Greetings from the Secretary

Welcome to our inaugural edition of  “Dollar at your Door”, a newsletter that will inform you on issues, programs and policies offered at DLLR. You will find valuable information on the various Divisions, Boards and Commissions, and you will see how we strive to protect consumers through our unemployment insurance program, workforce development initiatives, our financial regulation policies and licensing programs. I encourage you to write to us at talktotom@dllr.state.md.us and give us your input, as well as request more information on what DLLR has to offer.

Employee Activities Planned for Disability Employment Awareness Month

October 1 - October 31

DLLR will be sponsoring health, education and information programs for employees, committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of unlawful discrimination. The DLLR Office of Equal Opportunity and Program Equity has the primary responsibility for developing and monitoring the Department’s EO/AA Program. Goals of the Office include:

• Assuring the implementation of and compliance with civil rights, equal opportunity and minority business enterprise laws, rules and regulations;
   
• Reducing and eliminating the effects of discrimination in employment and in the delivery of services provided by and through the Department;
   
• Removing barriers, whether real or artificial, in order that current and prospective employees may realize their full employment potential; and
   
• Coordinating and providing mechanisms to promote volunteerism among DLLR’s employees.

• 224 have been issued Home Inspector Licenses
• 246 have been approved but are pending processing

The new licensing program was created to ensure more consumer protection and is regulated by DLLR’s Maryland Real Estate Appraiser and Home Inspector Commission. For more information log onto http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/occprof/reappr.html

BOXING BOUT BANNED

 In response to a complaint, the State Athletic Commission conducted and completed an investigation in regard to illegal, unsanctioned boxing bouts which were scheduled to occur on the afternoon of September 29, 2007 at a tavern located in eastern Baltimore County. The Commission immediately contacted North Point Precinct 12 of the Baltimore County Police Department by telephone and e-mail, informing the precinct's supervising officer of the information it had received. A police officer was assigned to talk to the tavern's owner regarding the pertinent state statutory and regulatory provisions prohibiting such boxing bouts, and to stop the bouts from taking place. Another police officer was assigned to visit the tavern during the time period scheduled for the bouts and to guarantee that no boxing occurred. In addition to ensuring that the illegal boxing bouts were cancelled (and possibly saving participants from suffering serious medical injuries), the Commission was also able to establish ties with the Baltimore County Police Department's vice unit in an effort to exchange information and effectively plan for future combined investigations of unsanctioned boxing activity. “Our primary concern is always safety," said Maryland State Athletic Commission Executive Director Patrick Pannella. "This investigation is a good example of different government agencies working together to make a productive difference in the lives of the citizens we mutually serve."

INVESTIGATION OF MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER

Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Secretary Thomas E. Perez applauded Commissioner Sarah Bloom Raskin and the Enforcement Unit for issuing a cease and desist order to a mortgage loan officer doing business in Maryland without a license.

Fredrick Lee Jr. and the Financial Independence Group received the legal order Thursday, September 13, 2007, following a six month investigation by DLLR’s Division of Financial Regulation Enforcement Unit. An individual connected to the Financial Independence Group called DLLR’s Enforcement Unit in February of 2007, and requested an investigation into possible scam activity in the organization. That investigation uncovered that Fredrick Lee Jr. was originating loans through 1^st Continental Mortgage. Over the course of nine months, Mr. Lee originated 42 loans that closed in Maryland without a license.

“Engaging in unauthorized mortgage lending is not only illegal, but also harms many Maryland consumers who believe that they are doing business with a licensed originator,” said Financial Regulation Commissioner Sarah Bloom Raskin. “The State of Maryland will not tolerate such blatant illegality.”

The investigation into Fredrick Lee Jr. and the Financial Independence Group remains ongoing.
 

SECRETARY PEREZ JOINS GOVERNOR O'MALLEY AS HE OUTLINES PLAN TO RECAPTURE SLOTS REVENUE FOR MARYLAND

Governor Martin O’Malley, joined by Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown and Secretary Thomas Perez, outlined his plan to protect horse-related open space, agriculture and jobs in Maryland. Standing with horse breeders, owners, trainers, and others at Maryland Stallion Station in Baltimore County, Governor O’Malley showed his support for slot machines to preserve Maryland's horseracing and breeding industries.

“Horseracing and breeding in Maryland are suffering, a fact bad enough on its own but made worse by the news across our borders," said Secretary Tom Perez. “The industries in West Virginia, Delaware and Pennsylvania are galloping past ours, mostly as a result of slots.”
 

GOVERNOR O'MALLEY MET with GWIB

Governor Martin O'Malley attended the September 12, 2007 Governor's Workforce Investment Board meeting. The Governor applauded GWIB Executive Director Eric Seleznow and his team for "Holding down the GWIB fort every day and doing an outstanding job." In addition he thanked William G. "Bill" Robertson for serving as the new chair of the GWIB.

Governor O'Malley thanked the GWIB for its efforts to address Maryland's workforce challenges and went on to comment about the most pressing issues facing Maryland's employers. Maryland employers face chronic worker shortages in skilled trades, technology and healthcare. There is also a large portion of the population that lacks even the most basic skills needed to compete. Workforce creation as an economic development strategy for Maryland is a top priority for the Governor, his staff and the entire Administration. Governor O'Malley commented that Lt. Governor Anthony Brown has done a great job on one of Maryland's greatest workforce challenges - preparing for the arrival of thousands upon thousands of BRAC jobs.
 

JOB FAIR CALENDAR