Council Connection

COUNCIL MEMBERS FISHER AND WATSON HOLD AKA DAY AT COUNCIL MEETING

On Tuesday, March 18, Council Members Ingrid S. Watson (District 4) and Wanika Fisher (District 2) invited their fellow Sorors from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) to attend the Council meeting and a luncheon recognizing their contributions to the Prince George’s County community. Ylawnda Peebles, AKA Soror and Pastor of City of Praise Family Ministries in Landover, led the invocation at the start of the Council meeting. AKA was founded in 1908 as the nation’s first historically African American sorority and is known for its commitment to scholarship, service, and sisterhood. Prince George’s County is home to nine active AKA chapters that engage in initiatives that promote education, economic empowerment, and civic engagement.

COUNCIL INTRODUCES RESOLUTIONS TO ASSIST, INFORM FEDERAL WORKERS

Additionally on Tuesday, the Council introduced a pair of resolutions aiming to assist and inform current and former federal employees amid the Trump administration’s efforts to fire federal workers and restructure agencies. There are around 150,000 federal workers living in Maryland, and 73,000 federal workers and contractors call Prince George’s County home. CR-22-2025, proposed by Council Member Calvin Hawkins, II (At-Large), would urge Governor Wes Moore to issue a residential mortgage foreclosure moratorium, providing additional time for any federal employees facing financial hardships to consult with their mortgage lender to find repayment solutions and avoid foreclosure. CR-26-2025, proposed by Chair Jolene Ivey (At-Large), would create the Prince George’s County Impact on Federal Workers Task Force. The 13-member task force would be made up of representatives from the Council, the Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Corporation, the offices of Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, the offices of Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Glen Ivey, the state Attorney General’s office, and others. The group would meet weekly and provide analysis and recommendations to the Council.

COMMITTEE BRIEFED BY HEALTH DEPT. ON FLU AND MEASLES

On Thursday, the Maryland Department of Health announced the second and third measles cases in the state, both in Prince George’s County. According to the department, none of the cases in Maryland have been linked to outbreaks in other states, including Texas and New Mexico. On Tuesday, Dr. Matthew Levy and his team from the Prince George’s County Health Department briefed the Health, Human Services, and Public Safety Committee on measles and the flu. Dr. Levy told the committee that 96% of school-aged children in Maryland are vaccinated against measles. He said there have been around 300 cases of the highly contagious illness nationwide this year. According to Levy, 95% of patients have been unvaccinated, highlighting the importance of vaccinations.

Regarding the current flu season, Dr. Levy reported there have been 13.6 hospitalizations per 100,000 people nationwide. That is a significant increase over the 8.9 per 100,000 people last flu season. He said flu-related hospitalizations peaked in Maryland in early February with 1,051 people hospitalized in one week. The good news, according to Dr. Levy, is hospitalizations, statewide and in Prince George’s County, have decreased each week since. He attributed a harsher flu season to low flu vaccination rates in the county and state. Prince George’s County has a flu vaccination rate of 24% and Maryland’s is 31%.

The Health Department team also informed the committee about a Community Health Resident Survey it is conducting. Residents are being asked to complete the 5–10-minute survey to help the Health Department and healthcare provides address and improve medical care in the county. You can complete the survey here.

COUNCIL ESTABLISHES COMPENSATION REVIEW COMMISSION

At its meeting on Tuesday, the Council enacted CB-001-2025, a bill proposed by Chair Jolene Ivey (At-Large), creating the 2025-2026 Compensation Review Commission. The seven-member commission will study and make recommendations regarding the current compensation of Council Members and the County Executive. Three members are appointed by the Council, three by the County Executive, and the seventh appointee, who will chair the commission, must be agreed upon by both.

DATA CENTER TASK FORCE MOVES CLOSER TO ESTABLISHMENT

On Thursday, March 20, the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee moved favorably on CR-16-2025, a resolution introduced by Council Vice Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8), aiming to establish a Qualified Data Center Task Force. The 15-member task force would study any potential risks, community benefits, and revenue opportunities brought by data centers. It would also develop and suggest possible policies and locations. The members of the task force would be appointed by the Council. It would include two Council Members, as well as representatives from the County Executive’s office; the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement; the County Economic Development Corporation; and other industry experts. The group would be required to present its final recommendations to the Council by November 30, 2025.

March 24 - EWD Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

March 25 - General Assembly - 9:00 AM - DETAILS

March 25 - County Council - 10:30 AM - Agenda Briefing

March 25 - County Council - 11:00 AM - DETAILS

March 26 - Zoning Hearing Examiner - 9:30 AM - DETAILS

March 26 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

March 26 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

March 27 - TIEE Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

March 27 - GOFP Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.

CHAIR IVEY, VICE CHAIR BURROUGHS MEET WITH GOVERNOR FOR BUDGET DISCUSSION

Council Chair Jolene Ivey (At-Large) and Vice Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8) met with Governor Wes Moore to discuss upcoming county budget challenges. This is not the first time the Prince George’s County has faced extraordinary circumstances — when the pandemic began five years ago, leadership from across the county came together and worked hard to ensure the safety of residents. In that moment, the federal government worked with the county and provided relief, but unfortunately, now uncertainty is being driven by rapid changes at the federal level. With so much of our budget relying on state and federal funds, our county deficit feels even more daunting.

This is why, more than ever, working together Governor Moore is so important. We are committed to being solutions-oriented and finding compromise to ensure we keep residents at the forefront of budget decisions. The Chair and Vice Chair are grateful to GovernorMoore for the meeting and fruitful discussion.

CHAIR IVEY HONORS PGPD FOLLOWING PLANE CRASH, JOINS MEDICAID ROUNDTABLE

Council Chair Jolene Ivey (At-Large) honored the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Special Operations Division with a Proclamation for their heroic efforts after the fatal plane collision over the Potomac River. The Council and the county are thankful for the Underwater Rescue Team, Marine Unit, and Aviation Section officers for their bravery responding to the tragic crash.

Chair Ivey also joined her husband, Congressman Glenn Ivey (D-MD),  for a Medicaid Roundtable. A third of Prince Georgians use Medicaid services, and not just for direct services, but medical transportation and prevention programs. Chair Ivey knows that proposed cuts to Medicaid at the federal level would be devastating to our neighbors, county, and state, and this meeting was just one way to provide education and bring people together in the fight to save Medicaid.

VICE CHAIR BURROUGHS TAKES STUDENTS TO MARYLAND STATE HOUSE

Vice Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8) recently brought over 50 high school students from his District 8 Youth Leadership Academy to the Maryland State House in Annapolis. During the visit, joined by Council Member Krystal Oriadha (District 7), students had the opportunity to meet with their representatives, gain a deeper understanding of the legislative process, and explore potential career paths. This experience is just the latest initiative of Vice Chair Burroughs' Youth Leadership Academy, which has previously taken students to the White House and the County Council Building. The program also offers mock job interviews and presentations from professionals across various industries. The District 8 Youth Leadership Academy is one of many programs funded by the MGM National Harbor Local Impact Grant, which also supports senior citizens, a free security program for residents, and health equity initiatives.

COUNCIL MEMBER HAWKINS ATTENDS BISHOP MCNAMARA FUNDRAISER

Council Member Calvin Hawkins (At-Large) had the pleasure of attending the “McNamara Madness 2025” fundraiser event at Tom’s Watch Bar in National Harbor. The fundraiser for financial aid and scholarships brought together alumni, parents, and community supporters. Council Member Hawkins had a fantastic time and was thrilled to attend.

COUNCIL MEMBER FISHER JOINS STUDENT WALK AUDIT, WOMEN’S HISTORY CELEBRATION, GREEK SCHOLARSHIP FASHION SHOW

Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) had an amazing time with students from Northwestern High School as they conducted their Wildcat Walk Audit to help make Hyattsville safer for pedestrians. Thanks to the Washington Area Bicyclist Association for its dedication to protecting our kids and community. Council Member Fisher also joined the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s History Month celebration, recognizing the outstanding women-owned businesses that drive the local economy and strengthen communities. She went on to join sister Greeks of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at their 49th Annual Scholarship Benefit Fashion Show.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ORIADHA AND BLEGAY HOST UTILITY TOWN HALL

Council Members Wala Blegay (District 6) and Krystal Oriadha (District 7) hosted a virtual Utility Town Hall in partnership with Maryland Sen. Nick Charles and Del. Kent Roberson. The event featured representatives from Pepco, WSSC, BGE, Washington Gas and the Office of the People’s Counsel. The discussion focused on the rising expense of utility bills and programs to help lower costs.