Governor O'Malley Visits Frostburg to Kick Off Town Hall Meetings on Education and the Economy
Discusses State Services to Assist Families in Tough Times; Discusses Efforts to Strengthen Safety Net for Marylanders
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FROSTBURG, MD (February 4, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley today kicked off the first of a series of town hall meetings at Mountain Ridge High School in Frostburg to meet with and discuss the State of Maryland’s economy and public education system. Governor O’Malley, Lt. Governor Brown talked with Western Maryland citizens about services the State provides to assist individuals and families in these tough economic times. Members of Governor O’Malley’s Cabinet were also in attendance to answer questions about State services that are available to Maryland citizens.
“As we work together to climb out of this national recession more quickly than other States, we can see some very real reasons for hope and optimism in Western Maryland,” Governor O’Malley said. “Why are we here? Because all of you hold what’s been called the most important office in our American democracy – the sacred office of ‘citizen.’ Tonight, we want to hear your thoughts, questions, and concerns. And we want to share with you some of the things we are doing in your State government to help our families find a way forward in these difficult economic times.”
Governor O’Malley highlighted a number of services and initiatives the State provides for Marylanders struggling during these tough economic times, including:
- Foreclosure aid services;
- Assistance for seniors and people with disabilities;
- Higher education financial aid;
- The Maryland Energy Assistance Program;
- Transportation discount and credit aid;
- Employment services;
- Health services;
- Veterans’ opportunities; and much more.
A full list of State services that are available can be found at problemsolver.maryland.gov.
“Marylanders are clearly feeling the pain caused by rising unemployment and the foreclosure crisis. In times like these the services the state offers are more critical than ever,” said Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Secretary Tom Perez. “It’s important for us to get the word out about unemployment insurance, workforce services and other resources that can help people continue to put food on the table, pay their heating bills and continue putting money back into the local economy.”
Governor O’Malley noted that although there is room to be optimistic, Mountain Marylanders, like others across the State, are struggling in these tough economic times. Governor O’Malley said, “Working together we are finding new and innovative ways to leverage Western Maryland’s natural treasures for economic progress. This region’s tourism sector is growing, and on other fronts, companies like Closet Maid, American Woodmark, Hunter Douglas, Bietzel, and New Page are embracing the green revolution with promising new initiatives. Yet for all the opportunities that exist here, I cannot sugarcoat the difficulty of these times. No one in this room needs to be reminded of how hard Western Maryland has been hit by this national recession.”
“I have had the privilege to serve as an elected official in local government for nearly 35 years. For most of that time the focus has been on those citizens and families who found themselves unemployed, needing job training or in need of financial assistance for things like basic utilities, food or college tuition,” said Arthur T. Bond, Mayor of Frostburg. “At this critical time in the history of the nation, these same issues now face a growing number of citizens here in Mountain Maryland. We look forward to hearing from Governor O’Malley on the State’s programs designed to support these families. We are also very appreciative that the Governor chose Frostburg for the first of his Town Hall meetings.”
During his State of the State address last week, Governor O’Malley shared an excerpt of a letter which was received by an Allegany County resident who was struggling to make ends meet. The citizen, “Sandra,” was struggling to pay her energy bills. Governor O’Malley shared her story at the town hall this evening.
“I am glad that the Governor and his Cabinet are going to the far western part of Maryland. Elected officials should not sit behind a desk waiting for citizens to come to them, they should come to the people,” Senator George Edwards said. “These town halls allow the Governor and his Cabinet to meet Marylanders from across the State to hear their diverse concerns and recommendations unique to their area.”
Even during these tough times, Maryland has made significant progress in public education and higher education, public safety, and healthcare. For example, Maryland has seen its second largest single-year homicide reduction in 25 years with 66 fewer murders, 34 fewer fire deaths; and 60 fewer lives lost on our roads to traffic accidents last year. Affordable healthcare has successfully been expanded 100,000 additional Maryland families; Maryland has conserved nearly 21,000 ecologically valuable acres through Program Open Space – quintupling Maryland’s progress by more than 16,000 acres versus the previous administration; and Maryland has seen four straight years of zero percent increase for in-state college tuition, expanding affordable higher education to more Marylanders rather than fewer.
To protect Maryland’s middle class families, over the last two years, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has: passed what the Washington Post called “among the most sweeping [reforms] in the country” to help Maryland’s most vulnerable neighbors, assembled more than 700 volunteer lawyers to aid at-risk homeowners, and negotiated agreements with six loan servicers to help borrowers and lenders find alternatives to foreclosure; created 33 One Stop Centers which provide résumé, computer training, and job search services; expanded opportunity to more women and minority business owners by increasing State awards to MBE firms; and recovered $1.2 million in unpaid wages owed to Maryland workers and passed the nation’s first living wage law.
“Maryland is defined by the contributions of working families and our future will be shaped by the children in our public schools. We know these are tough economic times and tough economic times require us to work harder and smarter to protect the progress we’ve made and the future we hope to leave our children,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “By working as One Maryland, we will get through these difficult days and continue along the path of progress for years to come.”
[ Listen to Governor's Introduction MP3 ]
