Discover the latest updates and key developments in local government activities across the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and beyond in our weekly comprehensive report. From legislative meetings to policy reviews, budget discussions, and educational initiatives, this update provides a concise overview of essential matters shaping the future of these regions.
Whether you're a concerned citizen, policymaker, or simply interested in staying informed about local governance, this report offers valuable insights into the decisions and actions that impact your community. Dive into the details of government agendas and stay up-to-date on the critical issues that shape the fabric of these diverse and dynamic localities.
See a complete list of meetings below.
District of Columbia
DC Council
The DC Council will have a legislative meeting today at noon.
Legislation of interest:
DC State Board of Education
The DC State Board of Education will not have a public meeting this week.
Maryland
Maryland General Assembly:
The Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland Senate have adjourned for the year and will be back in session in January 2025.
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Charles County
Board of Charles County Commissioners
The Board of Charles County Commissioners will not meet this week.
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Montgomery County
Montgomery County Council
The Montgomery County Council will meet today at 9:00 am. Today's meeting will have a worksession focusing on the FY25 Operating Budget, and the FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) will follow, discussing areas such as public libraries, community engagement, racial equity, human resources, and more. The afternoon session includes presentations recognizing Public Safety Appreciation Day and Education Appreciation Week, followed by public hearings and actions on supplemental appropriations, resolutions, and capital budget amendments. The worksession continues with discussions on topics like food systems resilience, guaranteed income, health and human services, aging and disability services, behavioral health, public health, homelessness prevention, newcomers programs, and early care and education initiatives before adjournment.
Montgomery County Board of Education
The Montgomery County Board of Education will not have a public meeting this week.
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Prince George's County
Prince George's County Council
The Prince George's County Council will meet today at 1 pm. The Council will approve several bills on the Consent Agenda, which allows routine items to be grouped together for approval without separate discussions unless someone wants to discuss a specific item further. Those bills include:
CB-032-2024, Local Impact Grant Funds, which would assign a percentage of Annual Local Gaming Revenue to youth and young adult employment readiness programs or housing stability programs for senior citizens.
CB-033-2024, the Underserved Youth Employment Act of 2024, proposes reserving positions in youth employment programs for individuals from low-income households.
CB-034-2024, the Classification of Prince George's County, would address changes in the county's classification plan for work positions.
CB-035-2024, the Repeal of the Northern Gateway Business Improvement District, focuses on repealing a specific business improvement district.
CB-036-2024, Emergency Transporation Fees, would adjust emergency transportation fees to account for inflation and increased operational costs.
The Council will have the second reading of bills (meaning the vote before the bill is finally approved by the Council), including:
CB-009-2024, 9-1-1 Voluntary Emergency Registry, which establishes a registry program to alert first responders about individuals with special needs during emergencies.
The will have public hearings were held on several important resolutions as well. This includes:
CR-018-2024, A Resolution Concerning Fiscal Year ("FY") 2022 Annual Action Plan
CR-019-2024, A Resolution Concerning Housing Investment Trust Fund ("HITF") for Housing and Community Development
Both resolutions address funding allocations and initiatives in housing and community development.
Prince George's County Board of Education
The Prince George's County Board of Education will hold a public meeting this Thursday at 7 pm. This month, financial oversight will be a focal point of the Board meeting, with discussions on the fiscal year 2024 financial review, adjustments in legal services, and infrastructure investments, such as the electrification of the Mullikin Bus Lot for electric buses. Additionally, the session will discuss the FY25 Educational Facilities Master Plan, and unfinished business, including various policy revisions and the naming of a new middle school.
Virginia
Virginia General Assembly:
The Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate have adjourned for the 2024 session. They will be back in session in January 2025.
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Alexandria City
Alexandria City Council:
The Alexandria City Council will not hold a legislative meeting this week.
Alexandria City Board of Education
The Alexandria City Board of Education is scheduled to hold a public meeting this Thursday at 6:30 pm. The upcoming meeting will feature a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025 Combined Funds and the FY 2025-2034 Capital Improvement Program Budgets, a crucial step in gathering public input on the district's future financial planning and development projects. The Consent Calendar for this session will include items such as the approval of the monthly financial report for March 2024, budget transfers for the third quarter of FY 2024, and various personnel actions. Additionally, the meeting will address funding through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Grant and the adoption of new policies. The session will also provide updates from the Office of English Learner Services and on early childhood education initiatives. Further discussions will cover the FY 2024 Capital Improvement Plan and policy revisions, aiming to ensure continuous enhancement of the district's infrastructure and regulatory framework.
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Arlington County
Arlington County Board
The Arlington County Board will not hold a public Board meeting this week.
Arlington County School Board
The Arlington County School Board will hold a public meeting this Thursday at 7 p.m. Key portions of the agenda this month include the introduction of a new robotics grant aimed at integrating STEM into high school curricula, demonstrating the board's commitment to fostering technical skills among students. Other action items on the agenda involve contractual awards for the construction of the new Arlington Career Center and a roof replacement at Escuela Key, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve school facilities.
Additionally, the meeting will address a proposed name change for a career center and revisions to critical policies, including those concerning foreign exchange student programs and religious exemptions to compulsory attendance. These revisions are poised to align school operations more closely with current educational standards and community values. Moreover, updates on the Virginia School Boards Association's legislative positions will be discussed, providing insights into broader educational advocacy and policy direction at the state level.
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Fairfax County
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will meet today at 9:30 am. The board will consider adopting the FY 2025 Budget Plan and engage in discussions presented by board members and the County Executive. Administrative items on the agenda include the approval of "Watch for Children" signs and traffic calming measures in various districts. They will also decide on authorizing public hearings to consider amendments to the retirement systems for police officers and uniformed personnel and to discuss the preservation and reinvestment initiatives for community enhancement.
During the meeting, the board will deliberate on authorizing the Fairfax County Department of Transportation to apply for and accept grant funding from both the FY 2024 Low or No Emission Grant Program and the Safe Streets and Roads for All Discretionary Grant Program. Additionally, there will be public hearings on several critical issues, including adjustments to community district services, infrastructure projects like the Shreve Road Shared-Use Path, and various zoning and rate adjustments across the county.
Fairfax County School Board
Fairfax County School Board will hold a public meeting this Thursday at 7 pm. The session will open with a review of the Executive Limitations on Human Resources, focusing on the administrative boundaries and ethical guidelines concerning human resource management. Following this, the board will receive presentations on various academic matters, updates from the superintendent, and a detailed overview of the FY25 Approved Budget, which will guide the district's financial allocations for the upcoming year. The meeting will introduce new business items that are set for future action, such as the FY25 budget approval, a technology monitoring report, grant acknowledgments for the migrant educational program, and a contract for refurbishing tennis courts. These agenda items collectively aim to enhance the district's infrastructure, governance, and educational quality, setting a foundation for continued growth and improvement.
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CLPA will provide continual updates throughout the week on any new developments on our site, on Twitter: @LocalPolicyCTR, and on Facebook @localpolicycenter.