About the Secretary of Planning
Main_Content
Secretary Rebecca L. Flora, AICP
During the first term of Governor Wes Moore’s administration, Secretary Flora has led key statewide planning initiatives, including re-establishing the Sustainable Growth Subcabinet to align multi-agency strategies. Under her leadership, the Maryland Department of Planning established the Sustainable Growth Planning Principles, focusing state efforts on balancing economic growth with ecological health and community well-being. She chaired the Governor’s Maryland Coordinated Permitting Review Council to streamline permitting processes across state agencies. This led the way for the Permitting and Licensing Acceleration Team (PLAT) announced by the Governor in October 2026 - an initiative established to streamline, expedite, and strengthen state and local permitting, licensing, and certification processes. Secretary Flora also chaired Maryland’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Policy Task Force, which examined ADU ordinances and review processes to develop policy recommendations leading to legislative action. She is committed to advancing adaptive approaches to plans and policies that are responsive to fast changing markets and evolving social needs across Maryland’s diverse landscape.
