Prince George's County, Maryland

A pivotal Prince George's County Council vote set for Monday could clear the way for up to $215 million in special obligation bonds to finance infrastructure for a proposed $1.4 billion Sphere venue at National Harbor, a 6,000-seat version of the Las Vegas landmark. County officials say the financing relies on tax increment financing tied to future revenue in the National Harbor Development District rather than new taxes on residents.

Ahead of the vote, local officials, labor groups and business leaders are pressing for guarantees that local, minority and union workers benefit substantially from construction and permanent jobs. County Executive Aisha Braveboy highlighted the project's importance as the county recovers from federal job losses, the Six Flags closure and the Washington Commanders' departure from Landover. Officials are seeking commitments that at least 50% of workers come from county-based small businesses, with 40% reserved for minority-owned firms. Separately, Maryland Delegate Adrian Boafo criticized the lack of a Project Labor Agreement, noting one existed for the Las Vegas Sphere, and urged the council to secure stronger labor standards before approving financing.

The Department of Justice has sued Maryland, Attorney General Anthony Brown, the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission, and Prince George's and Montgomery counties over laws banning law enforcement officers from wearing masks or face coverings while on duty. The state law, effective October 1, includes limited exceptions for undercover work, weather, and health reasons, and requires officers to display visible identification. Violations are treated as civil offenses carrying fines up to $1,500, a structure adopted after federal judges struck down similar criminal-penalty mask bans elsewhere. Montgomery and Prince George's counties passed comparable local laws in the spring.

The DOJ argues the laws unconstitutionally regulate federal officers under the Supremacy Clause and endanger ICE agents by exposing them to doxxing, harassment, and violence amid the administration's immigration crackdown. Officials including Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate said only the federal government can dictate equipment for federal officers on duty. Maryland officials, including House Speaker Joseline Pena-Melnyk and Montgomery County Councilmember William Jawando, say the laws promote transparency and accountability and vow to defend them. Maryland is the eighth state the DOJ has sued over similar laws, following suits in New York, Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee.

DOJ sues Maryland and two counties over laws barring masks for federal law enforcement, citing risks to ICE officers.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said Thursday he would "absolutely sign" a statewide moratorium on new data center development if it reached his desk, though he stressed local jurisdictions should retain say over such decisions. Thirteen of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions, including Baltimore and Montgomery and Prince George's counties, have already imposed temporary bans amid resident concerns over housing and utility costs.

Moore's comments add to a growing wave of pushback against data center expansion tied to the AI boom. New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland also backed a moratorium, citing environmental concerns and calling for centers to build their own renewable power. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed regulators to penalize data centers violating water-use rules. At the federal level, Sen. Martin Heinrich blocked a GOP bill on data center electricity costs, calling it insufficient. President Trump has urged data centers to cover their own power and water costs but criticized New York's moratorium, warning it risks losing AI investment to China.