February 15, 2019

Dear Friends,

 

This year I am proud to chair the Council's Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee. So far this year, we've held several important briefings. Did you know that all our committee hearings and council sessions are streamed live and archived for future viewing? 

You can watch our January 17 PHED Committee meeting including briefings on Plan 2035, the Prince George's County Competitive Rental Strategic Action Plan, and a briefing from the Economic Development Committee on Economic Drivers and Catalysts. During our February 7 PHED Committee meeting we reviewed legislation and heard a briefing on Housing Opportunities for All, the County's Comprehensive Housing Strategy as well as an overview of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Redevelopment Authority and the Housing Authority.

Budget discussions for Fiscal Year 2020 have begun. The County Council is holding a Town Hall Meeting on the Budget Process on Tuesday, February 26, at 7:00 p.m. at Prince George's Community College. Click on the image to the left for details.

The Prince George's County Government's Youth@Work/Summer Youth Enrichment Program is a six-week, entry-level introduction to work in the County government, non-profit agencies, and the private sector for the youth of Prince George's County. This countywide initiative offers youth enriching and constructive summer work experiences in various assignments throughout the County. To be eligible to participate, you must be a resident of Prince George's County between the ages of 12-22 by July 1, 2019. There is no longer a limit on how many years you can participate, so if a young person has held a summer job through SEP before, they can apply for employment again this year. Check out this informational video about the program and find the SYEP application here. 

Local business owners, local governments and non-profit organizations, please consider employing one or more youth through the Prince George's County Youth@Work/Summer Youth Enrichment Program this summer! Non-profit organizations and municipal governments may be able to hire students at no cost to your organization. I've hired youth through this program for the past three summers to great success. Learn more.

Another incredible opportunity for County youth is the NAACP's Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). The ACT-SO program in Prince George's County is free and it allows Middle and High School youth to participate in competitions to ear scholarship money and prizes. Learn more about ACT-SO this Saturday, February 16, at 3:00 p.m. at Prince George's Community College, Marlboro Hall, Room 1098. Contact info@actsopgc.org for more information.

Do you have a maximum household income of $55,000 and need assistance preparing your tax returns? The Prince George's Community College Financial Empowerment Center or Community Tax Aid at the City of New Carrollton may be able to help. 

As always, please reach out to my office at 301-952-3060 or via email if a member of my team or I can assist you in any way.

Together Strengthening our Community,

P.S. I'm active on social media! If you are, too, please engage with me on Facebook or Twitter.