The Prince George's County General Assembly Committee voted unanimously Nov. 4 to add multiple council-requested priorities to the county executive's draft joint priorities letter to the Maryland General Assembly and to forward the amended draft to the full county council for approval.

The committee, chaired by Wanika Fisher, approved amendments that add requests for funding and program support including 50–75 Maryland Transit Authority police positions for the Purple Line, a childcare matching-grant program, expansion of the state's autism waiver program, an expansion of Prince George's County's housing voucher list, support for the Maryland Film Office and local Blainsburg fire department and town improvements, and a targeted $5,000,000 ask for CCI Health Services. Committee members also noted a broader health funding figure of $25,000,000 mentioned during the discussion that the committee said staff would specify before the letter goes to the full council.

Why it matters: The joint priorities letter frames what the county will request from state lawmakers in Annapolis during the 2026 legislative session. The document is a working draft; the committee set a Nov. 18 internal deadline for final edits and directed staff to bring the amended letter to the full council for a formal vote.

“We focused on some key investments, specifically in the area of beautification, economic development, housing,” Marcus Jackson, director of government legislative director for the county executives office, said when introducing the letter. “This letter that's before you today is basically a letter that is done with a lot of care and a lot of consideration to the goals of the county executive to elevate the community.”

Carlton Atkinson, speaking on behalf of the county executive's team, described the draft as a working document and said county staff would take back questions and proposed additions raised by council members. “We're open to your questions, comments, and concerns, and here to have a discussion about how this letter can reflect the wishes of all parties involved,” Atkinson said.

Vice Chair Bridal Oriotta urged adding dedicated Maryland Transit Authority police positions to staff Purple Line service, saying 50 to 75 officers are needed to avoid overburdening Prince George's County Police with incidents that occur on the Purple Line. The committee added the MTA officer request to the letter.

Council member Ivy proposed three priorities for inclusion: a childcare grant/matching program, expansion of the autism waiver program to reduce long waiting lists, and an expansion of the county's housing voucher program. A council member at-large identified as Jolene told the committee she supports increasing primary care access and urged a $5,000,000 request for CCI Health Services as a ready-to-implement option; the committee recorded that a broader $25,000,000 healthcare request would be clarified before the full-council submission.

Council member Adam Stafford indicated his office would pursue some items through other means and asked to remove several line items from the state-request list (Glen Arden Boys & Girls Club, Succeeding Despite, and a redevelopment-corridor amount) while retaining support for film-office initiatives and local fire-department capital needs.

Procedure and votes: Vice Chair Oriotta moved to adopt the committee's listed amendments; Chair Fisher seconded. A roll-call vote recorded Chair Wanika Fisher — Aye; Vice Chair Bridal Oriotta — Aye; Council member Adam Stafford — Aye; Council member Ivy — Aye. The committee carried the motion 4–0. The committee then voted 4–0 to authorize the chair to forward the amended joint priorities letter to the full council for final consideration. The committee recorded a separate motion to adjourn that passed.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting included: a request for 50–75 MTA police positions for Purple Line service (Vice Chair Oriotta); a suggested $5,000,000 allocation for CCI Health Services (Jolene); mention of a $25,000,000 broader health ask to be specified by staff; that Prince George's County has not opened its housing voucher list for more than six years (Council member Ivy); and that families in the county can face a long wait for autism-waiver services (Ivy estimated a five- to ten-year wait).

Next steps: Committee director Marbly Nettle Simpson said members have until Nov. 18 to submit changes; staff will incorporate the amendments and circulate the revised letter to the full council before the council's Monday agenda meeting. The committee also noted that roadway and state highway/transit requests are coordinated through a separate Transportation, Infrastructure and Environment (TIE) committee.

Provenance: The discussion of the draft priorities letter and listed amendments began with the committee director's presentation at 00:00:54; county executive team comments are in the segment starting at 00:02:50. The motions and roll-call votes occur beginning at 00:14:47.

Ending note: The committee adjourned after confirming this was the last General Assembly Committee meeting for 2025 and announcing a Dec. 1 public hearing; the committee will reconvene in January unless a special session requires earlier meetings.