[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"26638","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image media-image-right","height":"725","style":"width: 25%; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 3px; float: right;","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"600"}}]]Is changing state law regarding charter schools a solution in search of a problem? AFT-Maryland and BTU President Marietta English responds in a Baltimore Sun Op-Ed:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-charters-atf-20150126-story.html.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"26622","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image media-image-right","style":"width: 25%; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 2px; float: right;","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]The 2015 Maryland Legislative Session is under way, and AFT-Maryland is launching its legislative agenda early in the session, bringing the issues that support Maryland workers and their families to the attention of the Maryland General Assembly.

Join AFT-Maryland as we visit Maryland's elected leaders and make the case for workplace safety, equitable education funding, protecting due process rights for teachers, and legislation for corporations to pay their fair share of taxes.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"26620","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image media-image-right","height":"358","style":"width: 33%; border-width: 1px; border-style: solid; margin: 2px; float: right;","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"477"}}]]Larry Hogan will shed the “Governor-Elect” title later today and be sworn in as the 62nd Governor of Maryland. While his inauguration speech is expected to address a general direction and plans for the next four years in office—particularly in regard to private-sector growth and across-the-board tax cuts—many are looking with greater anticipation and anxiety as Hogan announces his budget plans this coming Friday. In specific, public sector and education workers are concerned with how Hogan will make up a $760 million budget deficit.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"26536","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image media-image-right","style":"width: 30%; float: right;","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]Following a tumultuous election season which saw a reshuffling of the makeup of the state legislature and Governor’s mansion, union leaders are anticipating a challenging legislative session—especially for public school teachers and staff, as well as state employees—set to begin today, January 14^th.

While Governor-elect Larry Hogan has been mum on specific legislation he wishes to pass and budget decisions he plans to make, most foresee possible cuts to education in key jurisdictions like Baltimore City, as well as a loosening of the restrictions placed on charter school management, as key legislative battles looming in Annapolis over the next 90 days.