Gov. Bob McDonnell said the state government ended the latest fiscal year in June with an unspent balance of $448 million, but more than 90 percent of it is already obligated by state law, including a 3 percent pay bonus for state employees.
McDonnell told the General Assembly's budget-writing committees on Wednesday that total savings from government operations for the past 12 months include $187 million from state agencies and $132 million recouped from higher education and other sources.
Those funds, along with a revenue surplus of $129 million announced in July, gives the state enough to provide a one-time 3 percent bonus in December to employees with solid job-appraisal records _ about a week-and-a-half's additional pay before taxes.
Here we go; if VA. can do it, why in the world can't MD? The only difference is the governor. MD has the wrong one.
ReplyDeleteVA also has a better education system and it is progressive. Wicomico could learn a lesson from them.
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to move out of MD, to VA.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Marty read this.Maybe he would like to set up another debate with Bob about fiscal policy.
ReplyDeleteThe education system is great. The teachers help program the children for success. The teachers have learned successfully how to do alot with a little. Classrooms at times are large but the children get the attention they need in order to learn. The teachers don't go around complaining about using their own money to fund supplies, or field trips they do it for the child's success and the lessons that can be learned. Resources are shared and the leadership at the top is first rate. They had progressive grading long before MD ever heard of it or knew how/what it meant. The Board of Education needs to study VA plan maybe they could actually learn how to do it and save the taxpayer some money. It seems like the only thing this Board of Education knows is they need more money and raise taxes for the taxpayer. They promote that the children won't get the education they deserve unless the teachers get more money. But VA has figured out how to keep the qualified teachers, maintain a budget, and the children get a quality education. MD needs to take notes and follow suit. There is no reason on earth for the burden to be placed on the taxpayer for a bunch of inept leaders who either can't or won't make the hard choices and learn like the rest of us to do more with less. Then when the surplus comes, award those who exceeded expectations.
ReplyDeleteAnd a recent article says that MD has had 7000 more visitors this year than last... That's only because tens of thousands have moved away from MD and only return to visit those who can't get out...
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