TOWSON, Md. (AP/WMAL) – A Maryland coalition of education advocates is urging voters to approve a ballot question requiring the state’s portion of casino revenues be used to increase public school funding.
Supporters say $500 million annually would be added to public education once phased in, if voters approve the ballot question in November.
The state’s portion of casino revenue that’s sent to the Education Trust Fund is required to be spent on education.
“Since it was passed both of our last governors have instead put that money into education and reduced the amount of money that they are spending out of their general fund on education,” said Cheryl Bost, president of the Maryland State Education Association.
According to Bost money from the general fund is shifted from education to other parts of the state budget., so education funding has stagnated creating increased class sizes, stagnant salaries for school employees and a lack of supports that students need.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he supports the ballot question, but Bost said he doesn’t need this Constitutional amendment to pass to increase education funding. She accused him of decreasing education funding while in office.
Meanwhile, a state commission is working on recommendations to update school funding formulas, which haven’t been updated in nearly two decades.
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