City delegation outlines 2026 legislative priorities, warns of tight state budget
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Summary
Lobbyist Len Lucci briefed the council on priorities for the Maryland General Assembly, citing an estimated $1.6 billion state budget shortfall and urging coordination on childcare funding, renter protections, bike-lane enforcement, municipal land-use authority and Baltimore Avenue capital needs.
Len Lucci, the city's lobbyist, told College Park leaders on Jan. 6 that the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session will be tight because of an approximate $1.6 billion shortfall in the state budget and that the new House Speaker is a College Park resident, a development he said could help city priorities.
Lucci outlined suggested priorities including increased funding for state childcare scholarships, pursuing legislation aimed at rental-market collusion, restoring stricter prohibitions on stopping in bike lanes on state roads, and continuing efforts to secure municipal land-use authority in Prince George's County. He and city staff also emphasized capital needs for Phase 2 (and beyond) of Baltimore Avenue reconstruction.
City staff member Mr. Gardiner summarized local priorities discussed in October: restoring childcare scholarship access, fighting rent collusion that raises local rents, preventing vehicle stoppage in bike lanes on state roads and asking for state support for phase 2 transportation construction. Councilmembers asked detailed questions on highway-user revenue protections, Purple Line funding for the city and veteran-focused affordable housing initiatives.
Lucci and staff said they will track the roughly 2,500 bills expected this session, provide weekly updates to the council and work with College Park's delegation to introduce or support bills that match city priorities. Councilmembers offered specific points for follow-up, including monitoring highway-user revenue and seeking capital funding for Baltimore Avenue phases.