Joins more than 300 business leaders, educators, industry stakeholders to discuss ways to spur job creation in Maryland
ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 9, 2011)– Governor Martin O’Malley today joined by more than 300 business leaders, educators and industry stakeholders, hosted the Maryland Made Easy 2012 Symposium on Job Creation to prepare for the upcoming 2012 legislative session. Last December, the Governor hosted the Maryland Forward forum on jobs. One year later, the Governor has reconvened stakeholders to discuss ways to continue to create jobs for Maryland families.
“Job creation remains our most urgent and important priority,” said Governor O’Malley. “Today’s symposium gives us an opportunity to hear from our partners in business, education and other industries as we look toward job creation initiatives in the upcoming legislative session. In Maryland, so far this year we’ve created 20,400 net new jobs, and our rate of unemployment, which we drove down this month, is 20 percent lower than the national rate. But better is not good enough. Together, we can create more jobs, as our economy – both nationally and here in Maryland – shows very real signs of improving.”
Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Secretary Christian Johansson opened the discussion featuring University of Maryland, Baltimore County President Freeman Hrabowski who discussed Maryland’s ability to capitalize on innovation as a competitive strength; Urban Land Institute Executive Vice President Maureen McAvey who led a discussion on the need to invest in Maryland’s infrastructure; and Whiting Turner Construction Executive Vice President Dan White who engaged the audience on how the State can streamline and simplify regulations and permitting processes to make it easier to conduct business in Maryland.
In October, Governor O’Malley signed an Executive Order calling for a 60 day review by State agencies of current State regulations that can be reformed or eliminated to help spark job creation. After the 60 day review period, the intent is to introduce a package of regulatory reforms to the General Assembly in January. Though the submission period continues, thus far, the Administration has received 352 suggestions. At the Symposium, the Governor previewed a few of the suggestions listed below:
► Environmental permits: Repeal/reform regulations to allow for online filing with MDE of Notices of Intent under General Permits for Construction Activity
► Power dredge permits: Eliminate the requirement for oyster harvesters to obtain power dredge permits from DNR
► Development pre-approval: Repeal requirement that nursing home developers obtain pre-approval by DHMH to reduce pre-construction delays
Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown remain committed to creating jobs. Last session, the Administration successfully passed InvestMaryland to support the growth of the state’s knowledge-based industries by stimulating investment in the Maryland Venture Fund. In January, Governor O’Malley announced Maryland Made Easy as part of the Administration’s ongoing efforts to improve the conditions that allow businesses to grow and create jobs by streamlining procedures, simplifying regulations and improving communications. Through major transportation projects like the Red and Purple Lines, the Port of Baltimore public-private partnership and transit-oriented development, the State is creating jobs and making necessary infrastructure investments to stimulate economic growth in the region. Through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), CTE (Career and Technology Education), and the Skills2Compete initiative, the Administration focuses on training and education to ensure a highly-skilled and competitive workforce. And to compete and win in the new economy, the Administration continues to invest in biotechnology, information technology, health IT, advanced manufacturing and cyber security.
In the upcoming 2012 legislative session, the O’Malley-Brown Administration intends to focus on ways to create jobs through education, innovation, rebuilding our infrastructure, reforming regulations, and making government work. The ideas and suggestions generated by today’s discussions will be used to help inform the Administration’s legislative agenda and strategies for job creation in the future.
Last year, Governor O’Malley began a series of Maryland Forward forums designed to gather the input of various stakeholders for legislation in areas including jobs and the economy; skills and education; sustainability; children and health; and public safety and security. These day-long summits brought together stakeholders to generate concrete actions and recommendations that support the Administration’s strategic goals to make Maryland a leader in the new economy, protect our neighborhoods, and create jobs.
Tags: annapolis, jobs symposium
