Governor O'Malley Announces Plan to Monitor Recovery and Reinvestment Funds in Maryland 
Governor Unveils Performance-Measurement Tool Using Innovative StateStat Program;
Officially Launches Maryland’s Recovery and Reinvestment Website
ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 27, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced Maryland’s plan to monitor and track Recovery and Reinvestment funds in the State of Maryland, and announced the launch of Maryland’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act website, www.recovery.maryland.gov to allow Marylanders to track recovery projects in the State of Maryland. Governor O’Malley provided a quick demonstration of the website that utilizes GIS (Geographic-Information System) technology. Just last week, Governor O’Malley announced plans to use these funds to invest in public education and transportation projects to create or save thousands of jobs in Maryland.
“I am proud to officially announce the launch of www.recovery.maryland.gov, as we move forward with the One Maryland Recovery and Reinvestment Plan,” said Governor O’Malley. “The Citizens of Maryland will be able to track and monitor our progress every step of the way with the accountability, transparency, and efficiency that we’ve brought to State government. In Maryland, we have been planning for months to put these tax dollars to use in the most responsible and sustainable way possible to create thousands of jobs, continue to protect our No.1 ranked public schools, and provide critical services to our families during these difficult economic times.”
The website will be maintained by StateStat, Governor O’Malley’s performance-measurement and management program implemented to make our state government more accountable and more efficient. StateStat was recently honored by the Pew Center for the States as a model for tracking performance and accountability within state government. Maryland was one of four states in the nation that “are leaders in measuring the performance of government programs. And by using those measurements to drive smart budget cuts and new spending they are creating the foundation for a better economic and fiscal future.” StateStat is currently working with State agencies to monitor projects, track job growth and job preservation. StateStat analysts will continue to update the site as more information comes out on the Reinvestment Plan.
Governor O’Malley and the Maryland Congressional Delegation have also planned a series of regional Recovery and Reinvestment Workshops for local government officials to share information about applying for recovery grant money, and the impact and flow of dollars coming to the State from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. State agency representatives will provide up-to-date information regarding this constantly changing/updated process, to keep you informed on how to apply and compete for these much needed and anticipated federal dollars. Local government elected and appointed officials are encouraged to spread the word about these workshops and plan to attend. State Agencies have been asked to share information on existing formulas that will be increased that may flow to local government, and how to apply for competitive grants. Four regional Stimulus Workshops have been set with more possibly being added later. More information can be found on the Recovery website.
Since President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law on February 17, 2009, Governor O’Malley has announced the first wave of transportation projects that will be part of Maryland’s comprehensive economic recovery program. The first Phase of the transportation projects announced include the purchase of an additional 100 hybrid buses, replacement buses for rural transit systems and MARC station improvements like those at the Laurel MARC Station. Maryland received a total of $610 million for transportation projects, and is expected to support 17,500 jobs.
Phase I highway projects will deliver everything from new ADA compliant sidewalks and safety guardrails on highways to road resurfacing and bridge maintenance projects designed to improve and protect existing infrastructure. These improvements are located around the state. Phase I projects alone will support nearly 10,000 jobs.
Governor O’Malley also announced that as a result of the $720 million in education funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, every school district in Maryland will be made whole and the Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI) funded at 100 percent for the first time. The plan announced includes full funding of GCEI, as well as a restoration of the proposed reductions in supplemental grant and non-public placement funding to local school systems, which will complement nearly $400 million in direct aid that local systems will receive from the federal government as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. These federal funds will also provide $329 million towards the projected growth of teacher pension cost, continuing to protect local jurisdictions from this potentially prohibitive cost. The education dollars would also go towards full funding of the Thornton Bridge to Excellence Plan, representing more than $185 million in cost increases over the next 27 months.
More information on the One Maryland Recovery and Reinvestment Plan can be found at www.recovery.maryland.gov.
