WASHINGTON – Despite a promised infusion of cash for Maryland schools, area school systems would actually lose money under Gov. Larry Hogan’s proposed state budget.
Hogan introduced his $16.1 billion spending plan this week. He says the $6.1 billion allotted for education includes record funding for K-12 spending in the state. But leaders in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties say the funding formula, called the geographic education index, would be cut by 50 percent.
Sen. Jim Rosapepe was unimpressed by Hogan鈥檚 statement about record-setting education funding.
鈥榃ell, a record means a little bit more than last year. When you have more students and you have more costs, it鈥檚 in effect a cut,鈥� Rosapepe says.
Hogan would add $45.3 million to education spending, but the reduction to the funding formula tied to cost of living in some counties comes to about $132 million.
In Montgomery County, Dana Tofig, spokesman for Montgomery County Schools, says the reduction means the county will get half of the expected $35 million GCEI formula. In an email to 小萝莉影视, Tofig explains that the $17 million reduction is equivalent to 250 teacher positions, or 400 support staff positions such as bus drivers and building maintenance staff.
Prince George鈥檚 County Executive Rushern Baker says schools in his county would lose $20 million dollars in GCEI funds.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 just the bare minimum to get us the improvements we need in our school system,鈥� Baker told 小萝莉影视.
Baker says the GCEI, which was designed to address the higher cost of living in some counties, 鈥渒eeps us somewhat competitive鈥� in attracting and retaining the best teachers and advancing education programs. Without it, Baker says, maintaining the momentum of school improvement becomes far more challenging.
Other local budget concerns
Hogan鈥檚 budget includes $30 million for Prince George’s Hospital.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 a big deal,鈥� says Baker.
Rosapepe, whose district is in Prince George鈥檚 County, agrees.
鈥淭he good news is that (Hogan) put in the money for Prince George鈥檚 Hospital and he didn鈥檛 take out the funding for the Purple Line.鈥�
Hogan addressed the Purple Line in his briefing to reporters Thursday. Hogan鈥檚 budget secretary David Brinkley, a former lawmaker from Frederick County, told reporters the Purple Line and Baltimore’s Red Line will be subject to review.
鈥淗e has made no commitment to the Purple Line, so that鈥檚 a big question mark,” Rosapepe says.
Hogan campaigned on a platform of tax relief, and repeated that promise when he was sworn in, pledging to lead a state that 鈥渢akes government off our backs and out of our pockets.”
But the tax rollbacks he鈥檇 talked about on the campaign trail aren鈥檛 in the budget he submitted this week. Instead, Hogan said something he鈥檚 repeated often; that once spending is under control, he鈥檇 roll back tax increases. Hogan told reporters his tax relief package will be rolled out in the next few weeks.
小萝莉影视’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report. Follow on Twitter and on .
