Public Policy Awareness

The Accountability Implementation Board is an independent unit of State government whose purpose is to hold State and local governments, including county boards of education, accountable for implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and evaluating the outcomes achieved against the goals of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and the Commission during the implementation period.

The Department of Commerce staffs nineteen boards and commissions that provide recommendations and direction to the Department. These boards focus on targeted groups and industry sectors such as small businesses, federal facilities, tourism, and manufacturing. Links to each of these commissions can be found here.

The Joint Federal Action Oversight Committee has been established by General Assembly leadership to monitor the federal budget and other actions that may affect Maryland’s budget and employment.

The Board of Revenue Estimates, in the Office of the Comptroller, is responsible for estimating State revenues. It generally meets in September, December, and March of each fiscal year to review the findings and recommendations of the Revenue Monitoring Consensus Group. The Board consists of three ex officio members – Comptroller, State Treasurer, and Secretary of Budget and Management – and the Director of the Bureau of Revenue Estimates serves as Executive Secretary of the Board.

The Spending Affordability Committee studies and reviews the status and projections of State revenues and expenditures, and the status and projections of the Maryland economy. Its main purpose is to recommend to the Governor and Legislative Policy Committee a rate of growth that limits State spending to a level that does not exceed the rate of growth of the State’s economy. The Committee also recommends how fiscal goals, debt authorization, State personnel levels, and any surplus should be considered by the General Assembly.

The Board of Public Works is composed of the Governor, Comptroller of Maryland, and State Treasurer to review, approve, and oversee statutorily mandated projects and programs, including significant State expenditures and general obligation bond issuances. The Board also approves expenditures of State loans and capital improvements, except those allotted for State roads, bridges, and highways.