February 13th, 2021 by WCBC Radio
The state Senate on Friday followed the House of Delegates in overriding Gov. Larry Hogan's veto on landmark education reforms. The bill implements the recommendations of the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, commonly called the Kirwan Commission after its chair, former University System of Maryland Chancellor William "Brit" Kirwan.
"All Marylanders should rejoice over the General Assembly’s courageous action to override the veto of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future bill. As a result, desperately needed resources will now flow to the schools and children across the state, including an army of tutors, a significant expansion of community schools and preschools, greater support for teachers and much, much more," Kirwan said in a statement. "With this action, Maryland is now on track to develop a school system that will be the envy of the nation and as good as any in the world."
Kirwan also recognized the work of the late House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, who championed the bill before their respective deaths.
The bill was one of a number of bills Hogan vetoed after lawmakers ended last year's session early, following the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic. Hogan complained the bill's reforms would necessitate raising taxes on working families. In a video released Friday, he urged voters to call on their lawmakers to repeal the bill.
"It will impose crippling tax hikes on Marylanders who are already struggling to recover through this unprecedented pandemic," Hogan said. "It's all about taxes and no results. this is not the end of this fight. It is only the beginning."
