Maryland Creates New Department for Social and Economic Mobility
Maryland’s state government has announced the establishment of a new cabinet-level department aimed at enhancing social and economic mobility, though it won’t include the term "equity" in its name. Proposed by House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, the new "Department of Social and Economic Mobility" will amalgamate existing equity and small business programs that have been distributed across various state agencies.
The legislation, which passed the Maryland General Assembly, was signed into law recently. Initially, the department was to be named the "Department of Social Equity," but this was altered during the legislative process. While the name change has sparked speculation—possibly due to the controversial associations with the term "equity"—neither Jones nor Governor Wes Moore offered any comments during the bill signing about the decision.
Supporters of the bill, including Jones and Moore, emphasized the importance of the new department, highlighting its potential to streamline government efforts in assisting historically disadvantaged individuals. Maryland’s current initiatives involve ensuring that state contractors work with minority, women, and veteran-owned subcontractors, alongside programs tailored for the cannabis industry.
Despite the absence of debate regarding the name change during legislative discussions, both leaders incorporated the idea of equity in their remarks, indicating a commitment to the principles underlying the new department’s mission.
Jones, who has long fought for equitable opportunities throughout her career, stressed the importance of not shying away from discussions around equity, asserting that the new office’s work will inherently promote inclusion and diversity. The actions taken emphasize Maryland’s ongoing efforts to address historic disparities among its residents.
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