March 15th, 2023 by WCBC Radio

Governor Wes Moore today presided over the Board of Public Works meeting at the Treasury Building in Annapolis. The meeting included approval for both $17.2 million in Capital Grants funding and Maryland’s General Obligation bond sale, in addition to discussion about the governor’s steadfast commitment to transforming care for the veterans who reside at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.

“Today’s meeting presented exactly the kind of opportunities and challenges that brought us together to serve the people of Maryland,” said Governor Moore. “It will not be easy, but this work is necessary if we are to build a government responsive to the people it serves and that leaves no one behind.”

The Board approved $17.2 million in Capital Grants funding to foster essential capital projects for museums, community centers, medical and athletic facilities, community revitalization, and historical buildings. Capital Grant programs are administered through the Maryland Department of General Services’ Capital Grants Office, which provides administrative and technical support for a portfolio of more than 2,000 active capital grant projects valued at $2 billion. 

“These grants are great investments for Maryland’s arts, sciences, culture, community, and health,” said Maryland Department of General Services Secretary Atif Chaudhry. “The department takes great pride in assisting these organizations with their ability to update, expand, or renovate their facilities.”

During the meeting, the board also sanctioned the state’s $400 million General Obligation bond sale to fund the state’s capital projects and priorities. The sale follows the announcement of the state retaining its AAA bond rating from the three major rating entities—Moody’s, S&P Global Ratings, and Fitch Ratings—making Maryland one of only 13 states in the country to attain this coveted financial seal of approval. 

“Retaining our AAA bond rating is an achievement that speaks to our sound fiscal policies and practices, saving Maryland taxpayers millions of dollars,” said Maryland Department of Budget and Management Secretary Helene Grady. “We are committed to maintaining this high standard going forward.”

The meeting also presented an opportunity for the Board to learn more about the swift action taken by Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Woods to help Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, which the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently relegated to a one-star status. Working in close partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Maryland Department of Health, and the St. Mary’s County Health Department, the department is developing solutions to address long-standing challenges at the facility.

“The situation at Charlotte Hall is a product of years of poor oversight and mismanagement—a pattern that we are seeing all across the State of Maryland as our administration continues the work of rebuilding state government and identifying areas that require both immediate and long-term action,” said Governor Moore. “We will be calling upon our partners in the legislature, our partners on this Board, our partners in local governments, and so many others to help us provide our veterans with the care and support that they need and deserve.”

For more information about today’s Board of Public Works meeting, visit: bpw.maryland.gov.