County Board Voting On Repeal Of English-only Ordinance

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- The elected leaders of Frederick County considering repealing an ordinance requiring that county business be conducted in English.

A vote on the matter is scheduled Tuesday evening in Frederick.

The ordinance was enacted in 2012 by an all-Republican county board. The current County Council is composed of four Republicans and three Democrats.

Democratic members Jessica Fitzwater and M.C. Keegan-Ayer say the ordinance sends a message of intolerance to recent immigrants and businesses with international employees.

Republican member Billy Shreve says it's a fiscal issue. He says the county saves money on translators and interpreters by having English as its official language.

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