Blueprint for Maryland's Future

Blueprint for Maryland's Future
Maryland State Legislature
Full nameBlueprint for Maryland's Future - Implementation
IntroducedFebruary 7, 2020
House votedMarch 6, 2020 (96-41)
February 8, 2021 (97-38)
Senate votedMarch 12, 2020 (37-9)
February 10, 2021 (31-15)
Sponsor(s)
GovernorLarry Hogan
BillHB 1300
Associated billsSB 1000
WebsiteLegislation
Status: Current legislation

The Blueprint for Maryland's Future, also referred to as just The Blueprint, is a landmark[1][2] law in the U.S. state of Maryland. The bill represents a 10-year plan that aims to implement a series of education reforms recommended by the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, including expanding universal preschool, increasing funding for schools with high concentrations of poverty, increasing pay and opportunities for teachers, and creating career pathways for high school students.[3] The law, as passed, will increase state education funding by $3.8 billion each year until 2032.[4]

Background

During the 2016 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly unanimously passed House Bill 999,[5] establishing the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education (also known as the "Kirwan Commission")[6] to study whether state formulas in education are equitable and provide students with enough resources for preparing for college. The commission was seen as a successor to the Maryland Commission on Education Finance, Equity, and Excellence (also known as the "Thornton Commission", named after its chairman Alvin Thornton), whose final report led to the 2002 Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act that increased public school funding by more than 100 percent in the decade following its implementation.[7][8][9] At the time of the commission's creation, Maryland students were performing at or below the median among the 50 states in reading and math, faced large achievement gaps based on race and income, and suffered a severe teacher shortage and retention problems.[1]

Hogan speaks with Kirwan at his retirement event, 2015

In August 2016, Governor Larry Hogan appointed University System of Maryland chancellor emeritus William Kirwan to chair the commission,[10] which consisted of 26 members including Kirwan.[6][11] The commission was tasked with making recommendations in five major policy areas, including early childhood education, increasing teacher pay, implementing rigorous school curricula, providing additional resources to struggling schools, and creating accountability for underperformance.[12] The commission studied the practices of top-performing school systems in nations including Finland, Singapore, Canada, and China, as well as the U.S. states of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.[1]

In January 2019, the commission released an interim report, which included several proposals for boosting Maryland schools, including universal preschool for low-income 3- and 4- year olds, hiring and retaining teachers, increasing education standards, and establishing an accountability system to oversee the implementation of the commission's recommendations.[13]

The commission released its final 243-page report on November 21, 2019. The report included $4 billion in education reform proposals, with the state contributing $2.8 billion and counties and Baltimore City about $1.2 billion, and sought full implementation of its recommendations by fiscal year 2030.[14] 19 of the commission's 22 members voted in favor of the proposal, with only state senator Mary Beth Carozza and Queen Anne's County commissioner Jack Wilson voting against it, citing concerns about funding.[15] According to Maryland Matters, the plan's recommendations included:[16]

  • $529 million toward expanding universal preschool to low-income four- and three-year olds
  • $168 million toward increasing teacher advancement opportunities and salaries to $60,000 or more
  • $26 million toward helping students reach "college and career readiness" by the end of 10th grade
  • $692 million in "concentration of poverty" grants
  • $182 million for special education funding
  • $57 million toward supporting students learning English
  • $3.9 million toward establishing an Accountability and Implementation Board to support the Blueprint's implementation

Passage

The Blueprint for Maryland's Future bill was first introduced during the 2019 legislative session as House Bill 1413 (Senate Bill 1030) by Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Michael E. Busch.[17] The bill included $725 million in education funding through fiscal year 2022, which would pay for school-based health centers, free school lunches for schools in impoverished areas, raises for teachers, and grants for improving teacher standards.[13] The bill passed the Maryland General Assembly on April 3, 2019, and became law without Governor Larry Hogan's signature.[2][18]

Passing the Blueprint for Maryland's Future became a major issue during the 2020 legislative session following the release of the commission's final report in November 2019.[19] The Blueprint bill was introduced during the 2020 legislative session by Maryland Senate president Bill Ferguson and Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Adrienne A. Jones.[20] While in the Maryland Senate, multiple amendments were made to the bill, including a "checkpoint" to test the success of the reforms by 2026,[21] as well as another that would limit the amount of extra spending on the Blueprint if the state's revenues drop by 7.5 percent per year.[22] The bill passed the Maryland House of Delegates by a 96–41 vote on March 7,[23] and later passed the Maryland Senate by a vote of 37–9.[24] The bill was sent back to the House for final passage, where it passed by a 96–38 vote on March 17.[25][26]

In May 2020, Governor Hogan vetoed the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, citing the massive hit on Maryland's economy from the COVID-19 pandemic. This veto also blocked the implementation of the Build to Learn Act, a bill that would have provided $2.2 billion in extra funding for school construction which contained a provision preventing it from going into effect until the Kirwan bill became law.[27] On February 12, 2021, the Maryland General Assembly voted to override Hogan's veto of the Kirwan bill.[28] Leaders of the Maryland General Assembly also introduced a bill to adjust the implementation timeline of the Blueprint to account for Hogan's veto,[29] which passed and became law without Governor Hogan's signature.[30]

Debate over funding

The final report's release in November 2019 sparked a debate between both Democrats and Republicans in the Maryland General Assembly. In January 2019, the Maryland Center of Economic Policy, a liberal think tank, released a report detailing ways to pay for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future through changes to the state's income tax, corporate tax, and sales tax systems.[31] The Maryland Department of Budget and Management estimated that paying for the proposals would require a 39 percent in the personal income tax, an 89 percent increase in the sales tax, or a 535 percent increase in the property tax.[32] In January 2020, the leaders of the Maryland General Assembly said they would not raise income, property, or sales tax rates to pay for the Blueprint's recommendations.[33]

Democratic lawmakers evaluated a series of proposals aimed at raising funds to pay for the Kirwan reforms, including cuts to tax credits,[34] a carbon tax,[35] and closing corporate tax loopholes.[36] In January 2020, progressive members of the Maryland House of Delegates proposed a package of bills to pay for the Blueprint, including eliminating subsidy programs, combined reporting for multi-state corporations, and restructuring the state's income tax brackets.[37] In March 2020, Maryland House Democrats introduced a bill that would apply the state's 6% sales tax to digital services, including video streaming services, cable and satellite plans, and online news subscriptions.[38] Hogan vetoed the digital sales tax bill after it passed the Maryland General Assembly on May 7, 2020, citing the COVID-19 pandemic.[39] The Maryland General Assembly voted to override the veto on February 12, 2021.[40]

As of March 2023, the Blueprint is fully funded only until 2026 and will run into deficit in 2027. David Romans, coordinator of fiscal and policy analysis for the Department of Legislative Services, said in March 2023 that "ongoing revenues in the Blueprint fund are nowhere near enough to pay for the costs, which continue to grow each year through 2034".[41]

Support and opposition

Support for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future consisted of a coalition of Democratic state legislators, educators, and labor unions.[42] The opposition to the Blueprint consisted of Governor Larry Hogan and Maryland Republican politicians.[43]

Arguments supporting the Blueprint included rewriting state funding formulas, improving education outcomes for students, increasing support for teachers,[44] and leveling educational inequities.[45] Arguments in opposition to the Blueprint included how the reforms were funded.[46] Republican members of the Maryland House of Delegates bitterly fought the proposals, arguing that they would cost taxpayers $32 billion over 10 years without a clear way to pay for them.[47] Republican criticism continued through the 2021 legislative session, during which Republican leaders including Michael Hough and Bryan Simonaire called the bill's passage fiscally irresponsible.[48] Simonaire called on Democratic lawmakers to scrap the bill in January 2021, saying that its recommendations had become outdated because of the changes made to learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.[49] State senator Paul G. Pinsky, who led efforts to pass the Blueprint bill in 2020, acknowledged these criticisms in passing the Kirwan 2.0 bill, saying that the focus of the bill was "getting students up a grade level... who got crushed during the last 14 months."[50][51]

Governor Hogan repeatedly said that he would veto any proposed tax increase to pay for the Kirwan reforms,[32][52] referring to the workgroup as the "Kirwan Tax Hike Commission" in public statements, even though the panel's role was not to change state tax rates.[53] Kirwan called Hogan's criticism of the Blueprint "unfair" and urged him to back the plan.[54] Hogan received further criticism for his subsequent veto of the bill, with members of the Maryland Parent-Teachers Association urging members of the Maryland General Assembly to override his veto during the 2021 legislative session.[55] In May 2020, the Maryland House Minority Caucus sent a letter to Hogan urging him to veto the Blueprint bill and tax bills to fund it, citing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state.[43]

In January 2020, Prince George's County executive Angela Alsobrooks and Baltimore mayor Jack Young were supportive of the Kirwan Commission's proposed reforms, but expressed concern with the costs associated with implementing the recommendations and asked lawmakers to alter the funding formulas in the bill.[56] Alsobrooks said that she would not raise taxes on Prince George's County residents to pay for the reforms, and told reporters that funding the Blueprint reforms would require the county to defund its police department.[57] In response to Alsobrooks and Young's concerns, the bill was amended to limit the bill's financial burden on poorer areas of the state, cutting the costs for Baltimore City and Prince George's County by over 50 percent.[58]

Notable supporters
Notable opponents

2022 gubernatorial election

Wes Moore
Dan Cox
Gubernatorial nominees Wes Moore (left) and Dan Cox (right) had opposing views on the implementation of the Blueprint.
See also: 2022 Maryland gubernatorial election

Support for the Blueprint continued to be a relevant topic in the 2022 Maryland gubernatorial election, as the next governor's willingness to support or block the Blueprint plan would have a significant impact on Maryland schools.[68]

Most of the Democratic candidates for governor, including John King Jr., Wes Moore, and Tom Perez, made promises during their campaigns to support and provide funding for the Blueprint if they were elected governor.[69] Comptroller Peter Franchot also said during his campaign that he would support the Blueprint as governor, but added that he had some skepticism toward the stability of Blueprint funding sources for the full decade.[68] Franchot's opponents had accused him of flip-flopping on his support for the Blueprint, citing his opposition toward the proposal during legislative debates.[70]

The Republican candidates in the race were less committal to supporting the Blueprint, with Kelly M. Schulz emphasizing support for school choice and charter schools during her campaign, and Dan Cox saying he would "remove critical race theory from public schools" if elected governor.[68] Cox was a vocal critic of the Blueprint's implementation, voting against the reforms during the 2021 legislative session.[67]

In April 2022, the Maryland State Education Association endorsed Moore's campaign, citing his support for the Blueprint reform effort.[71] During his campaign, he promised to "work closely with local governments to make sure they are on board with their commitments to the Blueprint"[72] and supported instituting universal preschool and increasing funding for school construction, teacher wages, and after-school programs.[73][74]

Moore and Cox won the nomination of their parties following the primary election on July 19, 2022. Both nominees ran on opposing education platforms in the general election, with Moore emphasizing his support for the Blueprint and Cox highlighting his support for letting parents restrict school curriculum.[75][76][77] Moore defeated Cox in the general election on November 8.[78]

Implementation

The Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB), which was established through 2020 Blueprint bill, began accepting applicants to ensure the implementation of the Kirwan Commission's reforms on July 9, 2021.[79] Governor Hogan nominated seven members to the AIB on October 1,[80] which met for the first time on November 16.[81]

The AIB has struggled to meet the deadlines as proposed in the Blueprint law due to a lack of funding and staffing.[82][83] In February 2022, the AIB approved a new timeline that pushed back select key dates for the Blueprint's implementation.[84] Following this, the Maryland General Assembly voted in March 2022 to pass a bill to again delay the implementation of the Blueprint, aligning with the dates proposed in their timeline.[85]

In December 2022, the AIB unanimously voted to adopt the $3.8 billion education plan. School systems had until March 15, 2023, to submit plans for fulfilling the Blueprint's funding requirements for the 2023-2024 school year.[86] As of December 2024, the AIB has approved Blueprint implementation plans for all school districts save for Baltimore County.[87]

In January 2023, Governor Wes Moore released his first budget, which proposed reallocating $500 million toward the Blueprint.[88] The budget was amended to increase funding for the Blueprint to $900 million in March 2023,[89] and signed into law by Moore in April 2023.[90] In December 2024, after state financial officials determined that the state would face a $2.7 billion deficit during the 2026 fiscal year, Moore proposed scaling back parts of the Blueprint reform package and adjusting state formulas that determine how much funding state and local governments dedicate to education. At the same time, Moore said that he would keep intact policies to expand pre-kindergarten programs, tutoring, and early literacy programs, and suggested that the state should focus mainly on hiring and retaining teachers.[91]

References

  1. ^ a b c Reed, Lillian (January 17, 2023). "Blueprint for Maryland's Future: Inside the state's massive plan to reform public education". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Wiggins, Ovetta (April 3, 2019). "Maryland advances landmark education bill that boosts funding for public schools". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  3. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (February 25, 2021). "Senate President Seeks to Enhance State Ed. Board to Prepare for Blueprint Reforms". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  4. ^ Hettleman, Kalman R. (January 4, 2023). "Why Other States Should Be Studying 'Blueprint for Maryland's Future'". The 74. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  5. ^ "Legislation - HB0999". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Wood, Pamela (February 17, 2020). "Key questions about the Kirwan Commission and the debate over funding Maryland's public schools". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  7. ^ Anfenson-Comeau, Jamie (August 12, 2016). "State commission to take 'fresh look' at education funding". Southern Maryland News. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  8. ^ "Former USM chancellor to chair state education panel". The Daily Record. Associated Press. August 9, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  9. ^ Dresser, Michael (August 9, 2016). "Hogan, General Assembly leaders name Kirwan to head education commission". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  10. ^ Wiggins, Ovetta (August 9, 2016). "Kirwan to lead Maryland education panel studying funding". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  11. ^ "Commission on Innovation & Excellence in Education". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. March 14, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  12. ^ Witte, Brian (January 24, 2019). "William Kirwan tells Maryland lawmakers about commission's proposals to improve schools". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Broadwater, Luke (March 4, 2019). "Maryland school funding legislation calls for $1 billion over two years to start meeting Kirwan goals". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  14. ^ Broadwater, Luke; Wood, Pamela (October 15, 2019). "Group recommends $4B in funding for Maryland's public schools; Baltimore would need to double spending". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  15. ^ Ford, William J. (November 26, 2019). "Education Plan Heads to Md. Lawmakers". The Washington Informer. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  16. ^ a b c Gaines, Danielle E. (February 18, 2020). "Breaking Down the Blueprint Bill". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  17. ^ Youngmann, Charlie (March 5, 2019). "Maryland legislative leaders announce plans for education funding". Capital News Service. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  18. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (May 15, 2019). "Hogan Expresses Concern While Releasing Education Funding, Allowing Kirwan Bill to Take Effect". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  19. ^ Anderson, David (December 2, 2019). "Harford delegate Andrew Cassilly named Gov. Larry Hogan's senior adviser". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  20. ^ "Legislation - HB1300". Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  21. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (March 12, 2020). "Senate Panels Approve Education Reform Bill With A Potential Off-Ramp After Five Years". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  22. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 15, 2020). "Senate Puts Potential Brakes on Education Plan as Show Goes on in Annapolis". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  23. ^ a b Gaines, Danielle E. (March 7, 2020). "House Passes Education Reform Bill Three Years in the Making". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  24. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 17, 2020). "Senate Passes Education Blueprint in Midnight Vote". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  25. ^ Gaines, Danielle E.; Gaskill, Hannah (March 18, 2020). "Sweeping Education Reform Bill Headed to Governor's Desk". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  26. ^ Broadwater, Luke; Wood, Pamela (March 17, 2020). "Maryland lawmakers give final OK to sweeping education bill as early adjournment looms". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  27. ^ Broadwater, Luke; Wood, Pamela (May 7, 2020). "Citing economic hit from coronavirus, Gov. Hogan vetoes legislation to improve Maryland schools, allows Pimlico bill to become law". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  28. ^ "Kirwan education bill becomes law after lawmakers override veto". WBAL-TV. February 12, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  29. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 16, 2021). "Maryland Legislative Leaders Seek to Adjust Blueprint Plan After One-Year Delay". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  30. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (April 2, 2021). "Hogan Allows 'Kirwan 2.0' to Become Law Without His Signature". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  31. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (January 19, 2019). "Think Tank Pushes Tax Reform as Answer to Kirwan Funding Woes". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  32. ^ a b "Gov. Larry Hogan says he is opposed to large tax increases to fund Kirwan education plan". The Baltimore Sun. Associated Press. August 17, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  33. ^ Cox, Erin (January 3, 2020). "Leading Maryland Democrats: No rate hikes to income, property or sales taxes in 2020". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  34. ^ Kurtz, Josh (August 16, 2019). "House Speaker Seeks Review of Tax Credits for Possible Revenue". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  35. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (February 19, 2021). "Lawmakers Consider Carbon Fees For Polluters That Will Help Pay for Kirwan Bill". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  36. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (February 14, 2020). "Senator Crusading to Close Corporate Loophole Woos Business on Kirwan Plan". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  37. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (January 16, 2020). "Progressives Push Tax Reform Proposals to Fund Kirwan Plan". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  38. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 12, 2020). "House Members Talk Digital Taxes During Revenue Package Floor Debate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  39. ^ "Maryland Governor Vetoes Digital Sales Tax Bill". Bloomberg Tax. May 7, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  40. ^ Wood, Pamela (February 12, 2021). "Maryland lawmakers override Hogan vetoes on education, advertising bills". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  41. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (March 9, 2023). "As lawmakers prepare 2024 budget, structural deficit emerges from $478 million dip in revenue". Maryland Matters. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  42. ^ Ryan, Meg; Witte, Brian (March 13, 2019). "Teachers, supporters march for funding in Maryland's capital". DelmarvaNow. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  43. ^ a b c d Gaines, Danielle E. (May 4, 2020). "House Republicans Press for Vetoes of Blueprint, Tax Bills". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  44. ^ a b c d e f g h Gaines, Danielle E. (March 12, 2019). "Lawmakers Promise Funding – Now and in the Future – At 'March for Our Schools'". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  45. ^ McMinn, Teresa (February 13, 2021). "Legislature overrides Hogan veto on Kirwan education plan". Cumberland Times-News. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  46. ^ Panuska, Mallory (April 1, 2021). "State reps in Ocean City still opposed to Kirwan amid revisions". Ocean City Today. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  47. ^ Broadwater, Luke; Wood, Pamela (March 18, 2020). "In a hurry, Maryland legislature passes bills to improve schools, help racetracks, add benefits for those hurt by coronavirus". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  48. ^ a b Leckrone, Bennett (January 12, 2021). "Senate's New GOP Leaders Pledge Cooperation But Vow to 'Fight Back' When Necessary". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  49. ^ a b c Sears, Bryan P. (January 1, 2021). "Will this be the year of Kirwan 2.0?". The Daily Record. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  50. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 23, 2021). "Senate Committee Advances 'Kirwan 2.0' With Amendments". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  51. ^ Tooten, Tim (March 31, 2021). "Kirwan 2.0 bill intended to help struggling students during pandemic". WBAL-TV. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  52. ^ Gaines, Danielle E.; Kurtz, Josh (February 20, 2020). "Hogan, Legislature in Open Warfare Over Crime, Taxes and Communication". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  53. ^ a b Gaines, Danielle E. (September 23, 2019). "Marylanders support more education funding but know little of Kirwan Commission". WTOP News. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  54. ^ Wood, Pamela (August 22, 2019). "Maryland education commission calls Gov. Hogan's criticism unfair, urges him to back plan to revamp schools". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  55. ^ Ford, William J. (May 11, 2020). "Future For Md. Schools Uncertain". The Washington Informer. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  56. ^ a b c Broadwater, Luke; Wood, Pamela (January 8, 2020). "Baltimore and Prince George's leaders express concern over Kirwan costs as legislature begins its work in Annapolis". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  57. ^ Chason, Rachel (January 10, 2020). "Alsobrooks urges changes in Kirwan funding formulas, says Prince George's can't afford to pay". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  58. ^ Broadwater, Luke; Wood, Pamela (March 6, 2020). "Maryland House of Delegates approves historic, expensive plan to improve public schools". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  59. ^ a b c d Velloso, Carolina (February 28, 2019). "Maryland lawmakers back sweeping education overhaul plan". The Daily Record. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  60. ^ Ford, William J. (March 11, 2020). "Md. Senate Committees Review Comprehensive Education Plan". The Washington Informer. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  61. ^ Broadwater, Luke (March 17, 2020). "Pinsky led sweeping education improvements through Maryland Senate. Then, he rushed to his dying wife's side". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  62. ^ a b Baye, Rachel (February 18, 2020). "State Lawmakers Begin Work on Kirwan School Reforms". WYPR. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  63. ^ a b c d "Priority Issue: The Blueprint for Maryland's Future". Maryland Association of Boards of Education. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  64. ^ Lazarick, Len (July 24, 2021). "Franchot backs education reform, but not mandated Blueprint". MarylandReporter.com. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  65. ^ Holland, Liz (January 9, 2020). "School funding leads General Assembly issues". Bay to Bay News. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  66. ^ Collins, David (March 5, 2019). "Education blueprint based on Kirwan panel recommendations". WBAL-TV. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  67. ^ a b Munro, Dana (October 7, 2022). "GOP governor candidate Dan Cox promises to cut taxes, reduce crime, give parents a voice in education at Linthicum meeting". Capital Gazette. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  68. ^ a b c Reed, Lillian (June 9, 2022). "Pandemic fallout, cultural divides and shootings among educational issues animating Maryland gubernatorial candidates". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  69. ^ "Maryland elections: Here's where the gubernatorial candidates stand". The Washington Post. July 12, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  70. ^ DePuyt, Bruce (June 6, 2022). "Democrats Spar Over Education Funding and Ethics in First Television Debate". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  71. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. (April 2, 2022). "Wes Moore Nabs Coveted State Teachers' Union Endorsement". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  72. ^ Wood, Pamela (July 5, 2022). "Undecided on which candidate you like for governor? Maybe we can help". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  73. ^ Munro, Dana (September 14, 2022). "Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wes Moore lays out vision for Anne Arundel, Maryland at Bates Center in Annapolis". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  74. ^ Reed, Lillian (September 21, 2022). "Maryland gubernatorial candidates Dan Cox, Wes Moore court parents, teachers, voters with education a key part of both their platforms". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  75. ^ Cox, Erin; Wiggins, Ovetta (July 23, 2022). "Wes Moore vs. Dan Cox: A fight for Md. governor that will echo downballot". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  76. ^ Lehrer-Small, Asher (October 26, 2022). "MD is Not VA: Education Issues Playing Out Differently in Governor's Race". The 74. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  77. ^ Friedman, Marijke (October 31, 2022). "Here's where Md.'s gubernatorial candidates stand on education policy". The Diamondback. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  78. ^ Kim, Sarah Y.; Tansill-Suddath, Callan (November 8, 2022). "Maryland Votes To Legalize Marijuana and Elects Wes Moore 63rd Governor". DCist. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  79. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (July 9, 2021). "Blueprint Accountability Board Nominating Committee Accepts Applications Starting Monday". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  80. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (October 1, 2021). "Hogan Makes Deadline for Naming Members to Education Reform Oversight Panel". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  81. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (November 16, 2021). "Blueprint Accountability Board Met For the First Time, But Lacks Funding to Start Work". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  82. ^ Reed, Lillian (February 17, 2022). "Maryland's $3.8 billion 'Blueprint' plan for educational reform hits early funding, timeline snags". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  83. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (February 2, 2022). "Without Full Staff, Blueprint Accountability Board Faces Deadline for Education Reform Implementation". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  84. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (February 15, 2022). "Blueprint Accountability Board Proposes Changes to Education Reform Timeline". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  85. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 9, 2022). "Bill Would Push Back Blueprint Deadlines, AG Says Governor Was Required to Fund Adjustment". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  86. ^ Ford, William J. (December 2, 2022). "Blueprint board adopts multibillion-dollar education plan, sends it to lawmakers". Maryland Matters. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  87. ^ Ford, William J. (December 20, 2024). "Blueprint board approves six more school district plans, three conditionally". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
  88. ^ Gaskill, Hannah; Janesch, Sam (January 20, 2023). "Maryland Gov. Wes Moore introduces $63B budget plan, calls for investments in education and transportation". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  89. ^ Janesch, Sam (March 31, 2023). "Maryland lawmakers reach state budget compromise, including on money for private school tuition". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  90. ^ Roper, Mark (April 24, 2023). "Governor Moore to sign state's $63 billion budget, and more than 150 bills into law". WMAR-TV. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  91. ^ Wood, Pamela (December 12, 2024). "Moore suggests rollbacks to Maryland's public education plan are coming". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved December 12, 2024.