8 minute read
Prince George's County
Governor Hogan Appoints Karen Toles to Maryland House of Delegates
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
It’s official.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan appointed Karen Toles on Tuesday, Jan. 11 to the House of Delegates, one day before the 90-day legislative session began in Annapolis.
“I am confident that Ms. Toles will represent the citizens of Prince George’s County well in her new role as delegate,” Hogan said in a statement. “I offer her my sincere congratulations and look forward to working with her and the General Assembly this legislative session.”
In the meantime, the former Prince George’s County Council member continues to prepare herself for an education on statewide policy and politics.
As a council member from 2010 to 2018 who represented District 7 that includes Suitland and Hillcrest Heights, she will represent the 25th Legislative District which not only incorporates those communities, but also Largo, Joint Base Andrews and parts of Upper Marlboro.
Compared to an all-Democratic council that had nine members when Toles served, she will draft policies with a statewide impact and fight for resources alongside 140 other delegates comprised of both Democrats and Republicans.
“This is so new. I have to go in there knowing that this is statewide [and a] much bigger role than I played on a local level,” she said. “My number one priority is to bring as many resources back to Prince George’s County as possible. You understand how critically important state dollars are to local government.”
The county’s Democratic Central Committee unanimously nominated Toles on Jan. 4. Once Hogan’s office received her name, he had 15 days to confirm the selection and appoint Toles.
Lawmakers returned from the 90-day legislative session in Annapolis which began Wednesday, Jan. 12.
Because Davis’s term expires this year, Toles will need to run for the seat in the June 28 primary.
“I’m really interested in having
A Message from Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce
Standing With You
The winter of yet another iteration of this virus is upon us. Omicron, this highly transmittable invasive virus is wreaking havoc on our communities & public health systems and, we are reliving the early days of Covid-19. Recall those days when businesses were locked down, hospitals were filled with patients and staying at home & wearing masks were the only protection at our disposal.
At least, now there are vaccines and boosters that keep us out of the hospital- but the airborne transmissibility of Omicron still requires all of us to wear masks.
Once again, businesses face the uncertainty of what this means. Whether to open, limit purchases to pick up only and follow ever changing guidelines are milestones to overcome. Despite this, it is amazing how businesses are standing firm, serving the public and providing jobs that keep our economy going. The frontline workers, those in our hospitals, grocery stores and other retail outlets continue to serve and help all of us get needed supplies that keep us fed and safe.
There is promising news of Congressional dialogue on drafting legislation contemplating a new stimulus package for businesses. The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce will monitor this proceeding and especially for retail businesses, will support this initiative.
As scientists predicted that January would be & has been the most intense- this too will pass, and businesses will recover. Business and American resilience are a hallmark value that will not dissipate or be compromised. The Chamber stands with you in in this moment of resilience.
David C. Harrington President & CEO
Not a member? Please visit our website, www.pgcoc.org to get started! Membership is good for a full calendar year, so it’s always a good time to join*
5 Karen Toles. (Photo courtesy of Karen Toles via Twitter)
a conversation with the entire District 25 constituency,” Toles said. “What are your issues? What do you want me to focus on for you? What is the most pressing problem you’re having so I can work with my partners?”
The current 25th District team includes Dels. Darryl Barnes, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, and Nick Charles, chair of the county’s House delegation.
The other member, Senate President Pro tem Melony Griffith, spoke on Toles’ behalf during last week’s central committee session. Prior to Toles election to the council, Griffith helped mentor Toles when she worked as a policy advisor for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
“When chairman Davis resigned to take the seat of treasurer, we knew that we needed somebody who had a heart for constituent services, experience serving the community and was a fiscal leader,” Griffith said. “We found all of that in one person.”
Prince George’s State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy also endorsed Toles, who worked as a community affairs director in the state’s attorney office.
Braveboy said Toles did “grunt work” in the office that included assisting attorneys as they prepared for court proceedings. Toles recently graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
“Yes, Karen Toles was pushing papers,” Braveboy said. “It’s important to note because that shows you don’t think any job is beneath you. “You really care about criminal law, which I think is extremely important as we go through this period of reform. That’s what’s going to make you successful.”
WI @jabariwill
Hogan Pushes for a $500M ‘Re-Fund the Police’ Initiative
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
For the second time in nearly three months, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan emphasized his support for law enforcement and the money it needs to fight crime.
Within that message Monday, Jan. 10 standing alongside law enforcement officials, the Republican governor’s “re-fund the police” initiative calls for the legislature to fund $500 million over a threeyear period.
Some of the funding would include $200 million in salaries and bonuses, $137 million in state aid for local jurisdictions and $50 million in capital improvements for state police barracks and a new tactical services building.
“Legislators are returning to Annapolis for their 90-day session where they will be debating a few thousands of bills,” Hogan said Monday in recognition of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. “But there is nothing more important than addressing the violent crime crisis in our state and to refund the police and to give them the support and resources they need to do their job more effectively. Our police are underfunded and under attack.”
Hogan’s proposal represents an expansion of a law enforcement proposal he announced in October for the legislature to approve $150 million. Neighborhood safety grants previously allocated for $10 million would increase to $30 million in lighting, cameras and security services for community organizations, businesses and local main streets.
Meanwhile, the governor also directed Robert L. Green, secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services and the Division of Parole & Probation, to begin tracking open warrants. It would start in high crime areas in Baltimore City, he said.
The governor, whose term expires in January 2023, reiterated his plans to reintroduce the Violent Firearms Offender and Judicial Transparency acts during this year’s sessions that began Wednesday, Jan. 12.
The firearms act seeks to toughen sentences for repeat violent offenders who use, possess and supply illegal guns. The judicial act would require the state Commission on Criminal and Sentencing Policy to track sentences handed down by judges in violent crimes.
Additional details will be presented next week when the governor submits a fiscal budget.
Del. Gabriel Acevero (D-Montgomery County) called the governor’s law enforcement funding initiative “disappointing and angering,” especially when the state has a more than $2 billion budget surplus.
“It’s disappointing . . . that the governor would engage in such a blatant lie with his re-fund the police initiative or plan because we’ve never defunded the police in Maryland. I challenge the governor, or any member of his par-
5 Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan wants legislature to fund a three-year, $500 million police initiative to “re-fund the police.” (FILE: Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
Countywide Curbside Organics Composting Collection is Here!
Residents who receive County provided services AND opt-in the program will be able to mix their food scraps with their yard trim for the weekly Monday yard trim curbside collection. Food scraps must be placed inside the Organics cart. Only residents who opted-in and
received the appropriate program materials may put food scraps curbside for collection.
Plastic bags are not accepted.
If you received a letter from DoE, Opt-In postcards are on the way!
Detailed opt-in instructions are on the postcard.
• Use only one option listed to opt-in: 1. Scan the QR code on the postcard using a smart phone; OR 2. Call the telephone number and provide the requested information.
Your program materials will be delivered during the Month of April, in celebration of
Earth Month.
Households will receive collection materials, including a 32-gallon wheeled cart, a 2-gallon kitchen mini bin, a How-To Guide, a refrigerator magnet, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). For additional information about food scraps composting email us at pgccomposts@co.pg.md.us or visit mypgc.us/compost.
ty, to prove otherwise,” he said. “We’re seeing a budget surplus and instead of Hogan refunding our communities, he is going on this crusade and lying to folks on this refund initiative only to score political points for whatever aspirations he has after [his term expires] while our communities lose out, ” Acevero said.
During the 90-day session, the ACLU of Maryland plans to advocate for $10 million allocated for school resource officers and redirect the money to hire counselors, psychologists and implement restorative practices to reform school discipline.
Justin Nalley, a public policy analyst with ACLU of Maryland, summarized how 56% of Black students in the state represent school-based arrests but only account for one-third of the total student population. About 23% of students with individual education plans (IEPs) are arrested at school but account for 12% of the entire student population.
Some of the arrests may include fist fights with no weapons, trespassing or “simple” drug possession, he said.
“These school arrests for these minor offenses are a byproduct of police presence in schools,” Nalley said during a virtual press briefing Monday. “We look forward to educating folks about police presence in schools.”
WI @jabariwill
