PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Central Committee Working to Appoint New District 25 Delegate

Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

With the retirement of District 25 Delegate Darryl Barnes (D) comes a vacancy in the Maryland General Assembly and an appointment by the Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee. The former Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus and an advocate for minority businesses, will be leaving the legislature to become a lobbying partner to Gerry Evans.

Among those who filed for the appointment are Central Committee Chair Kent Roberson (D), former Delegate Angela Angel (D), District 25 Central Committee Member John Richardson (D), former County Council candidate Jonathan White, and Stanley Onye. This appointment is of particular interest as District 25 has one of the highest vote thresholds to win a Democratic primary anywhere in the state. Barnes is supporting Roberson for the appointment.

“Based on his years of experience and the demographics of Team 25, Roberson is the right person at the right time for this position,” Barnes told the Informer.” Roberson would be one of the younger Delegates in the General Assembly if appointed.

Delegates Julian Ivey (D, District 47), Ashanti Martinez (D. District 22), and Jeffrie Long (D, District 27) are some of the current representatives from Prince George’s who are part of of Delegate Barnes and the entire District 25 team as I submit my name for consideration by the Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee. I look forward to continuing my work that was begun five years ago with the Democratic Central Committee to serve in this new capacity by legislating for a better tomorrow for the residents of District 25, Prince George's County, and the entire State of Maryland,” said Roberson shortly after receiving the official endorsement from Barnes.

“I am excited to be in the running to return to the Maryland House of Delegates and take up the important work that we accomplished during my time representing the people of District 25,” said former Delegate Angel in an email. “I am the only candidate under consideration with experience in Annapolis. The people of District 25 need someone with experience, ready to get to work on day one. There is no candidate more qualified to fight for the people of District 25.” low-income African-American residents, suffer as a result of cuts to city services. That’s why Mujahid and others are currently engaged in a campaign to ensure the revised tax code doesn’t further burden the District's most vulnerable while enriching developers and the business community

“Creating a tax code that prioritizes corporations and developers does nothing to ensure that Black Washingtonians, immigrants and excluded workers get what they need,” Mujahid said. “The important thing [for the tax code revision] is that racial equity is the top priority. The inequity [in the District] is clearly racialized. The Tax Revision Commission needs to demonstrate how they advance racial equity. We need to see the math.”

Organizers Do a Full-Court Press for an Equitable Tax Code

The Informer was unable to secure an interview with D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (I-At large), chairman of the council’s Committee on Business and Economic Development, about District tax policy and what he hopes for the Tax Revision Commission's recommendations.

On Tuesday morning, the Fair Budget Coalition and Just Recovery DC campaign converged on the John A. Wilson Building to rally supporters and engage D.C. council members about, not only creating a racially equitable D.C. tax code but reallocating funds in the fiscal year 2024 budget to emergency rental assistance and other social services.

Speakers focused on the budget process, mentioning funding for domestic violence victim services and housing programs, among other social safety nets and violence prevention efforts. Organizers later walked through the Wilson Building and dropped off letters to each council member.

After the Office of the Chief FInancial Officer’s release of revised revenue projections earlier this year, Bowser discouraged raising taxes to close a budget gap. During the earlier part of April, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) said he and his council col- the Millennials or Gen Z generations.

With his age, Roberson could acquire tenure and potentially earn a leadership position, as did former District 25 Delegate Dereck E. Davis (D), who entered the General Assembly at age 27 and eventually led the Economic Matters Committee before becoming State Treasurer.

“I am thankful to have the support leagues will defer to the Tax Revision Commission on whether to do so.

In years past, the D.C. Council approved raising taxes on wealthier residents. Those increases have funded the inclusion of one librarian for each District public school and increased compensation for thousands of early childhood educators. In 2021, D.C.

Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) submitted an amendment allocating $3.25 million toward fulltime librarian positions at 36 schools.

On Tuesday, D.C. Councilmembers Lewis George and Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5) stood before organizers on the steps of the Wilson Building to talk about the ongoing budget process, and efforts to allocate funds for social services that Bowser's proposal decimated. Lewis George, chairperson of the council’s Committee on Facilities and Family Services, said she secured more than $3 million for domestic workers, violence interruption academies in District schools, and housing security among other resources for District residents.

While Parker said he wouldn't jump

The appointment process has been criticized for favoring candidates with ties to elected officials. Across Maryland, Central Committee appointments by both Democrats and Republicans represent a large share of Annapolis legislators. Studies by good government groups have indicated that nearly one out of every three legislators came to Annapolis by appointment. WI the gun on what the council as a whole has been able to change in Bowser's budget, he assured organizers that he and his colleagues are inching closer to shifting funds to public services. Even with that, Parker requested an extra push from concerned residents.

"I'm calling on you to stand with us to hold all members of the D.C. Council accountable to the needs of residents, Parker said. "It's not enough that we call out the mayor or have a few council members out here. We have to hold all of our colleagues accountable."

THE TAX REVISION COMMISSION, PAST AND PRESENT

The Tax Revision Commission, established by the D.C. Council as a 20-member body in 1996, meets every decade to compile recommendations for changes to District taxes. In 2012, the commission recommended the creation of two additional tax brackets -- residents making between $40,000