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I'd like to express my deepest gratitude for the warmth and hospitality of the people of Montgomery County on Nov. 6, when I along with Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and members of our executive cabinet officially declared Gaithersburg Maryland's "Capital for a Day."

Joined by Mayor Sidney Katz, County Executive Ike Leggett, Sen. Jennie Forehand, the District 17 delegation and other members of the General Assembly and County Council, we declared Gaithersburg Maryland's "Capital for a Day" outside the picturesque City Hall.

Since our capacity for progress is not limited to the walls of the State House, neither, therefore, should our State Capital. By bringing the State Capital to the towns, farms and shores of our state, in every corner of Maryland, we continue the ongoing dialogue we began with the people of Maryland well over 21 months ago. It is a dialogue that promises an engaging, efficient, and effective government; one that works on behalf of the people of Gaithersburg and all Marylanders.

Through tough decisions and an adherence to the principles of fiscal responsibility, we've protected the shared priorities of Maryland's middle class and expanded opportunity right here in Montgomery County. Working together, we've made a record $5.3 billion investment in K-12 education, the largest investment in our public schools that we've made in our state's modern history. This includes a $98.6 million investment in school construction here in Montgomery County, an investment noted by the students we met with at Gaithersburg High School that Thursday morning. The topics and concerns represented in their questions were the same that exist in the general public, offering a unique microcosm of the region and an exciting opportunity for all of us.

Our day also included lunch at Roy's Place, where local business leaders, including those in the life sciences industry, joined us for a discussion on Maryland's rising leadership position in the Biotech industry, including among companies based right here in Gaithersburg.

In addition to investments in emerging industries, we are working together to help Maryland small businesses by expanding access to quality and affordable health care for their employees. We visited with Gus Amaro, owner of Amcon Inc, a decorative concrete company, whose six full-time employees will now have access to employer-based health care through the Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act. Together, we took the bold step of expanding access to health care to 100,000 more Marylanders, recognizing that the fundamental right of health care should be available to more of our citizens, not fewer.

We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to benefit all Marylanders. On behalf of the cabinet, and all who shared in our celebration, thank you for your hospitality, and for sharing your beautiful city and its history with us.

Martin O'Malley, Annapolis

The writer is Maryland's governor.