May 20, 2015

Cuts to education funding & Maryland Hall:

That's not how any of this works 

Last week, Governor Hogan announced that he will NOT release $68 million in funds for K-12 education – $4.8 million of which would have gone to Anne Arundel County Public Schools. A few days later, Governor Hogan announced he would “line-item veto” $2 million in capital funding earmarked for the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. 

But Governor Hogan cannot make these decisions without the approval of the General Assembly

Here are the facts on the cuts to education:

• This money was identified and set aside in the budget for these specific purposes and cannot be used for anything else in the coming fiscal year (FY 2016).   
• The General Assembly passed a balanced budget with no new taxes that fully funded education and provided $75 million in funding over and above our pension obligation.
• Governor Hogan has decided to cut education funding. By refusing to fully fund education, our school systems will be forced to make cuts. 
• The cuts will have a real impact in our classrooms. Teachers will be laid off, class sizes will increase and educational and extra-curricular programs will be eliminated.
• On Wednesday, May 13th, the Governor approved $30 million for a youth detention center in Baltimore City. On Thursday May 14th, he cut funding for City schools. 
• Education is the key to lifting people out of poverty. Cutting these funds is irresponsible and short-sighted.

During the legislative session, Governor Hogan stated “If the people in the Legislature can find more money for education, we’re willing to do that.”   

The General Assembly found the money, but the Governor won’t invest it in our kids.

The General Assembly met the State’s pension obligation and fully funded our schools.

• The General Assembly’s budget mandates a yearly pension overpayment of $75 million – over and above our required annual contribution of more than $1.6 billion. Maryland is the only AAA rated state and likely the only state in the country that requires a pension overpayment. Under this plan, the pension system will achieve 80% funding on schedule by 2023 and full funding in 2039.
• The General Assembly’s budget modernizes pension funding by adopting the funding methodology recommended by pension experts and the bond rating agencies.

 For the best take on the mechanics of the budget, read the aptly titled article from the Daily Record: That's not how any of this works.  

Here are the facts on the cut to Maryland Hall:

• The capital funding project was approved with overwhelming bipartisan support.
• The allocation would have funded improvements to make the community arts center more accessible for those with disabilities.
• Governor Hogan’s plan to “reallocate” the $2 million to reopening the Maryland State Police Facility in Annapolis is impossible. Nonpartisan budget analysts have agreed that capital funding cannot be shifted for operational expenses.

Speaker Busch said it best: “He took a swing at me and hit the people of Anne Arundel County and Annapolis.”

Call the Governor's Office (410-974-3901) today and ask him to restore the cuts to education funding and Maryland Hall.