Prince George's County Council holds retreat to shape 2026 legislative priorities

Prince George's County Council held a two-day retreat in College Park on January 15 and 16 to map its legislative agenda ahead of the 2026 session. Council members gathered at The Hotel at the University of Maryland for sessions running from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day that focused on the state of the county, the financial outlook and policy priorities including housing, economic development, development and zoning.

The retreat was positioned as a planning and training opportunity. Thursday's agenda concentrated on the county's fiscal condition, economic development and housing policy, while Friday shifted to development, zoning and committee breakout sessions and training. Leadership from the County Executive's office provided briefings, and state and federal officials were invited to attend lunches. The sessions were open to the public and media were invited.

Holding the retreat before the formal start of the legislative session gives the Council an early chance to coordinate positions and align committee work. Discussions about the financial outlook could foreshadow budget priorities and tax or spending proposals this spring. Housing and zoning topics are likely to translate into proposed ordinances or code amendments that affect development patterns, affordability efforts and neighborhood planning. Economic development conversations signal attention to jobs, commercial investment and revenue strategies that inform the county's tax base and service levels.

The retreat also highlights interbranch coordination. Briefings from County Executive staff and invitations to state and federal leaders reflect efforts to synchronize county priorities with broader funding and regulatory opportunities. That coordination can speed implementation of projects but also raises the stakes for transparency and public engagement when priorities formed in closed planning sessions move toward formal votes.

For residents, the substantive consequence is practical: topics discussed at the retreat will be translated into proposals that the Council will debate, amend and vote on in the weeks ahead. Those roll calls determine zoning changes, developer approvals, budget allocations and program funding that affect rents, property values, school capacity and local services. Community groups and individual residents who care about housing, land use and fiscal policy should monitor committee agendas and upcoming public hearings and make their views known during the formal review process.

The retreat set a roadmap rather than final outcomes. The next steps for residents are to follow the Council's docket as it releases bills, attend committee meetings or hearings that address housing and zoning, and engage with council offices as proposals move from planning into law.