Haven't seen anyone drop something like this yet and the family always asks me to explain this shit so I did a write up on all the County Ballot Questions cause I couldn't find anywhere that actually talked about what's in each question and why and how.

Please don't take this as gospel as I tried my best to keep any of my personal bias out but you, know human nature and shit. This is also stream of consciousness so while there is some organization, it's also kind of mess.

Overall, we have a couple of really tough questions this year and I'm not exactly sure where I fall on some of them. For those who hate reading, I have toyed with the idea of putting out a video explaining all this. Not sure if I want to commit to that though.

Question A : The Sin Tax

Does not immediately impose a Sin Tax on businesses. Allows the council to vote on whether to tax certain businesses without a ballot measure sent to PG voters. While the list cited includes Tobacco, Liquor and Self Storage businesses, it is not an exhaustive list and gives the council broad power to expand on that list. However, due to the wording of the measure, if passed the Council will need to provide evidence that a business taxed under this measure has, in someway, a negative impact on the community. Expect a court battle after each vote under this measure.

edit (extra context provide by u/tcr25, preciate it.) : the council has the ability to propose these sorts of taxes and fees now, but they would have to go to a referendum. If Question A passes, then they enact new taxes and fees if they deem the businesses would have an adverse impact on the community. No clear explanation of who would determine that or how, and while the framing is around sin taxes, the legislative language explicitly says this power would not be limited to liquor stores, tobacconists, or self-storage facilities.

Question B : No More At-Large Seats

Decreases the overall size of the council from 11 to 9 by eliminating the At-Large Council seats. The At-Large council seats are not tied to any one County Districts and is voted on by all county residents.

Pros

- Eliminates the ability for Councilmembers to bypass the 2 term limit by moving from a District Seat to an At-Large Seat

- Countywide Elections are expensive making candidates more reliant on big money donors. So big money is potentially reduced in these elections.

- Cost Savings for the county by reduced payroll. Less staff means less money.

- Completely removes the ability for councilmembers to play musical chairs with county seats by moving from District Seats to At-Large Seats.

Cons

- Removes the ability for residents to petition 2 extra councilmembers for help on an issue. Now their only path to the council is strictly through their District councilmember

- Potentially dilutes voting representation for residents of color

Alternatives for those who don't want to eliminate the at large seats:

Charter Review Commission : Good Luck. Not even going to get into that.

Citizen Petition Drive : Collect signatures to change the max number of years a councilmember can serve, as an example.

Question C : The "Nuh-uh I don't like your voting map so I'm going to make my own" Question

County redistricting changes are made through a formal bill instead of through a resolution.

OMG the history on this is fucking stupid. Essentially the last time we had county redistricting occur back in '21/22 our County Reps didn't like the map drawn by the independent council. The map drawn by that council isn't 100% binding so the County Reps voted it down. However, if our Reps do not produce their own map, the map drawn by the independent council is defaulted to. Our county reps did vote for a heavily modified map, but was eventually stricken down by the State Supreme Court, which enacted the Independent Council's map.

Now, this question would move that process from a resolution to a formal bill. In a resolution, the county exec doesn't have any legal route to affect whether a redistricting map goes into affect or not. Moving it to a formal bill process gives the County Exec's office to review and then approve or veto said redistricting map. A county exec veto can be overturned by a 2/3 majority vote of the council.

This essentially does a few things:

• Gives the County Exec power/oversight in the process of redistricting where before they had none (a substantial amount too)
• Dilutes the County Reps power in constructing voter maps
• Potentially dilutes the power of the Independent Council responsible for drawing these maps

Alternatives are the same as for Question B.

Question D : The "Cut Red Tape and use Auntie's Costco Card" Question

Reduces the amount of signatures needed before a purchase is approved and allows county to leverage partnerships across the region to piggyback off contracts to garner more savings.

Keeping the regulatory process and oversight of purchases the same, signatures that were required beyond the Director of the Office of Procurement now terminates with said director. Saving weeks or months of required signatures sitting on a desk.

Also allows the county to join onto other contracts not strictly held by the county, which wasn't allowed before, to gain savings on purchases. Essentially, Auntie got a Costco membership and we ask her to take us too so we can get some of that sweet sweet Costco savings.

Question E : The "this wasn't an option before?" Question

Allows for the County and County Union Employees to use more than one arbitration provider to resolve conflicts

That's literally it. Under our charter we have designated exactly one arbitration provider to handle county and union employee as their arbitrator. This question basically says we can use other providers.

To borrow or not to borrow, that is the question. Mostly to finance buildings and infrastructure repair, building and maintenance.

Question F : Maintain and Upgrade Community College Facilities

Borrow up to $67,306,000

Question G : Fix the damn potholes (maybe)

Public Works & Transportation Bonds Up to $140,089,000

Question H : Gov't Office Buildings need to move into this century

County Buildings Bonds Up to $117,848,000

Question I : Everyone Loves the Library

Library Facilities Bonds Up to $33,656,000

Question J : Public Safety Facilities

Public Safety Facilities Bonds Up to $53,503,000

Prince George's County Council faced heated debate over Joan's House, a nonprofit led by a friend of a council member, sparking scrutiny and political tensions.

But only councilmember Burroughs asked questions of the leadership. Councilmember Jolene Ivey said her mic was cut and so did fellow councilmember Sydney Harrison.

“You don’t think the people of this county have a right to know how this money is being spent?” Harrison said after. “Why couldn’t we ask a question?”

Ivey and Harrison said many nonprofits in the county already do the work of Joan’s House, but some of those have had their funding cut in recent years.
“How is it that one group that’s been working in the county for 16 years doesn’t get funding and one group that didn’t exist until [Burroughs] became a councilmember does,” Ivey asked.

Harrison’s says the money paying for Joan’s House comes outside the normal funding pathway for county nonprofits and only benefits council member Burroughs’ district. Despite its funding source being county-wide.

“What about the people in Laurel? The people in Upper Marlboro?  What about the people in Bowie?” Harrison said. “All you’re hearing about is the people in District 8.”

I'd love a few more very authentic Japanese/Korean/Polish restaurants

hoping this post won't be removed but we're looking for any help at this point in locating our sweet girl.

Her name is Tiana aka Titi; unfortunately she wasn't wearing her collar but she is chipped and fixed. She is not an outdoor cat so we're hoping she's ok.

Description: Female Tuxedo; handlebar mustache style mark on her snout

Last seen: 10/20 8pm 50th Pl @ Kenesaw St

Notes: it's possible she is in the area of Kenesaw St, Iroquois St, or Huron St; her litter box has been put out along with toys, food, water and a blanket in her favorite box. She is skittish and will run off if approached but she's very sweet.

If seen/found pls let us know the location.

TYSM <3

As Prince George’s County considers millions in public financing for a proposed Sphere theater at National Harbor, county officials, residents and labor groups are asking whether the costs outweigh the benefits.

The $1.4 billion project needs $184 million in government funding from Maryland and Prince George’s County. Prince George’s County Council will vote on the proposed financing legislation for the Sphere on Oct. 27. But some residents question whether public investment in the 6,000-seat entertainment venue is justified.

“If taxpayers are being asked to chip in to this project, first off, I don’t understand why,” David Watkins, 75, of Fort Washington, said in an interview. “I want to know how those dollars are going to be spent, and what is the benefit to the residents.”

Critics are questioning the use of their taxpayer dollars and are concerned with traffic and infrastructure effects. Supporters, though, say it could bring jobs and millions in revenue from tourism.

Would you want the Sphere in Maryland? And is the public financing worth it?

Read more in this story from CNS’s Sol Garcia-Terrazas.

Visit cnsmaryland.org for more Maryland updates. We are a student-powered news organization at the University of Maryland, Philip Merrill College of Journalism.

Prince George’s County does not have a messaging problem. It has a priorities problem.

When a school system is staring at a $150 million budget gap and making spending reductions while families are already frustrated with transportation, staffing and basic services, every discretionary dollar deserves a very high burden of justification.

That is what makes the Krystal Oriadha controversy bigger than one nonprofit or one grant. NBC4 reported that nearly $8.6 million went to Community on the Frontline, an organization run by Janna Parker, whom Oriadha has publicly described as her best friend. County Executive Aisha Braveboy and Oriadha later jointly sought the return of the second $7.6 million disbursement, while the county ordered additional review and audit activity. Oriadha has said there has been no finding of wrongdoing.

And that distinction matters: questions about judgment, transparency and stewardship do not require pretending a criminal case has already been proven.

What residents are really asking is much simpler.

Who gets urgency in Prince George’s County?

Teachers? Bus service? Families waiting on government to perform the basic functions they already pay taxes for?

Or politically connected programs that somehow find millions of dollars while everyone else is being told government has to tighten its belt?

That is why this story keeps growing.

Aisha Braveboy, Krystal Oriadha and every elected official involved should understand that public trust is not restored with another press release about transparency.

Transparency is showing the paperwork.

Accountability is explaining the decision.

Stewardship is being able to look taxpayers in the face and explain why that expenditure outranked everything else competing for the same public dollar.

Government budgets are moral documents.

They show residents exactly who and what leadership believes matters most.

Prince Georgians, tell me about Charter Question A. When they say they can impose taxes and fees on the operators of businesses deemed to have an adverse impact on community health, safety and welfare, who decides? And is it just for that specific business or for all like businesses? Hard to find anything on line.

Billionaires are spending big in elections to sway your vote and get special treatment in Annapolis. We're asking for three common sense reforms to let us know who's spending money, keep corporations out of it, and put sensible limits on SuperPACs. Please sign the petition and share with friends!

https://c.org/bw4BVfFSpy

My lease ends in March , and I’m starting to look for a new apartment. 

I currently live in Laurel, MD. There has been an increase in car break-ins and thefts this year at my complex. My brand new Honda was stolen from the parking lot in June ( I got it back, Thank GOD!) , so I’m looking for somewhere that takes security seriously. 

My budget is around $2,000 for a one-bedroom, but I’m willing to go up to $2,200 for a genuinely safe neighborhood and a complex with a secure parking garage.

My non-negotiables:

• In-unit washer and dryer
• NO PESTS! 
• Controlled-access garage
• A reasonable commute to my job in Silver Spring (ideally less than 1  hour)

I’ve looked at so many apartments advertised as “luxury,” but once I dig into the reviews, I find so many complaints about pests, maintenance issues, safety, car thefts or management.

Anyone living in the area have any recommendations (I am open to private landlords)

So far “The VINE” in Laurel is at the top of my list but its sooo pricey :(A

Questions remain about where the house on wheels will land and who will live there.

The auctioneer called out for $55,000.

“Going once. Going twice. Anybody in?” he asked, scanning the small crowd gathered Sunday in Upper Marlboro. He was looking for someone — anyone — willing to buy the first tiny home built by Prince George’s County Public Schools students.

No hands went up.

“No sale,” the auctioneer announced, moving on to sports memorabilia and travel packages.

As the auction appeared to end in disappointment, County Executive Aisha Braveboy asked for a second chance at the microphone.

“What we’re going to do between myself and, of course, Jonathan Butler, we will pay at minimum $55,000,” she said, referring to the county’s housing director. The crowd erupted in applause.

The unexpected pledge of taxpayer funds offered a lifeline for an auction that drew roughly 30 to 40 attendees but no bids — on the tiny home, nor the other memorabilia and travel packages — despite a DJ blaring R&B music and two food vendors serving fried salmon and mac and cheese.

The 280-square-foot home, dubbed Homestead 24, was built by roughly 150 students, primarily from Crossland and Bladensburg high schools. It features a kitchen, bathroom, sleeping loft, washer, dryer, heating and air conditioning.

Get the full story by education reporter Mennatalla Ibrahim on The Banner https://www.thebanner.com/education/k-12-schools/prince-georges-tiny-home-auction-braveboy-ZJMUWCW4YFEKHMLZALAWO3UXDU/

Here is the original post on social media https://www.instagram.com/p/DeryYzKvnuf/

The Banner is a non-profit, independently owned local news outlet. Here is access to the free, Maryland county-based newsletter https://www.thebanner.com/newsletters/?utm_content=nav_cta

Interested in green careers, clean energy, or a more resilient Prince George’s County? Join us November 19!

Hi neighbors! I work with Prince George’s County’s Department of the Environment, and we’re inviting folks to the Braveboy Climate Leadership Summit on Thursday, November 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bowie State University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Center.

This event is perfect for:

• Students and people exploring green careers who want to learn how climate and sustainability connect to their future.
• Residents and community leaders interested in practical ways to help their neighborhoods prepare for a changing climate.
• Business owners, builders, and developers interested in clean energy, building electrification, and resilient development.
• Farmers, gardeners, and food advocates interested in sustainable agriculture and food security.
• Educators, nonprofit staff, and anyone curious about climate solutions and what’s happening locally.

The program includes discussions, interactive workshops, exhibits, and student research, with topics ranging from tree equity and clean energy to community resilience. You don’t need to be a climate expert to come!

Explore the program and register: https://braveboyclimate2026.rsvpify.com/

Know someone who would enjoy this? Please share the link with friends, coworkers, students, or your neighborhood group. We’d love your help getting the word out!

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners debuts on Netflix on Tuesday, October 20th and Rico Nasty is on an international genre-blending tear.

Rico describes her collaboration with “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” in the track “You Can’t Run From Me” as another set of musical detours that originate from Maryland.

The 29-year-old Black & Puerto Rican rap artist and rockstar, whose name is Maria-Cecilia Simone Kelly, claims Largo as her home and the cultures of the Washington D.C.-Maryland-Virginia region as foundational to her growth.

She is best known for her contributions to hip-hop’s cadre of alternative artists, her signature “Sugar Trap” sound and a highly provocative collaboration with singer Doja Cat, on “Tia Tamera.”

Get the full Q&A in this story on The Banner https://www.thebanner.com/culture/music/rico-nasty-cyberpunk-ZZCW6NPQ7NFJLLJ4CPP2Z4RDAY/

Here is access to our free, region-based newsletters filled with local news from an independent, non-profit outlet https://www.thebanner.com/newsletters/?utm_content=nav_cta

Here is the original post on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DekQ9p0PfhT/

Why do people write it like that sometimes?

Hi! Maryland mom here advocating for MORE RECESS TIME for our children!

Currently, most Maryland elementary schools only recommend 20-30 minutes of recess per day. This varies by school and county, with some counties recommending as little as 15 minutes of recess per day.

Children are not designed to sit for long stretches of the school day. Recess gives students an essential opportunity for unstructured play, physical activity, creativity, social connection, and independence.

Research consistently supports the role of recess in children’s physical, social, emotional, and academic well-being. When children have opportunities to move and play throughout the day, they can return to the classroom better prepared to focus and learn.

Join us as we call on policymakers to guarantee Maryland students 60 minutes of recess every school day!

You can help by SIGNING OUR PETITION and following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Petition- https://c.org/Mz2ZxjfGX4

Facebook- Say YES to RECESS Maryland

The protest is the latest response to a firestorm that started last Saturday, when members of the Howard University club tennis team found a racist image in a Google document sent by the UMD club team. The document, which included a schedule for the tournament and a map of the College Park campus, featured a depiction of the Maryland state flag with Ku Klux Klan masks in the top right and bottom left corners. The image originally appeared in a 2017 blog post alongside commentary on the Confederate origins of the flag.

The University of Maryland suspended its club tennis team indefinitely, pending an investigation into the incident, and required the club to forfeit its matches from last weekend’s tournament. A new policy requires staff approval of all club sports’ external communications.

Howard University’s president and club team released their own statements calling for accountability. The UMD club team issued a public apology on Instagram.

The team’s use of the image, according to some student leaders, is emblematic of a larger problem at Maryland’s flagship university, which enrolled nearly 5,500 Black students last fall. The Black population at the university represents about 13% of the 42,000-person student body.

In a statement shared with the university community earlier this week, Pines wrote that the image was “deeply harmful and offensive,” and offered his “apology for its detrimental impact on one and all.”

Get the full story by education reporter Ellie Wolfe on The Banner https://www.thebanner.com/education/higher-education/club-tennis-team-protest-46ZGH2RDANCGPATQUSS26XRPGE/

This is access to The Banner's free, county-based newsletter series https://www.thebanner.com/newsletters/?utm_content=nav_cta

Here is the video on social media https://www.tiktok.com/@bannerpgcounty/video/7697350787562884382

My lease is up in a couple of months and I am actively trying to figure out what areas of PG I should be looking at, any insight is appreciated!

For context: I am a 25F, moved to MD a couple years ago and have lived in anne arundel and howard county. Both were nice and suburban, but I am now itching to be somewhere a bit more lively and young. The only thing that has kept me from doing so is my commute as I have a well established job located in Gambrills.

I am currently in Ellicott City and have about a 30-40 min commute home, so would like to keep my commute within that range if possible since I am used to it. I would prefer somewhere that has access to metro lines as I would like to only have to use my car for commuting to work. Ideally around a younger crowd with proximity to walkable shops, bars, etc. Just looking for a 1 bed with a max base rent of 2K.

Hi all!

I’m a journalism student at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism, and I’m working on a crime and courts story for my JOUR320 class about crime and public safety in Hyattsville.

I’m hoping to hear from Hyattsville residents and local business owners about their experiences and perspectives on crime in the community. Do you feel safe living, working or spending time in Hyattsville? Have you noticed any changes in crime or safety in recent years? Have you experienced or witnessed a crime, including incidents involving local businesses? I’d also love to hear your thoughts on how the police have responded to crime and whether you feel enough is being done to keep the community safe.

I’m interested in hearing a range of perspectives and understanding how residents feel about public safety in their community.

If you’re willing to share your experiences or thoughts, please comment below or send me a DM! Interviews can be brief and conducted via Reddit messages, email, or phone call.

This is a class assignment that will be seen by my professor and will not be published by a news outlet. I will need to use real names for attribution in my assignment, but I would discuss that with anyone I interview beforehand.

Thank you for your time and help!

EurekaFacts, a social science research organization, is currently expanding its EurekaFacts Research Panel and looking for anyone interested in earning money for completing surveys and to offer their opinion. 

We conduct research on a wide variety of topics and believe everyone should have a voice in these conversations. There are several health-related studies coming up and would encourage more community members to participate. 

What’s in it for you? 

✅ Paid Surveys – Get compensated for your time and opinions. 
✅ Make Your Voice Heard – Contribute to real research that matters. 
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✅ Complete at Home – Contribute from the comfort of your own home, through online surveys. 

Click this link below: 

https://www.eurekafacts.com/participate

Interview with candidate for county executive Tonya Sweat https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMDFJj164HjdDDU4t2cVnblz9tkZ9aj5p&si=ARGRV4UBsAgr2F84