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Kirwan Group Recommends $4B for Md. Public Education

WASHINGTON INFORMER — A funding-formula work group on Tuesday recommended spending about $4 billion to improve Maryland’s public education, but a few jurisdictions would be asked to pony up more money. Prince George’s County would be asked to provide almost $361 million by 2030, the highest amount proposed in the state. That’s because the majority-Black jurisdiction receives some of the most state aid toward education.

Published

6 years ago

October 16, 2019

Oakland Post

The Kirwan Commission Funding Formula work group recommended approvals to split the cost between state and local governments for funding public education over the next 10 years. (Photo by: William J. Ford | The Washington Informer)

By William J. Ford

ANNAPOLIS — A funding-formula work group on Tuesday recommended spending about $4 billion to improve Maryland’s public education, but a few jurisdictions would be asked to pony up more money.

Prince George’s County would be asked to provide almost $361 million by 2030, the highest amount proposed in the state. That’s because the majority-Black jurisdiction receives some of the most state aid toward education.

“We are going to spread the burden to achieve what we want for our children,” Alvin Thornton, a member of the funding group and chair of the Prince George’s school board, said after the three-hour session. “When you get all that money coming from the state, your local share also increases. County leaders and businesses are going to have to do all [they] can do from [their] resources to fund education for our children.”

According to proposed figures, the state would provide $2.8 billion by 2030 and local counties and Baltimore City about $1.2 billion for a total for $4 billion.

Baltimore City would be asked to provide the second highest amount at $330 million and the third highest amount would come from Montgomery County at $263 million.

The figures are based on projections from the 13-member Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Funding Formula group asked to identify ways to split the cost to boost the state’s education between the state and local jurisdictions.

The group didn’t present how to pay for the increased spending, leaving that decision to state and county leaders.

Those recommendations will be passed on to the full 25-member group also known as the Kirwan Commission, named after its chair, William E. “Brit” Kirwan, the former University of Maryland System chancellor.

The education spending plan would go toward expanding pre-kindergarten, increasing teacher salaries, hiring additional mental health providers and other services and resources.

The funding formula breakdown includes:

• $32 million in fiscal years 2021 to 2024 for college and career readiness.
•
• $75 million for teacher supplies and technology, an equivalent of $83 per teacher in fiscal year 2021.
•
• Between $32 million in fiscal year 2021 to $96 million in fiscal year 2024 for full-day pre-kindergarten for 4-year-old children from low-income households.

Even when the commission makes a final approval, it will then go to the governor and Maryland General Assembly to determine whether to craft any of the education items into legislation.

Former state Sen. Joan Carter Conway of Baltimore City, a member of the funding formula group who approved the recommendations, had a few reservations on where the city would find additional money.

“I understand the need, but just given the dynamics of specifically what’s happening in the poorer jurisdictions, especially in Baltimore City, it’s dreamland to really sit here and believe that we will be even able to pay,” she said.

Sen. Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) said paying for education remains a worthy need.

“Are children today able to maximize their God-given potential based on the quality of Maryland public schools? The answer to that question today, despite a lot of our great efforts, is ‘no,’” he said. “This is a moment of consequence. We believe in the power of young people across the state of Maryland. We are willing to put our time, our resources and our money to show that each and every one of them deserve the opportunity to be great. This formula provides a path to get there.”

Two members of the commission, Harford County Executive Barry Glassman and David Brinkley, budget secretary for Gov. Larry Hogan, declined to vote.

“As the governor has indicated, he liked some of the elements to [education proposal],” Brinkley said to reporters after the vote. “We’re still trying to figure out exactly how do you move forward and what is it that you’re doing to deliver the biggest bang for the buck.”

Later Tuesday, Hogan himself weighed in, chiding the group as the “Kirwan Tax Hike Commission.”

“I have tremendous respect for Dr. Kirwan and have supported many of his well-meaning recommendations, some of which can be phased in over the next several years,” the governor said in an issued statement. “Unfortunately, the [commission] is hell-bent on spending billions more than we can afford and legislators are refusing to come clean about where the money is going to come from. Even after more than three years of meetings, there is still no clear plan whatsoever for how either the state, or the counties, will pay this massive price tag.”

Matt Gallagher, president of the Goldseker Foundation of Baltimore and member of the funding work group, had a simple response: “It’s not this group’s charge on how to pay for it.”

The Kirwan Commission plans to meet again Oct. 30 in Annapolis.

This post originally appeared in The Washington Informer.

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Poll Shows Support for Policies That Help Families Afford Child Care

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

Published

1 week ago

March 2, 2026

Oakland Post

By First Five Years Fund

New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

The national survey was conducted by UpOne Insight on behalf of the First Five Years Fund from January 13–18, 2026.

Key findings include:

• Parents need help: 80% of voters say the ability of working parents to find and afford child care is either in a state of crisis or a major problem.

• This is an affordability issue: 82% believe federal child care funding will help lower costs for working families — including 69% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, and 94% of Democrats.

• And there continues to be strong support (62%) for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a federal program that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families to afford safe, quality care for their children while parents work or go to school, including a majority of Republicans, 63% of Independents and 72% of Democrats.

• Support for funding child care programs remains strong: 75% believe child care funding should be increased or kept at current levels — including 75% of Republicans, 85% of Independents, and 97% of Democrats.

• 74% say funding for child care is an important and good use of tax dollars, including a majority of Republicans, three-quarters of Independents, and nine in ten Democrats.

FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling said, “Voters across the country are sending a clear message: federal child care and early learning programs work. These investments help parents stay in the workforce, strengthen families, and support healthy child development. They have also long had strong bipartisan support in Congress. At a time when affordability is top of mind for families, continued federal funding is essential to ensure child care remains accessible and within reach.”

First Five Years Fund works to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for quality child care and early learning programs at the federal level. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child’s prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide.

We work with Congress and the Administration to identify federal solutions that work for families with young children, as well as states and communities. We work with policymakers to identify ways to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care and early learning programs for children. And we collaborate with advocacy groups to help align best practices with the best possible policies. http://www.ffyf.org

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Trump’s MAGA Allies are Creating Executive Order Plan to Steal the 2026 Midterms

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 27, 2026

Oakland Post

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

A group of MAGA pro-Trump activists, who say they are working in coordination with the White House, are circulating a 17-page draft executive order that would claim without evidence that China interfered with the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential to President Joe Biden by over 7 million votes. Since Trump lost to Biden in 2020, he has repeatedly claimed that the election was “stolen” without evidence. The report of a group of “Trump allies” preparing an executive order to give Trump power over elections was first reported by The Washington Post.

The lies around the right-wing campaign that pushed falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen was trafficked through right-wing media, particularly Fox News. Fox News was then sued for defamation for the claims by Dominion Voting Systems. Fox lost the case and had to settle for the largest defamation amount on record of $787.5 million in April 2023.

The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

The story in The Washington Post arrives as Trump increasingly signals that he may take actions that would alter the result of the 2026 midterms. The Republicans are widely expected to lose as their approval ratings plummet as a result of a failing economy under Trump. Over 50 members of Congress have announced they will retire this year and not return in 2027.

The Trump Department of Justice, which now has a large image of Trump on the side of it, “sued five new states Thursday [Feb. 26, 2026] demanding access to their unredacted voter rolls — escalating a campaign that has been rejected by multiple federal courts and faces resistance from Republican-led states as well,” according to Democracy Docket, a group that works to protect voting rights.

Trump claimed back in late 2020, the last year of his first term, that he had the authority to issue an executive order related to mail-in voting for the 2020 elections — which he would then lose. But the Constitution states that control of elections lies with the states. As the GOP works to place hurdles in front of voting, Democrats worked to make voting easier.

In March 2021, President Biden signed an executive order calling on federal agencies to expand voting access as part of the Biden Administration’s effort “to promote and defend the right to vote for all Americans who are legally entitled to participate in elections.”

Trump’s focus is clearly on altering the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s polling numbers and the elections and special elections that have taken place around the U.S. over the last year clearly indicate that Republicans are about to be hit by a blue wave of Democratic victories.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the founder of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and hosts the show LAUREN LIVE on YouTube @LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

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PRESS ROOM: NBA Hall of Fame Nominee Terry Cummings Joins 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to Launch Victory & Values Initiative

NNPA NEWSWIRE — NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 27, 2026

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Cummings becomes an honorary member, joining other role model sports stars

NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings has officially become an honorary member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, marking a powerful new chapter for the 100 Black Men and youth development across the region.

Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th. The moment signified more than membership — it marked the launch of the organization’s transformative new platform, the Victory & Values Initiative.

The Victory & Values Initiative is a groundbreaking youth development program designed to empower elementary and middle school students through a dynamic blend of sports, mentorship, and STEM exposure. The initiative focuses on building health, discipline, character, leadership, and access to opportunity — creating pathways for long-term academic and personal success.

“This is about more than sports,” said Cummings during the ceremony. “It’s about using the platform of athletics to teach life lessons, create access, and build the next generation of leaders.”

The induction ceremony also featured notable guests including NASCAR’s newest Star Driver, Lavar Scott and NASCAR Director of Athletic Performance, Phil Horton, who joined Cummings for a powerful Victory & Values Town Hall discussion. The Town Hall was moderated by renowned Sports Emcee John Hollins and focused on leadership, resilience, discipline, and the importance of mentorship in shaping young lives.

A “Day at NASCAR” for 75+ Youth

Cummings wasted no time getting to work. On his first full day as an honorary member, he joined his new brothers of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to host a “Day at NASCAR,” escorting more than 75 youth to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at EchoPark Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).

The youth participants received behind-the-scenes access including: an exclusive tour of Pit Row, access to the Garage Area and exploration of the interactive Fan Zone.

The experience culminated with a surprise meet-and-greet and Q&A session with NASCAR Superstar Bubba Wallace, who shared insights on perseverance, preparation, and breaking barriers in professional sports.

The day served as a living example of the ‘Victory & Values’ Initiative in action — exposing youth to new industries, expanding their vision for the future, and connecting them directly with high- level mentors and role models.

Building Leaders Through Access and Mentorship

The 100 Black Men of DeKalb County – a chapter of the largest, national mentoring organization in the county – continues to expand its footprint with programs focused on academic excellence, economic empowerment, leadership development, and health & wellness.

The launch of ‘Victory & Values’ represents a strategic expansion of the organization’s impact

intentionally integrating athletics and STEM to engage youth at an early age while reinforcing core principles such as integrity, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance.

“Our mission has always been to mentor the next generation,” said Vaughn Irons, President-Elect of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. “With Terry Cummings joining the brotherhood, along with partners in NASCAR and professional sports, we are creating unprecedented access and exposure for our youth. Victory & Values is about turning inspiration into structured opportunity.”

By connecting elementary and middle school students to professional athletes, executives, STEM professionals, and community leaders, the initiative aims to:

Increase youth exposure to careers in sports business, engineering, and performance science
Strengthen mentorship pipelines
Promote physical wellness and mental resilience
Build character-driven leadership at an early age

Open Invitation to Youth and Families

All youth are invited to participate in the Victory & Values Initiative, along with the other countless, impactful programs offered by the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County.

Parents and guardians seeking mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment, and transformative exposure opportunities for their children are encouraged to connect with the organization.

As NBA Legend Terry Cummings’ induction demonstrates, Victory & Values is more than a program — it is a movement designed to build champions in life, not just in sports.

For more information about the Victory & Values Initiative or to enroll a student, contact: 100 Black Men of DeKalb County at Phone at 404.241.1338, info@100bmod.org or Tee Foxx at 404.791.6525,