Md. Counties Adopting Official English Laws

Several Maryland counties are moving toward declaring English the official language as they follow a national movement that has led to 31 states adopting similar laws, according to a report Monday in the Baltimore Sun.

 

Last month, for example, Frederick County became the first local government in the state to pass a measure declaring English as its official language, even though its supporters say the move was largely symbolic because county and private business is already conducted in English.

 

Now, Anne Arundel and Queen Anne’s counties are considering declaring official language measures as well, which supporters say are designed to help immigrants assimilate.

 

The movement in Maryland is bit behind the curve, though. According to the Sun, 31 states have already passed laws declaring English the official language.

 

Frederick County Commissioner Dave Gray, a Republican, was the lone vote on the county board against the language measure. He voted no, he told the Sun, because it says “we don’t like people who aren’t like us.”

 

“It doesn’t accomplish anything material,” he added. “It simply creates an atmosphere of antagonism.”