State of the State 2010
Earlier today, Governor O'Malley delivered the 2010 State of the State Address to the Maryland General Assembly.
The O'Malley Blog
Category » K-12 Public Schools
First look at our 2011 budget
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:
Maryland public schools: No. 1 in the nation (again)
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.
Click here to read more in the Baltimore Sun.
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.
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.
Governor O’Malley renews commitment to fight hunger
On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Partnership to End Hunger in Maryland, Governor Martin O'Malley renewed his commitment to the project by declaring this week- November 16 through 20 - "Maryland Hunger Awareness Week."
Governor O'Malley made the announcement at a lunch with children at Annapolis Child Care on Friday.
"Especially during these tough times, together, we must ensure that no child goes without the basic nourishment needed to thrive. Ending childhood hunger is an issue which transcends politics," the Governor said. "It's an issue that speaks to who we are as a people, to what kind of society we choose to be in the tough times when our shared efforts matter most, to what kind of society we choose to leave for future generations. When a child goes hungry anywhere in Maryland - it impacts us all. It's all connected."
Governor O'Malley launched the Partnership to End Hunger in Maryland last year with nonprofit organization Share our Strength.
Funding and participation in school lunch, summer meals and food supplement programs has increased substantially since the public-private partnership was founded.
Governors O’Malley and Schwarzenegger talk to White House reporters about recovery funds
Governor O'Malley and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke to reporters outside the White House Friday about the impact the federal stimulus funding has had on the state of Maryland. The Governors had just left a meeting with Vice President Biden. Watch the video of their remarks below:
Maryland teachers vote for early endorsement of Governor O’Malley
Governor Martin O'Malley received an overwhelming endorsement from the Maryland State Education Association earlier today. In their statement, MSEA said:
Citing his commitment to keeping Maryland's schools first in the nation with record funding, the 71,000-member Maryland State Education Association (formerly the Maryland State Teachers Association) today voted overwhelmingly to endorse Martin O'Malley for re-election as governor at its annual meeting. MSEA's Endorsement Council, comprised of state association leaders, local association presidents and other leaders of its 40 local affiliates, had unanimously recommended early endorsement to the more than 700 delegates from across the state.
"Over the past three years, we have been very fortunate to have a governor who has made a huge investment in Maryland's public school children, despite the tough economic climate," said MSEA President Clara Floyd. "He has listened carefully to educators' views on what we need to create great public schools for every child in our state, and he has shown tremendous leadership in backing his words with actions."
O'Malley's accomplishments so far in the area of education include: historic funding of school construction and renovation totaling over $1 billion; investment of over $5.5 billion in preK-12 education, including funding the Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI) for the first time; and implementation of the TELL Maryland survey, an instrument for teachers and other educators to express their views about the opportunities and challenges in their schools.
This past year alone, Maryland's public schools were ranked number one in the country for the first time by Education Week, Newsweek, and the College Board. "The governor, with his unflagging commitment to Maryland's schoolchildren, certainly played a major role in this accomplishment," added Floyd. "He is helping us get closer to our goal of teaching all students 21st century skills for a 21st century global economy."
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!
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.
