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MD Lawmakers End Shortened Session, Education Bill Passed

Capitol in Annapolis
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Capitol in Annapolis

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland lawmakers are convening for the last day of a shortened legislative session due to the coronavirus.

They are gathering Wednesday to finish work on priority legislation before adjourning.

Legislative leaders say they plan to reconvene in a special session in the last week of May.

The General Assembly will be wrapping up 19 days before its annual legislative session was scheduled end on April 6.

The Senate is expected to take a final vote on the state's $48 billion budget for the next fiscal year.

Education Spending Bill Approved

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland General Assembly has given final approval to a far-reaching education measure.

The House of Delegates voted 96-38 Tuesday night to agree to the legislation with some changes approved by the Senate.

The plan focuses on five policy areas for K-12.

They include expanding early childhood education like pre-K and increasing teacher salaries.

The policy areas also include college and career readiness, and aid for struggling schools.

The measure would phase in recommendations over 10 years and cost billions of dollars.

Supporters say it's aimed at making Maryland's schools among the world's best. Opponents point to its cost in times of economic uncertainty.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.