Nine more of the Cabinet secretaries nominated by Gov. Martin O?Malley sailed to unanimous confirmation by a Senate committee Monday night, indicating likely approval by the full Senate later this week.
Democrats and Republicans from across the state had high praise for the nominees, and they used the brief time each new secretary got before the Executive Nominations Committee to make pleas for pet projects and programs.
But the senators gave most of their attention to the heads of the three departments that both they and O?Malley have identified as the “most troubled” agencies in state government.
“It takes more than passion and commitment” to manage a department with 7,000 employees dealing with distressed families and children, said Brenda Donald, deputy mayor for families and children in Washington, who will become secretary of human resources. It takes “management skills” and “I don?t step into this lightly,” she said.
Donald DeVore, the new head of juvenile services, promised to produce a 180-day plan to turn the agency around.
“I bring to you a commitment to put in a new service system that we can all be proud of,” DeVore said.
Gary Maynard, secretary of public safety and correctional services, said after visiting some of the 17 facilities, he had seen some of the best and some of the worst, which also had high rates of vacancies among prison guards.
“Reducing vacancies is one of my major jobs,” Maynard said.
Other Cabinet secretaries approved by the committee were:
* Gloria Lawlah, a former Prince George?s County senator, secretary of aging
* Secretary of agriculture, Roger L. Richardson, a Worcester County farmer
* David Edgerly, secretary of business and economic development, who served a similar role in Montgomery County
* Catherine Raggio, secretary of disabilities, head of nonprofit group serving people with disabilities in Prince George?s and Montgomery counties
* Alvin Collins, secretary of general services, former chief of staff to Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owens and to Gov. Parris Glendening
* Raymond Skinner, secretary of housing and community development, currently head of a consulting firm in the field
