ANNAPOLIS, Md. (TIP): Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman joined Governor Wes Moore and Treasurer Dereck Davis on April 1, for a meeting of the Board of Public Works.
During the meeting, the Board of Public Works approved a series of contracts and agreements supporting infrastructure, economic development, and community investments across Maryland. In emphasizing the importance of fairness and opportunity in state contracts, Comptroller Lierman asked the State Highway Administrator about the greater need for consistency and transparency in establishing Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) goals for highway maintenance projects.
“When I reviewed these items, I was concerned that the State Highway Administration may be treating subcontracting opportunities differently by district, which could result in artificially lower MBE goals, even for identical scopes,” said Comptroller Lierman. “I hope SHA will work to ensure that identical scopes receive consistent MBE analysis or that more details are included in agenda items on how the items are different… If we want MBE goals to increase over time, then we also need to ensure that the State is helping more small and minority owned businesses scale up so they can actually enter this market and compete for this work.”
Earlier in the meeting, Comptroller Lierman reminded Marylanders that the 2026 tax season ends on April 15th and shared high-level data on how the Office of the Comptroller has helped Marylanders file their taxes and receive their refunds.
“This is our last meeting before Tax Day on April 15th, which is the busiest time of year for the Comptroller’s Office. Our 1,300 dedicated team members are working around the clock to support Maryland taxpayers and ensure that filing season runs smoothly,” said Comptroller Lierman. “So far this filing season, we have received over 285,000 calls, and our branch offices have already welcomed over 28,000 walk‑ins. Our fraud-detection systems have already identified over 5,000 suspicious returns, saving Maryland over $15 million, and there are still two weeks left to go!”
Comptroller Lierman thanked the Governor and the General Assembly for their support of the agency during this legislative session, which approved funding to increase agency positions to assist Marylanders during future tax seasons, before continuing.
“To me, this time of year is a reminder that our communities thrive because each of us plays a part in sustaining them. When Marylanders file their returns, they contribute to the collective effort that supports our infrastructure, our classrooms, and the public services that hold our communities together. It underscores just how interconnected we are and how each person’s contribution helps build a more resilient, more prosperous Maryland. I want to extend my gratitude to our taxpayers for their diligence, and to the Comptroller team for the professionalism and compassion they bring to this season every year.”
In all, the Board of Public Works approved 141 items, representing a total State expenditure of $280,979,604. This includes:
Approved grant agreements for 58 recipients for 72 projects located in 16 counties and Baltimore City with a total value of $26,508,677.
7 items awarding $3,160,617.80 to certified small business primes
3 items awarding $1,275,135.80 to certified minority business enterprise primes
2 items awarding $1,247,929.18 to Employment Works Program providers
5 items awarded with established participation goals for minority business enterprises
1 item awarded with an established participation goal for veteran-owned small business enterprises
The next meeting of the Board of Public Works will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
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