: CHAIR ORIADHA INTRODUCES BILL STRENGTHENING DATA CENTER REVIEW PROCESS

On Tuesday, March 17, Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7), alongside Council Members Wala Blegay (At-Large) and Tom Dernoga (District 1), introduced CB-19-2026, legislation to repeal a prior law that allowed data center development to move forward without full Council and community review. This bill aims to fulfil a commitment made by the Chair and her colleagues to restore transparency and accountability after concerns were raised about decisions made by a previous Council. The proposed legislation would require all future data center developers to submit a detailed site plan for review by the County Council, sitting as the District Council, ensuring both oversight and community input are central to the process. Additionally, the County’s existing moratorium on new data center development remains in effect through the end of April.

Editor’s Note: This item has been updated from last week’s Council Connection to ensure accuracy and clarity of the legislative record.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS CHAIR ORIADHA’S ‘ROADMAP TO UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE’ LEGISLATION

Chair Krystal Oriadha’s (District 7) Roadmap the Universal Child Care legislative package is one step closer to final passage after all five bills and one resolution received a favorable recommendation from the Council’s Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, March 24. The comprehensive package of child care legislation aims to address affordability, availability, and quality of care.

• CR-15-2026: Seeks to establish a nine-member workgroup of parents and experts to consider and make recommendations to the County Council on improving the availability, affordability, and quality of child care in Prince George’s County.
• CB-14-2026: Seeks to launch a child care navigator position in the county’s Department of Social Services to develop a strategic plan for child care in the county, including opportunities for expansion, collaboration, use of county property, and future goals. The navigator will also serve as a liaison between the county and child care providers, assisting with licensing and inspection, while promoting collaboration, growth, and more.
• CB-15-2026: Aims to establish a $500,000 grant program to help child care centers launch, expand, or remain open despite financial challenges.
• CB-16-2026: Seeks to establish a child care scholarship program to provide annual scholarships of up to $3,000 per child under the age of three for families inside the Capital Beltway in Prince George’s County with a household income of less than 30% of the DC region’s median income.
• CB-17-2026: Seeks to establish $5,000 Use and Occupancy Permit fees for liquor stores, tobacco shops, firearms retailers, and self-storage businesses in the county. The fees would be directed into a Quality of Life Improvement Fund to be used for youth programs, child care services, senior citizen assistance, education, public health programs, public safety, or economic assistance.
• CB-18-2026: Aims to establish a hardship withdrawal requirement for every child care provider in the county, allowing termination of a child care contract, without penalty, if a parent loses his or her job, dies, or is deported.

COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS-STAFFORD PROPOSES DESIGNATING PORTION OF COUNTY CONTRACTS FOR VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES

Aiming to support veteran-owned businesses in Prince George’s County, on Tuesday, March 24, Council Member Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5) proposed CB-24-2026, a bill seeking to establish the Veteran Owned Business Enterprise Opportunities Program. Under the program, 2% of county small business procurement contracts would be set aside for certified Veteran Business Enterprises. The county would be required to award at least 15% of all eligible procurement contracts to these veteran-owned businesses each year, starting in year three of the program. In year one, the requirement would be 8% and year two would be 12%. Additionally, the county’s Office of Procurement would be required to display the county’s progress toward that goal on a public dashboard.

COUNCIL HOLDS JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH PLANNING BOARD ON TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN

As the county’s Planning Department works to finalize Go Prince George’s, the Countywide Master Plan of Transportation, the Council held a joint public hearing with the Planning Board on Tuesday, March 24 to gather feedback from community members. The plan has been in the works since 2021 and will serve as a roadmap of enhancements and investments in the county’s transportation infrastructure. Goals include developing a countywide bicycle and shared use network, enhancing the bus network and public transportation stops, and improving sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals. The Planning Department has held more than 40 community engagement events to gather feedback on the plan.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUPPORTS THREE STATE BILLS

On Tuesday, March 24, the Council’s General Assembly Committee supported three bills currently being discussed by state lawmakers in Annapolis. HB-1532 aims to redefine large load commercial electric consumers and ensure Maryland residents are not paying extra on their bills to support them. HB-329 bars school resource officers from having sexual relationships with students at schools where they are assigned. HB-1004 prohibits the manufacturing, sale, delivery, or distribution of foods that contain any ingredients or additives not approved by the FDA.

GOFP COMMITTEE SUPPORTS FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE LEGISLATION

As Prince George’s County faces increasing infrastructure demands across transportation, water and sewer systems, public facilities, housing, and more, Council Member Wala Blegay (At-Large) is looking for innovative ways to finance critical infrastructure improvement projects. On Thursday, March 26, the Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee favorably recommended CR-16-2026, a resolution proposed by Council Member Blegay, supporting the establishment of a National Infrastructure Bank. It would be used as a financing tool to support critical infrastructure investment, economic development, job creation, and equitable growth. The plan was proposed last year in the US House of Representatives as the National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2025.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTEND COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH LUNCHEON

Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7), Vice Chair Eric Olson (District 3), and Council Members Wala Blegay (At-Large), Wanika Fisher (District 2), Tim Adams (District 4), Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5), and Danielle Hunter (District 6) attended the 40th Annual Women’s History Month Luncheon hosted by County Executive Aisha Braveboy on Thursday, March 26 at the at Gaylord National Harbor. This special event celebrated the tremendous accomplishments of women who serve in and partner with the county government to influence and impact the community. Chair Oriadha hosted and presented a proclamation to special guest Rachel Ruto, the First Lady of Kenya.

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.

BUDGET LISTENING TOUR TONIGHT AND TOMORROW

Chair Krystal Oriadha invites residents to attend one of two listening sessions to review the County Executive's proposed FY 2027 Budget and provide feedback.

March 30 - County Council - 5:30 PM - Rollingcrest-Chillum Community Center, 6120 Sargent Rd., Chillum, MD 20782 BUDGET LISTENING TOUR

March 31 - County Council - 10:30 AM - DETAILS

March 31 - County Council - 5:30 PM - Temple Hills Community Center, 5300 Temple Hill Rd., Temple Hills, MD 20748 BUDGET LISTENING TOUR 

April 1 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 4:00 PM - DETAILS

April 1 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 5:30 PM - DETAILS

April 2 - PHED Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

April 2 - PSHHS Committee - 2:30 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.

CHAIR ORIADHA SPEAKS TO YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, JOINS BOOK EXCHANGE AND CAREER FAIR

Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) joined more than 400 students and families at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School for the 2nd Annual “Anything But College” Fair, highlighting postsecondary pathways and career opportunities across Maryland. She also participated in an author and book exchange event in celebration of Women’s History Month, honoring the voices, stories, and impact of women through literature. Chair Oriadha also spoke to M-NCPPC Chairman Darryl Barnes’ Youth Advisory Council, helping to shape these future leaders.

VICE CHAIR OLSON SPEAKS AT COLLEGE PARK COMMUNITY MEETING

Vice Chair Eric Olson (District 3) attended a community meeting held by the City of College Park’s District 4 Council Members Denise Mitchell and Maria Mackie. He was grateful for the opportunity to share county updates, connect with community members, and hear residents’ priorities.

CHAIR ORIADHA, COUNCIL MEMBERS BLEGAY, IVEY, AND ADAMS-STAFFORD CUT RIBBON ON SCHOOL‑BASED HEALTH CENTER

On Monday, March 23, Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7), At-Large Council Members Jolene Ivey and Wala Blegay, and Council Member Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5) attended a ribbon cutting at Fairmont Heights High School celebrating the opening of a new school-based health center. This heath center is part of a four-site expansion bringing primary care and mental health care directly to students.

COUNCIL MEMBER BURROUGHS TEAMS UP WITH COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO CLEAN UP TRASH

On Saturday, March 21, Council Member Edward Burroughs III (District 8) partnered with County Executive Aisha Braveboy and her Strike Force 311 team to clean up trash in some of the most heavily littered areas of the county. Council Member Burroughs is grateful for the partnership of County Executive Braveboy and all that she does to beautify the county.

COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS HOLDS LISTENING SESSION IN GREENBELT

On Wednesday, March 25, Council Member Tim Adams (District 4) held a community listening session in Greenbelt, gathering input from the community, listening to feedback, and discussing residents’ priorities. Council Member Adams feels strongly that the best type of leadership starts with listening and understanding the community’s needs by building trust and ensuring effective representation. Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) also joined in on this productive discussion.

COUNCIL MEMBER IVEY CELEBRATES EID AL-FITR, JOINS HILLCREST HEIGHTS CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETING

Council Member Jolene Ivey (At-Large) attended the Eid Al-Fitr Celebration at the Prince George’s County Correctional Center Library, held by the Prince George’s Department of Corrections for incarcerated individuals to mark the end of Ramadan. The event, attended by county leaders and officials, focused on supporting the spiritual life of inmates, offering encouragement to continue positive habits, and strengthening community bonds. Council Member Ivey also teamed up with the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council and the Department of Public Works & Transportation to present on the Creative Crosswalks ground mural pilot program at a Hillcrest Heights Civic Association meeting.

COUNCIL MEMBER FISHER CELEBRATES EID, PRESENTS PROCLAMATION TO OMEGA PSI PHI

Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) was honored to attend an Eid prayer at Jamil Ul Jalil Islamic Organization. It was a beautiful time filled with faith, reflection, and unity. Council Member Fisher also presented a proclamation to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.’s Gamma Pi Chapter, during the organization’s Bourbon Street Bash, recognizing the outstanding work these men do for Prince George’s County through the Friendship Charities Foundation.

COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY CELEBRATES CHURCH’S 10^TH ANNIVERSARY, ATTENDS MCNAMARA MADNESS

Council Member Wala Blegay (At-Large) attended the 10th Anniversary Gala for Love A.M.E. Church, celebrating a decade of powerful impact in the community – uplifting families, strengthening neighborhoods, and bringing people together in purpose and love. Council Member Blegay also participated in McNamara Madness, Bishop McNamara High School’s signature annual fundraiser, at Tom’s Watch Bar in National Harbor. This NCAA March Madness-themed event brought together parents, alumni, community leaders, and supporters to invest in students’ futures, support educators, and strengthen educational programs at Bishop McNamara.