The Maryland General Assembly will be in session from January 14 to April 13.
We thought our readers would want to know what their state representatives will be working on, so Streetcar Suburbs Publishing reached out and asked.
Most Hyattsville residents live in Maryland District 22; responses from two legislators from that district are below.
Delegate Ashanti Martinez
What are your top priorities for this legislative session?
My top priorities this session are affordability, access, and accountability. Families across Prince George’s County are being squeezed by rising costs, and the state has a responsibility to step in where the market has failed people.
I’m focused on lowering everyday costs, protecting access to health care, strengthening immigration protections, and continuing our commitment to public education. Equity remains central to my work—ensuring that the policies we pass don’t just look good on paper, but meaningfully improve outcomes for working families.
What district-specific issues do you plan to take on?
In District 22, I stay grounded in what my constituents tell me they’re dealing with every day. That includes access to affordable health care, reliable public transportation, food access, housing stability, and strong neighborhood schools.
A top priority is seeing the Purple Line completed and making sure we have the public safety funding and community resources in place to keep residents safe once it opens. In addition, lowering the rising HIV rate in our community is critical. That means continued investment in prevention, testing, treatment, and public education paired with policies that reduce stigma and expand access to care.
How should the state legislature address rising costs, in particular for utilities?
The legislature needs to take a firm, consumer-first approach. Utility costs are rising faster than wages, and families don’t have a choice when it comes to keeping the lights on or their homes heated.
We need stronger oversight of utility companies, greater transparency around rate increases, and protections for low-income households, seniors, and people on fixed incomes. At the same time, we should continue investing in energy efficiency and clean energy programs that help lower bills over time and create good local jobs.
How should the state legislature approach school funding this year?
Even in a challenging budget year, we cannot retreat from our commitment to students. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is a promise we made, and we must continue to fully fund it.
That means supporting educators, expanding access to mental health services, special education, and early childhood education, and ensuring Prince George’s County schools have the resources they need. Investing in education is essential to Maryland’s long-term success.
Delegate Nicole A. Williams
What are your top priorities for this legislative session?
I have three pieces of legislation that are top priorities for me this session: First is legislation to ban 287(g) agreements with ICE. The second is to restrict the use of masking by local, state and federal law-enforcement officers who engage in law enforcement activities in Maryland. The third piece of legislation is to ban the sale of handguns which are designed in a way that allows the attachment of small pieces of plastic that convert the handgun to an automatic pistol.
What district-specific issues do you plan to take on?
Working with our federal and local partners to ensure that the new FBI headquarters is relocated to Greenbelt in District 22; working with local municipalities on various bond requests for needed capital projects; and ensuring the successful completion of the Purple Line.
How should the state legislature address rising costs, in particular for utilities?
We need to create more electricity generation in order to lower demand on a shrinking supply. This may mean exploring options such as expanding nuclear sources in the state, battery storage, and continuing to push for the construction of wind turbines and additional solar projects.
How should the state legislature approach school funding this year?
We need to ensure that funding is directed to the schools with the greatest need—where students require more attention to reach desired reading and math levels.
This may mean cuts to schools with less demand, given the $1.4 billion deficit currently before the General Assembly.
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Editor’s Note: District 22 Delegate Anne Healey and State Senator Alonzo T. Washington had not responded to our inquiry as of press time. Any further submissions we receive this month will be published on our website.