Latest news with #HouseBill1253
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Family, loved ones of Davis Martinez honored during final bill signing of 2025
Blanca Garcia-Martinez, mother of slain parole agent Davis Martinez, attends an event for the signing of a bill, named after her son, to boost protections for state workers. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Family, loved ones and colleagues of Davis Martinez gathered in Annapolis Tuesday for a bittersweet occasion – to witness the signing of a law named to honor the slain parole agent's memory by boosting protections for state workers. 'His family and his loved ones turned that pain into purpose,' Gov. Wes Moore (D) said before signing the Davis Martinez Public Employee Safety and Health Act. 'They came to Annapolis to advocate the legislation that would help ensure what happened [to Martinez] would never happen again.' It was just one of 181 bill signed into law Tuesday in the final bill signing session after a challenging 2025 legislative session. The measures ranged from the mundane to the major — the fiscal 2026 budget — and included moments of personal reflection from House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) and pure elation from long-suffering advocates finally seeing victory. Martinez became the first parole agent killed in the line of duty when he was brutally slain on the morning of May 31, 2024, while making a routine check on a parolee at a home in Silver Spring. Martinez's supervisors did not check on him until well into the evening, after coworkers noticed him missing and expressed concern for his well-being. Police found Martinez dead with multiple stab wounds at the home of the parolee, Emanuel Edward Sewell, who was arrested a day later in West Virginia and has since been charged with first-degree murder in Martinez's death. Martinez's family and labor unions called on the legislature to boost protections for state employees in the wake of the killing, which led to Senate Bill 26 and House Bill 176, which passed with unanimous approval. The legislation, now law, will provide better oversight of state workplaces and create a unit within the Division of Labor and Industry focused on public employee safety and health. Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) said Martinez represents thousands of Maryland's 'dedicated state workers that show up to work every single day to serve others.' 'We are so deeply sorry for your loss, and we hope that this piece of legislation … is one small step to honor your loved one's memory,' he told Martinez's family. Tuesday's bill signing began with Moore and legislative leadership looking back on a legislative session filled with challenges – including a multibillion-dollar budget deficit and rapid-fire policy changes at the federal level. In spite of those challenges, Moore signed House Speaker Adrienne Jones' (D-Baltimore County) bill combining several current state offices to create a new Department of Social and Economic Mobility. Jones believes that her legislation House Bill 1253 runs 'in stark contrast' to the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs. 'When we say social and economic mobility, let's be very clear on what we're talking about,' Jones said Tuesday. 'We're talking about the strength of our diversity. We're talking about promoting equity and we're talking about creating inclusion in all spaces. I'm not afraid to say it.' She noted that the bill was personal for her as a Black woman. 'I've walked on to an unleveled playing field. I've been kept out of rooms, meetings and buildings solely because of my race and gender,' she said. 'We've come a long way since these times … and I refuse to let us go back today.' Jones extended that promise to Maryland's immigrant community, much of whome feel unsafe from the Trump administration's increased deportation efforts on undocumented immigrants. She highlighted House Bill 1222, which directs the Maryland Attorney General to develop guidelines that clarify how officials at 'sensitive locations' — which include public schools, places of worship, courthouses, hospitals and similar locations — should interact with federal immigration enforcement agents. 'The fear felt in Maryland's immigrant communities is real right now,' Jones said. 'Marylanders should feel safe while seeking medical care, pursing education and going to church … But as we see the suspension of the process and as we see a continued erosion of basic human dignity in our immigrant communities, we know this work is far from over.' The Tuesday bill signing also included the approval of the 2026 budget and a dense energy package, two heavily debated topics over the legislative session. But despite the weighty topics, there were also some moments of celebration during the event. Longtime health care advocate Vincent DeMarco celebrated the governor's signature on House Bill 424 and Senate Bill 357, which will expand the authority of the state's current Prescription Drug Affordability Board to help bring prescription drug costs down for all Marylanders. Currently, the board only looks at the cost of drugs for state employee health plans. During the bill signing, Moore gave a shout-out to DeMarco as someone who 'has been a champion for affordable health care for decades.' DeMarco later said he was 'ecstatic' about the board's expansion. Moore also signed off on one of his priority bills, to reform the state's procurement process – a topic that he admitted was 'not sexy' but is 'absolutely essential in delivering economic growth and building pathways to work, wages and wealth.' House Bill 500 reworks several parts of the state's procurement laws to support more minority-owned businesses and veteran-owned businesses, increase oversight of procurements, along with other changes. Moore said that the bills signed Tuesday were reflective of the hard work the legislature, his administration and advocates put into the bills during the challenging 2025 session. 'We had to be nimble in the face of uncertainty and be courageous in the face of chaos,' Moore said. 'If there is one thing we're able to prove in this session is this: That in Maryland, we can look at challenge squarely in the face and refuse to blink.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Speaker's bill would make social equity part of state government, literally
House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County), center, testifies March 26 before the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee on her bill to create the Department of Social and Economic Mobility. Joining Jones is her Chief of Staff Matt Jackson, left, and Michele Lambert, director of legislative services in the speaker's office. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) As the Trump administration continues its push to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs wherever they are found, Maryland lawmakers are advancing a bill that creates a Cabinet-level department to oversee social equity programs in the state. The name of proposed agency has changed since it was first introduced by House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County), from the Department of Social Equity to the Department of Social and Economic Mobility. But the mission remains the same: supporting social equity programs throughout state government and collecting scattered agencies that assist small and disadvantaged businesses under one roof. House Bill 1253 passed the House on a 101-37 vote on March 17 and was heard Wednesday by the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee. 'We know we are stronger when everyone has the same access to the same opportunities, and when everyone has a seat at the table,' Jones said in testimony befoer the committee Wednesday. 'We have programs that require minority and small business contracting. We support supplier diversity and state procurement,' Jones said. 'Unfortunately, right now, these programs are fractured across our state government. They're isolated in different agencies and often work independently of each other.' The department would combine three existing offices focused on social equity programming: the Governor's Office of Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Affairs (GOSBA); the Office of Social Equity in the Maryland Cannabis Administration; and the Office of Minority Business Enterprises in the state Department of Transportation. Besides overseeing programs that support small and disadvantaged businesses, the new department would be responsible for proposing new and innovative approaches to social equity programs, monitoring trends in social equity programs and policies across the nation and adopting standards for various agencies and other units within the executive branch to promote social equity. The proposal comes at President Donald Trump had ordered the elimination of DEI programs at the federal level and has threatened to withhold federal funding to states that don't comply to eliminate initiatives focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. At a February gathering of governors at the White House, Trump challenged Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) over her state's policy allowing transgender girls from playing girls' sports. But Mills held firm, telling Trump, 'We're going to follow the law sir. We'll see you in court.' This month, the federal government started to investigate Maine and found it was in violation of the federal civil rights rule that bans sex-based discrimination in schools. On the day HB 1253 passed the House, Del. Lauren Arikan (R-Harford) said Maryland could be next in line for federal retribution. 'We have some of the worst policies in the nation, maybe second only to California … because of our woke policies,' Arikan said. 'I think a lot of our behavior is being watched, and we're really close to D.C. We're an easy target to keep an eye on because we're right next door.' But Del. Vanessa Atterbeary (D-Howard) said Wednesday that Maryland should not back down in the face of federal threats, but should continue to implement and support diverse programs and initiatives, especially about people of color. Atterbeary is chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, which reviews education policies. 'We heard the message loud and clear, Mr. President, you don't care for us. You don't like us. You don't want us around,' Atterbeary said. 'You want no mention of us in any photo and any history. 'He's [Trump] trying to erase history and our culture, which is our culture. America's culture. So, I think it's really important in Maryland that we preserve that,' she said. Most of the funding and personnel for the new department would be shifted from existing agencies and accounts, including the Transportation Trust Fund and cannabis sales and use taxes. According to the fiscal note for HB 1253, $2.3 million would be needed for next fiscal year to for nine new positions such as a secretary, principal counsel and support personnel for human resources and finance, among others.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amid national push against DEI programs, Jones leads push to maintain it in Maryland
House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) testifies on HB 1253, her bill that would create a state Department of Social Equity. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters) Amid a national push by President Donald Trump to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, one of Maryland's leading lawmakers is pushing in the other direction. House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) is sponsoring legislation to create a state Department of Social Equity that would assemble in one place several current state government programs that aim to help small and minority businesses and those from disadvantaged communities. 'Too often, the very people these programs are meant to support don't know where to go or who to contact to get the help that they need,' Jones said during testimony on the bill Tuesday before the House Appropriations Committee. 'Programs are fractured across government, making finding those opportunities a challenge,' she said. 'We are breaking down barriers to ensure that disadvantaged individuals and small businesses can find and access the opportunities they need at the state, federal and local levels.' Gov. Wes Moore (D) supports the bill, said Jeremy Baker, the governor's chief legislative officer, who sat beside Jones during the hearing. 'In just the last two weeks, we've seen over 1,250 private sector layoffs in Prince George's and Montgomery [counties] because of the chaos in Washington,' Baker said. 'The changing legal and regulatory landscape means Maryland must find innovative and thoughtful ways to support our small and minority-owned businesses and create pathways to quality work, good wages and wealth creation independent of the federal government.' Testimony lasted less than 10 minutes Tuesday on House Bill 1253, which seeks to create a new department in the executive branch of state government. The new department would be the successor to three current offices focused on social equity programming: the Governor's Office of Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Affairs (GOSBA); the Office of Social Equity in the Maryland Cannabis Administration; and the Office of Minority Business Enterprises in the state Department of Transportation. Duties for the new department would include conducting policy analysis on the effectiveness of social equity programs, adopting standards for various agencies and other units within the executive branch to promote social equity, and maintaining an inventory of social equity work performed by each unit. The bill's fiscal note highlights the fact that most of the money for the new department is already in the budget. A total of $11.1 million would be shifted over with the current agencies to the new department, with just $2.3 million in new general funds for a small number of new staff, moving and other expenses. The fiscal note foresees the need for nine new positions in the department that include a secretary, deputy secretary and a principal counsel. A secretary would be appointed by the governor with advice and consent of the Senate. The new department would have to submit a report to the governor and General Assembly by July 1, 2026, that identifies all state programs and units 'dedicated to social equity or that have a social equity component.' In addition, the report would have to provide recommendations on how any programs or agencies can promote social equity. Del. Malcolm P. Ruff (D-Baltimore City), who supports the measure, asked if there 'was any appetite' to create a work group to make sure the plan is carried out. 'We stand at the ready to work with any and all partners to make sure the process goes as smooth as possible,' Baker said. Prior to discussion on the Department of Social Equity bill, Jones testified on another measure she's sponsoring to preserve cultural history: House Bill 1010 would allow donations to be made on noncapital programming to the African American Heritage Preservation Program and Grant Fund. Chanel Compton, executive director of the Banneker-Douglas-Tubman Museum in Annapolis, said it would allow certain programs to continue at historic community centers and sites and small museums throughout the state. 'In this day and age, African American heritage preservation and Black History programming is consistently being smudged and erased all throughout the nation, so let's keep Maryland at the forefront of this work,' she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
