Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has proposed scaling back parts of the state’s education improvement plan, Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, due to a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit. Specific changes were not detailed, but one proposal is to pause a program giving teachers collaborative time out of the classroom. The Blueprint aims to enhance public schools by increasing teacher pay, expanding pre-kindergarten, and improving career and college-prep courses. The state has funding for the initial phases of the Blueprint, but costs are expected to rise. Moore emphasized the need to hire more teachers before providing additional development time. Parts of the Blueprint, like funding for pre-kindergarten and tutoring programs, will remain untouched.
Governor Moore also announced an executive order focused on growing the economy to boost the state’s fiscal health. Directives include streamlining permitting processes, incentivizing growth in key industries, and coordinating with local governments on economic development. This move is aimed at diversifying the state’s economy away from reliance on higher education, federal workforce, and medical institutions, particularly with the uncertainty surrounding the incoming Trump administration. Moore expressed readiness to work with the new administration to advance Maryland’s interests but acknowledged that some decisions made in the White House may be beyond the state’s control. Changes to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future will be proposed in a bill to state lawmakers during the General Assembly’s annual legislative session in January.
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