Building schools, especially energy-saving facilities, and giving more state business to minorities and women were on the agenda Wednesday as the first meeting of the reconstituted Board of Public Works kicked off to what new Comptroller Peter Franchot called a “sleeves-rolled-up, professional” start ? “exactly what the public expects.”
“I think the public can appreciate it, even if it is a little less exciting for the press,” Franchot told reporters.
Gov. Martin O?Malley, who chairs the three-member board that reviews all major state contracts, ran a brisk meeting, with slight evidence that he hadn?t done it before.
Baltimore City?s Board of Estimates, which he chaired as mayor, has similar functions.
In contrast to the off-the-wall ad-libs of his predecessor, William Donald Schaefer, Franchot gave prepared remarks that set the tone for the four-hour hearing that followed, emphasizing geothermal, solar and other forms of energy conservation for $894 million in school projects that would be proposed.
“We now have the opportunity to address our global challenges while saving our taxpayers money,” Franchot said.
Prompted by Franchot, dozen of officials appealing school construction decisions mentioned their energy conservation standards.
O?Malley had proposed a record $400 million into his budget for school construction, but that still left $600 million in projects that won?t get any money.
The governor said he wasn?t sure he could match that number in future years.
Reviewing other state projects, O?Malley fulfilled a campaign promise by repeatedly asking state procurement officials about the level of involvement by minority- and women-owned businesses.
O?Malley wants to focus on how to make the Minority Business Enterprise program “more open and accountable,” and he hopes the new StateStat program to measure detailed progress on programs will help achieve that goal.
Back-end compliance with minority-contracting goals was something “we have yet to do well,” O?Malley said. “Opportunity abounds for improvement on this score.”
Franchot asked Transportation Secretary-designate John Porcari to prepare a report on the program, since his department is in charge of certifying contractors for the rest of government.
“Sometimes it seems so arcane and difficult to participate,” said Treasurer Nancy Kopp, the third member of the board.
