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Maryland Officials To Outline Education Spending Measure

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Education takes center stage in budget issues this session.

Democratic lawmakers have introduced a blueprint for future education spending.

This year, the general assembly is moving forward on the recommendations of an education commission headed by University Of Maryland System Chancellor Emeritus Britt Kirwan to examine problems in the public school system.

In a statement announcing the plan Tuesday, Kirwin said "Too many kids are going thru our schools and not ending up with the knowledge amd skills necessary to have successful lives and careers,"

"We're going to put the money in school construction," said Senate President Mike Miller. "We're going to put the money in for operating costs. We have two committees working on it. We're going to make it happen,"

House Speaker Michael Busch said the plan includes prekindergarten for three and four years olds.

"It'll take up early childhood development, special education, and teacher salary increases." Busch said.

The legislation is called The Blueprint For Maryland'S Future.

It is a billion dollar plan over two years, including $275 million on special education, $150 million on an average 1.5 percent pay raise for teachers, $110 million in grants to high poverty areas and $80 million for full day prekindergarten.

Cost to taxpayers will be $325 million in the budget year 2020, and $750 million in fiscal 2021.

Baltimore Delegate Maggie Macintosh chairs the House Appropriations Committee.

"Once again we are a juncture in Maryland where we have to say our public schools are our #1 priority, our kids are our #1 priority," Del. Macintosh said.

Lawmakers still have to work out a formula for how much local jurisdictions will be expected to pay.

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