Message to Duckpin’s Brian Griffiths: Don’t Oppose Gov. Wes Moore great ideas because he is a Democrat

Message to Duckpin’s Brian Griffiths: Don’t Oppose Gov. Wes Moore great ideas because he is a Democrat

Gov. Wes Moore, center, flanked by Treasurer Derrick Davis, left, and Comptroller Brooke Lierman, will be recusing himself today from a vote on an Under Armour contract. Governor's Office file photo by Patrick Siebert.

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Recently in his blog Duckpin, long-time Republican operative Brian Griffiths wrote a piece attacking Governor Moore’s Executive Order to create the “Department of Service and Civic Innovation” as making Government bigger and being unnecessary.

While, one could understand the concerns raised about the creation of the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation by Governor Wes Moore due to the fact that there are already many cabinet departments in Maryland without proper context it is important to consider the specific goals and objectives of this new department and the holes that it addresses.

Governor Moore’s campaign promise to establish a service-year option for all high school graduates is a significant undertaking that would require coordination and management at the state level. The creation of this department will ensure that existing service programs are streamlined and effectively administered, and that the proposed yearlong public service program for high school graduates is effectively implemented.

Additionally, the nonprofits already doing the work of service and civic innovation often times do not have the resources or capacity to manage a large-scale program like the Service-Year Option for every high school graduate who wants one. By creating a dedicated state-level agency, the department will have the resources and expertise to effectively manage this program and ensure that it has the necessary impact to improve our state.

Furthermore, the governor’s office will have the ability to ensure that the volunteer opportunities are not directed solely toward politically appropriate opportunities and that the volunteers are given the opportunity to serve in the area of their interest. To imply otherwise is a baseless personal attack without evidence or cause.

It is true that this new department will require state resources to be poured into encouraging people to volunteer but, it is important to consider the benefits of service and civic innovation to society and the long term impact of this initiative on our state.

It is also important to recognize that this is the first weeks of Governor Moore’s tenure, and it is likely that his administration will work to ensure that the department is run efficiently and effectively.

We understand that Brian is a die hard Republican who is upset about a Democrat becoming Governor again. However, as the Chair of a Non-Partisan Political organization that endorsed both Democrats and Republicans in 2022. I ask that he simply not oppose great ideas simply because they are proposed by a Democratic Governor.

About The Author

Jared Schablein

jaredschablein@gmail.com

Jared Schablein is the Chair of the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus of Wicomico County.

4 Comments

  1. GREN WHITMAN

    Thanks, Jared Schablein, for this commentary.

  2. Walter Olson

    > We understand that Brian is a die hard Republican who is upset about a Democrat becoming Governor again.

    Does the author of this piece realize that Brian Griffiths left the Republican Party some time back?

    • Jared SCHABLEIN

      Brian Griffiths has been a long time member of the Maryland GOP establishment and an operative. Denying that is insane.

      • Brian griffiths

        If only there were multiple places where I have written publicly that I left the party in July. https://theduckpin.substack.com/p/nope. If only.

        I mean, the piece is nonsensical from the get-go, but at least acknowledge the basic facts here.

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