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Hyattsville 2025 State Spotlight

Posted on: January 12, 2025

The Maryland General Assembly will be in session from Jan. 8 to April 7. 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 three legislators from that district are below.  

Delegate Ashanti Martinez

Courtesy of Ashanti Martinez

What are you most proud of from last year’s session?

One of my proudest moments from the last session is the passage of my bill, the So Every BODY Can Move Act. This law makes Maryland the sixth state to provide insurance coverage for activity-specific prostheses. This law will allow greater access to the devices our disability community needs to live full and active lives. 

What’s an opportunity that the state legislature missed last session, or an area where you hope to do better?

I hope we find creative ways to fund our priorities this session. For example, I have a bill I‘m bringing back this year that would tax social media companies for the harm their platforms cause to youth mental health. We know these platforms are responsible for many issues impacting our youth. The taxes collected would go directly to families needing assistance affording mental health services in Maryland.

How do you anticipate that your work in this session will change life for residents in your district specifically? 

As chair of the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, I know the work we do this session will directly impact the diverse communities and neighborhoods of District 22. We are focused on keeping families together. States are now the frontline to protect against the incoming Trump administration and I’m dedicated to do all I can to keep our communities safe. 

Senator Alonzo T. Washington

Courtesy of Alonzo T. Washington

What are you most proud of from last year’s session?

I am proud of protecting funding for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and strengthening the community schools model by developing additional accountability measures. I passed monumental legislation establishing the Maryland Aerospace Technology Commission to foster innovation in Maryland. I also provided financial relief to public school employees in Prince George’s County by securing a property tax credit. Additionally, I supported our communities by implementing legislation to monitor excessive noise from illegally modified vehicles and reserving funding for underserved communities for flood disaster relief. To further improve our communities, I voted in favor of measures to reduce juvenile crime and support youth through the development of activity centers.

What’s an opportunity that the state legislature missed last session, or an area where you hope to do better? 

I urge the state legislature to seize the opportunity to address the high cost of living and the scarcity of affordable housing across Maryland by bringing forward solutions to alleviate this burden on our communities. Currently, there is a shortage of 85,000 affordable apartments in Maryland for lower-income families and individuals. Additionally, the increasing rates of health insurance, combined with the shortage of hospital beds and physicians, are impeding adequate access to care for residents in Prince George’s County and across Maryland. Rising auto insurance rates are another challenge for residents, and work must be done to ensure affordability.

How do you anticipate that your work this session will change life for residents in your district specifically?

 I plan to improve access to health care by increasing the number of hospital beds and reducing Emergency Room wait times. I am working to address the rising cost of auto insurance premiums, which have been increasing exponentially, even as insurance companies have earned $88 billion in profits. Through my legislative efforts, I aim to continue improving our schools and reducing costs for students across Maryland. Additionally, I will advance initiatives to enhance safety and well-being in our communities by protecting pedestrian safety and advocating to keep the FBI headquarters in Prince George’s County.

Delegate Nicole Williams

Courtesy of Nicole Williams

What are you most proud of from last year’s session? 

As chair of the Prince George’s County House Delegation, I am proud that we were able to bring back $198.3 million from the state to Prince George’s County, $38.3 million of which went to public health. 

What’s an opportunity that the state legislature missed last session, or an area where you hope to do better? 

I think we should have made the tough decisions last year to address the structural deficit instead of kicking the can down the road. I am hoping that we will make those tough decisions this year and do the right thing regardless of politics or worrying about the next election. 

How do you anticipate that your work in this session will change life for residents in your district specifically? 

I am really hoping that we can pass curbside voting here in Maryland. I have introduced this bill each year for the last six years. Twenty-eight other states have curbside voting, including Wisconsin, North Carolina and Virginia. Last year it was House Bill 641. This is a statewide bill, but it will assist residents in District 22 who have mobility challenges, want to vote in person, and do not wish to vote by mail or via a local drop box. 

District 22 Delegate Anne Healey had not responded to our inquiry as of press time. Some City of Hyattsville residents are in District 47, which includes Hyattsville west of Adelphi Road between East-West Highway and Calverton, and an area near the West Hyattsville Metro stop west of Ager Road. District 47 representatives had not responded to our inquiry as of press time. Any further submissions we receive this month will be published on our website.

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