[[{"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.

Members of our locals celebrate the holidays in many ways. On Friday, December 5th, members of the City Union of Baltimore gathered for their annual holiday party and program at the IBEW Local 24 Union Hall in Baltimore.

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