Prince George's County Question ACharter Amendment – Harmful Businesses Taxes and Fees
What your vote means
A YES vote removes the requirement that voters approve taxes and fees on businesses the County says harm community health, safety, or economic development (such as tobacco stores, liquor stores, and self-storage).
A NO vote keeps the current rule, so the County cannot set these taxes and fees without a public vote.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- The amendment (CR-053-2026) adds an exception to Charter Section 813, the rule that requires a public vote on new or additional taxes, for taxes and fees on these businesses. source: elections.maryland.gov
- The County Council voted in June 2026 to put the question on the November ballot. source: thebanner.com
- The County already passed a $5,000 yearly fee on liquor stores, tobacco shops, gun retailers, and storage businesses, due each January 1 starting in 2027, and a one-time $370 fee on other businesses. The vote was 9-2. source: marylandmatters.org
Cost: No cost estimate found for the amendment. The existing law sets a $5,000 yearly fee for liquor, tobacco, gun, and storage businesses (sources: Maryland Matters, The Baltimore Banner).
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
- The question follows a 2026 County law, led by Council Chair Krystal Oriadha, that created the fees. More than 50 business owners have sued the County over it. source: marylandmatters.org
Why supporters want it
- Council Chair Krystal Oriadha says these businesses have a "particularly detrimental impact upon Prince George's County's quality of life." source: marylandmatters.org
- The Banner reports supporters say these businesses harm residents and hinder economic development. source: thebanner.com
Why opponents object
- Business owners' lawyer Tim Maloney argues the fee is an illegal tax and that the County cannot impose a special tax on these businesses. The business group says the Council is trying to "impose unlawful and punitive taxes." Council members Jolene Ivey and Sydney Harrison voted against the fee law over legality concerns. source: marylandmatters.org
Who backs each side
No public record found of a campaign committee or campaign money for either side.
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
Word for word from the State Board of Elections' official Prince George's ballot: elections.maryland.gov .
Charter Amendment Harmful Businesses Taxes and Fees
To allow the County to impose taxes and fees on the operators of businesses deemed to have an adverse impact on community health, safety, and welfare, or County economic development, including, but not limited to, tobacco stores, liquor stores, and self-storage, by removing the requirement that the public vote on such taxes and fees. A vote for this measure will allow the County to impose taxes and fees, to the extent authorized by law, on operators of businesses that negatively impact the quality-of-life of County residents or economic development. A vote against this measure will prevent the County from imposing taxes and fees on businesses that negatively impact the quality-of-life of County residents or economic development.
- For the Charter Amendment
- Against the Charter Amendment
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.