Black Caucus: Lawmakers need to focus on Black wealth, health and safety

Black state lawmakers in Annapolis unveiled an ambitious agenda on Thursday, aiming to promote the health and prosperity of Black Marylanders across the state. The General Assembly’s Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland is the largest caucus of its kind in the nation, with 66 members, all of them Democrats. The caucus represents a powerful voting bloc and has influence over legislation. And their members have ascended to leadership positions, including the speaker of the House of Delegates, the president pro tem of the Senate and five committee chairs. “We are more than these positions. We are making these seats matter,” said Del. Jheanelle Wilkins of Prince George’s County, chair of the Black caucus. “We are spurring and leading change and a more just society in our work here in Annapolis every single day, as well as in our communities.” Here’s a look at some of the key priorities of the caucus this year: The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one. Building Black wealth and businesses: The caucus supports bills to expand state contracting opportunities for minority-owned businesses, as well as improved transparency about how much money is flowing to minority-owned businesses. They also want to improve awareness of when...