When the Maryland General Assembly approved a $63 billion fiscal year 2025 budget earlier this month, it was no surprise that Maryland's Blueprint for Future Education Reform was a major part of the spending plan. Ta.
To help pay for the Blueprint Plan through fiscal year 2027, Congress also approved the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act, known as BRFA, which provides a portion of the revenue through an increase in the tobacco sales tax.
A $1.25 increase on a pack of cigarettes would generate about $86 million in revenue, while other An additional $5 in revenue could be raised by increasing taxes on tobacco products. It will reach 1 million yen in the next fiscal year. Total tobacco revenue is expected to fall from $91 million to about $71 million by fiscal year 2029, as higher tobacco taxes often reduce tobacco use. Or because users look to buy products in other states where tobacco taxes are lower.
Nevertheless, an additional $76 million generated in taxes on tobacco and other products in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 will be applied to the Blueprint Fund.
Additionally, Congress approved the transfer of $40 million from the School Construction Revolving Loan Fund to the Blueprint Fund.
Elsewhere in the budget, approximately $3 million is allocated to the Child Care Career Professional Development Fund. One goal is to expand opportunities for professionals to earn formal certifications and college credits.
Part of the requirements is that the individual work at least 20 hours a week for a period of time determined by the state Department of Education's child care official.
The career development bill was sponsored by Rep. Julie Palakovich Carr (D-Montgomery) and was later sponsored by Rep. Vanessa E. Atterbeary (D-Howard), chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. This package was incorporated into House Bill 1441. Means Committee.
Rep. Jared Solomon (D-Montgomery), member of the House Appropriations Committee, Child care providers who qualify for services under the Blueprint plan will receive $20,000 per child, it announced Monday.
“It’s transformative,” he said. “Along with the Professional Development Fund, it was a really smart compromise on teacher qualifications for private providers. Last year we ended up opening up a new universal provider that we didn't think Blueprint was right for us. I did.”
One of the Blueprint's five priorities focuses on early childhood education, including expanding preschool services to 3- and 4-year-olds. Part of the reform plan calls for a “mixed birth system” to serve children in public schools and private daycare centers.
Another budget bill approved by Congress calls for all 24 public school systems to allocate funds to hire Blueprint coordinators.
A person would be hired for the job for $150,000, including salary and benefits, according to a financial analysis of House Bill 1082, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Smith (D-Baltimore City). The costs would be shared among states and jurisdictions, but not equally.
For example, Worcester County would pay the highest local contribution of $127,500, and the state would pay $22,500.
Another Eastern Shore jurisdiction, Caroline County, will pay the lowest local contribution of $40,461, compared to the state's $109,539.
The state plans to contribute approximately $2 million total to the Blueprint Coordinator.
The budget also provides about $290,000 for AIB to rent office space and fill new government clerkships.
“Overall, it was a very successful session,” AIB Executive Director Rachel Heise said at Thursday's Blueprint board meeting.
Not everyone agrees.
A coalition of groups and some lawmakers pushed for the Fair Share Act, which would reform the state's tax code and would increase revenue by $1.6 billion if fully phased in.
“The General Assembly has given the General Assembly an opportunity to generate the revenue we know we will need in the future to faithfully implement the Blueprint,” said support group Maryland Strong Schools. said Executive Director Shamoiya Gardiner. “All in all, they may have generated some revenue, but I think they missed an opportunity to put the country in a position where they could guarantee a world-class education. Now I think that's not so certain. think.”
