In part coupled with the rise of generative AI products and the speculation on their economic value, there is a growing need for new data centers to facilitate the needs of future generative AI products. That means that they are looking to construct ever bigger facilities wherever they can, not just in areas historically occupied by them such as Northern Virginia. While their construction promises a few union jobs for those in the relevant industries, data centers are notorious for how few jobs them employ after they are up and running, especially in comparison to how much space they take up. Each new data center is known to increase energy bills for local residents, who are left footing the bill as most places do not charge the data centers for the energy they consume and instead spread the cost onto the other properties in the area, including residential properties. Water usage and other environmental impacts from data centers remain a large concern as well.

As one of the constant threats from the second Trump administration, especially for the many immigrants and first generation Americans in the county, is ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity and presence. Seen all across the country harassing anyone the suspect is an immigrant based on looks or accents, as well as the previous murder of two white Americans in Minnesota who were trying to protect their neightbors, the issue has not gone away. And many are rightfully afraid of being abducted and deported at a moment's notice. For many, preventing any collaboration between ICE and any local police is the bare minimum. The active collaboration with ICE and police in DC only makes this fear all the more present.

After the passage of the county's rent stabilization law in 2023, many are looking now to either roll back the policy or expand depending on how they view the current policy's success. The current policy exempts new buildings built on or after January 1, 2000, which is a fixed date. Otherwise, rent increases are capped at a maximum of a 6% increase or CPI-U (Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers) plus 3%, whichever is lower. However, this policy all currently only applies to all unincorporated areas of the county. Any incorporated cities within it do not get to benefit from this cap at all. This rent control remains a vital tool in ensuring the county remains affordable for those who already reside in it and should not be dismissed entirely in favor of giving more handouts to the already rich developers that are always looking to maximize profit and raising rents higher and higher all the time. They are complaining now only because for the first time ever they have been told they have to follow a new law instead of impoising crushing rents on tenants.

Funding the police is related to the larger discussion of public safety and shows if candidates support more of a punitive approach to safety instead of addressing the root causes. We need to invest in alternatives to policing address crime without imprisoning people, like violence interruptor programs, moving the police’s tasks to more appropriate agencies (e.g. mental health crises, traffic enforcement), and investing in social programs that address people’s unmet needs.

In the aftermath of the declared ceasefire in Gaza, states and localities have been looking for ways to cement divestment from Israel and Israeli bonds have been an area of increased attention. It is seen as a minimal cost for states and localities as they can instead invest their money in other businesses and countries to recoup any financial loses. Instead, this is seen as a moral issue and a way to deny support to Israel after they have intensified their genocide against Palestinians since October 7th, 2023. In Maryland and some of its counties, not including Prince George's County, divestment from the Maryland/Israel Development Center (MIDC) in particular is a focus since it currently gets subsidized by them. The MIDC is known for helping Israeli businesses set up locations in Maryland with grants from the funding they receive.

Along with the hopefully forthcoming Purple Line light rail project, WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) is a relevant force in the county and much of the surrounding areas. After the budget crisis and subsequent fare increases in 2024, the agency has continued to look for a permanent solution to its funding. While a return to near pre-COVID ridership has staved off immediate fare increases, WMATA’s long term affordability and service quality has not been guaranteed by government partners across the metro area. Additionally, local bus systems, and ongoing plans to expand them, remain a vital part of public transportation for county residents not near the metro system or their operated bus routes. Many county residents and workers are left having to stick owning a car to get around and others remain waiting for the transit system they know they can have: one where buses and trains arrive more frequently; where buses travel more quickly; and the trip between the transit stop and the final destination is safe, comfortable, and convenient.