2012 Legislative Session Yields Important Victories
Thank you! Baltimore City schools and neighborhoods won several important victories during the 2012 legislative session, thanks to the work of advocates including BCF, our supporters and nonprofit partners.
BCF took action on a number of policy issues during the regular and special sessions. The outcomes of these 2012 policy priorities include:
School Funding - City Schools will be fully funded, thanks to the passage of a budget during the special session that rolls back the "doomsday" package of funding cuts proposed for our schools.
City School Board - The composition of Baltimore City's appointed Board of School Commissioners will remain unchanged and will continue its successful governance of our city schools.
Stormwater - The health of Baltimore's waterways will be protected through the establishment of watershed protection and restoration programs and new stormwater pollution fees dedicated to Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts.
Universal Pre-K - Legislation to provide pre-kindergarten to all Maryland families failed to emerge from committee during the regular session, but we are working with legislative sponsors to fight for this measure during the gaming-focused special session expected during the summer.
School Facilities - Legislation to create a financing mechanism for the renovation of Baltimore City's crumbling school infrastructure did not pass this session, but we continue to work toward solutions.
Charter School Law - A bill that would have created a summer study to strengthen Maryland's charter school law was passed unanimously by the House and Senate, but stalled amid the legislature's failure to come to resolution on the state budget during the regular session.
BCF will continue to monitor developments in Annapolis during the next special session expected to be called by Governor O'Malley this summer, and will keep you informed on these and other issues of interest.
