Jolene Ivey to lead county house delegation

Delegate Jolene Ivey (D-47)

Delegate Jolene Ivey (D- Cheverly) has been elected to chair the Prince George’s County House Delegation for the next two years. Ivey, the wife of former Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey, was elected in 2006 and reelected in 2010 to a second term. Ivey’s election to replace Meloney Griffith took place at a delegation meeting Wednesday. Ivey is seen as a honest broker who has a strong relationship with County Executive Rushern Baker, something that became strained last session after Baker and Griffith went head to head over legislation to expand gaming into Prince George’s County.

Ivey will take over as delegation head when the legislature returns in January.

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PGCPS leads state’s largest public school systems to raise political pressure in special session

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With the special session of the Maryland General Assembly days away, the chiefs of Baltimore City, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County public schools have joined together to fight for a restoration of school funding. In a letter released today, the three superintendents urge the state leaders to remember their investments and restore cuts to public education.

The Prince George’s County Public Schools took it a step further unveiling a feature on their website urging community members to pressure the legislature to restore the cuts. The feature allows citizens use the PGCPS website and lobby their legislators and the governor. To view the page yourself go to
http://www1.pgcps.org/budget/13.aspx

Press Release and Letter from PGCPS about combined efforts with BCPS and MCPS.

Superintendents of Baltimore City, Prince George’s County and MCPS Send Joint Letter to State Leaders

May 7, 2012

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Office of Communications

301-952-6001

communications@pgcps.org

The leaders of three of the largest school districts in Maryland sent a joint letter today to the Governor and the leaders of the State Senate and the State House of Delegates urging them to fully restore funding for public education during the special session of the General Assembly, which begins on May 14. The General Assembly failed to come to a budget agreement during its regular session, which ended last month, leading to the passage of a so-called “doomsday budget,” that would cut funding for schools and other services by more than $500 million. The letter stresses the importance of Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI) funds and other state education funding, and outlines the impact that such cuts could have for the three districts and the state, as a whole.

The letter is signed Dr. Andrés A. Alonso, CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools, Dr. William R. Hite, Jr., superintendent of Prince George’s County Public Schools, and Dr. Joshua P. Starr, superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools. It is addressed to Governor Martin J. O’Malley, President of the Senate Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. and Speaker of the House of Delegates Michael E. Busch.

The text of the letter is below. A copy of the letter can be found here.

—————————————

Dear Governor O’Malley, Senate President Miller and Speaker Busch:

We are writing to share our collective concern about the devastating impact the so-called “doomsday” budget would have on our three school systems and Maryland’s hard-earned standing as being “first in education.” As you prepare to gather for a special session of the General Assembly on May 14, we urge you to fully restore the Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI) and other formula funding for public education.

Our districts, combined, educate more than one-third of Maryland’s students and, within that, nearly two-thirds of the African American and Hispanic students in the state and more than half of the students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals. The elimination of $93 million in GCEI funding would disproportionately harm our students, our ability to continue to narrow achievement gaps for those students who are minorities and poor, and student performance for the state as a whole.

Under the state’s Thornton formula in the past five years, our districts have received a majority of GCEI dollars that the state distributes to create equity in funding across jurisdictions. The GCEI offsets funding in districts where the cost of living—and, by extension, the cost of educating children—is higher. During those same five years, our three districts combined have shown significant student achievement gains—gains that have improved the educational and life prospects of tens of thousands of children and gone a long way to moving us toward financial and educational equity for our kids. These gains have also contributed heavily to Maryland’s continued status as having the best public education system in the country.

For instance, Maryland is rightfully proud of its position as a national leader in Advanced Placement participation and performance. Since 2007, the number of AP exams taken by Maryland students has increased 35 percent. Our three districts, combined, have accounted for about half of the state’s AP growth, having increased the number of AP exams taken by more than 40 percent since 2007.

And the GCEI funding has been critical to making this success happen; most importantly, it has been essential to our ability to deliver the education our students need and deserve. The elimination of the GCEI would be a huge setback in the gains our students have made. Collectively, our three districts would sustain 73 percent of what would be a $128.8 million cut to public education.

If we are to ensure that our students graduate from high school prepared for the workforce of the 21st century, and if we are to grow the pool of workers trained to enter the fast-emerging STEM professions in our state, then we cannot retreat on education funding. If we are to make good on our commitment to educating children equitably, regardless of their geographic location, we must maintain, and even increase, our investment in education. As our state’s leader-, you have demonstrated your commitment to education time and again. We ask you to maintain that commitment to our students during the special session.

Sincerely,

Andrés A. Alonso, Ed.D.
CEO, Baltimore City Public Schools

William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D.
Superintendent, Prince George’s County Public Schools

Joshua P. Starr, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Montgomery County Public Schools

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Del. Gerron Levi leads charge against Baker & slots

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Earlier today former Prince George’s County Delegate Gerron Levi blasted Executive Rushern Baker and Senate President Mike Miller’s plans over the stalled state budget, the plan for a new casino, and the need for expensive special sessions at a cost of about $25,000 per day.

From Delegate Levi:

Former Delegate Gerron Levi (D-23A)

Thomas V. Mike Miller, Maryland’s President of the State Senate, demonstrated just how far gambling supporters will go to force a slots parlor in Fort Washington.  In a gross abuse of power, he blocked a compromise on Maryland’s budget in order to get what he wants — Maryland’s 6th casino in Prince George’s County. As a result, Prince George’s County now faces over $60 million in cuts, and counties, cities, schools, police departments, colleges and popular programs across the state are staring down the prospect of over $500 million in cuts.

You see, Mike Miller is the Master of the Senate, and one of the three most powerful men in the State of Maryland.  Having served in Annapolis for over 40 years, he is also a master of political brinksmanship.  A Special Session of the Maryland General Assembly will now have to be called at taxpayers expense to raise taxes and solve the state budget.  And, if all goes according to Mike Miller’s calculation, a Prince George’s slots parlor will be on the agenda.

Mike Miller’s Plan:  With enough time, the “hue and the cry” of teachers and college students and others across the state facing “doomsday” cuts will be so loud and the pressure on the Governor and the Speaker of the House so great, that one of them will have to blink and bend to His will and give him “something” on the Prince George’s slots deal.  All he needs is for one them to get behind his casino and round up the votes in the House of Delegates to pass it so that it goes to statewide referendum in November.  He knows that no Prince George’s politician wants this on the ballot when they have to run for reelection in 2014.  So, this is the year!  He has been waiting for this day for a long time — slots in Prince George’s within his grasp — and he has no intentions of retiring from the State Senate before he gets it; he has been planning it for over a decade.

Follow the Leader thinking and cold political calculation led a number of Prince George’s lawmakers to shudder their campaign opposition to slots in the county and follow Mike Miller’s model on abuse of power.

These are just a few examples:

• Cuts to the Education Trust Fund:  Two Prince George’s lawmakers introduced, the County Executive urged support, and  for bills (SB 892) that would cut 15% of slot revenues going education to go instead to profits for casino operators. Recall in 2007/2008 gambling was sold to statewide voters as a way to fund education.   5 Prince George’s Senators voted for that bill.

• Promised a “Local Vote” for Prince George’s and then took it back:  A County Council resolution sought to condition a county slots parlor on the will of Prince George’s voters.  When casino supporters realized they did not have the votes for a county slots parlor in the House of Delegates they dropped that “local vote” provision, leaving it to voters statewide to decide for Prince George’s County.  5 Prince George’s Senators voted for that bill.

• Baker’s Exaggerated Revenue Numbers:  While Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker claims the county will win $69 million in revenue from his slots parlor, he fails to mention that the state has yet to reap the revenue promised in 2008 from the existing slots program.  In fact, The Maryland State Lottery Agency reported that the state is spending $71.5 million per year to provide slot machines to three casinos — that is $10 million more than the  leasing cost projected for all 5 casinos in the coming year.

• End-Run Around Prince George’s Leaders:  The customary rule is this: the will of the Prince George’s Delegation is communicated to the Speaker of House or other House leaders after a discussion among delegates and either a vote of the delegation or a decision to send a delegation letter from the Chairwoman.  At the request of County Executive Rushern Baker, several delegates decided instead to send their own “group letter” to House leadership to express “the will” of the delegation.  12 state delegates signed that letter.

• The customary rule is this:  the will of the Prince George’s County Council on legislation is communicated to leaders in Annapolis after a discussion of the Council and a vote or a Council letter from the Council Chairwoman.   At the request of the County Executive and Senate President, several County Council Members decided instead to send their own “group letter” to Annapolis to express “the will” of the County County.  6 County Council Members signed that letter.

Organizations Opposing A Casino in  Prince George’s County:     1.   Coalition of Central Prince George’s County Community Organizations 2.    Indian Head Highway Area Action Coalition (IHHAAC) 3.    National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) 4.    Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) 5.    Collective Empowerment Group (CEG) 6.    Prince George’s County PTA Council 7.    Progressive Cheverly 8.    Mission of Love 9.    Men Aiming Higher 10.   Kettering Civic Federation 11.   Executive Committee, Hillcrest-Marlow Heights Civic Association 12.   Suitland Action Team 13.   Mission Baptist Ministers Conference 14.   Original Free Will Baptist Conference 15.   Fairfield Knolls Civic Association 16.   Helping Hand Club 17.   Concerned Citizens of Seabrook Park Estates 18.   Forestville Park Homeowners Association 19.   District III Coffee Club 20.   Page After Page 21.   Integrated Processing Labs 22.   Family, Faith, and Future 23.   Veteran’s Advocacy Group 24.   Former Prince George’s County Councilman Thomas Dernoga 25.   Former Maryland State Delegate Gerron S. Levi 26.   Former Prince George’s County School Board Member Patricia Fletcher 27.   Lewisdale Citizens Association 28.   Community of Hope AME Church 29.   First Baptist Church of Highland Park 30.   Jerusalem AM.E. Church 31.   Greater Mt. Nebo AME Church 32.   Bride of Christ Church 33.   New Creation AME Church 34.   Cornerstone AME Church 35.   Mt. Victory Baptist Church 36.   Triumphant Church 37.   New Hope Baptist Church 38.   Christ Kingdom Church 39.   Wayman Memorial AME Church 40.   United By Faith Christian Church 41.   Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church 42.   Marlboro Meadows Baptist Church 43.   Embry AME Church 44.   Antioch Baptist Church – Clinton 45.   Shalom Ministries Christian Center 46.   The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square 47.   Judah Temple AME Zion Church 48.   Higher Place of Praise Ministries 49.   New Community Church of God in Christ 50.   Bethel Deliverance Outreach Church 51.   Christ Missionary Baptist Church 52.   Disciples of Christ Christian Church 53.   Carolina Missionary Baptist Church 54.   Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church 55.   Union Bethel AME Church 56.   Mt. Enon Missionary Baptist Church 57.   Ebenezer AME Church 58.   New Vision Baptist Church 59.   Gethsemane AME Church 60.    New Liberation AME Church 61.    Millwood-Waterford Citizens Association 62.    Hunter Memorial Church 63.    South Potomac Citizens Association 64.    Wilburn Civic Association 65.    Central Civic Association (Wilburn Community) 66.    Maryland Family Alliance 67.    Greater Accokeek Civic Association 68.    Laurel Clergy Association 69.    Bethany Community Church 69.    New Chapel Baptist Church 70.    Jericho City of Priaise 71.    Community of Hope AME Church 72.    Reid Temple AME Church (North) 73.    From The Heart Church Ministries 74.    Glenn Dale Citizens’ Association 75.    New Revival Kingdom Church Follow The Real Prince George’s on Facebook and Twitter. Also get the latest in your inbox by subscribing on the right side of the page.