Dear Members,
We are writing to share a disappointing, but hopefully temporary, setback: today Governor Hogan announced that he would veto the bipartisan Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. This historic piece of legislation passed with overwhelming majorities in both the House of Delegates (96-38) and the Senate (37-9) and had responsible safeguards put in place to protect our budget against downturns in the economy.
As the pandemic has intensified pre-existing inequities, now more than ever, students, families, and communities need the support and investment offered by the Blueprint. The Blueprint implements a series of important reforms that benefit our children’s education, health and well-being, and the state’s economy. Some of the benefits of the legislation include:
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Investing in early childhood education by expanding full day Pre-K for 3 and 4 year olds
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Transforming teaching into a high status profession with increased preparation and benchmark salaries
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Expanding college and career pathways including career and technical education opportunities
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Fixing our regressive funding formula by providing extra support for students living in poverty and interventions for struggling students before achievement gaps grow
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Adding a new accountability board to ensure the reforms are carried out with fidelity
Baltimore Teachers Union, along with our allies in the Coalition for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, will work tirelessly to make sure members of the General Assembly override this veto whether that’s in January or in a special session before then. We ask you to continue the fight along with us.
Click here to urge your legislators to override this veto at their next session so we can deliver the support to our students that they desperately need.
Our kids can’t wait!
President Diamonté Brown