Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable Leaders Gain Glimpse of 2021

By Raoul Dennis

Over 40 business leaders, faith and civic leaders, military and first responders joined the first 2021 meeting of The Greater Prince George’s Business County Roundtable January 11.

Keynote speakers included Maryland State Comptroller Peter Franchot, Maryland Senate President Pro Tempore Melony Griffith and Lieut. Gen. Mark Sasseville.

Led by Roundtable president and CEO Jim Estepp and newly elected chair Donna Cooper (PEPCO Region President), the body heard several presentations on various aspects of county quality-of-life and trends for the New Year.

But in a surprise turn of events, gold medalist and former boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard delivered a prepared message to the distinguished body to kick off the New Year.

“I wish I could be there with you,” Leonard said. “I may live in California now but my heart is always in Prince George’s,” said the champ who is a Prince George’s County native.

Estepp then swiftly led the group into the meeting agenda starting with remarks by Comptroller Peter Franchot.

Franchot, who humorously described himself as “a recovering legislator,” has made no secret of his interest in a run for the governor’s office.

Franchot outlined much of the work that he and his office has done to aid Marylanders and surviving the pandemic.

“The first order of business is to survive,” he said of the need to address food inequities, shutdown businesses and a slowing economy. “462,000 Maryland families are financially annihilated due to the pandemic,” he said. (Hear Franchot’s full remarks in the audio block above.)

But among the most striking of the comptroller’s offerings at the meeting was the notion of providing Marylanders with $2,000 per household to help in surviving the economic ravages of COVID-19. He says that the state’s reserves would allow for it and the rainy day funds are there for this kind of purpose.

“There is $1 billion in the rainy day fund and $585 million in the [general] fund,” said the state’s chief fiscal officer. “Use it to give direct assistance for those making less than $50,000 per year.”

“I get it,” he continued. “Hundreds of people are waiting in the cold to get food. There are 462,000 low wage earners in Maryland who are hurting. This is unacceptable.”

Franchot went on to say that the rainy day fund could easily be replenished through his plan.

Maryland Senate President Pro Tempore Melony Griffith also addressed the Roundtable reflecting on the challenges of COVID-19 and many of the priorities of the new legislative session (Jan. 13).

“Resources must be targeted,” Griffith said as she supported the idea of stimulus checks. She called upon a broad network of leaders to come to the table to help educate and combat the problems that COVID-19 has forced upon communities. Griffith drew specific attention to mental and behavioral health.

“Self-care is important,” she said. “Be ready to rebuild when COVID is over.”

Griffith also drew attention to the burden that healthcare workers have endured since March 2020. “Our healthcare professionals have not had a break,” she said.

The senator also noted that the state’s support systems have been stressed because of Covid but that steps were being taken to address the flaws and challenges.

“The system didn’t anticipate this volume,” Griffith said referring to agencies such as the unemployment offices and procedures. “We are working on it.”

The president pro tempore noted a few of the agenda items for the 2021 legislative session. They include Covid 19, economic issues and the impact of the pandemic and social justice. She also noted telehealth, broadband and criminal justice reform. (Hear Griffith’s full remarks in the audio block above.)

In tandem with those remarks, Griffith’s office released a report on equity and inclusion in Maryland January 11.

The 47-page Report of the Senate President’s Advisory Workgroup on Equity and Inclusion examines environmental justice, health disparities and wealth and economic opportunity and provides some recommendations on addressing these social inequities (full story to come, watch this space).

Incoming Prince George’s County Council Chair Calvin Hawkins announced that a more current plan for COVID-19 vaccine distribution would be announced within 24 hours of the meeting. Hawkins also mentioned $20 million in county funds to be directed toward mental health.

Lieut. Gen. Mark Sasseville, currently serving as the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, discussed the work he is doing to help protect the nation’s capital as Inauguration Day approaches.

In addition to Cooper’s unanimous support to become chair of the Roundtable, MedSTAR Southern Maryland Hospital Center’s President Christine Wray has also become secretary-treasurer of the esteemed organization.