USA Today
New York Times
CNN
Baltimore Sun
After almost 100 years it has finally happened. The United States Congress has passed, and the president will sign, comprehensive health care reform legislation.
A quick overview of what this bill will do:
Expand Medicaid to cover an additional 32 million people
Close the Medicare "Donut Hole" and provides rebates to seniors that fall into it
Pre-existing conditions will no longer be able to disqualify an individual from obtaining insurance
End the practice of insurance companies dropping policy-holders just because they get sick
Ends benefit caps
Creates insurance exchanges where people and small business can pool together and buy insurance at a cheaper rate
Provides tax incentives and credits to small businesses so they can provide insurance to their workers
Allows children to stay on their parents insurance plan until the age of 26
Lowers the deficit by 1.3 trillion dollars over the next 20 years
Now, here is what this bill does NOT do:
It does NOT set up government death panels
It does NOT give the government access to your health and financial records
It does NOT ration health care
It does NOT give the government the right to approve or deny medical treatments
It does NOT provide health care coverage to illegal immigrants
Monday, March 22, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Airport Kratovil, Mikulski, Cardin Announce $1.17 Million Federal Grant for Salisbury Airport
Date: 3-11-10 – For Immediate Release
Contact: Kevin Lawlor, 202 225 5311
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Kratovil (D-MD) along with Sens. Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (Both D-MD) announced that Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico regional airport will receive a $1,175,000 grant from the Department of Transportation
Salisbury Airport will use the funds for construction that will extend the runway and make air traffic safer for the residents of Wicomico County as well as those travelling to the region for both business and pleasure.
“These are critical funds that will make the air travel safer while improving our region’s status as a world class vacation site,” said Rep. Kratovil. “Improving both the safety and capacity of Salisbury Airport means easier access to the Eastern Shore for tourism and commerce, providing a shot in the arm for the local economy.”
"Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport plays a key role in maintaining the Eastern Shore's economy. This runway extension will give more Americans access to beautiful Eastern Shore, while providing easier access to the area's historical landmarks and tourist attractions," said Senator Mikulski. "I have consistently fought for the Eastern Shore in the U.S. Senate, and I will continue to work to ensure that Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport has a voice in Washington."
"Improvements to the Salisbury-Ocean City Regional Airport will be a tremendous benefit to Wicomico County and the entire Eastern Shore," said Senator Benjamin L. Cardin. "Wicomico County is a major tourist destination and airport improvements will help foster overall economic growth and development."
http://grants.ost.dot.gov/public/ViewMessage.cfm?MsgID=b4kmp02jbu
Contact: Kevin Lawlor, 202 225 5311
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Kratovil (D-MD) along with Sens. Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (Both D-MD) announced that Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico regional airport will receive a $1,175,000 grant from the Department of Transportation
Salisbury Airport will use the funds for construction that will extend the runway and make air traffic safer for the residents of Wicomico County as well as those travelling to the region for both business and pleasure.
“These are critical funds that will make the air travel safer while improving our region’s status as a world class vacation site,” said Rep. Kratovil. “Improving both the safety and capacity of Salisbury Airport means easier access to the Eastern Shore for tourism and commerce, providing a shot in the arm for the local economy.”
"Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport plays a key role in maintaining the Eastern Shore's economy. This runway extension will give more Americans access to beautiful Eastern Shore, while providing easier access to the area's historical landmarks and tourist attractions," said Senator Mikulski. "I have consistently fought for the Eastern Shore in the U.S. Senate, and I will continue to work to ensure that Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport has a voice in Washington."
"Improvements to the Salisbury-Ocean City Regional Airport will be a tremendous benefit to Wicomico County and the entire Eastern Shore," said Senator Benjamin L. Cardin. "Wicomico County is a major tourist destination and airport improvements will help foster overall economic growth and development."
http://grants.ost.dot.gov/public/ViewMessage.cfm?MsgID=b4kmp02jbu
Message from Sen. Mikulski: Census 2010: Making Sure Maryland Gets Its Fair Share
Spring is almost here. Before long the crabs will swim up the Bay again. But this year, there's another important sign of spring. That's the 2010 Census form in your mailbox.
The formula for success on the Census is simple: 10:10:10. It's 10 questions, which take 10 minutes to fill out, and which will determine for 10 years whether or not Maryland gets its fair share of federal funds. You don't have to worry that your answers will be used for any other purpose than to compile an accurate count. That's the law.
Our Constitution requires that every 10 years, we all be counted. The outcome of the Census determines everything from how many seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives to how much federal money each state receives to create jobs, help with health care costs, build roads and so many other vital things. It's a critically important effort - we each need to do our part to ensure that all Marylanders are counted, because all Marylanders count.
We've done a census every 10 years since 1790. Why is this important?
Information from the 2000 Census has been used to determine how federal funding is awarded during the last last 10 years. Just look at what that meant for Maryland in 2009: $629 million for highway planning and construction; $420 million for housing vouchers; $300 million for unemployment insurance; $191 million for local educational agencies; and $199 million for special education grants.
If we want Maryland to get its fair share for the next 10 years, everyone needs to fill out that census form.
The Census forms will be mailed beginning this week. If you live in a rural area, someone may deliver it by hand to your household.
You have about two weeks to return the completed census form. Households that don't respond by April 1st will receive a follow up letter and a personal visit from a Census worker.
I am so very proud of the of the dedicated federal employees who work at the Census headquarters in Maryland. They're already working hard to make sure that no one is left out.
They need our help. Remember, it takes 10 minutes to fill out 10 questions for 10 years' worth of federal dollars. So be sure to fill out your form so Maryland gets its fair share. You bet I'll be filling out mine.
For more information about the upcoming count, or to find out about temporary employment as a Census worker, go to www. 2010.Census.Gov.
The formula for success on the Census is simple: 10:10:10. It's 10 questions, which take 10 minutes to fill out, and which will determine for 10 years whether or not Maryland gets its fair share of federal funds. You don't have to worry that your answers will be used for any other purpose than to compile an accurate count. That's the law.
Our Constitution requires that every 10 years, we all be counted. The outcome of the Census determines everything from how many seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives to how much federal money each state receives to create jobs, help with health care costs, build roads and so many other vital things. It's a critically important effort - we each need to do our part to ensure that all Marylanders are counted, because all Marylanders count.
We've done a census every 10 years since 1790. Why is this important?
Information from the 2000 Census has been used to determine how federal funding is awarded during the last last 10 years. Just look at what that meant for Maryland in 2009: $629 million for highway planning and construction; $420 million for housing vouchers; $300 million for unemployment insurance; $191 million for local educational agencies; and $199 million for special education grants.
If we want Maryland to get its fair share for the next 10 years, everyone needs to fill out that census form.
The Census forms will be mailed beginning this week. If you live in a rural area, someone may deliver it by hand to your household.
You have about two weeks to return the completed census form. Households that don't respond by April 1st will receive a follow up letter and a personal visit from a Census worker.
I am so very proud of the of the dedicated federal employees who work at the Census headquarters in Maryland. They're already working hard to make sure that no one is left out.
They need our help. Remember, it takes 10 minutes to fill out 10 questions for 10 years' worth of federal dollars. So be sure to fill out your form so Maryland gets its fair share. You bet I'll be filling out mine.
For more information about the upcoming count, or to find out about temporary employment as a Census worker, go to www. 2010.Census.Gov.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Obama seeks to overhaul ‘No Child Left Behind’
ATLANTA - President Barack Obama is promising parents and their kids that with his administration's help they will have better teachers in improved schools so U.S. students can make up for academic ground lost against youngsters in other countries.
A plan to overhaul the 2002 education law championed by President George W. Bush was unveiled by the Obama administration Saturday in hopes of replacing a system that in the last decade has tagged more than a third of schools as failing and created a hodgepodge of sometimes weak academic standards among states.
"Unless we take action — unless we step up — there are countless children who will never realize their full talent and potential," Obama said during a video address on Saturday. "I don't accept that future for them. And I don't accept that future for the United States of America."
In the proposed dismantling of the No Child Left Behind law, education officials would move away from punishing schools that don't meet benchmarks and focus on rewarding schools for progress, particularly with poor and minority students. Obama intends to send a rewrite to Congress on Monday of the law.
The proposed changes call for states to adopt standards that ensure students are ready for college or a career rather than grade-level proficiency — the focus of the current law.
The blueprint also would allow states to use subjects other than reading and mathematics as part of their measurements for meeting federal goals, pleasing many education groups that have said No Child Left Behind encouraged teachers not to focus on history, art, science, social studies and other important subjects.
And, for the first time in 45 years, the White House is proposing a $4 billion increase in federal education spending, most of which would go to increase the competition among states for grant money and move away from formula-based funding.
The blueprint goes before the House Education and Labor Committee on Wednesday as Obama pushes Congress to reauthorize the education law this year, a time-consuming task that some observers say will be difficult. Committee Chairman George Miller, a Democrat from California, praised Obama's plan.
"This blueprint lays the right markers to help us reset the bar for our students and the nation," Miller said in a prepared statement.
New name for 'No Child'
Education Secretary Arne Duncan briefed a handful of governors, lawmakers and education groups on the plan Friday, including Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, a Republican.
"The governor is very supportive of the direction the secretary is going," said Perdue's spokesman Chris Schrimpf.
A few other highlights from the blueprint:
— By 2020, all students graduating from high school would need to be ready for college or a career. That's a shift away from the current law, which calls for all students to be performing at grade level in reading and math by 2014.
— Give more rewards — money and flexibility — to high-poverty schools that are seeing big gains in student achievement and use them as a model for other schools in low-income neighborhoods that struggle with performance.
— Punish the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools using aggressive measures, such as having the state take over federal funding for poor students, replacing the principal and half the teaching staff or closing the school altogether.
— Duncan has said the name No Child Left Behind will be dropped because it is associated with a harsh law that punishes schools for not reaching benchmarks even if they've made big gains. He said the administration will work with Congress to come up with a new name.
Amy Wilkins, a vice president with The Education Trust in Washington, D.C., called the blueprint a "culture shift."
"One of the things America has not been clear about is what k-12 is supposed to do," Wilkins said. "In this, we're saying K-12 is supposed to prepare kids for college and meaningful careers."
The nation's first federal education law — Elementary and Secondary Education Act — was passed in 1965 as part of Lyndon B. Johnson's war on poverty. The law has been reauthorized several times since, most recently in 2001 under President George W. Bush.
It was criticized by educators for focusing too much on testing and not enough on learning. Daniel Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators, said he is glad to see No Child Left Behind go away.
"We're delighted over that," he said. "We have not been a fan of No Child Left Behind."
----------------------------------
Courtesy of MSNBC
A plan to overhaul the 2002 education law championed by President George W. Bush was unveiled by the Obama administration Saturday in hopes of replacing a system that in the last decade has tagged more than a third of schools as failing and created a hodgepodge of sometimes weak academic standards among states.
"Unless we take action — unless we step up — there are countless children who will never realize their full talent and potential," Obama said during a video address on Saturday. "I don't accept that future for them. And I don't accept that future for the United States of America."
In the proposed dismantling of the No Child Left Behind law, education officials would move away from punishing schools that don't meet benchmarks and focus on rewarding schools for progress, particularly with poor and minority students. Obama intends to send a rewrite to Congress on Monday of the law.
The proposed changes call for states to adopt standards that ensure students are ready for college or a career rather than grade-level proficiency — the focus of the current law.
The blueprint also would allow states to use subjects other than reading and mathematics as part of their measurements for meeting federal goals, pleasing many education groups that have said No Child Left Behind encouraged teachers not to focus on history, art, science, social studies and other important subjects.
And, for the first time in 45 years, the White House is proposing a $4 billion increase in federal education spending, most of which would go to increase the competition among states for grant money and move away from formula-based funding.
The blueprint goes before the House Education and Labor Committee on Wednesday as Obama pushes Congress to reauthorize the education law this year, a time-consuming task that some observers say will be difficult. Committee Chairman George Miller, a Democrat from California, praised Obama's plan.
"This blueprint lays the right markers to help us reset the bar for our students and the nation," Miller said in a prepared statement.
New name for 'No Child'
Education Secretary Arne Duncan briefed a handful of governors, lawmakers and education groups on the plan Friday, including Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, a Republican.
"The governor is very supportive of the direction the secretary is going," said Perdue's spokesman Chris Schrimpf.
A few other highlights from the blueprint:
— By 2020, all students graduating from high school would need to be ready for college or a career. That's a shift away from the current law, which calls for all students to be performing at grade level in reading and math by 2014.
— Give more rewards — money and flexibility — to high-poverty schools that are seeing big gains in student achievement and use them as a model for other schools in low-income neighborhoods that struggle with performance.
— Punish the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools using aggressive measures, such as having the state take over federal funding for poor students, replacing the principal and half the teaching staff or closing the school altogether.
— Duncan has said the name No Child Left Behind will be dropped because it is associated with a harsh law that punishes schools for not reaching benchmarks even if they've made big gains. He said the administration will work with Congress to come up with a new name.
Amy Wilkins, a vice president with The Education Trust in Washington, D.C., called the blueprint a "culture shift."
"One of the things America has not been clear about is what k-12 is supposed to do," Wilkins said. "In this, we're saying K-12 is supposed to prepare kids for college and meaningful careers."
The nation's first federal education law — Elementary and Secondary Education Act — was passed in 1965 as part of Lyndon B. Johnson's war on poverty. The law has been reauthorized several times since, most recently in 2001 under President George W. Bush.
It was criticized by educators for focusing too much on testing and not enough on learning. Daniel Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators, said he is glad to see No Child Left Behind go away.
"We're delighted over that," he said. "We have not been a fan of No Child Left Behind."
----------------------------------
Courtesy of MSNBC
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A Message from Governor O'Malley
Dear Friends,
Last month, I was honored to have the chance to visit our troops serving in Iraq, and I was grateful for the opportunity to tell them how much we appreciate their service.
During a refueling stop in Germany, I also had the honor to meet with the Chaplain of the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Major Meyners, and visited with soldiers recovering at the hospital. Many wounded warriors arrive at the hospital from the battlefield with little more than the clothes they are wearing. The Chaplain told me about their Wounded Warrior Ministry Center, also known as the Chaplain’s Closet, a program that provides Wounded Warriors with personal items while they receive care.
For more information on the Wounded Warrior Ministry Center, please click here.
For additional questions, please contact the Wounded Warriors Ministry Center.
Martin O'Malley
Governor
Last month, I was honored to have the chance to visit our troops serving in Iraq, and I was grateful for the opportunity to tell them how much we appreciate their service.
During a refueling stop in Germany, I also had the honor to meet with the Chaplain of the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Major Meyners, and visited with soldiers recovering at the hospital. Many wounded warriors arrive at the hospital from the battlefield with little more than the clothes they are wearing. The Chaplain told me about their Wounded Warrior Ministry Center, also known as the Chaplain’s Closet, a program that provides Wounded Warriors with personal items while they receive care.
For more information on the Wounded Warrior Ministry Center, please click here.
For additional questions, please contact the Wounded Warriors Ministry Center.
Martin O'Malley
Governor
GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY ANNOUNCES ACTION FOR EASTERN SHORE POULTRY FARMERS
GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY ANNOUNCES ACTION FOR EASTERN SHORE POULTRY FARMERS
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 10, 2010) - Governor Martin O'Malley announced today new assistance for poultry farmers in Maryland, as the state works with poultry industry stakeholders to address environmental standards and recover from snow-related damage last month. Governor O'Malley met with the Eastern Shore delegation Monday evening, along with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment to discuss concerns and solutions.
"We're working together to find solutions that protect our natural resources and strengthen family farming in our state," said Governor O'Malley. "Maryland farmers serve as stewards of the environment by protecting land that might otherwise be developed. It's our obligation to find way we can continue to protect the environment while keeping family farming profitable. I'm pleased we're able to come together on these actions to support our family farms and the jobs that support them."
"The Department of Agriculture is dedicated to putting farmers first and helping farmers in their times of need, such as recovery from the recent severe snow storms, and also to help farmers comply with regulations that protect soil and water quality, the Chesapeake Bay, and all Maryland families," said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance.
Because of the time it has taken to approve the final new source poultry operation guidelines, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will see that new poultry operations take first priority in obtaining technical assistance to prepare Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP) that are required by the new Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Permit. In addition, to assist farmers who are required to obtain CNMPs, MDA has secured commitments from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service to increase the level of technical assistance available with three additional staff members to develop these plans statewide. Additionally, more than 30 Maryland Soil Conservation District staff will be cross trained to assist with plan development.
Governor O'Malley also discussed ways the state can continue to support farmers struggling to recover from snow-related damage to chicken houses. MDA continues to identify, along with federal agency partners, the damage caused by the snow storms and respond to needs that the agriculture community may have in order to clean up, recover and rebuild from storm-related damage. The goal is to help producers get back in full operation and recover losses as quickly as possible. MDA has compiled a list of available resources for producers, which includes information about indemnity programs, emergency grants and loans, instructions for emergency burning permits, information on disposal of poultry and livestock mortality and information about rebuilding and rebuilding in more energy efficient ways as well as cash incentives for energy projects.
Working with MDA, today the Department of the Environment announced it would extend the deadline allowing the temporary burning of poultry houses to April 18, 2010, other livestock shelters and manure storage structures that suffered structural collapse during the heavy snowstorms of February 2010, subject to conditions that protect the environment and public health.
Following Governor O'Malley's request for an expedited review process, Maryland has completed and EPA has approved construction guidelines needed to build new poultry houses. Maryland is the first State in the country to have final, EPA-approved New Source Review requirements, which allow new construction to proceed under assurance farmers will be in compliance with EPA standards. The Departments of Agriculture and Environment worked closely with farmers on these new requirements.
Maryland is developing "rapid response teams" led by MDA with MDE to evaluate the conditions on farms when environmental issues arise and help farmers take corrective actions if necessary. These teams reinforce the existing MDA-MDE partnership to jointly respond to water quality complaints on farms. The plan is to swiftly make available existing technical expertise and financial assistance to avoid delay in identifying and resolving on-farm environmental impacts if they exist to protect water quality.
###
Rachel McCullough
Eastern Shore Outreach Coordinator
Governor's Office of Community Initiatives
45 Calvert Street, Room 404
Annapolis, MD 21401
Office: 410.260.7483
Mobile: 410.336.8032
Email: RMcCullough@goci.state.md.us
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 10, 2010) - Governor Martin O'Malley announced today new assistance for poultry farmers in Maryland, as the state works with poultry industry stakeholders to address environmental standards and recover from snow-related damage last month. Governor O'Malley met with the Eastern Shore delegation Monday evening, along with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment to discuss concerns and solutions.
"We're working together to find solutions that protect our natural resources and strengthen family farming in our state," said Governor O'Malley. "Maryland farmers serve as stewards of the environment by protecting land that might otherwise be developed. It's our obligation to find way we can continue to protect the environment while keeping family farming profitable. I'm pleased we're able to come together on these actions to support our family farms and the jobs that support them."
"The Department of Agriculture is dedicated to putting farmers first and helping farmers in their times of need, such as recovery from the recent severe snow storms, and also to help farmers comply with regulations that protect soil and water quality, the Chesapeake Bay, and all Maryland families," said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance.
Because of the time it has taken to approve the final new source poultry operation guidelines, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will see that new poultry operations take first priority in obtaining technical assistance to prepare Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP) that are required by the new Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Permit. In addition, to assist farmers who are required to obtain CNMPs, MDA has secured commitments from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service to increase the level of technical assistance available with three additional staff members to develop these plans statewide. Additionally, more than 30 Maryland Soil Conservation District staff will be cross trained to assist with plan development.
Governor O'Malley also discussed ways the state can continue to support farmers struggling to recover from snow-related damage to chicken houses. MDA continues to identify, along with federal agency partners, the damage caused by the snow storms and respond to needs that the agriculture community may have in order to clean up, recover and rebuild from storm-related damage. The goal is to help producers get back in full operation and recover losses as quickly as possible. MDA has compiled a list of available resources for producers, which includes information about indemnity programs, emergency grants and loans, instructions for emergency burning permits, information on disposal of poultry and livestock mortality and information about rebuilding and rebuilding in more energy efficient ways as well as cash incentives for energy projects.
Working with MDA, today the Department of the Environment announced it would extend the deadline allowing the temporary burning of poultry houses to April 18, 2010, other livestock shelters and manure storage structures that suffered structural collapse during the heavy snowstorms of February 2010, subject to conditions that protect the environment and public health.
Following Governor O'Malley's request for an expedited review process, Maryland has completed and EPA has approved construction guidelines needed to build new poultry houses. Maryland is the first State in the country to have final, EPA-approved New Source Review requirements, which allow new construction to proceed under assurance farmers will be in compliance with EPA standards. The Departments of Agriculture and Environment worked closely with farmers on these new requirements.
Maryland is developing "rapid response teams" led by MDA with MDE to evaluate the conditions on farms when environmental issues arise and help farmers take corrective actions if necessary. These teams reinforce the existing MDA-MDE partnership to jointly respond to water quality complaints on farms. The plan is to swiftly make available existing technical expertise and financial assistance to avoid delay in identifying and resolving on-farm environmental impacts if they exist to protect water quality.
###
Rachel McCullough
Eastern Shore Outreach Coordinator
Governor's Office of Community Initiatives
45 Calvert Street, Room 404
Annapolis, MD 21401
Office: 410.260.7483
Mobile: 410.336.8032
Email: RMcCullough@goci.state.md.us
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
-------------------------------
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
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
-------------------------------
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
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Photos from Governor O'Malley's trip to Iraq
Wicomico Dems —
I was honored to have the chance this weekend to visit our troops in Iraq.
Some of our service members there are on their third tour of duty. Their bravery and fortitude is inspiring — and I was grateful for the opportunity to tell them in person how much we all appreciate their service.
The visit was sponsored by the Department of Defense. Over the course of it, I was fortunate to meet with members of the Maryland National Guard; Army Reserve A Company of the 323 Military Intelligence Battalion; and Army Reserve 392 Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Task Force Raven.
We took a few photos together, which are now up on Facebook. To view them, click below (or if you'd prefer to see them on our website, click here):
View photos of Maryland troops in Iraq
http://www.martinomalley.com/Iraq
Thank you,
Martin O'Malley
I was honored to have the chance this weekend to visit our troops in Iraq.
Some of our service members there are on their third tour of duty. Their bravery and fortitude is inspiring — and I was grateful for the opportunity to tell them in person how much we all appreciate their service.
The visit was sponsored by the Department of Defense. Over the course of it, I was fortunate to meet with members of the Maryland National Guard; Army Reserve A Company of the 323 Military Intelligence Battalion; and Army Reserve 392 Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Task Force Raven.
We took a few photos together, which are now up on Facebook. To view them, click below (or if you'd prefer to see them on our website, click here):
View photos of Maryland troops in Iraq
http://www.martinomalley.com/Iraq
Thank you,
Martin O'Malley
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
