The O'Malley Blog

State of the State 2010

Earlier today, Governor O'Malley delivered the 2010 State of the State Address to the Maryland General Assembly.

Read the speech here.

Help us take on Ehrlich and the GOP

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.

We can't afford to give Robert Ehrlich and the GOP a three-month head start. Please make a donation today.

Only one day until Gov. O’Malley’s Town Hall Meeting

Tomorrow, Governor O'Malley will host his first online Town Hall meeting.

The Town Hall meeting will feature questions from you, like this one from Bill in Chevy Chase:

What role will higher education play in Maryland's plan for expanding opportunity and creating jobs? How has the tuition freeze helped Maryland be prepared to lead in the global economy and students realize their dreams of a college education?

That's a great question and we're looking for more like it - but time is running out. Submit your question now.

Even if you don't have a burning question, don't forget to signup, so you can watch the event live from the comfort of your computer chair.

Join Gov. O’Malley for an Online Town Hall Meeting next Wednesday

On Wednesday, December 9, at 8 PM Governor Martin O’Malley will hold an online Town Hall Meeting to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Maryland in the coming year.

RSVP for the event and submit your questions for the Governor now:

http://www.martinomalley.com/onlinetownhall

The event will be broadcast live here on MartinOMalley.com and will encourage viewers to participate in the discussion in real time.

First on the agenda? Jobs. Job creation. And Maryland's efforts to create good jobs, retain good jobs and make sure Maryland is prepared to lead in this global economy.

Five Marylanders who submit questions will be invited to attend the filming of the meeting so they can ask their question in person! Submit your question here by Friday, December 4 at 4 PM to be eligible to attend the event in person.

What matters to you?

Wednesday we asked Marylanders like you to fill out the Annual Maryland Issues Survey - and the response has been overwhelming.

Hundreds of concerned citizens have told us which issues matter most to them in these difficult times.

Gov. O'Malley and Lt. Gov. Brown want your help to preserve the progress Maryland has made in the last couple years.

If you haven't already completed yours yet, please do so today so we can continue moving Maryland forward!

We work for you. Help us do it better.

In the coming months, Maryland is set to make some major decisions – and Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown want your input.

Do you have strong opinions on the future of the Maryland? What should our priorities as a state be? How can the government do better by you?

Please take a moment to take the Annual Maryland Issues Survey and help us make Maryland the best state in the nation.

Congratulations UMB Class of 2009

Governor Martin O'Malley delivered the commencement address for the University of Maryland, Baltimore's graduation ceremony today.

He cautioned the professional school graduates that they must remain optimistic despite the uncertainty of today's economy and implored them to take leadership roles in their lives.

Read the speech here.

Lt. Governor Anthony Brown was the commencement speaker at Coppin State University today as well.

“The Education Governor”

At Towson University last week, the school's president, Robert Caret, introduced Governor O'Malley as the "education governor."

During his time as Governor, O'Malley has maintained a tuition freeze for all in-state students at four-year public colleges - as well as creating the Higher Education Investment Fund, which supplements general fund support for Maryland's universities and colleges.

"...[B]eing from Maryland, looking at the national context, having to feel awfully good and appreciative of the remarkable support we've had from the governor and the General Assembly," said University System of Maryland Chancellor William Kirwan.

Just a few years ago, Maryland was the sixth most expensive state in the country to attend college. Currently, Maryland is ranked 18th.

To read more about Gov. O'Malley's plan to support higher education, click here.

Governor O’Malley talks with students about tuition freeze

Governor O'Malley's proposal to freeze the tuition for the Maryland university system was approved by the Board of Regents for the fourth straight year.

To discuss the impact that this will have on Maryland's colleges and universities, the Governor sat down with students from Towson University today.

Students are increasingly struggling with college loans and debt, and this is why it's so important that Maryland is taking serious steps to make it easier for young Americans to receive the education that they need to succeed in the workforce.

"I want to thank the members of the Board of Regents for working with us to make Maryland the only state in the nation that is able to freeze in-state college tuition for a fourth straight year even in these tough times," said Governor O'Malley.  "Investments in Maryland's workforce are more important now during a national recession than at any other time, and that's why our budget included this tuition freeze and why the Board of Regents just affirmed the importance of this action."

The freeze allowed Maryland to drop from the sixth highest tuition of any state in the country to an anticipated eighteenth in 2009.

Gov. O'Malley is committed to putting Maryland families first, not only through the tuition freeze, but also with the continued funding Higher Education Investment fund.

"Today's action by the Board of Regents would not have been possible without the tremendous leadership of Governor O'Malley," said Clifford M. Kendall, Chairman of the Board of Regents.  "The O'Malley-Brown Administration and the General Assembly have made affordable access to higher education a priority and have made the necessary funding available to achieve that goal."

News Roundup on State of the State Address

Sun: O'Malley sets leaner course for Maryland (Story)
Gov. Martin O'Malley charted a course for the state through a national recession yesterday, pledging to protect safety net programs, freeze college tuition and eradicate childhood hunger.

Post: O'Malley Stresses Challenges Ahead (Story)
Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) urged lawmakers yesterday to support a continued freeze on university tuition, an expansion of unemployment benefits and other initiatives to help Marylanders in "these very tough and challenging times."

WBALTV: Education Priority In State Of State Address (Story | Video)
Education was at the center of Gov. Martin O'Malley's annual State of the State address, where he continued to lobby to keep college affordable for more students.