Prince George’s County Council unanimously elects Crystal Oriada chair; Oriada unveils countywide child-care plan
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Summary
On Dec. 2, the Prince George’s County Council elected Crystal Oriada chair and Eric Olsen vice chair in unanimous votes. Oriada outlined a year-long agenda centered on a countywide child-care asset-mapping and expansion initiative, a listening tour and a priority survey.
Crystal Oriada was elected chair of the Prince George’s County Council on Tuesday, Dec. 2, following a roll-call vote that the clerk recorded as "Motion carries 10 0." The council also elected Eric Olsen as vice chair in a separate unanimous vote.
The nominations were moved and seconded on the floor; the clerk recorded the chair election result as a 10–0 vote and the vice chair election as 10–0. The consent agenda approving council minutes from Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, 2025, passed later in the meeting by a recorded vote of 11–0.
In remarks after the gavel exchange, Chair Crystal Oriada set the council’s theme for the legislative year as "prototype for what is possible," and outlined priorities she said will guide the council’s work. "This year, we will launch a county wide child care asset mapping and expansion initiative," Oriada said, describing the effort as the first step in identifying gaps in child-care supply, supporting providers to expand capacity and targeting resources to communities most affected.
Oriada framed child care as a cross-cutting issue that affects workforce participation, family stability and early childhood development, and said the council will partner with the school board on a pilot for universal aftercare models. She also announced plans for a countywide listening tour and a resident priority survey intended to gather community input to shape policy.
County Executive Ayesha Braveboy, who attended the meeting, expressed support for Oriada’s child-care focus. "Madam chair, I love your vision, for universal, childcare," the executive said and said she looked forward to working with the council on those priorities.
The meeting also included a ceremonial plaque presentation recognizing outgoing Chair Edward Burrows; the plaque text included the dates 03/25/2025 through 12/02/2025. After the formal business concluded, the council recessed to a reception and the chair declared the meeting adjourned.
Votes at a glance
• Election of chair (Crystal Oriada): motion moved on the floor; recorded result — Motion carries 10 0. • Election of vice chair (Eric Olsen): motion moved on the floor; recorded result — Motion carries 10 0. • Consent agenda (minutes dated 11/17/2025, 11/18/2025): recorded result — Motion carries 11 0.
What happens next
Oriada asked the council to begin work this year on the child-care mapping and expansion initiative and to participate in a listening tour and priority survey to inform the council’s agenda.