The Indian Panorama

Tag: Brooke Lierman

  • Office of the Comptroller Seeking Applicants for Agency Advisory Councils

    Office of the Comptroller Seeking Applicants for Agency Advisory Councils

    Marylanders invited to provide feedback and recommendations on key agency efforts

    ANNAPOLIS, Md. (TIP): The Office of the Comptroller is launching its application process for new members to join one of its nine public Advisory Councils for the 2026 through 2028 calendar years. The agency first launched its advisory councils in 2023 to provide opportunities for members of the public to advise the agency and make recommendations on its strategic direction. This was a key recommendation of the Comptroller’s Transition Team, which encouraged the Comptroller to help strengthen connections between the Comptroller and community.

    “I’m grateful to our current advisory council members for their dedication, leadership, and willingness to assist our agency as we work to build a more equitable, resilient, and prosperous Maryland,” Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman said. “The partnership of our advisory councils is invaluable, and I look forward to expanding on what we’ve built by incorporating the perspectives and experiences of more engaged Marylanders.”

    The agency will host webinars on July 22 and July 23 for interested applicants to learn more about the role of advisory councils. Applications will be released in early August. Current advisory council members have the option to serve on a second team and are also encouraged to apply.

    Each advisory council meets quarterly, and members serve two-year terms. The advisory councils seeking new members are:

    Business Advisory Council which includes industry representatives and prominent members of Maryland’s business community, including small-, minority-, and women business owners, who help to advise the agency on priority and emerging issues and challenges facing the business community, as well as provide perspective on the state of Maryland’s economy.

    Climate Advisory Council which is charged with helping the Comptroller to position Maryland as a national leader on climate sustainability. The Council supports and reviews the Comptroller’s development of a climate sustainability plan that includes tools and strategies for measuring the climate impact of state contracts and spending, investments, and economic and fiscal policies.

    Faith Leaders Advisory Council which is charged with helping the Comptroller’s Office develop partnerships with Maryland’s faith community to ensure that organizations of all denominations have access to agency resources.

    Financial Literacy Advisory Council which is charged with helping to support the development of a robust financial literacy agenda that positions the Comptroller of Maryland as a go-to, state-wide resource.

    Labor Advisory Council which is charged with providing a venue for the Comptroller of Maryland to share information about new ideas and initiatives and solicit feedback on legislative and policy proposals that best serve the working people of the state.

    Local Government Advisory Council which is charged with sharing information about relevant updates in their counties/jurisdictions while also elevating areas of concern and opportunities for partnership.

    New Americans Advisory Council which works closely with the Comptroller of Maryland to improve the quality of services delivered by the agency and address gaps in services provided to new Americans in the state.  They also advise the agency on emerging topics/issues within the new American community and identify partnership opportunities throughout the state.

    Tax Practitioners Advisory Council which is charged with advising the Comptroller of Maryland on tax industry challenges and provides feedback on proposals and new initiatives to improve the quality of services provided to Maryland taxpayers and ensure industry accountability.

    Women’s Economic Empowerment Council which is charged with advising the Comptroller of Maryland on financial challenges facing women in Maryland and potential opportunities to strengthen and promote women’s financial resilience – through financial education, addressing financial abuse (in domestic violence for instance), in starting and growing businesses, and improving access to state resources, contracts, and grants.

    The agency released the Comptroller of Maryland Advisory Councils and Workgroups 2024 report in May, which summarized the progress and recommendations made by current advisory council members since Comptroller Lierman took office in 2023.

    Interested individuals can register for the July 22 or July 23 webinar here. Questions about the application process can be sent to: advisorycouncils@marylandtaxes.gov.

  • Comptroller Brooke Lierman welcomes Court Decision to Reinstate Federal Workers

    Comptroller Brooke Lierman welcomes Court Decision to Reinstate Federal Workers

    ANNAPOLIS, Md. (TIP): Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, on March 14, 2025, welcomed the ruling from The Honorable Judge James K. Bredar ordering the Trump Administration to reinstate fired federal workers.

    In a statement released to The Indian Panorama, Mr. Lierman said: “I applaud the U.S. District Court’s decision to issue a temporary restraining order, stopping the firings of thousands of hardworking Marylanders and requiring those previously fired employees to be reinstated. The actions of the Trump administration illegally deprived these workers of their livelihoods and has left other federal employees and their families fearful of what will come next.
    “As I noted in my declaration included with Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown’s filing, “the terminations that have occurred to date and the anticipated continuation of these terminations will cause significant decreases in Maryland’s income tax revenues, and, beyond the loss of income tax revenue, the sudden and significant increase of newly unemployed workers will have serious negative effects on Maryland’s labor market. These effects include extended periods of unemployment, downward pressure on wages, and the migration of residents out of the State.”
    “I commend Attorney General Brown and the coalition of attorneys general across the nation who are working to defend the rights of our federal workforce. Their efforts remind us of the importance of our system of checks and balances that are embedded in the framework of the U.S Constitution and guard against executive branch overreach. I stand with our federal employees, many of whom call Maryland home, take pride in their service to our country, and continue to make their voices heard.”

  • Indian American Lt. Governor Aruna Miller inducted into Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame

    Indian American Lt. Governor Aruna Miller inducted into Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame

    MARYLAND (TIP): Aruna Miller, Indian American Lt. Governor of Maryland, the first woman of color and immigrant elected to statewide office in the state, has been inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame with four others. Others honored with Miller were US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Maryland House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, Secretary of State Susan Lee and Comptroller Brooke Lierman.
    Governor Wes Moore and First Lady Dawn Moore congratulated each inductee at the ceremony held at Government House on March 21, according to a press release.
    “I am grateful to stand among the remarkable women whose legacies inspire us to see more, do more, and be more,” said Miller. “Every day, I work to uplift the people of Maryland and create a strong foundation for a future that our next generation of leaders can be proud of. “
    “As my partner in this work, the Lt. Governor has made an invaluable mark on this state, and I am honored to serve alongside her,” said Moore. “The women inducted tonight into the Hall of Fame are not just an inspiration, they are our foundation. Our administration, this state, and our country would be incomplete without their hard work and impact.”
    “Lt. Governor Miller is a force within this administration and a leader for all young women throughout Maryland,” said First Lady Moore. “Congratulations to all the inductees, as their careers have opened the door to other women who aspire to lead.”
    Established in 1985, the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame in partnership between the Maryland Commission for Women and the Women Legislators of Maryland memorializes and honors Maryland women whose lives and work are of historic significance to the health, economic, political, and cultural history of the state.
    The 10th Lt. Governor of Maryland, Miller is the second woman to serve as Lt. Governor and the first woman of color and immigrant elected to statewide office in Maryland.
    As Lt. Governor, her policy profile includes matters relating to transportation, mental health, and STEM equity. She serves as chair of the Governor’s Work Zone Safety Work Group, dedicated to making highway work zones safer and protecting the lives of workers, motorists, and law enforcement.
    Miller also chairs Maryland’s first Council on Interfaith Outreach, which convenes faith leaders from across religions and across the state of Maryland to bridge divides, increase religious tolerance, end hate, and better serve all communities.
    Born in Andhra Pradesh, India, Miller and her family immigrated to the United States when she was seven years old. The daughter of a mechanical engineer, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
    Previously, as a civil and transportation engineer in Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation, Miller worked to improve the safety of the public and alleviate traffic by creating equitable access to transportation throughout the county.
    For 25 years, she oversaw programs that advanced access to schools and employment centers, and made community facilities safe for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and people with differing abilities.
    From 2010 to 2018, she represented District 15 in the Maryland House of Delegates.
    For over 30 years, she has lived in Montgomery County with her husband David, where they raised three daughters.