Dear Friends,

I hope you are enjoying the summer with friends and family. I wanted to take this opportunity to share updates about upcoming public hearings for the Prince George’s County Countywide Map Amendment (CMA) project, which has rewritten zoning for all county lands, the SHOP TAX FREE MARYLAND week which is happening now, and the reimplementation of county face mask requirements due to the upsurge in COVID infection rates. Please do reach out to me with any questions or concerns and, as always, it is my privilege to serve as your Delegate.

Sincerely, 
Geraldine 
Geraldine Valentino-Smith
Delegate, Maryland House of Delegates, District 23A
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Back to School Shopping
Shop Tax Free in Maryland THIS WEEK
SUNDAY AUGUST 8 – Saturday, August 14, 2021

Each year, from 12:01 a.m. on the second Sunday in August through midnight on the following Saturday, qualifying clothing and footwear priced $100 or less will be exempt from Maryland’s six percent sales tax. The first $40 of back/bookbag sales also qualify. A list of exempt and taxable items is available on the Comptroller’s Website at www.marylandtaxes.gov, or by calling the Taxpayer Service Section at 410-260-7980 in Central Maryland or toll-free 1-800-MD TAXES from elsewhere. Click here for Maryland Shop Tax Free FAQ's.
Mark Your Calendars
 Prince George’s County CMA Zoning Hearing
Monday, September 13, 2021- 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 5:00 p.m.
The Prince George’s County District Council and the County Planning Board will conduct a VIRTUAL JOINT PUBLIC HEARING to take testimony on the Countywide Sectional Map Amendment (CMA) for Prince George's County, pursuant to the passage of the 2021 Maryland General Assembly House Bill (HB) 980. HB980 generated robust interest and debate during the 2021 Legislative Session so please take this opportunity to have your voice heard at the hearing.

The County’s CMA has been a multi-year project which reviewed and applied zoning categories to every property in the County. This CMA encompasses updated zoning of all County land and properties. Zoning designations dictate what can be built on a piece of land, the location of buildings on the lot, limitations on building height, as well as addressing the look and feel of the development permitted. On July 22, 2021, the City of Bowie staff presented an update review of the CMA’s impact to the Bowie City Council, please see the report here.   

Please take the opportunity to read the CMA, attend the hearing and REGISTER TO SPEAK. In addition, hard copies of the CMA can be found at five green distribution boxes throughout the County. Find the list and location of the green distribution boxes on page three here.
COVID Infection Rates Increase
and Mask Requirements Return
  • Indoor public mask mandates began again on Sunday, August 8, 2021 in our County at 5:00 PM, due to a continued rise in COVID-19 metrics.

  • All residents and visitors over the age of five will be required to wear masks in all indoor public venues and businesses in Prince George’s County, even if they are fully vaccinated.

  • This includes, but is not limited to, restaurants, gyms, retail stores, entertainment venues, conference centers, and office settings.

  • Similar to previous mask mandates, some exceptions apply, such as when an individual is actively eating or drinking or individuals who have a recognized disability that prevents them from wearing a mask.

  • The new mandate is based on the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance that individuals in areas with “high” or “substantial” transmission of COVID-19 should wear masks in indoor public settings, even if they are fully vaccinated.
  •  According to the CDC, Prince George’s County is now in the “substantial” transmission category.

  • The County’s positivity rate is 4.7% as of August 2, up from 0.9% on July 5.

  • Please check the increasing infection rate data by zip code here.

  • The vaccine is WIDELY available. Find a provider by your zip code.
By Authority of Friends For Geraldine Valentino-Smith, Elizabeth Ryan, Treasurer