I'm tempted to quote A Tale of Two Cities – "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times" – to describe the mood in Annapolis this year. This past Wednesday, January 14, the 426th session of the General Assembly opened. There is much excitement about our new President and the start of a new session, but we all realize that this session will be dominated by the hard choices required by the State's budget deficit.

Almost all states have been affected by the national recession, and Maryland is no exception. Unemployment is rising and general economic activity is down. As a result, our budget deficit – the difference between anticipated revenue and what the cost of State programs, if no cuts were made, would be – is projected to be $1.9 billion, and the General Assembly is required to pass a balanced budget. President–elect Obama's stimulus program will probably provide some additional revenue and there may be some one–time transfers that can be made. But for the most part, the deficit will cause significant cuts to programs to be made (no new taxes are under consideration).

It seems likely that new programs, such as expansion of Medicaid to provide health care for 100,000 uninsured residents and a new Chesapeake Bay clean-up fund, will be among the first to be reduced. But cutbacks to many other programs are inevitable and layoffs of state workers are likely. Hopefully, the impact on programs serving vulnerable citizens and on education funding will not be significant. When the Governor submits his budget proposal to the General Assembly this coming Wednesday, we will have a much better sense of what the FY2010 budget will look like.

Legislation that adds little or no cost to government will be the only bills given serious consideration this year. Bills to be introduced include several smart growth initiatives, a strengthening of penalties for drunk driving by young adults, re–introduction of speed camera legislation, and other legislation. I will be introducing two highway safety bills, a bill to encourage use of biodiesel, and a few others.

I will also be continuing my work as co–chair of the task force that is studying how to improve financial literacy in Maryland. The task force, the result of my legislation from 2008 (HB 1242), is charged with making recommendations on how to improve the financial literacy of students and adults. To date, the task force has recommended to the State Board of Education that all students be required to learn financial literacy skills. I will be presenting this recommendation to the State Board on January 27.

Speaking of education, the State did receive some very good news recently. Education Week ranked Maryland #1 in the U.S. in K–12 education in its 2009 Quality Counts Annual Report. Maryland had previously been ranked #3. Investment in early education and college readiness has been crucial to our success.

Maryland has also made significant gains in college affordability. Kiplinger released their 100 Best Values in Public Colleges and four Maryland public schools made the list. The University of Maryland, College Park was ranked No. 9. St. Mary’s College of Maryland came in at No. 32, followed by Salisbury University at No. 68 and Towson University at No. 90.

Five of Maryland’s public schools also made the Princeton Review’s and USA Today College Affordability Report’s Top 100. They are: Towson University, University of Maryland–Baltimore County, United States Naval Academy, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and Salisbury University.

Thank you for the opportunity to represent you in Annapolis. It is a privilege to join with Senator Bobby Zirkin and Delegates Jon Cardin and Dan Morhaim in representing the citizens of District 11. Please contact me at 410–841–3527 or if I can ever be of assistance.

Best,

Delegate Dana Stein

410-841-3527