Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman joined Governor Wes Moore and Treasurer Dereck E. Davis in approving 97 initiatives representing a total expenditure of more than $210 million during a Board of Public Works meeting on Wednesday.

 

Following Governor Moore’s remarks on the federal government shutdown, Comptroller Lierman highlighted the potential economic impacts President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress will have on Maryland.

 

“It is shameful that President Trump, along with the Republican controlled Congress, has brought the work of the Federal Government to a screeching halt,” Comptroller Lierman said. “As a result of this failure in leadership and refusal to negotiate in good faith, in addition to rising costs as a result of inflation and tariffs, many furloughed workers will find themselves without a paycheck. Hard-working Marylanders and families that rely upon the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) risk losing access to their benefits.

 

“As the State Comptroller, I think it is important to quantify the direct and economic impact of the federal government’s dereliction of duty. By refusing to negotiate in good faith, Republicans in Congress are once again punishing innocent Marylanders and Maryland’s economy. This is an existential crisis for all of us as a nation and a deeply personal one here in Maryland.

 

“According to the Congressional Budget Office, the last shutdown caused a loss of an estimated $3 billion in economic activity across the country. Grinding the government to a halt, our office estimated the 2019 shutdown cost Maryland over $13 million a day in economic activity. Losing around $550,000 in state revenues daily. As we once again face unprecedented chaos, no one can predict what the financial toll will be this time around.

 

“My agency will work in direct partnership with the Department of Labor and the Treasurer's Office to ensure that we can process [shutdown] loan payments quickly, expeditiously, and safely for those who apply for them and need them. The human toll continues to mount. It's not just the hundreds of thousands of federal workers in Maryland. Every single Marylander depends on the federal government, and we deserve a functional one.”

 

During the meeting, Comptroller Lierman expressed support for several Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) contracts that provide non-residential services and programming for justice-involved youth. She asked Department of Juvenile Services Acting Secretary Betsy Fox-Tolentino to elaborate on the metrics her agency uses to measure the success and outcomes of those programs.

 

Acting Secretary Fox-Tolentino stated that the DJS is examining outcomes, including whether young people in the program continue to engage in violent crime, whether they are actively involved in school or workforce development programs, and behavioral change metrics such as emotional regulation and receipt of trauma-informed interventions. 

 

Comptroller Lierman also highlighted the important first step the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) took in acquiring transmission-level energy storage devices. She also praised partners in the General Assembly for passing the Next Generation Energy Act and the PSC for quickly meeting statutory deadlines.

 

“Establishing energy storage capacity is a critical component for improving grid reliability, stabilizing and potentially reducing electricity costs and meeting clean energy goals,” the Comptroller said.

 

In keeping with prior votes on her belief that grant recipients abide by time limitations on using the funding, the Comptroller cast a no vote on a 2-1 decision to grant a one-year exception of $50,000 to the Board of Directors of the National Road Heritage Foundation.

 

In all, the Board of Public Works approved 97 items, representing a total State expenditure of $210,521,688.78, including: 

 

• Approved grant agreements for 25 recipients for 25 projects located in 11 counties & Baltimore City with a total value of $19,245,000.
• 3 items awarding $2,700,359.35 to prime certified small business primes
• 1 item awarding $1,393,334 to certified minority business enterprise primes
• 6 items awarded with established participation goals for minority business enterprises
• 2 items awarded with established participation goals for veteran-owned small business enterprises

 

The next meeting of the Board of Public Works is October 22, 2025.