Prince George’s County lawmakers adopted a $3.7 billion budget Thursday that gives them wiggle room to invest in domestic-violence prevention, roadway cleanup and renovations to the government’s planned new headquarters in Largo.
This year’s budget process was as unremarkable as last year’s was contentious. There were no proposed tax increases, furloughs or other flash points comparable to what happened in 2015, when two branches of government threatened to sue each other over a budget that sought to radically increase spending on public education.
“What a difference a year makes,” said County Council member Todd Turner (D-Bowie) before casting the final vote in favor of the budget, which was approved unanimously.
The fiscal 2017 budget takes advantage of an increase in projected revenue that officials described as the first fruits of policy and economic-development initiatives put into place five years ago.
That financial cushion includes $18.9 million in gaming, property and hotel taxes expected from the scheduled winter opening of the MGM casino complex, anticipated increases in commercial taxes and rising home sales.
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