There's too much at stake not to
MOVE FORWARD

In Maryland, we have taken great care to protect our priorities during this very difficult national economic downturn.  We have made the tough choices necessary to invest in our future. Together, we have:

  • Built the number-one public school system in the nation for four years in a row
  • Achieved the best quarter for private sector job growth since 1999
  • Driven our violent crime rate down to a 35-year low
  • Maintained our Triple A bond rating certified by all three rating agencies
  • Invested to make college more affordable for more families

On the last day of Session, the General Assembly failed to reach the consensus necessary to protect our shared priorities.

Now, all of this progress is threatened if we don’t act.

Our Affordable Colleges

After tuition skyrocketed more than 40% during the prior administration, together, we become the only State in the nation to freeze college tuition for an unprecedented four years in a row. We continued to keep college affordable with a modest 3% increase every year over the past two years. As a result, the University of Maryland System went from the 7th most expensive system in the country to the 23rd.

All of this is threatened if we don’t act.

What happens under the "doomsday" cuts?

  • College tuition will increase more than 10% moving Maryland up on College Board’s list of in-state tuition rates for the first time this Administration.
  • Community college funding will be cut by 10%, or almost $30 million.

Our Kids' Education

Together, we’ve built what Education Week has named the #1 public school system in the country for four years in a row. We rank first in the nation in Kindergarten readiness, our high school students continue to lead the nation with their Advanced Placement success and together, we’ve been able to reduce the achievement gap between white and black students by nearly half.

All of this is threatened if we don’t act.

What happens under the “doomsday” cuts?

  • K-12 education funding –which remained our budget priority throughout the recession – gets cut through the elimination of the Geographic Cost of Education Index, teacher quality incentives and provider increases for non-public placements.  $136 million is taken out of our classrooms.

Our Jobs and Innovation Economy

As a State, we’ve now recovered 80% of the jobs we lost during the national recession – nearly twice what the nation as a whole recovered. Our businesses have just come off their best quarter for job creation since 1999.   Over the year, they’ve created jobs at twice the rate of their counterparts in Virginia. We now have the 8th best rate of job creation in the nation.

We still have work ahead, but with the doomsday budget, all of the progress we’ve made is threatened.

What happens under the “doomsday” cuts?

  • We stand to lose the creation of 22,000 jobs through the capital budget.
  • 400 State employees will lose their positions by June 1.
  • State employees will be forced to pay an additional $15 million for health care services.
  • Our highly successful biotechnology research and development tax credit and cell research programs will be cut—stifling our Innovation Economy and setting our businesses back.

Our Safety

Together, we’ve driven down the violent crime rate to a 35 year low.. We’ve reduced domestic violence related homicides 40% since 2007 and we’ve been able to clear the DNA backlog and pass important DNA collection laws taking over 450 murderers, rapists and other violent criminals off of our streets.

All of this is threatened if we don’t act.

What happens under the “doomsday” cuts?

  • We lose $20.8 million in local law enforcement grants that keep our communities safe.

Our Health and Vulnerable Marylanders

Together, we’ve been able to extend healthcare coverage to over 318,000 Marylanders who otherwise would go uninsured—nearly half of whom are children. In our State, there’s no such thing as a spare Marylander and we continue to work to protect our most vulnerable citizens.

All of this is threatened if we don’t act.

What happens under the “doomsday” cuts?

  • Marylanders who need a DDA provider will be denied a $8.6 million rate increase, again.  This is after the General Assembly passed legislation to mandate increases for our vulnerable citizens, and passed an alcohol tax to help the DDA community.
  • People who rely on foster care providers will be denied a $1.4 million rate increase – again.
  • Our neighbors who rely on providers of community services for mental health problems or Medicad services, who will be denied a $3.1 million rate increase – again.
  • People who rely on the Regional Institutes for Children and Adolescents, will see capacity reductions from a $6.5 million cut.
  • Students with disabilities who rely on providers who will be denied a $2.1 million rate increase.

Our Triple A Bond Rating

Since taking office, we have made record cuts to State spending and reduced the size of our State government by eliminating more than 5,000 positions. As a result, we’re one of only 8 States to maintain a Triple A bond rating—certified by all three major rating agencies.

All of this is threatened if we don’t act.

What happens under the “doomsday” cuts?

  • $436 million in cuts to our priorities take effect July 1.
  • $80 million of those cuts will happen sooner – at the May 23 Board of Public Works meeting – through cuts to State agencies and the elimination of 500 positions – approximately 400 of which are filled.
  • Just to balance the budget, the Governor will submit an additional $71 million in cuts to the Board of Public Works on May 23 – cuts that will further harm our priorities.
  • The State has no fund balance to help balance the budget next year and in future years – as opposed to the $154 million fund balance the conference committee reports maintained – making it difficult if not impossible to backfill the “doomsday cuts” in the future.