Governor O'Malley Updates

GOVERNOR O’MALLEY DECLARES PRO BONO WEEK IN MARYLAND

Governor promotes state's Pro Bono program to help homeowners facing foreclosure

ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 27. 2009) – Today, Governor Martin O’Malley joined Chief Judge Robert Bell, officials from the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, and homeowners who have benefited from the free counseling services to declare Pro Bono Week in Maryland, in coordination with National Pro Bono Week, which promotes free services donated by lawyers nationwide. The American Bar Association declared the last week of October 2009 as National Pro Bono Week to highlight the need for more attorney volunteers to meet the need for pro bono legal services.

"We have a very proud Revolutionary tradition in our State of citizens stepping forward to serve in times of adversity," said Governor O'Malley. "The 7,000 attorneys in Maryland who participate in pro-bono activities each year continue this proud tradition – and we need their efforts and service even more during these tough times. We hope that by shining a spotlight on the importance and value of this work, we will encourage more of our fellow citizens to step forward and serve during these difficult times."

In Maryland, the Department of Housing and Community Development has partnered with area attorneys to form the Foreclosure Pro Bono Project, designed to offer free legal assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure. To date, more than 900 attorneys have been trained in the program, 643 attorneys have participated providing free legal counseling to 1,794 Marylanders. Over 9,000 foreclosure actions have been filed in Maryland in just the first quarter of 2009. Attorneys who are interested in participating can visit www.probonomd.org or call 800-396-1274.

“The economy continues to take its toll on homeowners across the country. As we celebrate National Pro Bono Week, it is important to recognize the overwhelming response of nearly 1,000 Maryland lawyers to a call for help for their fellow persons. They committed to be trained in foreclosure law so as to be able to assist families at risk of losing their homes. Despite this overwhelming response from the Maryland Bar, more volunteers are needed to help stem the tide of this foreclosure crisis, one of the most important pro bono challenges of our time.”

Close to 80 percent of the poor in Maryland are unable to access legal assistance in critical civil legal matters. Approximately 480 attorneys work for staffed legal services providers throughout the State, which translates to a ratio of approximately one legal services lawyer for every 970 people in poverty.

“It is tremendously gratifying to see so many communities celebrating Pro Bono Week with legal workshops for the public, training programs and recognition of the outstanding lawyers who give thousands of hours of their time to assist those in need," said Sharon Goldsmith, Esq., Executive Director of the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland. "The bar and bench should be commended for all of their efforts to support pro bono legal services and help ensure open and fair access to our justice system.”

The Pro Bono Resource Center is a non-profit organization established in 1990 as the pro bono arm of the Maryland State Bar Association. It serves as the statewide clearinghouse and coordinator of pro bono civil legal services. Its mission is to promote equal access to justice by coordinating and supporting volunteer civil legal services, providing resources and support for legal advocates for the poor and promoting cooperation within the legal community. The Pro Bono Resource Center focuses much of its efforts on recruitment, training and support of volunteer lawyers, while working on the development of pro bono policy through its work with the Court of Appeals’ Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Service.

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT OBAMA’S SMART GRID TECHNOLOGY GRANTS

ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 27, 2009) – Governor Martin O'Malley issued this statement today following President Obama’s announcement of a $304.8 million investment in Smart Grid technology in Maryland through Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) and Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCo) as part of a $3.4 billion total investment in Smart Grid technology across the Nation.

“I want to thank President Obama for his support of our efforts to lead by example and create energy solutions for our families and workers. Smart Grid technology will create new jobs, help Marylanders reduce their energy bills, improve system reliability and support EmPOWER Maryland, one of the most ambitious energy goals in the nation to reduce electricity use 15 percent statewide by 2015.

“Maryland is committed to being Smart, Green and Growing in all our energy efforts. President Obama’s recognition and support of our strides towards a Smart Grid system for our families keeps us at the forefront of our energy goals.”

Today’s $3.4 billion investment is the largest single Smart Grid modernization investment in American history, funding a broad range of projects that will ease the nation’s transition to a smarter, stronger, more efficient and reliable energy infrastructure. Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, today’s $3.4 billion will be matched by industry funding for a total public-private investment worth over $8 billion.

Maryland continues to be recognized as a national leader in progressive energy efficiency and clean energy advancements, working to reduce per capita and peak demand power consumption 15 percebt by 2015 under EmPOWER Maryland, while also making strides towards Maryland’s aggressive, yet attainable Renewable Portfolio Standard of 20 percent clean energy in use in Maryland by 2022.

GOVERNOR O'MALLEY TO LAUNCH 2010 CENSUS OUTREACH EFFORT IN MARYLAND

ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 27, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley will join Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, U.S Census Bureau officials, community and business leaders and others tomorrow to officially kick off Maryland’s effort to count every person in Maryland during the 2010 Census. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the nationwide head count of U.S. residents every 10 years, and the results help determine Congressional representation maps, federal funding formulas, and community planning decisions.