PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                            H.B. 608

CRESAP management reform recommendations. The General Assembly introduced and
passed House Bill 608 in response to concerns over the failure of BCPS to fully
implement a majority of CRESAP management reform recommendations. The objective
of the recommendations was to implement structural management changes that would
improve BCPS student performance and increase public confidence in the education of
those students. The bill's sponsors and supporters are to be commended for their
commitment to improving the education of the City's children.

The General Assembly, Mayor Schmoke, and I share a common goal of implementing a
City-State agreement that will increase student achievement and correct management
deficiencies in the Baltimore City Public Schools. Fundamental and systematic reform is
needed to ensure that City children will be able to compete against the smartest,
best-educated students in the world. Withholding almost $5.9 million of State funds,
however, with less than six weeks left in Fiscal Year 1996 will cause a significant financial
crisis for Baltimore City. While I clearly support the intentions of House Bill 608, the
immediacy of its impact makes this legislation unacceptable.

Mayor Schmoke has committed to entering into an agreement within sixty days that will
be incorporated into consent decrees with the Baltimore City Circuit Court and the U.S.
District Court. I envision that this City-State agreement will include full oversight of all
functions relating to the Baltimore City Public Schools. Consistent with legislative intent,
I have instructed the Secretary of Budget and Fiscal Planning to withhold $5.9 million of
State funds from Baltimore City in Fiscal Year 1997 until the agreement is created. This
is in addition to the $24 million of State funds being withheld in Fiscal Year 1997 by the
General Assembly contingent upon the creation and progress in implementing the
City-State agreement.

For these reasons, I have vetoed House Bill 608.

Sincerely,

Parris N. Glendening

Governor

House Bill No. 608

AN ACT concerning

Baltimore City Schools - Funding

FOR the purpose of authorizing, ratifying, and sanctioning a reduction in withholding the
State share of basic current expenses for elementary and secondary education for
the City of Baltimore by a certain amount for a certain fiscal year, contingent upon
receipt of certain information; clarifying legislative intent a certain condition being
met; restricting the use of certain funds; requiring the submission of certain information;
requiring a certain approval; prohibiting the reversion of certain funds to the State
General Fund; and providing for the effective date of this Act.

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