Organizations Call on State Leaders to Support the Kirwan Commission Recommendations With Sustainable Revenue

A group of eight state organizations released the following statement about the Kirwan Commission subcommittee recommendations for education funding:

“The Kirwan Commission’s blueprint for educational reform in Maryland is urgently needed to improve our schools and give every child the opportunity for a world-class education.  When we invest in our schools, our communities grow stronger and the entire state thrives,” said Kali Schumitz, a spokesperson for the group.

“Marylanders understand the importance of education for our students and the economic health of our state. That’s why creating a 21st century school system is our smartest investment. We urge the General Assembly to support a revenue package that funds the Kirwan recommendations and fixes our upside-down tax code, which now asks the least of those most able to pay. 

“It’s time to make our tax system more equitable and stop putting the greatest responsibility on middle- and working-class families to pay for the things we all benefit from. Today, the wealthiest 1 percent of Maryland households pay a smaller share of their income in state and local taxes than the rest of us do, despite doubling their slice of the economic pie over the last 40 years. 

“And too many large, profitable corporations are making money in Maryland while benefiting from state subsidies and loopholes that allow them to avoid paying their fair share. If we clean up our tax code we can raise the resources to improve our schools and protect other essential priorities.”

The groups endorsing this call to action include: Good Jobs First, Maryland Center on Economic Policy, Maryland Legislative Coalition, SEIU Maryland & DC State Council, 1199 SEIU, SEIU Local 500, and Communities United.