I find the Ehrlich Campaign's comments on education both laughable and disgusting. I am not impressed by Martin O'Malley's efforts on behalf of the city schools, but what has the Governor done for higher education: he cut the appropriations for Maryland public universities and colleges so as to send most of the schools into the worst financial crisis in more than a decade. Of course, he will want to point to the funding plan for this year to show his support for the Maryland state colleges and universities, but I find it strangely coincidental that after three years of refusing to fund public higher education, he increases the funding in the year that he is running for re-election. Could it be that he is trying to buy his re-election?
I find this issue particularly aggravating because during the Governor's first campaign, his wife appeared on his behalf at a forum at the University of Baltimore. I personally asked her if her husband would support public higher education. After spouting the political boilerplate that all politicians do, when they do not want to answer a question, she did conclude that, of course, her husband would support public higher education. If what the citizens of Maryland got from the governor during his first three years was support for public higher education, maybe we would have been better without his support.
If the election of governor were to be determined by a thoughtful electorate based on the issue of education, then there are only two possible outcomes: neither candidate would be elected governor or Mayor O'Malley might be given a chance to see what he would do. This is, indeed, a sad reflection of the state of public education in Maryland.

Thankee Dr. Attorney Thomas E. Carney, Esq fer yer thinkings. You sure must be well edumacated to have them kind of brain droppings. Thems of us in da Baltamure skools kain't reed what all you had said, buts we nose better than to vote fer that Ehrlick guy - O'Maley all the waye!

Yep, the Governor hates colleges. Clearly. He's only doubled need based scholarships and frozen tuition to make it easier for working class kids to go to school, put record $ into higher education in general with renewed focus on historically black colleges (this is a Republican????) and boosted college enrollment to its highest levels in Maryland history. Clearly, he just can't stand the notion of kids going to college. O'Malley, meanwhile, presides over a system where the vast majority of kids don't even make it through high school - much less take a look at college. Thanks Marty. Nice work.

Points and counter points abound. The 4-year record of Gov. Ehrlich on higher education has been mixed.

Funding: It can't be disputed that funding for higher education is at an all-time high. It also can't be disputed that higher ed took the biggest proportional hit in the budget during the recession. This year a huge increase; over 4 years a slight increase.

Tuition: When things went bad almost all schools experienced double-digit tuition increases in Maryland and around the country. Gov. Glendening used to tell the universities what their tuition increases would be. Gov Ehrlich lets them decide based on state funding. Your call on which model you like best. Freezing tuition was first proposed by the legislature, not the Governor. The Governor appropriated the money after the legislature had cut the budget and extra money was available. Give credit as you see fit.

Funding for historically black colleges and universities (HBCU): Funding for Maryland's four HBCUs increased, as did their capital budgets. The driving force behind that was the US Dept. of Education which cited the state for years of discrimination. The state and feds agreed to a multi-year funding plan to help address past shortfalls in funding. This issue spans administrations. Again, give credit as you see fit.

Need-based scholarships: This is a combo issue. The state has grappled for 10 years on striking the right balance between merit- and need-based aid. The needle is swinging toward need-based right now. The increases in the program come from both new money and money from the merit-based program. Also, this was a small part of the plan agreed to with the feds on the discrimination issue.

Don't worry: the legislative scholarships live on!!!

It's a sad day for Maryland's students and teachers when the teachers' union supports a politician like Martin O'Malley who has ignored, neglected and scorned the city's school students, while putting his political cronies in plum positions who then defraud the system. Under O'Malley, the city school system lost $58 million, O'Malley's hand-picked appointees have stolen from the system and misused taxpayer funds, the graduation rate in the city's high schools is an abysmal 38.5%, the 2nd worst in the nation according to Education Week, and just last week three more schools were added to the 'persistently dangerous' list," Kane stated. "While Governor Ehrlich has contributed more than $176 million to the city school system, O'Malley increased school funding this year by a mere $300,000. Martin O'Malley has a record of failure to the students, parents and teachers on education and the city's students, and those of our state, deserve much better. Thankfully, the teachers of the state are independent-minded educators who care about the welfare of their students and Governor Ehrlich has proven his commitment to the students, parents and teachers of Maryland.

BACKGROUND:

Gilbert Sapperstein was convicted of defrauding the city school system of at least $3.3 million. (Baltimore Sun, October 22. 2005)

Eric Letsinger, former housing commissioner in the city, was chosen by O'Malley to by Chief Operating Officer for the schools but was fired this year for misusing school funds to pay for an all-day boat trip. (Baltimore Sun, June 1, 2006)

Woule anyone here choose to send their kids to the Baltimore City schools if there were any other options?

I didn't think so!