Election 2006: Great Leaders for Great Schools
Martin O'Malley/Bob Ehrlich comparison
O’Malley’s strong support for educators and students earns MSTA’s endorsement
MSTA is endorsing Martin O’Malley for governor not just because of his education record and approach, but also because he has worked hard for our support and has a vision for strengthening public education in Maryland. He has made specific commitments to MSTA to partner with us on addressing workload issues and giving every ESP a living wage, on State School Board and Local School Board appointments, and, more generally, on developing and implementing education policy. The chart below highlights some of the major differences in the candidates’ support of public education. Download
| Governor Ehrlich | Martin O’Malley |
School Funding |
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| Governor Ehrlich failed to fully fund the Thornton Education Plan and continues to pledge funding for only the minimum portions mandated by law. 1 He also wanted to make Thornton funding contingent on the passage of legislation to legalize slot machine gambling in Maryland. 2 | As governor, O’Malley will fully fund every component of the Thornton Education Plan, no exceptions. 1 |
Workload |
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| Governor Ehrlich vetoed a bill establishing a Task Force to study ways to reduce teacher workload. He said such a task force would be “… unnecessary, duplicative, and an inefficient use of time and resources.” 3 | O’Malley will support educators and students by addressing the workload problems facing school employees—either through law or regulation. 1 |
School Construction |
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| Governor Ehrlich’s budget for state funding of school construction fell short of the Kopp Commission’s proposals, which recommended state funding of $250 million every year for 10 years. That leaves a backlog of approved, but unfunded, school construction projects totaling $322 million, 4 and 70,000 Maryland school children in classroom trailers. 5 | O’Malley supports the Kopp Commission recommendations for school construction projects. O’Malley will catch up on the backlog of new school construction caused by Governor Ehrlich’s failure to provide the necessary funding. 2 |
Higher Education |
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| Governor Ehrlich reduced aid to higher education, forcing unprecedented tuition increases of 40%. 6 | O’Malley has pledged to provide public colleges with enough funds to make a high-quality higher education affordable for Maryland students. 1 |
Pensions |
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| Governor Ehrlich has not included a pension improvement in any budget. 7 His “Steele Commision” supported converting the guaranteed defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan subject to rates of return based on investment decisions. 8 | O’Malley fully supported and pushed for pension enhancement in the legislature and has promised to work with the legislature for continued improvements. 1 |
| Governor Ehrlich 1. Dept. of Legislative Services, State Budget Fiscal Briefing Report Jan. 2004-2006 2. Baltimore Sun, Feb. 10, 2003 3. Veto letter on SB558, 2003 4. Dept. of Legislative Services, Capital Budget Fiscal Briefing Report Feb. 2003-2006 5. Maryland Public School Construction Program 6. Executive budgets FY 2003-2005 7. Executive budgets FY 2003-2006 8. Governor’s Commission on Quality Education |
Martin O’Malley 1. O’Malley Position Papers, www.martinomalley.com 2. MSTA Representative Assembly, May 20, 2006 |
