On Education, Martin O’Malley Making Stuff Up

After making stuff up about electricity rates and covering stuff up about Maryland’s faltering economy, Martin O’Malley is now misleading Marylanders about education in Maryland.  Not only is he taking credit for Bob Ehrlich’s successes, but also covering up a secret plan to raise tuition after raising the overall cost of college the past four years.

·         Bob Ehrlich’s Record School Investments:  No governor in Maryland history, including Martin O’Malley, has increased state funding for public schools more than Bob Ehrlich.  Despite inheriting a budget deficit, Bob Ehrlich increased state support for public K-12 education by an unprecedented $1.4 billion. As a result, test scores rose across Maryland during his tenure.  In fact, Ehrlich’s investment of state dollars to support K-12 education exceeded O’Malley’s by nearly 80 percent.  O’Malley has used over $620 million in one-time federal stimulus dollars to cover his obligations to fund public education. (http://www.dbm.maryland.gov/)

·         O’Malley plans a 26% increase in tuition after re-election: Tucked way towards the back of Martin O’Malley’s last budget it shows he’s planning a 26.5% increase in tuition if he’s reelected (5.3% per year) Appendix F: http://dbm.maryland.gov/agencies/operbudget/documents/2011/fy2011budgethighlights.pdf

·         O’Malley increased cost of college by 26%:  The cost of going to the University of Maryland College Park, for example, actually increased $5,767 – or 26% -- since Martin O’Malley has taken office. These costs include tuition, room, board, and other mandatory fees.  The same can be said for several other public institutions in Maryland, such as Salisbury University and Towson University. So while O’Malley says he froze tuition working families are actually being forced to pay more to send their child to college under Martin O’Malley. 

·         O’Malley Cut Higher Education:  Martin O’Malley cut the University System of Maryland’s emergency fund program by $133 million. The purpose of this emergency fund is to help raise money for student financial aid. So at a time when working families need financial aid the most, O’Malley is cutting a financial aid program and raising the overall cost of college. (Source: 2010 90 Day Report, Maryland General Assembly) 

·         College Park President confirms looming tuition hikes:  Dr. Wallace Loh, president of the University of Maryland, tells WYPR in the linked interview that the biggest challenge facing UMD is, “constrained state support” and that there is “a little bit of room to have some increases in tuition” and “the question is not whether it will rise but by how much.”  http://mdmorn.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/818101/

·         Percent of Maryland residents declining:  The number of Maryland residents attending USM institutions has declined by roughly 5,000 since O’Malley took office.  77% of the USM student body under Ehrlich was Maryland residents. It’s 72% under O’Malley.

·         O’Malley cut community college funding: In 2006, Governor Ehrlich set Cade formula funding on a course that would increase State support for community colleges, making a higher education more affordable.  During the 2009 Session, Governor O’Malley not only reversed Gov. Ehrlich’s plan increases but made cuts to community college budgets by significantly reducing State support.  Currently, the FY ‘11 budget reflects community college funding levels as they stood in FY ’08.

·         O’Malley’s Financial Aid Backlog: Under Martin O’Malley, applications for need-based financial aid increased 45 percent, yet the number of students still waiting for that aid at the end of the academic year increased by 84 percent.

·         O’Malley Cutting School Construction:  O’Malley is actually cutting school construction funds by $150 million next year compared to Fiscal Year 2008.  FY 2008 school construction funding was $400 million. O’Malley is pledging $250 million next year.  (http:http://www.dbm.maryland.gov/, Washington Post July 8, 2010).

·         Making Stuff Up While Covering Stuff Up:  Martin O’Malley will do anything – including making up dishonest attacks against Bob Ehrlich – to cover up his legacy of raising costs on college students while cutting school construction funding next year.