Who Really Pays The Price For Prince George's County $39Million Budget Fix?

WHO REALLY PAYS THE PRICE FOR PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY $39MILLION BUDGET FIX?
~ Dr Juliet Agocha

The ongoing legal battle over Prince George's County's attempt to transfer nearly $39 million from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission raises a fundamental question: "What kind of leadership do we want for our county"?

Dr. Juliet Agocha believes that balancing our budget should never come at the expense of the parks, recreation programs, environmental stewardship, and community planning that our residents rely on every day. These are not surplus dollars waiting to be redirected. They are taxpayer funds dedicated by law to preserving green spaces, supporting youth and senior programs, and ensuring responsible planning for our county's future. The commission has challenged the transfer in court, arguing that the funds are legally restricted, while county leaders maintain the transfer is permissible. A judge has since issued a temporary order blocking the transfer while the case proceeds.

District 4 families deserve safe parks where children can play, seniors can stay active, and neighborhoods can thrive. They deserve transparent budgeting that respects both the law and the public trust, not budget solutions that create uncertainty and costly legal battles.

"Our county faces real financial challenges," and leadership is about making responsible choices, not taking resources that were intended for parks, recreation, and planning. We must protect the investments residents have already made through their tax dollars."

Fiscal responsibility means identifying sustainable solutions, eliminating waste, improving efficiency, and prioritizing spending without sacrificing the services that strengthen our communities.

Our leaders in Prince George's County should protect public resources, respect the law, and make tough decisions with transparency and accountability. District 4 deserves leadership that plans for the future, not leadership that balances today's budget by putting tomorrow's quality of life at risk.

Dr. Juliet Agocha