Can a divided Prince George’s County Council get things done?

They’re all Democrats, but a split on Maryland’s Prince George’s County Council likely means months of gridlock.

The Prince George’s County Council has been working with 10 members following a vacancy in June caused by the resignation of former member Mel Franklin.

And while all ten are Democrats, five are more moderate Democrats and five are more progressive Democrats. While their goals are often aligned, their methods have also led to divisions.

During the last council meeting of the calendar year, as members gathered Tuesday to elect new leadership within their ranks for next year, those divisions were once again laid bare for all to see.

Council President Jolene Ivey held on to the gavel again after attempts to elect her and council members Eric Olson and Wala Blegay as leader each fell one vote short.

Ed Burroughs was elected vice chairman after at-large member Calvin Hawkins threw his support behind the District 8 representative, another sign that a bond has formed between the two over the last year despite their ideological differences.

When asked about the disagreements on the council, Ivey attributed some of it to personalities.

“I think we all want the same basic, good things for our county, but we go about it differently,” she said.

Tuesday’s drama wasn’t all that surprising, she said, but added that there will be times when it will be difficult for legislation to get the six votes needed for passage. This is especially true when it comes to money and funding for some of the more progressive priorities that some on the council have.

“I know that given some of the priorities of some of my colleagues, there’s no way around a tax increase, and I don’t want that to happen,” Ivey said. “No matter how good something sounds, sometimes you have to tell people no. And people don’t like it when you tell them no.”

Burroughs is a major critic of the way money that isn’t spent on public safety education is currently being distributed.

“We should be talking about what the council is going to do to help the people of Prince George’s County, and there are several visions for how that can be accomplished,” he said.

“We are in unprecedented times and it will be my job as Vice Chairman, along with my colleagues, to focus on what is in the best interest of the people of Prince George’s County, despite all the insanity that comes with it.” around us.”

Arguments about tight finances are hard to swallow, Burroughs said, given the millions that will be spent on special elections in the coming months. Right now, there is one open county board seat, one open council seat and — depending on how the first race goes — there could be another open council seat.

“We always talk about budgets being tight when it comes to giving tax breaks to seniors, but this game of musical chairs has to stop,” he said.

But Burroughs believes the gridlock, uncertainty — and open seats — could be a good thing for the county in the long run.

“When there are so many questions left unanswered and so many things unresolved, it is time for the people of Prince George’s County to organize and demand the kind of government they want,” Burroughs said.

What happened Tuesday likely won’t be the last time lingering resentment comes to the fore in public. Ivey said she believes residents want the council to cooperate and said what she called the “shenanigans” probably didn’t catch anyone’s attention.

“A bunch of adults who don’t seem to get along, who were elected to serve them, I think that just confuses people,” Ivey said. “If they even pay attention.”

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