Pr. George’s lawmakers are proposing these bills in Annapolis
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Version 0 of 1. Authorizing a bag tax, establishing an inspector general for county schools and changing liquor laws are among the legislative priorities for Prince George’s County lawmakers who return to Annapolis in January for the next legislative session. The county delegation unveiled more than two dozen proposed bills that could introduce new taxes, changes in bi-county agencies such as the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and increased oversight measures for the county education system. The delegation will solicit feedback from the public during a hearing tonight in Landover. Here is a list and brief description of some of those bills: A bag tax? Delegation Chair Jay Walker (D-Prince George’s) will once again introduce a bill that will give Prince George’s government the authority to impose a 5-cent tax on retail stores that provide disposable bags. Similar bills failed to emerge from committee last year and a statewide bill, proposed by county lawmakers, died in 2012 by one vote. School finances: During County Executive Rushern L. Baker’s (D) campaign to raise property taxes for schools last spring, opponents dominated the debate with concerns about the school system’s finances. Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D) is proposing that CEO Kevin Maxwell be required to report regularly to the General Assembly about financial management practices cited in a scathing 2014 audit by the state. School inspector general: Del. Alonzo Washington (D) is tacking on more school accountability measures with a proposed bill to establish an inspector general’s office responsible for investigating and examining complaints about the public schools. School suspension: Washington will also try again to implement a pilot program that would require participating high schools to provide alternatives to school suspension such as community service. County supplement for nonprofits: Del. Dereck E. Davis (D), who is running to succeed U.S. Rep. Donna F. Edwards in the 4th Congressional District, has signed on as a sponsor for a bill attempting to address an unintended consequence of the county’s raising of the minimum wage. A council of Prince George’s nonprofit organizations working with residents with intellectual disabilities says they cannot afford the county’s minimum wage scale, which exceeds the state’s. Negotiations with county leaders failed, and nonprofit leaders are asking the delegation to force county government to reimburse them for millions of dollars to make up the difference and keep their operations running. Liquor law repeals: Limited Sunday liquor sales are now legal in the county, but Del. Michael L. Vaughn (D) wants to increase licensing fees, change the number of available licenses while repealing others, according to a proposed bill. |