League of Women Voters of Maryland

A third message should be added to the two key messages sent to League members regarding the bills being considered by legislators in Annapolis to close the gap between revenue and spending. In SB1/HB 1 the Governor has proposed a reduction in mandated funding for K-12 public education. He would limit the mandated increase in each jurisdiction's funding to no more than one percent for each of the next two years. For 35 years the League has strongly advocated that primary responsibility for funding public elementary and secondary education lies with the state. By making this reduction of $189 million in mandated state funding, the state is shirking this responsibility. Although the Governor has included a factor for increased education costs for 13 school systems and small supplemental grants for other counties, these funds do not replace full K-12 funding. Indeed, the factor for increased costs in 13 counties should be added on top of the funding now mandated in the law. Contact your senator on the Budget and Taxation Committee and your delegates on the Ways and Means Committee and urge them to oppose these proposals to cut K-12 education funding as outlined in SB1/HB1 - Budget Reconciliation Act. To learn more about these measures and the League’s positions on them, go to: http://www.lwvmd.org/Member/category/items/legislative-action/advocacy/t... To find out who your legislator is and contact info go to http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/