Legislative & Political News

The only bill that is constitutionally required to pass every year is a balanced state budget. The budget was especially tight this year, as state revenues failed to meet projections, and the state was facing a $700 million dollar shortfall. This year, the originally proposed budget did fully fund the Blueprint for Education, but saw a drastic reduction in funding for our community colleges, moving the state contribution to its community colleges from 29% to 26.5%.

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As the Maryland state legislative session approached its Crossover Day, bills moved quickly through both chambers. Crossover is the final day that bills passed in one chamber are guaranteed a hearing in the opposite chamber. If a bill does not crossover, it is not dead, but requires that it go through the Rules Committee to be given a hearing. 

Click through for the status on some of our priority bills after the March 18th crossover day!

Rising prescription drug prices affect individuals, employers, and all levels of government. As pharmaceutical manufacturers kick off the new year with their annual price hikes, Maryland is stepping up its efforts to tackle the problem head-on.

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This past week, leaders from the AFT-Maryland and UAMDCC were in Annapolis to protest proposed budget cuts to the state’s community colleges. Dozens of faculty members from AFT-AAUP affiliated unions sent letters, talked to their legislators, and testified in Annapolis for the “State Aid to Community College” budget hearing. 

Click through for photos and more information.

In Governor Wes Moore’s proposed FY2025 budget, he cuts funding for Maryland’s Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Program. BOOST is a state taxpayer funded program that provides vouchers for students to attend private schools. While the program is promoted as a means to expand educational options, there are numerous downsides to it.

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MEMBERS! Join AFT-Maryland and our members from the BTU, CUB, MCEA, MPEC, MSDFSA, AFT Healthcare-Maryland, AFT/AAUP, United Academics Maryland, BCFPE, BCFPHN, and other AFT unions as we travel to Annapolis to talk with our representatives about our issues in the 2024 Legislative Session.

Read on for information on how to RSVP to reserve your spot on the bus.

Governor Wes Moore has introduced his FY2025 - $63.1 billion budget proposal. It will reduce the state’s structural deficit for fiscal 2025 by 34%, bringing it down from the projected $761 million to $502 million, according to the Department of Legislative Services.

Read on for more on what that means for our members.

The Biden-Harris Administration has been consistent in its pursuit of a better future for all Americans. Their commitment to improving the lives of citizens and communities is reflected in an unprecedented record of achievements. While acknowledging that there is still much work to be done, it's essential to highlight the administration's significant accomplishments.

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As U.S. Representative John Sarbanes (D) prepares to conclude his nine-term tenure, the race to succeed him has captured the attention of Maryland State Legislators. Six Democratic lawmakers have thrown their hats into the ring for the coveted seat, each vying to represent the district covering Howard and Anne Arundel counties, along with a sliver of Carroll County. 

Click to read more about the current candidates.

Maryland currently allows corporations that make multi-billions of dollars in profits to not pay their fair share of taxes. Combined Reporting is needed to stop this inequity and is already the law in 28 states. Combined Reporting will help create a more level playing field for local businesses to compete by requiring corporations who claim their headquarters are located in other states - to file with the state that is listed on their federal returns.

Over the next four years, the State of Maryland will face deficits that will accumulate to over $1 billion by 2028, according to projections from... [READ ON...]