• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Bishop Robert Barron
          • George Weigel
          • Question Corner
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Suzanna Molino Singleton
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Paul McMullen
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Father T. Austin Murphy Jr.
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
  • Advertising
  • CR Radio
  • Printing
  • Subscribe
A day after Gov. Martin J. O’Malley released his Jan. 20 budget in Annapolis, leaders of the Maryland Catholic Conference expressed grave concerns about how it could hurt the poor, children in nonpublic schools and the unborn.

MCC raises grave concerns about Gov. O’Malley’s budget

Avatar January 19, 2012
By Catholic Review
Filed Under: Local News, News

A day after Gov. Martin J. O’Malley released his Jan. 20 budget in Annapolis, leaders of the Maryland Catholic Conference expressed grave concerns about how it could hurt the poor, children in nonpublic schools and the unborn.

As part of a package of budget cuts designed to close a projected $2 billion shortfall, the governor slashed funding for the textbook and technology loan program for nonpublic school students – reducing last year’s allotment by 33 percent from $3.6 million to $2.4 million.

The governor also eliminated 1,000 state jobs, which the MCC worries could hurt access to important state social services by the poor.

The Baltimore Sun reported Jan. 27 that the governor planned to postpone a scheduled round of budget cuts in anticipation of $3.5 billion in funding from the federal government in the next two years.

At the same time he instituted cuts, the governor increased by $400,000, to $18.4 million, funding for stem cell research that includes controversial embryonic stem cell research.

Ellen Robertson, MCC associate director for education and family life, called it “very disappointing” that the governor so steeply reduced funding for textbooks and technology in nonpublic schools.

“The families in nonpublic schools receive very little from the state,” she said, noting that many Catholic schools are struggling with declining enrollment and increased tuition. “We obviously hate to see these kinds of cuts.”

Gov. O’Malley’s budget includes a $68.3 million increase in spending on K-12 public school education. In addition, it includes $260.3 million for public school construction and renovation and $774.3 million for public school teacher and librarian retirement pension costs.

Ms. Robertson said she will push the governor to restore the nonpublic school students’ modest funding to last year’s level through a supplemental budget.

The reduction in state jobs could hurt the poor by eliminating some administrative posts, according to Julie Varner, MCC associate director for social concerns. Ms. Varner is researching which jobs will be affected to ascertain the exact impact of the cuts.

“We’re looking at a situation where there is far greater need than the state is currently committed to meeting,” she said. “Even with the programs in place, if administrative positions aren’t there to make sure people can file applications, Marylanders may not be able to access it.”

Ms. Varner was relieved that the budget will keep an expansion of Medicaid in place, contingent on the state receiving an anticipated $350 million in the federal stimulus package.

“We want to make sure people who are in need of health coverage can access it,” she said.

In a written statement when he unveiled the budget, Gov. O’Malley said the budget is lean “by necessity.”

“We were forced to cut or level-fund many worthy programs that are important to the future of our state,” he said. “But because they are important to our state we worked hard to protect these programs and hold them harmless this year.”

The governor’s budget decreased overall general fund expenditures by 1.3 percent.

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Catholic Review

Avatar

The Catholic Review is the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

Latest Local News

Social Ministry honoree brings Latin America experience to migrant issues

One year in: Families, institutions adjust to ongoing pandemic

Our daily bread: Irish tradition enjoyed on more than St. Patrick’s Day

RADIO INTERVIEW: How to pick a Bible translation

Homebound, Operation CRS Rice Bowl nonetheless raises awareness of hunger

Latest World News

Bishop Rhoades: Latest COVID-19 vaccine can be used in good conscience

Movie Review: ‘Tom & Jerry ‘

‘Finally,’ pope says he will be able to make pilgrimage to Iraq

Pope taps Newark cardinal as member of Congregation for Bishops

Retired pope talks about his resignation, Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq

Catholic Review Radio

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Bishop Rhoades: Latest COVID-19 vaccine can be used in good conscience
  • Burial in non-Catholic cemetery/ Anxious as death draws near
  • Social Ministry honoree brings Latin America experience to migrant issues
  • Movie Review: ‘Tom & Jerry ‘
  • Doing the impossible
  • ‘Finally,’ pope says he will be able to make pilgrimage to Iraq
  • Pope taps Newark cardinal as member of Congregation for Bishops
  • The fish-stick dilemma
  • Washing dishes for Lent
  • Retired pope talks about his resignation, Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2021 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED