Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

I have a strong record of supporting education funding and school construction. As a County
Councilmember representing District One, I voted for the education budget for 8 consecutive years. I
was the leading advocate for a new Hebron-Harman Elementary, helping to move that school up on the
school construction list. I also advocated for the funding for the athletic facility addition and the
classroom addition for North County High School and funding for the Ferndale Early Education Center.
As Chair of the Anne Arundel County Delegation, I worked in a bipartisan way to make changes to the
School Board Nominating Commission to create a more inclusive School Board Appointment
Commission. In 2017, I was the lead sponsor for the bill that created an Elected School Board for Anne
Arundel County, the last County in the State to have an elected school board.

In my time in the Legislature I have supported the increases in education funding, the State budget is at
an all time high for funding education and school construction. Anne Arundel County has a long list of
schools that need to be renovated or have new schools constructed. While Anne Arundel is building
newer, smaller high schools, I have a great deal of concern for the condition of our existing schools. I
will continue to advocate for schools that are safe for our students.

In our 2018 Legislative Session we passed a great deal of bipartisan legislation to fund education. The
most important was funding for "safe schools." We also passed two bills for Community College
scholarships including one to allow the Delegate and Senatorial Scholarships to pay for certain certificate
and licensure credits.

I supported the Constitutional Amendment to "add" the Casino Revenues to the education budget, not
using that funding to replace funds. This Constitutional Amendment needs your vote in the General
Election, please look for it on your ballot. The Maryland Constitution requires that education is fully
funded and the budget is balanced.

As the Senator representing District 32, I will support the recommendations of the Commission on
Innovation and Excellence in Education, also known as the Kirwan Commission. I will continue to be a
strong supporter for education funding.

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