Maryland Governor Wes Moore announces budget plans, big focus on public education funding
MARYLAND – “A commitment by the Governor right out of the gate is great for our students, families and educators in public education,” Maryland State Education Association President Cheryl Bost said.
It’s a $500 million investment supporting the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, One of many budget priorities for Governor Wes Moore’s administration. “The Blueprint really outlined a way to transform our schools, to provide the needed funding, and equalize that funding to provide more opportunities,” Bost said.
In 2021, the Maryland General Assembly passed the fund which established a 10-year plan to increase funding for the public education system.
The Moore administration also has their eyes set on the growing concern of child poverty in the state.
That’s a conversation Fenix Youth Project Executive Director Amber Green says the eastern shore must be a part of. “We are finding an increase in the head of households under the age of 25 who are suffering from homelessness, suffering from extreme poverty, and we already see an increase of emergency housing for these families,” Green said.
The governor also plans on investing $218 million into raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, a move advocates say will level the playing field. “There are a lot of individuals who just have a high school diploma who only qualify for these entry level or minimum wage paying jobs. Because they didn’t have access to a higher education doesn’t mean they deserve to be in poverty,” Green said.
This also includes $171 million that would go to increase both the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit.
Expanding Pre-K opportunities, bolstering career developments programs, and raising educators pay are all key components of the Blueprint plan.
Maryland State Education Association President Cheryl Bost says Governor Moore’s commitment alone won’t get this across the finish line. “It’ll now be up to all of our local school systems, commissioners, county councils, and county executives to put in local funding. Because we value public education, we need to make the investment,” Bost said.
MSEA tells us the Blueprint plan was a massive piece of legislation that’s now had its fair share of revisions. That’s why they say it’s crucial that educator’s voices are at the table for implementation.
Other initiatives on Governor Moore’s agenda include $500 million in surplus funding which will support several transportation projects statewide.
The Maryland General Assembly will need to approve Governor Moore’s budget before session ends in April.
