FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
ANNAPOLIS - Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., today touted his Administration's achievements during the legislation session that concluded Monday night. The majority of the Governor's legislative package will be signed into law, and the vast majority of the Governor's budget priorities won bipartisan support in the legislature.
"The Ehrlich Administration achieved real results for the citizens of Maryland in the past ninety days," said Governor Ehrlich. "The majority of my legislative package will be signed into law, benefiting children, families and commuters while promoting economic growth. Despite these successes, the legislature killed a bipartisan plan to provide tax relief to 46,000 veterans when our nation is at war. I want to thank those lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who defied partisan politics to work with the Ehrlich Administration to make Maryland a better place to live, work and raise a family."
Fiscal Responsibility: Governor Ehrlich proposed a balanced and sustainable budget that included record investments in education and health care. Governor Ehrlich's fiscal leadership leaves the State with a $777 million surplus this fiscal year, while Maryland's surplus is estimated to be $204 million next fiscal year. Additionally, the Rainy Day Fund will have an estimated balance in excess of $750 million next year. Governor Ehrlich also pledged to veto the General Assembly's plan to raise taxes on one employer - Wal-Mart - that threatens 1,000 jobs in Somerset County alone.
Education: For the second consecutive year, Governor Ehrlich's operating budget includes a record increase in K-12 education funding, roughly $387 million this year. The budget also includes $250 million in school construction funds to help alleviate the backlog of school construction projects across Maryland. The Governor also increased funding for need-based college scholarships by $15 million and strengthened funding for higher education institutions, including community colleges, by $64 million.
Health & the Environment: Governor Ehrlich won passage of his community health centers initiative to spur investments in private, not-for-profit community health centers and to increase access to quality health care. The General Assembly also adopted his plan to end lead paint poisoning in Maryland's children by the year 2010. The Governor also increased investments in Medicaid to help care for 646,000 Marylanders. The Governor's budget also included $39 million for his landmark Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund to reduce harmful nutrient pollution in the Bay.
Public Safety: Governor Ehrlich won a major victory when the General Assembly adopted his witness intimidation bill, which strengthens protections for witnesses of violent crimes who testify against violent criminals. The Governor's plan enjoys broad bipartisan support from lawmakers and State's Attorneys across Maryland. The legislature adopted the Governor's plan to collect DNA samplings from convicted felons and enter them in to a national database. Governor Ehrlich's budget also invested $2.7 million in "Smart Car" technology to equip our law enforcement officers with the state-of-the-art tools to keep our roads and neighborhoods safe.
Commerce: Governor Ehrlich won major victories this session in his effort to strengthen Maryland's economy. The legislature adopted his plan to provide tax credits to companies performing cutting-edge research in Maryland and to movie production companies that funnel substantial investments into our local economy while filming in Maryland. For the third consecutive session, Governor Ehrlich held the line on tax hikes that threaten jobs and economic growth, and made substantial new investments in historic preservation and community revitalization. Finally, Governor Ehrlich secured critical funding for the long-overdue Inter-County Connector highway in Montgomery and Prince George's counties.