A Message from the Governor Creating Jobs, Making Progress

A Message from the Governor
Creating Jobs, Making Progress

Three months ago, we stood at the Port of Baltimore and announced an innovative new public-private partnership that would mean new investment and construction at the Port, allow for the State to maintain ownership of the Port, and provide for 5,700 new jobs in the area.

Yesterday, we took an important step forward by breaking ground on a new 50-foot berth at the Port that will provide for 3,000 construction jobs to improve our port and surrounding highways, and give way to 2,700 jobs resulting from the increase in shipping traffic. With this construction, the Port of Baltimore will be one of only two ports on the east coast that can accommodate the mega ships that are becoming the norm in the shipping industry, meaning more business for the port and more opportunity for the surrounding area.

Overall, the partnership will generate $1.8 billion for the state over the terms of the agreement. That means more dollars to fund our #1-ranked public schools, to provide health care to more Marylanders, and to improve our State’s transportation and infrastructure.

By working together and making the connections that create progress, we can create better days and a more prosperous future, not just for ourselves but for our children and our children’s children.

Martin O'Malley
Governor
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Governor O’Malley Releases Results of TELL Maryland Survey

Governor Martin O’Malley, joined by state and local education officials, principals and teachers, recently unveiled the results of the first ever statewide survey of Maryland educators, an initiative titled "TELL Maryland." The survey, championed by Governor O’Malley, serves as a unique opportunity to gather information about school conditions, teacher satisfaction, and opportunities for improvement in the teaching and learning environments throughout the State. More than 43,000 educators took advantage of the survey, providing school-level data on more than 1,000 schools throughout Maryland.

The purpose of the survey is to support sound educational policies and practices based on the views of teachers, principals, and other certified educators in Maryland’s public schools. The survey was available to all licensed educators in Maryland public schools, including pre-K–12 classroom teachers, vocational-technical educators, special area teachers, school-based administrators, principals and assistant principals.

Preliminary results were shared with schools in May of last year, and teachers and principals have already begun implementing many of the actions indicated as needed by the survey results.
Governor O’Malley, Lt. Governor Brown Promote Higher Education Achievements

Governor Martin O’Malley, Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., and House Speaker Michael E. Busch, joined by legislators and business leaders, recently celebrated the achievements for Maryland’s higher education system and outlined a blueprint for the future. The O’Malley-Brown Administration remains committed to expanding the opportunity for a college education to more Marylanders rather than fewer.

In 2006, in response to a 40% tuition hike over the previous four years, the General Assembly passed the Tuition Affordability Act to freeze tuition and created the Commission to Develop the Maryland Model for Funding Higher Education, chaired by Delegate John L. Bohanan, Jr. (commonly known as "The Bohanan Commission"). The Bohanan Commission, comprised of university presidents, private sector leaders, elected officials and educators across the State, created a 10 year blueprint for funding the State’s higher education system and continue the development of a top-tier workforce in Maryland. Governor O’Malley has introduced several pieces of legislation this session to continue the higher education gains for students across the State, which were based in part on recommendations of the Bohanan Commission.
Governor O’Malley Announces Boys and Girls Club “Youth of the Year” Winner

Today, Governor O’Malley announced the winner of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Maryland’s "Youth of the Year" award in Annapolis. The winner of the award, Najee Banks is 16 years old, attends Edmondson Westside High School and has been a member of the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Baltimore for 10 years. He is also is an honor roll student who someday hopes to be an archeologist.

The Youth of the Year competition is Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier annual national competition. Each of the five regional winners receives a $10,000 scholarship and enters the national competition held in Washington D.C. In addition, each year’s five regional finalists are honored at a congressional breakfast in Washington, D.C. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 scholarship, totaling $26,000 in scholarships and is installed by the President of the United States.

E-mail askthegovernor@mpt.org

Maryland Events

10th Annual Gaithersburg St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 13, 10-11am at Washington Center and Grand Corner Ave. in Gaithersburg. Bagpipes, Celtic dancers, marching bands, equestrian units and more.

9th Annual CCBC Women's Expo 2010
March 13-14, 10am-5pm at the Community College of Baltimore County in Catonsville. More than 100 women in business, health, fashion, home decor including workshops and book fair.

Chesapeake City St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 13, 12N in Historic Chesapeake City, Bohemia Ave. Annual St. Patrick's parade walk, drive, animals welcome, antique cab, bagpiper, free and fun.

10th Annual Eagle Festival
March 13, 8am-4pm at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Cambridge. Festival celebrating eagles and other birds of prey, featuring live animal programs and children's activities.

Office of the Governor