Published on: Thursday, February 16, 2012

By Tauren Dyson

The Prince George’s County government is staring at a $126 million deficit in 2012, a number that has potential to increase by $40- 80 million in coming months. To trim these numbers, many expect County Executive Rushern Baker to defund certain goods and services within the county.

Last Tuesday, residents converged at Prince George’s Community College for the fiscal year 2013 Proposed Budget Hearing in hopes that Baker would spare cuts to essential county services.

Cynthia Rivera, 20, slowly approached the microphone to make her appeal.

“I am someone who has experienced mental health challenges and benefitted from services,” said the Maryland Multicultural Youth Center recipient, as her voice cracked. “I was thinking suicidal thoughts.”

Last year Rivera turned to the MMYC councilors after her father lost his job and began drinking heavily. When he drank, he became belligerent. Fearing for their safety, Rivera and her siblings sought refuge in their bedrooms. The mental stress became unbearable, as Rivera’s grades began to slip.

The MMYC provided academic support, promoted healthy lifestyle and offered career services support for Rivera and others in similar situations.

“Access to quality health care and mental health is something this administration … has proven that they’re fully in support of,” Baker said. “We’re going to do everything we can to make sure it’s a strong part of our budget.”

According to a statement from the county executive’s office, Prince George’s County “is committed to improving service delivery by focusing our investments into critical programs and service that have meaningful outcome and positive results.”

The county revenue numbers exceed budgeted levels. The boost comes in large part from income tax and speed camera tickets. However, the state anticipates those revenues will be used to cover the costs from the impact of Tropical Storm Irene.

Weather in the county this year has remained relatively tame. Perhaps this may signal a small sign of relief for chronically homeless. Yet officials working for nonprofits anticipate the deficit will have a stormy impact on the services they provide.

“I would like to ask you to support the efforts of the Human Services Coalition, the Department of Family Services, the public school system and the Department of Social Services,” said Margaret Boles, Prince George’s Advocacy Council member. “These departments have growing needs, as the number of homeless, jobless and disabled in our county continues to rise.”

The county’s unemployment rate sits at 6.5 percent. In 2010, the number of families with disabilities waiting for public housing was 1,118, according to a study from that year.

“I have tried to get the $17 a month reinstated for food stamps for one grandmother, who is raising her granddaughter by herself,” Boles said. “We need to fully fund the organizations that have proven helpful in getting training or retraining for people who have lost their jobs in this recession.”