WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 311

(2) "Designation" means the selection of a proposed
community action agency by the governing body of a political
subdivision.

(3) "Governing body" means the county council, board
of commissioners, or other legislative body of a political
subdivision that collectively possesses the power to adopt and
carry out local laws and ordinances; in Baltimore City "governing
body" means the Board of Estimates.

(4) "Poverty level population." means the number of
people whose household income level is below the poverty line set
by the Office of Management and Budget.

(5) "Local initiative" means the amount of federal
funds received by a community action agency for conduct,
administration, and general community programming.

(b) (1) The General Assembly of Maryland recognizes that
the economic and social well-being of the citizens of the State
is intrinsic to the strength and viability of the State as a
whole.

(2) It is the purpose of this section to strengthen,
supplement and coordinate efforts to combat the causes and
problems of poverty in Maryland by:

(i) Mobilizing resources of both the private
and public sectors of the economy in order to increase
opportunities for poor and low income citizens to develop their
skills, knowledge, and capabilities;

(ii) Developing the full potential of poor and
low income citizens so that each person can live in decency and
dignity and achieve individual and family self-sufficiency; and

(iii) Promoting the development, evaluation,
and use of new and innovative approaches to attack the origins
and issues of poverty.

(c) This section is intended to strengthen the ability of
communities to plan and coordinate available local, federal,
State, and private resources, by making this assistance more
responsive to local needs and conditions.

(d) (1) The governing body with jurisdiction over the
community to be served by the proposed community action agency
may make, change, or revoke a designation:

(i) By act, ordinance, or resolution; or

(ii) By order of the chief executive of the
governing body if the chief legal officer certifies in writing

- 1761 -