[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6682668,"mediaKeyId","2112794-d8f788ab34933ee4f8899b1787508eab","parentId",2112794,"title","County budget briefing warns of state shortfall; council approves joint legislative priorities seeking hospital, housing and flood funds","audioSeconds",344,"startMs",803965,"endMs",1148155,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2112794-d8f788ab34933ee4f8899b1787508eab&start=803&end=1148","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2112794-d8f788ab34933ee4f8899b1787508eab/thumbnail_803965.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6682668/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/County-budget-briefing-warns-of-state-shortfall-council-approves-joint-legislative-priorities-seeking-hospital-housing-and-flood-funds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6682668-677b5945cbb7d3b0b9c686b07a60e413/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171689&Signature=AMtPKbnh9c1FTHX2vhtlN276csb1lDCYnmVPhG6KmFC1C4XAn~fVqexJgi1Wuv~2ZIbg13Yq7pa1XeIHSzRiEeAM~HI2OzFoJmrTxRIYaOdBXzb8iZgxi~LXQlONEwkXvrw5XRcCE4UBz~bcnPcwy3OEXA9C9x98diOSKD5GiCqJhN2NDNLg4lBsPAvRsJ81-6Bmj~ugO5uiSjzJSwzJ7ADP-eyZYXpCrFIyntVG9S~zgj7VtQDzoOQFzkTba6rr54LdXsrbtOx7joSXMJEWkyXP~knUCAeNdSCA9AbpKCoXLcPOiPW69KFKJVh21j7zrHdFbgOh37UQF7ZgXYANYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Prince George","date","2025-01-14T00:00:00Z","article","Prince George's County received an overview Jan. 14 of the 2025 state budget outlook and approved a joint letter to its state legislative delegation requesting targeted capital and operating assistance, including hospital expansions, affordable housing preservation funding and flood mitigation projects.

The presentation and ensuing discussion focused on a projected structural shortfall in Maryland’s finances and a set of county priorities to ask state leaders to fund or help fund this year.

Budget outlook presented to council
Darryl Barnes and Jimmy Tarlow of Barnes International told the committee the state faces a difficult fiscal picture. Barnes said Maryland’s operating budget is roughly $63 billion and that the state is facing about a $3 billion shortfall in the current cycle; he added that, without intervention, some forecasts project the gap could reach about $6 billion by fiscal 2030. Barnes cited higher‑than‑expected public assistance spending — including Medicaid, child care and disability services — and slower employment recovery since the pandemic as contributing factors.

Barnes outlined options being discussed in Annapolis: new revenue sources such as changes to income tax brackets, sales tax expansions or fee increases; and budget cuts and reserves. He noted the governor has signaled reluctance to raise new taxes but has proposed sizable program reductions; the governor was scheduled to release a budget on Jan. 15. The presentation also noted federal exposure for the state (many federal jobs and contracts are located in Maryland), and that the General Assembly’s fiscal calendars will drive decision points in March and April.

Council discussion and concerns
Council members pressed for clarity on the likely mix of cuts and revenue changes. Council Member Harrison asked whether the legislature’s “temperature” suggested agreement on the need for cuts; presenters said most leaders acknowledge action is necessary but disagree on mechanisms. Multiple council members flagged the potential impact of higher reserve requirements cited in recent affordability reports and warned the county may face reduced state aid.

Joint letter of county legislative priorities
The committee considered a proposed joint letter to the chairs of the Prince George’s County delegation in the Maryland Senate and House transmitting the county’s 2025 legislative priorities. County Executive staff summarized the letter’s priorities and answered questions about specific capital asks.

Key requests included:
- $78,000,000 for health care infrastructure projects tied to county priorities.
- $30,000,000 to redevelop Adventist HealthCare facilities.
- $15,000,000 to expand University of Maryland Capital Region Hospital.
- $9,000,000 for MedStar Southern Maryland upgrades.
- $5,000,000 for CCI Health Services upgrades.
- $14,800,000 for climate resilience and stormwater management projects.
- $12,000,000 for flood reduction in Calvert Hills and a $2,800,000 request for Fort Washington (the administration agreed during the meeting to modify the letter language to specify “flood mitigation and water quality improvements” for Fort Washington).
- $4,500,000 request for the Health Assures program (previously funded with ARPA dollars).
- $20,000,000 total for right‑of‑first‑refusal and Housing Investment Trust Fund (split $10,000,000 each), to help preserve affordable housing; the administration said those funds preserved roughly 1,800 affordable units in prior rounds.
- Continued advocacy for Blue Line corridor investments in downtown Largo; the administration noted $400,000,000 in prior bonding authority through the Maryland Stadium Authority for related projects and said the county will continue to seek additional resources as projects advance.

Council members also asked that the letter reflect concerns about the Purple Line, specifically the lack of sidewalks and pedestrian access to some stops; the administration said Delegate Tavares and others are working on a targeted request and that the county hopes to include a sidewalk/pathway ask in follow‑up correspondence. Committee members approved two amendments on the letter (adding Fort Washington flood mitigation language and a minor wording change referencing state investments in other sports and entertainment districts), then voted to transmit the letter to delegation chairs; the final motion passed on roll call.

What remains outstanding
County staff said they will provide council members additional detail on the Fort Washington stormwater/flood project scope and on the status of Blue Line corridor projects funded through the bonding authority. Staff also said they plan further follow‑up with PGCPS about the proposed school compliance office and with the school system regarding implementation questions for the drug‑detection product proposal.

Context and timing
Barnes and Tarlow noted the governor’s budget release and the General Assembly’s upcoming fiscal milestones, and county staff said they will return with more detailed information as Annapolis develops the fiscal package. Several council members warned that deep cuts alone would be painful and that a combination of cuts and revenue measures is likely to be debated in the coming weeks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Prince George - Committee of the Whole - (General Assembly Items) **Revised - MC/PG 106-25** - Jan 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Prince George's County received an overview Jan. 14 of the 2025 state budget outlook and approved a joint letter to its state legislative delegation requesting targeted capital and operating assistance, including hospital expansions, affordable housing preservation funding and flood mitigation projects.","taxTitle","Prince George's County, Maryland","taxId",3378,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6682672,"County committee backs four state bills including vacant-property tax, Route 5 speed cameras and school test strips",80,68130,148420,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2112794-d8f788ab34933ee4f8899b1787508eab&start=68&end=148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2112794-d8f788ab34933ee4f8899b1787508eab/thumbnail_68130.jpg","/articles/6682672/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/County-committee-backs-four-state-bills-including-vacant-property-tax-Route-5-speed-cameras-and-school-test-strips","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6682672-b3bf04007c7de7c724f58e5d2b177fd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171689&Signature=U~rldaSuZsFYFw5fPkQkF9tN8NKKnjmofNGcOsBX7nB83QfBL9yL0I0HwdM3d4GnLp3Aq0XtjxduBIQcwZCR0M9b7pEvSOUDs4M8HJdODOSpRzEU6hB2EGsqzPkP4Hk-H1F3gj2McImyZF5SKEnZ-Qz7rX6RbuzgvyJoUINYdy8yk-uOHdQuY2DPZk0pJNNH9abXiUeSwx9nkDT1nF7crsO30Tme209vbHxRXXvYwXfitws8~tlYn8Lumeeb-hfNkYgtKRiwdrhpivLkvb7KiS~Fx87vW9jNQsRpBCrwqAx2bQTEZrbz5tLXT5eL45V16h20wceebwMzfVitQa-nTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Prince George's County Council members sitting as the Committee of the Whole voted Jan. 14 to support four draft bills the council will transmit to the Maryland General Assembly.

The council voted in favor of: PG 41225, a local bill to authorize a special property tax rate for vacant and abandoned property; PG 30825, which authorizes speed monitoring systems on Maryland Route 5 with revenues earmarked for nearby highway and pedestrian safety improvements; PG 50725, which would require the county school system to make certain drug‑detection products available free to students; and MCPG 10625, which would alter membership rules for the county Board of Appeals to reduce meeting cancellations caused by lack of quorum.

Why it matters: The votes represent the council’s formal support for sending local bills and positions to Annapolis. Several of the measures — notably the vacant‑property tax and Route 5 speed monitoring — are intended to give local officials additional tools to address blight and traffic safety. The school and Board of Appeals measures address public‑health and administrative continuity, respectively.

PG 41225 (vacant‑property tax)
Ron Young, a consultant with Evans and Associates, presented PG 41225 and said the bill would allow Prince George’s County to set a higher property tax rate on vacant or abandoned properties. Young said the bill “is fairly straightforward” and is intended as a local enactment of changes that followed last year’s House Bill 2. He noted an Attorney General opinion dated Dec. 19 concluded additional local legislation may not be strictly necessary, but said the county requested PG 41225 “as an additional safeguard” in case of legal challenge. County Executive staff told the committee they are supportive if the bill is needed. Council Member Olson moved support; Council Member Harrison seconded. The motion passed on a roll call showing unanimous support from members present (8–0).

PG 30825 (Route 5 speed monitoring)
The committee heard that PG 30825 would authorize placement and use of speed monitoring systems on Maryland Route 5 and require certain revenue from violations be used for state and local highway and pedestrian safety improvements on and near Route 5. Committee members discussed whether a countywide or broader state approach would be preferable; Council Member Genoga (transcribed) and others said a broader bill might be considered later, but the sponsor focused on a particular road to increase the chance of success in Annapolis. Council Member Harrison raised concerns about where fines would be spent; staff and the presenter said proceeds would go to state and local highway funds. The county executive’s office said it supports the bill and urged coordination with county police. Council Member Harrison moved support; Council Member Fisher seconded. The motion carried (8–0).

PG 50725 (school drug‑detection products)
PG 50725 would require the Prince George’s County Board of Education to make available, at no cost to students, drug‑detection products such as test strips, test bracelets and test nail polishes in school health clinics, libraries and bathrooms beginning July 1, 2025. County Executive staff said they had spoken with the school system and that the county would take no position yet pending further conversations with the sponsor about implementation. Council Member Harrison moved support with Council Member Fisher seconding; the motion carried on roll call (8–0).

MCPG 10625 (Board of Appeals membership)
The council discussed MCPG 10625, described by staff as a county council‑sponsored bill that amends current law to require at least three members on the Board of Appeals. The sponsor said the change is intended to reduce meeting cancellations caused by transitions and absences. Council Member Fisher moved support; Council Member Olson seconded. The motion passed on roll call (8–0).

Votes at a glance: PG 41225 (vacant‑property tax) — motion by Council Member Olson; second Council Member Harrison; outcome: supported by the council and referred for general‑assembly consideration (roll call recorded as unanimous among members present).
PG 30825 (Route 5 speed monitoring) — motion by Council Member Harrison; second Council Member Fisher; outcome: supported (unanimous among members present).
PG 50725 (school drug‑detection products) — motion by Council Member Harrison; second Council Member Fisher; outcome: supported (unanimous among members present).
MCPG 10625 (Board of Appeals membership) — motion by Council Member Fisher; second Council Member Olson; outcome: supported (unanimous among members present).

What the record shows: Presenters and county staff repeatedly characterized the votes as expressions of support to be transmitted to the county’s state legislative delegation. Several council members asked for follow‑up with affected agencies — for example, the school system on implementation of PG 50725 and the county police and State Highway Administration on PG 30825 — before final action in Annapolis.","Prince George's County Council members sitting as the Committee of the Whole voted Jan. 14 to support four draft bills the council will transmit to the Maryland General Assembly.","actionData","errors"]

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County budget briefing warns of state shortfall; council approves joint legislative priorities seeking hospital, housing and flood funds

County committee backs four state bills including vacant-property tax, Route 5 speed cameras and school test strips