Governor O'Malley visited GM's plant in White Marsh Tuesday to help announce the company's decision to produce its next-generation two-mode rear-wheel-drive motors and other electric drive components here in Maryland. GM will also build a high-volume electric drive manufacturing facility at the Baltimore County Transmission plant, creating 200 new jobs and retaining hundreds more.
The Governor was joined by Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, and Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith at the announcement.
Throughout his first term as Governor, Martin O'Malley has made protecting the environment and restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay one of his top priorities.
Later today, I'll formally introduce our administration's fiscal year 2011 budget – but I wanted to share some important details about it with you before I do.
As with previous budgets, we kept two fundamental goals in mind when formulating this year's proposal.
First, we knew we had to maintain our commitment to fiscal responsibility, which has put Maryland in a position to emerge from the recession faster than most other states. By restoring fiscal responsibility, we are creating an environment to generate jobs and foster economic growth in our state. Our unemployment rate remains 25% lower than the national average, and we beat out all but two other states in job growth last year.
Balanced books have put us on the path back to economic recovery, and I'm proposing $1 billion in additional cuts today that are a tough – but critical – part of continuing to grow Maryland's economy.
Second, it's crucial that we continue to protect our core priorities amid these necessary cuts.
Despite the challenges our state has faced during this recession, we've managed to make important progress in job creation, public education, public safety, and environmental protection.
We can and must continue that progress. It's important for the quality of life of all Marylanders today, and for ensuring our state's prosperity in the years to come.
Our budget proposal will:
Continue to invest in our public schools, which Education Week recently ranked the best in the nation for the second year running.
Dedicate $20 million to the Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit, encouraging businesses to hire Marylanders this year.
Support more than 20,000 construction jobs over the next fiscal year through capital budget funding.
Build on the progress we have made rebuilding our communities with the Sustainable Communities Tax Credit and support an additional 15,000 Maryland jobs.
Double our investment in the 2010 Bay Trust Fund over fiscal year 2010 to continue restoring our Bay.
Continue funding health care coverage for low-income children and adults. Since Lt. Gov. Brown and I took office, our administration has expanded health care coverage to include 200,000 more Marylanders.
To read more about our budget proposal, click here:
In a tradition dating back to his time as mayor of Baltimore, Governor O'Malley today visited with Ravens players on board their plane at BWI this afternoon as they prepared to take off for Indianapolis. Below are a pair of photos from that visit.
Governor O'Malley recorded a quick video about his bet with Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels on this weekend's the Ravens' divisional playoff game against the Colts.
For the second straight year, Maryland public schools have earned the top ranking in the nation by Education Week Magazine.
Governor O'Malley released a statement today expressing his pride in Maryland's school system:
"Even during these difficult economic times, we've continued to fully fund efforts to build new, state-of-the-art classrooms, integrate curriculum across all grade levels, and hire and retain the nation's best educators. Now, for yet another year, Education Week Magazine has affirmed the importance of protecting these shared priorities."
The magazine takes several factors into account in their rankings, including: student achievement on national tests, how well schools are finance, what state policies are in place and the overall chances a child has of success in school while living in a particular state.
Governor O'Malley recorded this quick video message to congratulate the New England Patriots on a hard-fought game yesterday with the Baltimore Ravens.
But more importantly, he wanted to kindly remind Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to deliver on his pledge of lobster if the Patriots lost.
The two governors made a friendly "gentleman's wager" on the outcome of the game. If the Ravens had lost, Governor O'Malley would have sent Gov. Patrick some Chesapeake crab cakes.
The Ravens stifled Tom Brady and the Patriots yesterday, 33-14, to advance in the AFC Plyaoffs. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and the Ravens discovered a good way to bring down one of the NFL's top teams at home: score 24 unanswered points in the first quarter.
Two weeks ago, Governor O'Malley challenged his supporters to raise $500,000 to help the campaign take on the Republicans in 2010. Marylanders responded in force — beating that goal with more than 48 hours to spare.
"I'm simply overwhelmed by the support that has poured in from supporters across our great state these last two weeks," Governor O'Malley said. "...We can't afford to slacken the pace of the progress we made in the last few years."
Because of a Maryland law that prevents state officials from fundraising during the Legislative Session, the drive to raise $500,000 was meant to make sure the Governor's campaign would be in a strong position to compete with the Republicans when the Session ends in April.
We actually eclipsed the mark on Friday morning with a donation from a supporter in Chevy Chase. That supporter will receive a campaign sign that Governor O'Malley autographed for him this weekend.
Because of the generous support of our donors, Governor O'Malley will be in a much stronger position once the Legislative Session is over. Thank you!
Robert Ehrlich claims he hasn't decided whether he'll run for governor this year. But, if he does run, he's made it clear to the Baltimore Sun that he expects to raise $10-12 million - even in a poor economy.
Governor O'Malley is asking supporters to help him raise $500,000 by January 10 to ensure that he can keep up with the Republican fundraising machine. The Governor wrote:
"Since their big wins in New Jersey and Virginia, the right wing is itching for Republicans to regain power &mdsash; and they're willing to do whatever they can to make it happen... With your help, Lt. Governor Brown and I will have the resources on hand next spring to come out swinging against the Republicans &mdsash; and continue the progress we've made for Maryland's families over the last three years."
As it is, the GOP has a significant advantage over Governor O'Malley and Lt. Governor Brown: Maryland law prevents any donations to a sitting governor's campaign during the legislative session - which runs until mid-April.
During those three months, Ehrlich and the Republicans will be able to raise money from right-wingers across the country, while Governor O'Malley is fighting to create jobs and protect Maryland's schools.
Watch this clip from our town hall meeting as Governor O'Malley responds to Steve in Annapolis, who submitted this question: "A certain radio talk show host keeps claiming he scrimped and saved and left the state in great fiscal shape with a $1 billion surplus, and he blames you for the present budget gap. What's up with that?"
The effects of the nation's economic hardship are hitting Maryland hard. We're fighting every day to protect Maryland’s families during these tough economic times. We’re also working every day to make sure that government and its programs work for people.
http://www.twitter.com/governoromalley
Congrats to the Maryland Terps and the Morgan State Bears for making it into the tournament. Bring on March Madness!
1 day, 2 hours, 51 minutes ago from GovernorOMalley
Great win Morgan State Bears! Next stop - March Madness
2 days, 2 hours, 25 minutes ago from GovernorOMalley
In Silver Spring visiting with Riderwood residents.
2 days, 4 hours, 10 minutes ago from GovernorOMalley
Ribbon cutting at the Germantown Boys and Girls Club.
2 days, 7 hours, 55 minutes ago from GovernorOMalley
The effects of the nation's economic hardship are hitting Maryland hard. We're fighting every day to protect Maryland’s families during these tough economic times. We’re also working every day to make sure that government and its programs work for people.
