Legislative & Political Hub

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. 

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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...]

Maryland can now bring in federal dollars to cover the cost of health services that are already being provided in schools. This will allow the hiring of additional staff and expand services to provide care to more children and improve healthcare access for low-income children.

In 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reversed the 1997 Medicaid policy known as the “Free Care Rule” that limited the ability of schools to bill Medicaid for student healthcare services. This reversal provides reimbursement for in-school services for children with special health care needs (CYSHCN). To implement this reversal, many states needed to pass legislation to conform with the federal policy, including Maryland. 

AFT-MD brought this issue to the Moore Administration to see if they were willing, by executive order or by asking the federal government to override state law, to accept the money from CMS. 

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The hard right members of the US House of Representatives are calling for a government shutdown if they do not receive the senseless funding cuts they demand, including an 80% reduction in public education Title I funding, which would highly impact low-income students. 

The cuts could lead to a nationwide reduction of 220,000 teachers, a catastrophic outcome for our nation’s students at a time when schools are already dealing with an educator shortage.