Governor Hogan Fails to Lead on Public Education

Fair Funding Coalition Calls on Legislature to Commit to Passage of Full Kirwan Commission Plan

The Maryland Fair Funding Coalition, representing more than a dozen organizations around the state, issued the following statement about Governor Larry Hogan’s remarks today regarding the Kirwan Commission’s recommendations to strengthen public education.

“Passing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is critical for Maryland students and our state’s future economic success. Rather than being a partner and a leader in advancing this ground-breaking legislation, the governor continues to make misleading statements while raising unlimited ‘dark’ money behind the scenes to fight these reforms.

“Marylanders overwhelmingly support investments in public education and strongly back the key planks of the Blueprint. The Kirwan Commission plan already includes new accountability measures to ensure public resources are well spent.

“We can afford to invest more in our schools if we take a few steps to clean up our ineffective tax code: eliminate ineffective tax breaks and close loopholes that benefit wealthy individuals and large corporations.

“We urge legislators to act in the next General Assembly session to pass the Blueprint and identify a fair revenue package that ensures we can make this vision a reality. Our kids can’t wait another generation to receive the great education they deserve.”

The groups endorsing this call to action include: AFSCME MD, Baltimore Teachers Union, CASA, Communities United, Good Jobs First, Maryland Center on Economic Policy, Maryland Legislative Coalition, Maryland Nonprofits, Our Maryland, Prince George’s County Education Association, SEIU Local 500

Contact: 

Nikki Thompson
410-412-9105 ext. 705