Montgomery and Prince George’s officials are trying to make sure their counties are not forgotten by Gov.-elect Larry Hogan.
The Anne Arundel County Republican, who will be sworn in Wednesday, has pledged to pay more attention to rural Maryland, which he says was neglected during the administration of outgoing Gov. Martin O’Malley (D). Those rural counties also voted for Hogan by overwhelming margins. Read More…
Prince George’s County officials are moving ahead with their long-planned, $650 million hospital project in Largo, even though they do not know whether incoming Gov. Larry Hogan will uphold a state promise to pay nearly a third of the cost.
Hogan (R), who campaigned on a pledge to cut taxes and faces a significant revenue shortfall, has said he can’t guarantee the $200 million promised to the project by his predecessor, outgoing Gov. Martin O’Malley (D). Read More…
Prince George’s County Council Chairman Mel Franklin was unanimously elected by his colleagues on Tuesday to continue leading the legislative body during the 2015 session.
Franklin (D-Upper Marlboro), 39, a former Federal Trade Commission attorney turned community activist, is widely expected to run for county executive in 2018.
He is the third council member in recent history to win two consecutive terms as chairman. Former chair Peter Shapiro, who now heads the county’s Revenue Authority, was the first to do so in 2002 and 2003. Read More…
December 3rd, 2013
Tonight the Prince George’s County Council voted unanimously to appoint Mel Franklin as council chairman. A tireless advocate for Prince George’s County’s working families, Mel will use his new position to continue fighting for our schools, public safety, and economic development. A top priority for his tenure will be pushing Annapolis to better fund Pre-k education. According to Mel, “we must take on the challenge of providing pre-kindergarten for the children of Prince George’s County. An early start is essential to future success.” Mel will also continue to fight for more transit oriented development, the construction of a regional medical center in largo, and the development of the National Harbor. Read…
December 23rd, 2013
Today is a tremendous day for working families across Prince George’s County as the minimum wage increase bill was signed into law by County Executive Rushern Baker. The bill, recently passed by County Council Chairman Mel Franklin and the county council, will increase the minimum wage incrementally from $8.14 to $11.50 by 2017. Mel knows people are struggling to provide for their families and that, “an honest day’s work deserves an honest day’s pay.” As County Council Chairman, Mel will continue to advocate for working families across Prince George’s County. Read…
December 23rd, 2013
Today is a tremendous day for working families across Prince George’s County as the minimum wage increase bill was signed into law by County Executive Rushern Baker. The bill, recently passed by County Council Chairman Mel Franklin and the county council, will increase the minimum wage incrementally from $8.14 to $11.50 by 2017. Mel knows people are struggling to provide for their families and that, “an honest day’s work deserves an honest day’s pay.” As County Council Chairman, Mel will continue to advocate for working families across Prince George’s County. Read…
Mel Franklin has announced an exciting partnership with the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI). The two-year project aims to increase father involvement and reduce the possibility of father absence in the lives of children in the 9th District of Prince George’s County. Mel knows that, “responsible fatherhood directly impacts quality of life issues in Prince George’s County. We must take action to promote and support strong fathers in our households and neighborhoods.” The initiative will work across eleven sectors with a goal of increasing the involvement of fathers and father-figures in the lives of Prince George’s County children. Read…
Mel Franklin was proud to support the funding of the Southern Area Aquatic and Recreation Complex in District 9. This $27 million investment, will provide the community with needed recreational space including an indoor aquatic space, gymnasium, fitness room, and flexible programmable space. To be constructed by 2016, Mel knows investing in projects like these will keep Prince George’s County growing and our communities thriving. Read.
Again at a community meeting tonight, and at several times over the last couple of years, prominent law enforcement officials have told me that it is well-known among criminals that it is far more preferable and less risky to commit crime here in Prince George’s County rather than in Virginia because sentencing here is much more lenient and offenders actually serve a significantly less percentage of their sentences here as compared with Virginia (because of Virginia’s “truth in sentencing” laws, which mandate offenders serving at least 85% of sentences for many crimes).
There is no advantage in our county being perceived as more lenient in dealing with crime than our neighbors. This cannot (and will not) continue.
Today, the Washington Post (RootDC Live) posted an editorial from me on the recent youth violence that we’ve experienced in the County. While these are challenging issues, especially the need to strengthen and restore fatherhood in so many of our neighborhoods and communities, I believe we must confront them head on. Too many of our youth are dying. Please feel free to share.