We Deserve Better

Real People With Real Needs And Real Families Are Suffering In Shutdown Crisis

By Todd M. Turner // Chair, Prince George’s County Council // D-District 4

The decision to close the Federal Government hurts our working families and communities, continues to place our residents in jeopardy, and threatens the health of our local economy. Real people, with real needs, and real families are suffering in this crisis.

The Metropolitan Council of Governments (COG) Board of Directors, on which I serve, this week called for an end to the partial federal government shutdown, which has widespread regional and local impacts. The COG Board also agreed with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam, and District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser—who recently warned in a joint letter that if the shutdown continues, impacts will be compounded on state and local budgets.

Prince George’s County Council Chair Todd Turner (D-Dist. 4) flanked by Vice Chair Rodney Streeter (D-Dist. 7) and At-Large Councilmember Mel Franklin (D). // PHOTO: RAOUL DENNIS PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA.

COG estimates that there are 361,000 federal workers in the Metropolitan Washington region, with approximately 17-percent, or over 60,000 residing in Prince George’s County. COG calculations also show that 40-percent or nearly 145,000 people in the region, and more than 25,000 workers in Prince George’s County could be impacted by the shutdown. Additionally, COG estimates that there are more than 400,000 federally-contracted workers in the region.

These federal workers, many of whom are our neighbors, friends and family in Prince George’s County, are facing the difficulties of providing for themselves and their families without a paycheck.

The Council is partnering with County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County schools, the Prince George’s Community College, and all community stakeholders, including the United Way and other nonprofits, utilities, and local businesses, to provide Federal Government Shutdown Assistance to impacted federal workers and contractors in Prince George’s County. For help, please visit:

https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/3053/Federal-Government-Shutdown-Assistance

On behalf of the more than 900,000 Prince Georgians we serve, we join the call urging our nation’s leaders to end the partial shutdown and reopen the federal government.

Prince Georgians, as do all Americans, deserve better.