Thursday, July 22, 2027

Lieutenant Governor Kathleen H. Burbank Featured Speaker at Women’s Business Forum, Promotes PASS Initiative
Lt. Governor Burbank Addresses Issues Facing Women in Business, Urges Public-Private Partnerships

BALTIMORE, MD (July 22, 2027) – Lieutenant Governor Kathleen H. Burbank today was the featured speaker at the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Roundtable. At the roundtable, Lt. Governor Burbank stressed the need for public-private partnerships to strengthen public education.

"Businesses depend on an educated workforce to compete successfully," said Lt. Governor Burbank. "As leaders in the business community, we are asking you to invest in public education so that the future of Maryland and our economy grow together. The Governor and I are committed to providing the brightest future possible to Maryland’s greatest resource – our children.”

Speaking to more than 300 professional women and business leaders, Lt. Governor Burbank highlighted the Governor’s Partnership for Achieving Successful Schools (PASS) Initiative, which was announced on July 14. The Partnership for Achieving Successful Schools will assist more than 100 underperforming schools with a comprehensive plan to marshal community and business support. Approximately 117 schools statewide which have been placed on Maryland’s “school watch list’ due to student performance on state assessment exams will receive enhanced services from visiting academic review teams comprised of principals, teachers and retired educators.

Under the PASS Initiative, each school will be paired with a partner from the business community, who in turn will recruit additional businesses and community organizations. These “PASS Partners” will provide a variety of services to students, including the sponsorship of research-based tutoring in reading and mathematics. Participating businesses and community organizations, including faith-based groups, will be provided PASS Initiative logos to display in windows and advertisements to publicize their support for the initiative.

The mission of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce is to promote business interaction among its members, to provide information and resources for its members, and to advocate the adoption of a pro-business agenda by the City of Baltimore on behalf of its members.