Governor O'Malley Signs Legislation Putting Maryland Families First
With signature, O'Malley protects Maryland's interests in the Preakness, expands unemployment benfits, strengthens mortgage lending regulations, and cracks down on unequal pay for women
ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 14, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley today joined Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., House Speaker Michael E. Busch, and Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown, to sign legislation putting Maryland families first during these difficult economic times.
Governor O’Malley’s budget and legislative proposals this year focused on putting families first during this national economic downturn, including record funding for public schools, unprecedented levels of school construction funding, and full funding of the Thornton Bridge to Excellence Plan. In addition, Governor O’Malley fought to make college affordable and accessible for more families, rather than fewer, by freezing college tuition at zero percent increase for the fourth straight year.
“During this national recession, we know our families and small businesses are hurting, and we must do all we can to put our families and kids first,” said Governor O’Malley. “The legislation we’re signing today expands the safety net available to our families during these tough economic times, and cracks down on unfair business practices that keep Maryland working families from getting ahead.”
Today, Governor O’Malley signed into law an emergency bill designed to give the State greater authority over the Preakness Stakes to keep it in Maryland. Under the legislation, the State is authorized to acquire by purchase or exercise eminent domain over, Laurel Park, the Bowie Race Course Training center, and Pimlico Race Course – the second oldest race track in America – and all rights and racing events that are associated with the Preakness Stakes and its trophy, the Woodlawn Vase. The equine industry is a critical component of Maryland’s economy, generating more than 20,000 jobs and an annual economic impact of $1.5 billion.
“Even during these tough times, Governor O’Malley and I, with our partners in the General Assembly, have protected the priorities that put families first,” said Lt. Governor Brown. “We've invested in our first-class human capital in an effort to help us survive this economic crisis and thrive for years to come.”
Governor O’Malley also signed legislation that will expand unemployment benefits to part-time employees, thus modernizing the unemployment insurance program and recognizing the changing dynamic of the American workforce. In Maryland, more than 420,000 individuals work part-time, nearly 15 percent of Maryland workers. The negligible costs associated with the implementation of this provision are easily offset by the positive economic impact unemployment benefits have overall. It is estimated that every $1 paid in unemployment generates $2.15 in economic activity. The new law signed today will ensure that those Marylanders who are unable to work full time because of family, medical or other obligations can still access the critical safety net that unemployment insurance provides to take care of their families, particularly during times of economic distress.
“From the beginning of session, we promised Marylanders we would do everything in our power to help them weather the economic storm,” said Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. “The bills we are signing today will help real people handle the serious challenges that they face everyday.”
In addition, building on Maryland’s nation-leading foreclosure reforms passed last year, Governor O’Malley signed legislation today revises the State’s mortgage lender and loan originator laws to ensure that Maryland meets all federal mandates while at the same time retaining enhancements in our new laws that strengthen mortgage lending regulation and consumer protections. This bill brings Maryland into compliance with the federal Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act), and ensures that consumers are protected by optimal state and federal regulation of mortgage lenders.
“The General Assembly worked hard to protect core services for Marylanders weathering this difficult economic climate,” said Speaker Michael E. Busch. “Maryland is in a far better position than many of our neighbors to continue progress in education, higher education and economic development, without raising any taxes or fees and retaining a triple-A bond rating.”
Also today, Governor O’Malley signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Civil Rights Restoration Act. This law expands the time period for which an employee may seek relief for an unlawful employment practice and authorizes the recovery of back pay for up to two years preceding the filing of a complaint. Ledbetter was the plaintiff in a landmark discrimination suit Ledbetter vs. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in 2007, the decision for which held that employers cannot be sued under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act over race or gender pay discrimination if the claims are based on decisions made by the employer 180 days ago or more. This bill, sponsored by Senator Raskin and Delegate Rosenberg, authorizes the payment of back pay for up to two years preceding the filing of a complaint that occurred outside the statute of limitations if it was similar to an unlawful practice that occurred during the complaint filing period.
The O’Malley-Brown Administration fought to make Maryland neighborhoods safer this year by successfully implementing legislation to take firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers and legislation to prohibit the State Police from conducting surveillance on individuals without reason. The Administration also upgraded Maryland’s state-of-the-art fingerprinting system and expanded DNA sampling to target violent criminals and make communities safer. In addition, the O’Malley-Brown legislative agenda included tougher penalties for drunk drivers, increased restrictions and sanctions for young drivers, and legislation to place speed cameras in our school zones.
Over the past three years, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has achieved real progress, including record funding for Maryland schools, resulting in Education Week Magazine ranking Maryland public schools #1 in the nation. For the first time in Maryland’s history, school construction funding will exceed $1 billion over a three-year period. Governor O’Malley recently outlined an ambitious agenda to make Maryland’s schools the best in the world, including international benchmarking of students and the expansion of curricula to prepare students for the careers of tomorrow.
In addition to K-12 education, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has increased community college funding by $60 million in just three years, and fought for the largest capitalinvestment in Maryland history in our Community Colleges – over $84 million this year alone and over $235 million in three years – for new buildings and state-of-the-art learning facilities. That’s a 55 percent growth over the previous administration.
Future Bill Signings
- May 7, 2009 @ 10am
- May 19, 2009 @ 10am