| 2013 Legislative Session Moves Baltimore Forward |
 Thank you! Baltimore City schools and neighborhoods won several important victories during the 2013 legislative session, thanks to the work of advocates including BCF, our supporters, donors, and nonprofit partners. We thank our Civic Leadership Fund donors for making our advocacy work possible. In the 2013 session, BCF took action on a number of policy issues. Read the outcomes below, and for more information, we invite you to join or 20 Minute Update call later this month. |
|
|
 This legislation will fund the first six-year phase of a $2.4 billion renewal plan for Baltimore City's school buildings -- enough for 15 new schools and the extensive renovation of about 35 others. Passage of this bill is a major step toward renovating and modernizing all public school buildings in Baltimore City. |
|
|
This legislation will require the Maryland State Department of Education to conduct a study and provide recommendations to improve the Maryland Public Charter School Program. Passage of this bill is a step toward strengthening Maryland's broken charter school law. BCF is encouraged by the fact that that the legislature referenced our own report on charter school reform throughout the session, and we're hopeful it will guide for the new study group's work. |
|
|
This legislation will replenish the state's transportation fund. The fund pays for projects like highway construction and mass transit projects. Passage of this bill is a major step toward improving and expanding transportation options for the citizens and businesses of Central Maryland. |
|
|
 Modeled on the federal Race to the Top program, this legislation would have incentivized school districts to apply for funding to create the best possible early learning options for four- and five-year-olds. Though it didn't pass, BCF will continue to advocate on behalf of efforts to support expanded access to pre-kindergarten in support of our goal that 90 percent of Baltimore school children be "ready for school" by 2017.
BCF will continue to monitor developments in Annapolis, and will keep you informed on these and other issues of interest. Learn more about these issues and BCF's advocacy at www.bcf.org/advocacy. |
