April 19th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

The biggest unknown for Allegany County officials as the FY 2022 budget begins to take shape centers on the price tag for the state’s new education reform package. Having overridden Governor Larry Hogan’s veto, Maryland’s General Assembly pushed forward this session with a sweeping overhaul of the state's public education system. The Blueprint for Maryland's Future, also known as the Kirwan plan, which would pump billions of dollars into public education over the next decade.  The Blueprint bill would cost about $4 billion per year when fully implemented, and would divide the costs between the state and local jurisdictions.  County Administrator and Finance Director Jason Bennett told the county commissioners that, at this point, it isn’t clear when exactly local governments will be required to begin covering the cost….