Hi

Did you know that immigrants make up more than 20% of Maryland’s labor force? In 2022 alone, immigrants contributed $5.3 billion in state and local taxes over $6 billion to social services programs such as Social Security and Medicare. In addition to all the other reasons living in a diverse state makes for a fuller life for all of us, immigrants in this state are also absolutely essential to our state’s economy. Last year, our agency released a report explaining just how essential foreign-born Marylanders are to our job sectors, employers, and population. 

That’s just one reason that last Wednesday, I took time to testify in support of legislation to strengthen the Maryland Data Privacy Act. 

The Maryland Data Privacy Act already ensures that the MVA will not share our data - or that of any immigrant - without a warrant. This will ensure that these protections apply to all agencies, including the Office of the Comptroller. I support this bill to not only to give all of our many taxpaying immigrants assurance that their data is safe with us, but also to have uniform guidance across the state for every agency.

I’m proud of the work we are doing to build an agency that supports and empowers all Marylanders, regardless of their country of birth. Onwards!

My best, 

(She, Her, Hers)