Event Archive: Building Our Future

Building Our Future: The Maryland Center on Economic Policy's Second Annual State Policy Summit

The building blocks of thriving communities across the state consist of our shared investments and sound policies that help all Marylanders reach their full potential. The Maryland Center on Economic Policy’s second annual policy summit, “Building Our Future,” featured important conversations about the biggest policy choices we face today.

Keynote Speaker

Dr. William “Brit” Kirwan, chairman of the Maryland Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education. In January, the commission released its vision for creating world-class schools in every corner of the state. Dr. Kirwan served as chancellor of the University System of Maryland from 2002 to 2015 and was previously the president of the University of Maryland, College Park.

Slides from Dr. Kirwan’s presentation

Panel Discussions

The Future of Work. Maryland’s economy has strengths, with a highly educated workforce, the highest median income in the country, and its rank among the states with the most millionaires per capita. At the same time, too many Marylanders work hard and still struggle to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, while others have challenges finding work in communities with limited opportunities. This panel will discuss the impact of recent policy changes aimed at boosting Maryland workers and next steps for creating an economy that works for everyone.

Moderator: Naomi Walker, Director of the Economic Analysis and Research Network. EARN is a national network of more than 60 state-level policy research and advocacy organizations coordinated by EPI.

Panelists:

Donna Edwards, President of the Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO
Ricarra Jones, Political Director of 1199 SEIU and lead organizer of the Maryland Fight for $15 coalition
Patrick Moran, President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 3
Nikki Thompson, Senior Policy Advocate at Job Opportunities Task Force, a nonprofit focused on a wide range of workforce issues, including workforce development and removing barriers to employment
Margaret Williams, Executive Director of the Maryland Family Network, a nonprofit operating child care and family support centers while working to ensure young children and their families are a priority with lawmakers

Slides referenced during the panel discussion

Summary of recent state policy changes affecting working Marylanders

The Future of Education. The Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education put together a bold vision for creating world-class schools and ensuring that the quality of a child’s education isn’t determined by their ZIP code. While the General Assembly took some positive steps in the 2019 legislative session there is still much more to do to ensure every child in Maryland can access a great education. Join Dr. Kirwan and other education experts for a discussion about getting needed resources into classrooms across the state.

Moderator: Eric Figueroa, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Panelists:

Cheryl Bost, President of the Maryland State Education Association
Dr. Khalilah Harris, Managing Director at the Center for American Progress. Dr. Harris’s focus areas include K-12 education and race equity analysis.
Dr. William “Brit” Kirwan, chairman of the Maryland Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education and former Chancellor of the University System of Maryland
Christopher Meyer, Research Analyst for the Maryland Center on Economic Policy and the author of three reports about school funding in Maryland.
Maritza Solano, Director of Education for CASA, an organization advocating for expanded opportunities for Latino and immigrant Marylanders

Summary of MDCEP education funding proposal

Full “Building Our Future” report

Overview of local share of state funding