Legislative Update on the Virus Crisis Protecting our families from the virus: To support the state’s public health efforts while keeping the essential services of government functioning, the Maryland legislature: - set aside more than $350 million in emergency funds for tests, treatment, tracing, and other critical medical services - boosted state reserves and increased the tobacco tax to provide funds to respond to the crisis - cut the session short to focus on making sure

Coronavirus FAQ for Older Adults The Maryland Department of Health has answered frequently asked questions for older people about the outbreak. You can find the FAQ along with other information online at https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/, or you can call our office at 301.858.3141 and we will mail you a copy. Coronavirus Hotline The county now has a coronavirus hotline: 301.883.6627. Please call the hotline and not 911 if you need to speak to someone about the virus. Alert Pr

Have fun -- and learn -- at the University of Maryland April 25 Every spring the University opens the campus to its neighbors and friends. This year, Maryland Day is Saturday, April 25 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Games, booths, tours, performances -- every department from dance to physics shows its stuff. It's fun and interesting for folks of all ages. And it's free. Just come down Route One and take a look. More details are located at www.marylandday.umd.edu. Reminder: Scholar

Snow Removal When a snow emergency is declared, the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation is responsible for providing “passable” conditions on a network of more than 1,900 miles of county-maintained roadways to ensure the safety of residents, citizens, and travelers. To assist crews, citizens and residents are requested to: Move and keep vehicles off snow emergency routes Park in driveways or other off-road locations Park only on the even-numbe

Join Me, My Wife, Sheilah, and Our Neighbors for Tastes of Laurel, a Touch of Opera, and More! Sunday, January 12, to Welcome 2020 I hope you can join my wife, Sheilah, and me for our Welcome 2020 Celebration on Sunday, January 12, from 11 am to 1:30 pm, at St. Vincent Pallotti High School (113 St. Mary’s Place, Laurel). Maryland Senate President Mike Miller is our special guest. We’ll have treats from some of Laurel’s great restaurants as well as some great music from the M

Do You Have Delinquent Uninsured Auto Fines? Over 300,000 Marylanders are unable to register a vehicle due to delinquent uninsured auto fines. These fines create a barrier for many of our neighbors to fully engage in Maryland’s economic opportunities. For a limited time, the state of Maryland is offering a helping hand for those residents due to legislation we passed last year. FineFix is Maryland’s uninsured auto fine forgiveness program, offering eligible debtors the abilit

December Community Partners Meeting The Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) will host a next County Community Partners’ Meeting on Thursday, December 5, 2019 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m at 8400 D’Arcy Road, Forestville MD. Participants will receive updates on ongoing initiatives, learn what’s new with DPW&T and receive valuable information regarding the upcoming snow season. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to voice your concerns and share how we can bet

Small Cell Small wireless facilities (“5G”) are coming to Beltsville (and Prince George’s County). Federal law mandates that the county allow small wireless facilities throughout our communities. However, County Executive Alsobrooks is proposing legislation to help mitigate the impact this will have on residents. A small wireless facility (“SWF”) is a cellular network facility capable of delivering high transmission speeds but at lower ranges. Generally, “small cell” refers t

Health Insurance Deadline: December 15 Delegates Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Ben Barnes, Mary Lehman, and I want to be sure all working families are able to sign up for affordable health insurance. Despite all the proposals in Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it’s still in effect. Now—through December 15—is the time to learn about coverage —and other ways to save money on health insurance. Open enrollment runs from November 1 to December 15. Be sure to enroll or ch

Beltsville community conversation Join my office Tuesday, October 1, 2019, from 7–8:30 pm for an important community conversation on the potential relocation of the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing to the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. The meeting will be held at Vansville Community Center, 11733 Old Baltimore Pike, Beltsville. To see the press release from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing relocation, visit http:/

College, university, and trade school fair—October 16 It’s never too early for high school students to start thinking about what comes next. To help plan for after graduation, Council Member Tom Dernoga is hosting a college, university, and trade school fair. The fair will be held Wednesday, October 16, from 6:30–8:30 pm at High Point High School. Meet and speak with representatives to learn more about their programs and opportunities. For any questions, please c

Free Adult Dental Clinic—Sept. 13–14 in College Park Do you have a tooth, gum, or jaw problem but can’t afford to visit the dentist? A free adult dental clinic will be held at the University of Maryland's Xfinity Center (8500 Paint Branch Dr.) on September 13 and 14. Doors are open 7 am to 5 pm, and care will be provided to all adults over the age of 18 on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be sure to arrive as early as possible. All dental services are provided by lice

2020 Census Prince George's County The U.S. census is a national population count that occurs every 10 years. The outcome of the census directly impacts Prince George’s County residents through congressional representation, Electoral College apportionment, business and economic development, and federally funded programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and Women and Infant and Children. A successful 2020 census count in

2020 Census Prince George's County Every ten years, the United States Census counts every resident in the U.S. The outcome of the Census directly impacts Prince George’s County residents through congressional representation; Electoral College apportionment; business and economic development; and federally funded programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP); and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Participation f

Reminder: Join the Delegates and me August 6 at the Beltsville Police Station Delegates Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Ben Barnes, Mary Lehman, and I, along with Council Member Tom Dernoga, hope to see you Tuesday night, August 6, 6–8 pm, for the annual National Night Out. It will be held at the police station at Sellman and Montgomery Roads. Everything is free, including food, drinks, and fun activities for families. It's a great opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the

County Budget Update The county council has adopted a $3.6 billion balanced county general fund budget for fiscal year 2020. The budget becomes effective July 1. A few highlights of the budget include the extension of Sunday hours at the Beltsville Library starting October 6. We’re also excited to see additional funding for our school system to lower class sizes. The classroom environment plays a significant role in a student’s learning process. Teachers sometimes manage 30-p

Calverton Neighborhood's Birthday and 4th of July Celebration Calverton's annual 4th of July event is additionally celebrating the neighborhood's 55th birthday! Festivities will be Thursday, July 4, from 10:30 am–1:30 pm at Calverton Park (adjacent to Calverton Elementary at 3400 Beltsville Rd). Come enjoy great food, games, face painting, live music, children’s entertainment, performers, and much more. Admission is free! And then Thursday evening, July 4, head to College Par

Join us Wednesday, June 12, in Beltsville Delegates Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Ben Barnes, Mary Lehman, and I will be meeting with Beltsville residents Wednesday, June 12, to report on the 2019 Maryland legislative session. The meeting will include residents from the Beltsville Civic Association, the Calverton Citizens Association, and other nearby homeowners associations. The event starts at 7 pm and will be held in the Media Center at Beltsville Academy (4300 Wicomico Avenue). W

Meet the District 1 Team Join us for one of our upcoming Community Conversations on May 8th at Davis Hall in College Park, May 15th at Vansville Community Center, or June 6th at Beltsville Academy. Each conversation starts at 7p.m. 3rd Annual Earth Day Clean Up Recap On Saturday April 13th, we partnered with the Anacostia Watershed Society for my annual Earth Day clean up. This year, we hosted two sites: Beltsville Community Center and Gunpowder Golf Course. We would like to

Highlights of 2019 Maryland legislative session Last month, Delegates Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Ben Barnes, Mary Lehman, and I concluded the 2019 legislative session, working to deliver higher incomes and lower costs for working families. Holding down health costs: Senior citizens, and all of us, fear health costs we can’t afford. That’s why we passed powerful new laws to: ~keep insurance prices under control ~crack down on drug price hikes ~protect people with pre-existin