A first look at our 2011 budget proposal
The O'Malley/Brown administration formulated its fiscal year 2011 budget proposal with two primary goals in mind: maintaining fiscal responsibility and protecting core priorities. Read on for details on what the proposal contains.
Public Education
Funding for K-12 public education has increased 27 percent under the O’Malley-Brown Administration to a FY11 proposed total of $5.7 billion. School construction funding has increased 52 percent compared to the previous administration.
- The FY11 budget increases direct K-12 funding by $99 million,
- Fully funds teacher and librarian pensions,
- Includes a $2.7 million increase for the SEED School.
- Brings total in-state tuition increases to three percent since FY07, compared to increases of more than 30 percent under the last administration.
- As a result, USM tuition rates decline from sixth highest in the nation to an estimated 21st in FY11.
Job Creation
Governor O’Malley recently announced a public-private partnership at Seagirt Marine Terminal which will generate 5,700 new jobs. Additionally, federal Recovery and Reinvestment funding has allowed Maryland to create or retain more than 14,000 jobs during the first quarter of FY10.
- The proposed FY11 budget includes $20 million for a new Jobs Creation and Recovery Tax Credit, which if fully utilized could bring 6,700 unemployed Marylanders back into the workforce,
- Governor O’Malley proposes reauthorization of the Sustainable Communities Tax Credit ($50 million over three years),
- Proposed capital budget will support more than 20,000 construction jobs,
- Funds for the first time the BRAC Zone Tax Credit at $300,000,
- More than $500 million of capital funding is dedicated to BRAC related infrastructure projects to prepare the State for the arrival of thousands of jobs beginning next fiscal year.
Public Safety
Maryland lost fewer of citizens to homicide than in any year since 1986, including 25 percent fewer juveniles. Our murder rate in 2009 was 26% lower than it was three years ago in 2006, and 11% lower than in 2008.
- Local police aid is funded at $45.4 million in the proposed FY11 budget,
- $20.1 million is allocated for local law enforcement grants,
- Maryland State Police will receive funding for ten additional troopers under the proposed budget
- Funding for juvenile programs such as Operation Safe Kids ($1.3 million) and evidence-based services for juveniles ($7.2 million).
Environmental Protection
Since taking office, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has protected more than 25,700 acres under Program Open Space, compared to less than 4,700 acres under the previous administration. The Governor has been recognized for innovative programs such as GreenPrint and BayStat that provide a new level of transparency to the State’s efforts to improve the quality and health of the Chesapeake Bay.
- The proposed FY11 budget fully funds Program Open Space at $22.7 million for State and $15.3 million for local projects,
- Record funding for the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund ($20 million),
- $17.6 million for the Rural Legacy program, which preserves and protects those precious natural resources which are so essential to our quality of life.
- Agricultural land preservation funded at $25.9 million and nearly $14 million for Cover Crop programs, which help reduce dangerous storm water runoff into the Bay.
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