We believe good public policy is informed by good data and research. Browse the research and policy topics below to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing Maryland families and communities and how policy changes can be a part of building an economy that works for everyone.
The choices policymakers make through state and federal budgets shape our communities and serve as the foundation for our economy. MDCEP conducts research and analysis on budgetary decisions and policy proposals. We advocate for policies both the state and federal level that allow all Marylanders to thrive, such as investments in education, infrastructure, and access to affordable health care.
Maryland’s state budget should be a reflection of what we truly value as a state, and so should the revenue system that we use to fund the public services families and communities rely on.
Maryland can encourage economic prosperity by making purposeful investments in good schools, quality infrastructure and access to affordable health care. A foundation of strong public investment combined with reasonable protections like a fair minimum wage allows families and communities to thrive. MDCEP conducts research and analysis on how Maryland’s workers are faring in the economy and advocates for effective policies that foster broadly shared prosperity
Education is crucial for building a strong future for all Marylanders and the strength of our state’s economy as a whole. Unfortunately, our current education system does not grant all children the same opportunities. MDCEP’s research and analysis on state education policy is helping change the conversation in Annapolis by showing how state policymakers’ funding decisions impact Marylanders’ access to educational opportunity.
Having a safe place to live and raise a family is critical to economic security, health and so many other aspects of daily life. Maryland has some of the highest housing costs in the country. Despite recent progress on tenants’ rights and worker protections like raising the state’s minimum wage, too many people are forced to pay far more than they can afford in rent or accept unsafe, unhealthy housing conditions.
Access to quality, affordable health care for all residents is good for families, businesses, and the economy. Fortunately, Maryland has been a leader in expanding access to coverage for residents, but there is still work to do to improve access to health care and to lower its cost. MDCEP conducts research and analysis on health policies and programs in Maryland, evaluates new policy proposals, and advocates for policies that improve health outcomes, particularly for low- and moderate-income residents.
A range of federal and state programs provide essential support to families who are struggling to afford the basics, from food assistance like SNAP to working family tax credits like the Child Tax Credit. While these programs today provide vital lifelines to hundreds of thousands of Maryland families, there are often opportunities to strengthen those programs to make them more effective and accessible and to expand them to reach additional families who are currently left out.
Too often, policies and workplace practices act as barriers to residents seeking to rebuild their lives after involvement with the criminal legal system. The economy will not achieve its full potential unless all residents are able to participate. MDCEP works with partners around Maryland to ensure that efforts to keep our communities safe also support economic security and opportunity.
As Maryland’s largest city and the home of major institutions, Baltimore is a critical part of the state’s economy and policy decisions at the city level can affect more than just the 570,000 people who call Baltimore home. MDCEP aims to help city residents better understand the choices in the city budget and how they could affect their communities. We also occasionally focus on other policy conversations taking place at the city level, such as housing, wages, or tax policy.
Federal legislation and regulations can often shape the terms of the debate at the state level. When possible, MDCEP aims to help Marylanders understand how federal policy proposals could affect the state.
