Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. speech to Minority Business Enterprise, February 27, 2004

с GOVERNOR ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. TALKING POINTS FOR MBE PRESS CONFERENCE FEBRUARY 27, 2004 . FIRST, I’D LIKE TO THANK THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR THE TREMENDOUS LEADERSHIP HE BROUGHT TO THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE, AND FOR GETTING US TO THE POINT WHERE WE ARE TODAY. • I’D LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK EACH OF THE COMMISSIONERS FOR AGREEING TO SERVE ON THIS IMPORTANT BOARD, AND FOR DEVOTING THEIR EXPERTISE TO IMPROVING THIS IMPORTANT PROGRAM. . MARYLAND HAS A REPUTATION OF BEING A STATE WITH AN ANTI-BUSINESS REPUTATION. WE WANT TO CHANGE THAT PERCEPTION. WHERE NECESSARY, WE WANT TO CHANGE REALITY AS WELL. . RATHER THAN ASK THEM TO SIMPLY KEEP THEIR HEADS ABOVE WATER, WE WANT ALL MARYLAND BUSINESSES TO THRIVE, GROW, AND PROSPER. . THAT, OF COURSE, INCLUDES MEMBERS OF THE STATE’S PROUD MINORITY BUSINESS COMMUNITY. . THE STATE’S MINORITY BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS A FULL PARTNER IN ALL OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS. ITS HEALTH IS A PRIORITY OF OUR ADMINISTRATION. • I WANT EVERY MINORITY INVESTOR OR FLEDGLING BUSINESS OWNER TO HAVE THE 1