Maryland Code, Economic Development § 14-101

(a) The State:

(b) The General Assembly finds that employee stock ownership plans, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, make an important contribution toward the broadening of capital ownership, increase the income and financial security of the residents of the State, assure the residents of the State greater control of their economic futures, improve productivity and labor-management relations, contribute to the national effort to combat inflation, strengthen the free enterprise system, and put Maryland in the forefront of contemporary economic trends.