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1 month ago

County staff report General Assembly committee support for several state bills A county policy analyst reported that the General Assembly Committee backed a slate of state bills including measures on domestic violence as a mitigating factor, good‑cause eviction, medical assistance coverage related to domestic violence victims, HOA training and autism diagnosis recognition; the council approved transmitting its position to county delegation chairs.

Prince George's County is taking a stand on critical issues with new state bills aimed at supporting domestic violence victims, ensuring good-cause evictions, and recognizing autism diagnoses.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #HealthCareAccess #HousingEviction #DomesticViolence

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1 month ago

Employ Prince George’s presents local labor-market data; county unemployment at about 4.3% At a Feb. 23 briefing, Employ Prince George’s told the committee Prince George’s County unemployment rose to about 4.3% while Maryland’s rate was about 3.7%; the agency described three full-service centers, a 300-member network and wraparound services (transportation assistance, supplies, mental-health and financial literacy) and agreed to provide program outcome metrics.

Prince George’s County faces rising unemployment at 4.3%, with over 19,000 residents still out of work post-pandemic – but there's hope with new support services and job centers on the horizon!

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#PrinceCounty #MD #JobReadiness #CitizenPortal #EconomicSupport #PrinceGeorgesCounty

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1 month ago

Hospitals tell county committee radiology, respiratory and allied specialties hardest to fill University of Maryland Capital Region Health and MedStar Southern Maryland told the committee they face persistent shortages in imaging, respiratory therapy and specialized cardiovascular technician roles; both stressed aligning community college and high-school pathways with employer credential requirements.

Local hospitals are facing a critical shortage of skilled professionals in imaging and respiratory therapy, prompting urgent calls for better alignment between education and healthcare job pathways.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CommunityEngagement #HealthcareWorkforce #LocalGovAI

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1 month ago

County accepts telecommunications committee report; council votes 10-0 to move recommendations forward The County Council received the Telecommunications, Transmissions, Facility Coordinating Committee master plan and, after a staff briefing noting a decline in applications linked to an FCC auction lapse and carrier transitions, voted 10-0 to move the committee recommendations on Feb. 17, 2026.

Prince George's County Council just voted unanimously to advance crucial recommendations from the Telecommunications Committee, paving the way for new wireless infrastructure amid declining applications.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #RegulatoryCompliance

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1 month ago

Prince George's County retailers urge dedicated commercial-crimes prosecutor to bolster prosecutions and protect shopping centers DLC Management and private security firms told the County Council committee that repeated retail crime and violent incidents have driven closures at county shopping centers and urged creation of a dedicated commercial-crimes prosecutor (public‑private funded) to coordinate witnesses and improve prosecution rates.

Retail crime is spiraling out of control in Prince George's County, prompting a call for a dedicated commercial-crimes prosecutor to restore safety and accountability in shopping centers.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #CommercialCrime #PublicSafety

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1 month ago

Prince George's County ADU task force agrees draft size, code and permit reforms but leaves parking and definitions unresolved A county task force laid out draft recommendations for ADUs including size caps (attached 850 sq ft, detached 75%/1,200 sq ft), a 22-foot height cap proposal, sprinkler exemptions and streamlined permitting; questions remain on parking, baseline definitions for conversions and owner-occupancy.

Prince George's County is on the verge of transformative legislation for Accessory Dwelling Units, but key issues like parking and definitions still hang in the balance.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #PrinceGeorgesCountyADUs #CitizenPortal #AffordableHousing #BuildingCodeReform

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1 month ago

Prince George's tech employers tell county committee soft skills, not just credentials, drive local hiring At a Feb. 23 committee roundtable, IT firms said Prince George’s County produces promising talent but faces gaps in mid-to-senior cloud and AI roles; employers prioritized customer service, communication and accountability and described internship, certification and paid-pathway strategies to grow local hires.

Prince George's County has a wealth of early-career tech talent, but employers are urgently seeking mid to senior-level cloud and AI specialists who excel in soft skills over just technical know-how.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #TechnicalTalent #SoftSkillsEmployment

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1 month ago

Prince George's County Council introduces $751 million bond issuance for capital projects On first reading the County Council introduced CBO 4 20 26 to authorize up to $751,371,000 in general obligation bonds and $152,452,000 in stormwater bonds for capital and stormwater projects in FY2026; the bill was presented at the County Executive's request and referred to the General Finance & Operations committee.

The Prince George's County Council has taken a bold step by introducing a bill to issue over $750 million in bonds aimed at transforming local infrastructure and stormwater management.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #StormwaterManagement #CapitalProjects #PrinceGeorgesCounty

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1 month ago

Prince George's County committee advances rules for homeowners associations after debate over disclosures and costs The county Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee voted unanimously to move CR-005-2026, a resolution to establish rules for common ownership communities, after adopting amendments to narrow contract disclosure, add training, and require notification when reserve funds are drawn down.

A unanimous vote by the Prince George's County committee paves the way for new rules aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in homeowners associations, addressing resident concerns over costly document access.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CommunityTransparency

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1 month ago

Council committee issues favorable recommendations on several state bills, holds one for review The General Assembly Committee gave favorable recommendations on multiple state bills — including local good-cause eviction, the PATH Act and measures on small-business lending, school pedestrian awareness and insurance coverage for victims of domestic violence — and held a proposed senior tax credit for further review.

The General Assembly Committee has taken significant steps forward with favorable recommendations on key bills addressing landlord regulations, domestic violence, and small business support, while one proposal awaits further review.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CitizenPortal

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1 month ago

Prince George’s County District Council approves Market at College Park rezoning for up to 665 apartments The District Council voted 6-0 Feb. 23 to rezone about 4.52 acres near Baltimore Avenue in College Park from RTOLE to RTO-PD, allowing a planned development of up to 665 multifamily dwelling units; the approval follows staff and zoning hearing examiner recommendations with conditions.

The Prince George's County Council has just approved a major rezoning that paves the way for up to 665 new apartments near Baltimore Avenue!

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#PrinceCounty #MD #UrbanDevelopment #CitizenPortal #HousingInnovation #CommunityPlanning #PrinceGeorgesCounty

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1 month ago

Committee advances ‘Takara Rose’s Law’ to end waiting periods for missing-person reports and adds public campaign housed in Police Department The Health & Human Services/Public Safety Committee voted favorably (3–0) on CB-2 Draft 2 (Takara Rose's Law) after public testimony and amendments. The bill prohibits mandatory waiting periods to file missing-person reports, requires prompt acceptance, and directs a public campaign (committee amended language to house the campaign in the Police Department); estimated fiscal impact: $250,000 for the public campaign.

Prince George's County is taking a bold step by advancing "Takara Rose's Law," which eliminates waiting periods for missing-person reports and prioritizes the safety of Black women and girls.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #MissingPersons #PublicSafety

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1 month ago

Prince George's County school board asks council for wide-ranging funding and policy support Prince George's County Public Schools leaders told the county council they need major new funding and policy support — including an immediate capital gap estimate and program requests for special education and multilingual learners — as they outlined a legislative platform for the 2026 session.

Prince George's County school leaders are urgently calling for over $3 billion to address critical funding gaps and enhance support for students with disabilities and multilingual learners.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #SpecialEducationSupport

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1 month ago

Council introduces emergency measures on immigration enforcement, police verification and face‑covering limits The council introduced multiple emergency acts and resolutions concerning immigration enforcement and police transparency — including a bill to prescribe county guidance for immigration enforcement, a Resident Kidnapping Protection Act to authorize police verification of enforcement agents, and a proposal to limit face coverings by officers — all referred to the Committee of the Whole.

Prince George's County Council is taking bold action with emergency bills aimed at curbing immigration enforcement and increasing police transparency—will this reshape community trust?

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #CommunitySafety #ImmigrationEnforcement #PublicTrust

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1 month ago

Committee expresses support for speed-monitoring safety corridors bill, seeks clarity on 'high risk' definition The committee moved favorable on SB487, which authorizes state and local speed-monitoring systems in safety corridors for vulnerable road users; a committee member asked for clarification on how 'high risk' areas will be defined or mapped.

Senate Bill 487 is on track to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists by implementing speed-monitoring systems in high-risk areas—are we finally prioritizing vulnerable road users?

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#PrinceCounty #MD #TrafficSafety #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #VulnerableRoadUsers

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1 month ago

Prince George's County Memorial Library System briefs council on youth literacy, Books from Birth and mobile workforce services The county library system reported 1.5 million visits in 2025, described growth in early-literacy programs (17,617 enrolled in Books from Birth), and said a $2.2 million federal grant will fund a mobile Library-to-Go career connector to serve jobseekers.

Prince George's County Memorial Library System is transforming literacy and workforce services, boasting 1.5 million visits and innovative programs like the mobile Library-to-Go Career Connector!

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #YouthLiteracy

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1 month ago

County Council endorses DMV Moves regional transit investment plan Prince George’s County Council adopted a resolution supporting the DMV Moves regional transit investment and action plan, which staff said includes an estimated $460 million per year funding need beginning FY2028.

Prince George’s County Council has just approved a groundbreaking 25-year transit investment plan that could transform the transportation landscape of the national capital region!

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#PrinceCounty #MD #PrinceGeorgesCountyTransit #CitizenPortal #SustainableFunding

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1 month ago

Prince George’s County Board of Appeals approves five variances, including house additions and a security‑fence waiver At its Feb. 11 meeting the Prince George’s County Board of Appeals unanimously approved five variance requests — permitting rear additions, validating lot‑coverage changes, allowing a combined‑lot build in Capitol Heights, and granting a 6‑foot fence/parking waiver for a corner lot in Clinton. Neighbors testified on sunlight, privacy and unpermitted work.

The Prince George’s County Board of Appeals has made waves by unanimously approving five key variance requests, paving the way for exciting changes in local neighborhoods!

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #PropertyRegulations #CommunitySafety #HousingDevelopment

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1 month ago

Prince George’s County Council confirms Anthony Jones as county attorney The Prince George’s County Council unanimously confirmed Anthony Jones as county attorney after a public hearing that highlighted his federal legal experience and interim service in the county Office of Law.

Prince George's County Council has officially confirmed Anthony Jones as the new county attorney, bringing a wealth of federal legal expertise to the role!

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#PrinceCounty #MD #LegalAccountability #CitizenPortal #PublicService #EthicsInGovernance #PrinceGeorgesCounty

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1 month ago

Prince George’s County council directs staff to prepare approval document for College Park rezoning with modified affordable‑housing condition The District Council moved to prepare an approval document for ZMA2024002 (Mark at College Park), asking staff to modify the language of a recommended condition on affordable student housing so the obligation is implemented through a recorded declaration of covenants rather than as a zoning condition; the motion passed unanimously, 9–0.

The Prince George’s County District Council is one step closer to transforming College Park with a new zoning amendment that promises affordable student housing and vibrant public spaces!

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#PrinceCounty #MD #PrinceGeorgesCountyAffordableHousing #UrbanDevelopment #CitizenPortal

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1 month ago

GWU needs assessment finds gaps in housing, health care and transportation for Prince George's County seniors A George Washington University needs assessment presented to the county senior task force found persistent gaps in housing, transportation, health care and caregiver supports; nearly 800 residents were surveyed and focus groups highlighted caregiver burnout, food insecurity and poor awareness of existing services.

A recent comprehensive study reveals alarming gaps in housing, health care, and transportation for seniors in Prince George's County, highlighting the urgent need for community support and resources.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #HousingAccess #CitizenPortal #TransportationInequity

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1 month ago

University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension outlines watershed and stormwater support for Prince George’s County University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension told the county committee it provides watershed protection, training and project implementation across Central Maryland — including Prince George’s County — and offered to supply a district‑level map of partner organizations and outreach metrics. Staff said projects show measurable runoff and nutrient reductions but long‑term behavior change is slower to quantify.

The University of Maryland's Sea Grant Extension is transforming water quality in Prince George's County with innovative programs and community partnerships that promise real results!

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#PrinceCounty #MD #ClimateAdaptation #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal

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1 month ago

Committee adds and backs bill to tighten residential child-care education and practitioner training The committee added House Bill 396 to its agenda and moved favorable after presentations and discussion; the bill would require educational supports for children in state-funded residential child-care programs and set minimum training topics for staff certification, and the committee requested inclusion of mental-health training and first aid.

A pivotal bill to enhance education and training in Maryland's residential child-care programs just gained crucial support—could this be the change we've been waiting for?

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#PrinceCounty #MD #PrinceGeorgesCountyChildCare #EducationSupport #CitizenPortal #ChildDevelopment

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1 month ago

Prince George's Community College outlines expansion of workforce pathways, AI and quantum coursework PGCC told the county committee it is expanding dual-enrollment and career pathways, adding AI and quantum coursework, growing cybersecurity and workforce programs, and reported $5.2 million in federal funding expirations affecting targeted student supports.

Prince George's Community College is revolutionizing education by expanding career pathways and introducing cutting-edge AI and quantum courses to meet local job demands.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #EducationInnovation #AIEducation #PrinceGeorgesCounty

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1 month ago

Council warned of federal grant volatility as FY2027 state aid package is detailed OMB staff warned council members that federal grants face new "termination for convenience" clauses and outlined FY2027 state aid changes: $2.2 billion total aid, a $78 million increase driven mostly by K–12 blueprint funding and cuts/caps to some county-directed state grants.

Prince George’s County faces a turbulent future with federal grants at risk due to new "termination for convenience" clauses, while state aid increases bring both hope and hidden cuts.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #FederalGrantRisks #K12EducationFunding #StateAidChanges

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1 month ago

Committee supports bill limiting warrant authority for district court commissioners and stiffening false-report penalties The committee voted to support HB336, which would prevent district court commissioners from issuing arrest warrants without a law-enforcement or prosecutor request and increase penalties for certain false statements on official reports from up to six months to up to three years.

A new bill aims to strip district court commissioners of their power to issue arrest warrants without law enforcement's approval and toughens penalties for false reporting from months to years in prison.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety

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1 month ago

Soil Conservation District reports growth in farmers, federal contracts and ag‑preservation work The Soil Conservation District reported 102 new cooperative agreements over two years, nearly 60,000 acres of county farmland (about 40,000 privately owned), and a jump in federal conservation contracts — 78 contracts in 2025 obligating about $1.78 million to local producers. Staff also discussed agritourism zoning challenges and a feasibility study for an Ag & Food Security Innovation Center.

Prince George’s County is witnessing a remarkable surge in agricultural growth, with federal conservation contracts skyrocketing and new cooperative agreements flourishing!

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#PrinceCounty #MD #FoodSecurityInnovation #CitizenPortal #SoilConservation #AgritourismDevelopment

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1 month ago

Committee backs bill banning ‘auto sear’ switches that convert pistols into machine guns Lorenzo Bellamy told the committee SB334/HB577 would make it illegal to install 'auto sear' switches that convert firearms into rapidly firing weapons, with law-enforcement ownership and procurement exempted; the committee moved favorable, 5-0.

Maryland is one step closer to banning 'auto sear' switches that turn pistols into rapid-fire weapons, as the General Assembly Committee unanimously backs the bill.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #GunControl #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #LegislativeAction #PrinceGeorgesCounty

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1 month ago

Planner: RSFA rezoning would correct 'mistake' in Westphalia map and implement sector plan Mark Ferguson, an expert land planner, told the hearing the property’s AR zoning was a likely mistake in the 2007 sectional map amendment and that limited RSFA zoning would implement the Westphalia sector plan’s residential‑low vision while protecting buffers and environmental features.

An expert land planner claims the current zoning in Westphalia was a major oversight, urging a shift to RSFA to align with the sector plan and protect the community’s character.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #PrinceGeorgesCounty #ZoningReform #CitizenPortal #SustainableDevelopment

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1 month ago

Task force reviews funding tools — housing trust funds, land banks and inclusionary zoning — to finance permanent affordability The Prince George's County task force reviewed multiple funding strategies for a community housing trust, including redirecting public funding, municipal trust funds, inclusionary zoning set-asides, and using a newly authorized county land bank to supply land for permanently affordable homes.

Brenda revealed innovative funding strategies for Prince George's County that could transform surplus land into permanently affordable homes, drawing inspiration from successful models in Vermont and Burlington.

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#PrinceCounty #MD #PrinceGeorgesCountyHousing #CitizenPortal