BUDGET ALERT: Education Cuts

Members of the Maryland House of Delegates Propose to Cut Funding From Important, Innovative Educational Programs

“We are working hard to ensure that every single child in Maryland is given the chance of a great education, regardless of what neighborhood they happen to grow up in. We owe it to our children, to all of you, to think more creatively and find new and innovative solutions.” - Governor Larry Hogan, December 13, 2016

Governor Hogan’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Includes $7 Million In Funding Toward The Broadening Options And Opportunities For Students Today (BOOST) Program

Governor Hogan’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Increases Funding For The BOOST Program By $2 Million To $7 Million. “The Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Program grows by $2 million to $7 million as part of state’s commitment to double the funding for the program over three years.” (Press Release, “Governor Larry Hogan Announces Fiscal Year 2018 Budget,” Office Of The Governor, 1/17/17)
Governor Hogan Proposed To Expand The BOOST Program To Offer More Low-Income Maryland Students In Areas With Under-Performing Schools The Opportunity To Attend Non-Public Schools, To Receive A Better Education. Governor Hogan: “We were very proud to be able to help so many students - there were many more deserving of help, but unfortunately not enough funding to cover them all. So this afternoon, I am pleased to announce to all of you - and you are the first to hear this news, that next month, we will be increasing funding for the BOOST program, in order to double the total annual funding from $5 million to $10 million over the next three years.” (Remarks, Bais Yaakov Girls High School, 12/13/16)

Members Of Majority Party Supported The Creation Of The BOOST Program In 2016

Senate President Mike Miller Called BOOST A “Win-Win” For The State And Students. “It’s a win-win for not just the people of the state of Maryland, but for all students… It’s a good compromise.” (Ovetta Wiggins, “After 10-Year Fight, Md. Lawmakers Vote To Fund Private-School Scholarships,” The Washington Post, 3/29/16)

Speaker Mike Busch Supported The Creation Of BOOST. “Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller supported the scholarship program last year." (Amanda Yeager, “Busch, Teachers Union Vow To Fight Privatization Of Public Schools,” Capital Gazette, 2/7/17)

Delegate Maggie McIntosh Stated Support For the Initial Funding Of The BOOST Program. “Del. Maggie L. McIntosh (D-Baltimore), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, who supported the initial funding for the scholarship, said she is concerned about the state’s budget shortfall, the amount of money that will be given to public schools, and whether the new scholarship program is working as intended.” (Ovetta Wiggins, “Hogan Wants To Expand State-Funded, Private School Scholarships. But Is The Time Right?,” The Washington Post, 12/26/16)

Senator Ed DeGrange; “I was very pleased to work with my colleagues in both the House of Delegates and the State Senate to help secure funding for the BOOST Program. This program will benefit students throughout Maryland…” (“Senator James ‘Ed’ DeGrange, Sr.,” Facebook, 5/31/16)

In 2016, 8 Democratic Lawmakers Introduced And Sponsored Legislation To Establish BOOST. Sponsors included:Delegate Haynes, Delegate Hettleman, Delegate Holmes, Delegate Jones, Delegate Morhaim, Delegate Rosenberg, Delegate Stein, Delegate Walker (“House Bill 1213,” Maryland General Assembly, 3/7/16)

Proposed House Appropriations Committee Budget Decision Would Cut Funds From The BOOST Program; Would Deprive Students From An Opportunity To Pursue A Better Education

House Appropriations Committee Proposed Cutting Nearly $5 Million From The BOOST Program. House Appropriations committee proposed cutting $4.7 million from the BOOST program. The proposed cut to the BOOST program, leaves $2.05 million in funding toward the BOOST program, this would allow only those students who transferred from public schools to private schools to continue to receive funding. As a result, a large number of low-income students who received BOOST scholarship funding in 2016-2017 would not receive funding in 2017-2018. (House Appropriations Committee)

Governor Hogan’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Includes $600,000 Toward The Expansion Of P-TECH Schools Throughout Maryland

Governor Hogan Proposed $600,000 In Funding To Double The Number Of P-TECH Schools In Maryland. “$600,000 in planning grants for six new P-TECH schools in Maryland, double the total number of schools in FY 2018.” (Press Release, “Governor Larry Hogan Announces Fiscal Year 2018 Budget,” Office Of The Governor, 1/17/17)
Governor Hogan Proposed To Expand P-TECH Schools In Maryland To Offer Students An Innovative Educational Opportunity, Preparing Students For The 21st Century Workforce By Blending Educational And Work Experience. Governor Hogan: “With our proposed additional investments, even more students will have the opportunity to blend high school, college, and workplace experience and to become engaged in an integrated education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math.” (Remarks, Maryland Jobs Initiative, 1/5/17)

Governor Hogan Introduced Legislation Establishing P-TECH Schools In Maryland; Legislation Received Strong Bipartisan Support And Was Signed Into Law

In 2016, Governor Hogan Introduced Legislation To Establish P-TECH Schools In Maryland.
Governor Hogan Signed The Legislation Into Law; Legislation Received Near Unanimous Support In Both Chambers Of The Maryland General Assembly. (“Senate Bill 376,” Maryland General Assembly, 4/26/16)

Proposed House Appropriations Committee Budget Decision Would Prevent The Expansion Of P-TECH Schools Throughout Maryland

House Appropriations Committee Proposed Cutting $600,000, Which Was Proposed To Establish New P-TECH Schools Throughout Maryland. House Appropriations committee proposed cutting $600,000 in planning grants; grants were to be invested in opening new P-TECH schools in Maryland. (House Appropriations Committee)