The Maryland Senate has voted to shift of some of the cost of teacher pensions to Baltimore City and the state’s counties as part of an efforts to avoid more than $500 million in so-called Doomsday budget cuts originally scheduled to take effect on  July 1.

The House voted 86-51 for the that will begin splitting teacher pension costs between the state and local jurisdictions over the next four years. In the Senate, the vote on the measure that included the teacher pension shift was 33-13.

AFT-Maryland and its affiliate, the Baltimore Teachers Union, have long opposed shifting the cost of pensions to local governments.  Many local jurisdictions, such as the City of Baltimore, already suffer from budget deficits.

An open letter to Maryland State Governor Martin O'Malley from AFT-Maryland President, Marietta English.

The letter expresses concern and disappointment with the inability of our political leaders to reach agreement over our state budget. 23 counties and the city of Baltimore will lose over $260 million, with the impact hitting hardest in areas that are most reliant on state revenues and that can least afford the reductions.

Everyday people will be affected in every way.

One of our own (BCFPE, AFT-Maryland, AFL-CIO and a Baltimore County Government Employee/Volunteer) HAS MADE IT TO THE SEMI-FINALISTS ROUND!

VOTE FOR MICHAEL MORRIS – 2012 AFT PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DIVISION EVERYDAY HERO

YOUR VOTE COUNTS!!!

Everyday Heroes: AFT Public Employees Semifinalists

http://www.aft.org/everydayheroes/pubemps2012.cfm

Last night the latest local of  AFT-Maryland voted to approve their constitution. The process of electing an executive board will now begin.  To read the whole constitution, click on title.

Got a question for AFT-Maryland? Click here to gain access to some of the questions that are most asked of our staffers.

Despite the passage of Question A, Binding Arbitration, on last November's ballot, some Baltimore County councilmen want to block the enactment of this legislation. Click here to see why county residents are supporting its passage and why the Baltimore Sun newspaper agrees!

The Baltimore County Federation of Public Employees held officer elections Tuesday, September 27th. Click here to see the official election results!

Supporters of full funding for Maryland education and full funding of state and city worker pensions will rally at Baltimore's City Hall Monday, March 28, at noon.