Lawmakers seek $7.9M from state for county projects

New National Children’s Museum, community centers and recreational facilities top the list

Under state law, any legislator can introduce a bill seeking state money for a specific project, which the state finances through borrowed bonds. Known as bond bills, they are one of the most frequently used tools legislators use to bring home funding for their district.

Party leaders often hold off on approving bond bills until the end of the session, and approval is not guaranteed.

Many of the state funding requests in Prince George’s this session focus on recreation. Lawmakers are asking the state to give money to several local Boys and Girls’ clubs and other groups so they can construct gyms, repair playfields and renovate swimming pools. Recreation-related requests make up $1.2 million of the county proposals.

‘‘There’s always a need for more recreational facilities,” said Del. James W. Hubbard (D-Dist 23A) of Bowie, who has asked for $80,000 in funding to renovate aging swimming pools at four Bowie private clubs. ‘‘They’re often not funded by the government versus other infrastructure costs.”

The county’s largest bond request to the state this session was $2 million for the new National Children’s Museum. Members from each district signed on to the countywide bond bill.

‘‘We are honored and very, very excited to be coming to Prince George’s County,” said Kathy Dwyer Southern, president of the museum, who said the $2 million would help fund design and architectural work for the new attraction that will open in 2012.

Museum officials hope to bring up to 500,000 annual visitors to the site once it opens. Officials plan to build a 180,000-square-foot museum filled with children’s activities and space for exhibits. Fundraising for the project is under way.

Under state rules, bond bills must be matched by local funding. If the grantee cannot raise the required funding in time, the money goes back to the state.

Other legislators put in bills for projects to fill needs in their home districts. Officials for Capitol Heights and Forest Heights have asked the legislature for $200,000 and $300,000 seeking money for new municipal buildings.

Sponsors have also asked for $500,000 for a multicultural center to provide assistance to immigrant groups, and $350,000 for a Latin American Youth Center to be built in Riverdale.

Competition is expected to be tough in the current budget. State officials have projected that they must cut close to $200 million in spending this session, and lawmakers have already been told there is only about $15 million in bond funding for every bond bill in the state.

Still, local delegates said the projects need to be funded, even in tough fiscal times.

‘‘It is times like this where it’s even more important that we step up,” said Del. Melony G. Griffith (D-Dist. 25) of Upper Marlboro.

E-mail Daniel Valentine at dvalentine@gazette.net.