STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ON THE PRINCETON REVIEW’S RANKING OF THREE MARYLAND COLLEGES AMONG THE NATION’S “BEST VALUES”
ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 8, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued the following statement today following the Princeton Review’s publication, in cooperation with USA Today, of three Maryland institutions among the nation’s top 50 “Best Value” public colleges for 2009.
“I want to congratulate the students, faculty, and administration of Towson University, Salisbury University, and the University of Maryland Baltimore County for the extraordinary distinction among the top 50 ‘Best Value’ public colleges in America by the Princeton Review.
“Over the past two years, even in difficult economic conditions, we have continued to protect our shared priority of making quality, affordable higher education accessible to more Marylanders rather than fewer. By freezing in-state college tuition for the past three years, we have not only made national recognition like this possible, but we have allowed the dream of a college education to become a reality for Maryland families for whom it may not have been possible otherwise.
“Coupled with this week’s top national ranking of Maryland’s public school system by Education Week, our State is quickly emerging as a national model for education. The people of Maryland represent our greatest competitive advantage as a State. Our continued economic strength depends upon our ability to invest in them, and prepare today’s students for the opportunities of tomorrow.”
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY APPOINTS PAULA A. PRICE TO THE DISTRICT COURT FOR SOMERSET COUNTY
ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 7, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley announced today the appointment of Paula A. Price to the District Court for Somerset County. Ms. Price will fill a vacancy on the court created by the retirement of the Honorable R. Patrick Hayman.
“Paula Price will be an outstanding judge on the District Court for Somerset County,” said Governor O’Malley. “Ms. Price is an exceptionally skilled and hard-working attorney who is dedicated to serving the community.”
Ms. Price has practiced law in Salisbury, Maryland for over 16 years. Most recently, she has been a solo practitioner concentrating in civil litigation. She has extensive experience representing clients in a wide variety of areas, including estate planning, family law, guardianship cases, criminal matters, landlord-tenant disputes, real estate transactions, mental health law, mediation, and administrative hearings. Ms. Price has served as a facilitator for domestic cases in the Circuit Courts for Somerset and Wicomico Counties. She also has served as a Court Auditor for Wicomico County.
Ms. Price is a past president of the Wicomico County Bar Association and the Eastern Shore Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association. She has served on the boards of many community organizations, including the Wicomico County Free Library and the Salisbury Food Bank. In 2004, she received a certificate of appreciation from the Women’s Business Roundtable.
Ms. Price graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law. She has given numerous presentations at community programs on family law, business formation, and estate planning.
Ms. Price was appointed from among nominees selected by the Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for District 1. More information on the nominating commissions established by Governor O’Malley can be found at http://www.gov.state.md.us/executiveorders/01.01.2008.04eo.pdf .
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY LAUNCHES WEBSITE AIMED AT GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 7, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley announced the launch of a new state website today aimed at providing public accountability for state spending. The website, created and maintained entirely with Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) resources and staff, provides a searchable format which displays state payment data, capturing the name of the payee receiving payment, location of the payee by zip code, amount of the payment and the name of the state agency making the payment.
“This new tool will allow the public to see first-hand where tax dollars are spent, ushering in a new era of government accountability and transparency to Annapolis that has become a hallmark of our Administration,” said Governor O’Malley. “Our goal from the beginning was to make government work again for the people it serves, and this important website serves as another step toward that end.”
The Maryland Funding Accountability website is a public website which allows citizens of Maryland and visitors to search and view summary information on payments made to vendors that received $25,000 or more for the respective fiscal year. Currently, information contained on the website is for Fiscal Year 2008, which began July 1, 2007 and ends June 30, 2008.
“The new funding accountability and transparency website provided the Department of Information Technology with an opportunity to support one of Governor O’Malley’s priorities to restore fiscal responsibility to State government,” said Elliot Schlanger, Maryland Secretary of Information Technology. “The website, which was developed with internal resources, serves as a view into the State’s ‘check register’ to allow constituents the ability to see how their dollars are being spent. DoIT has crafted the website to be easy-to-use and intuitively navigable.”
The website was originally created by House Bill 358 in the 2008 legislative session and applies to all units of the Executive branch. It can be directly accessed at www.spending.dbm.maryland.gov .
LT. GOVERNOR BROWN PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT AIRS ON PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY TELEVISION
Brown raises awareness of foster care and adoption
ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 7, 2009) – Lt. Governor Anthony Brown appears in a public service announcement (PSA) on behalf of the Prince George’s County Department of Social Service that begins airing today on Prince George’s Community Television (CTV). The PSA aims to recruit foster and adoptive parents. CTV can be found at channel 76 on Comcast and channel 42 on Verizon FIOS. The PSA will air regularly through the month of March.
“Foster care and adoption are worthy issues that deserve great attention from not only our administration, but from the citizens of Maryland as well,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “As a proud adoptive parent, I hope more families will join the movement in providing loving homes for children and experience the joy and fulfillment that comes with adopting and fostering.”
The PSA directs prospective foster and adoptive parents on how to navigate the process of becoming a foster parent or adopting a child. The announcement supports Maryland’s foster parent recruitment campaign “1,000 by 10,” which hopes to generate 1,000 foster parents by the year 2010. Currently in Maryland, there are approximately 10,000 children who need to be placed in homes.
For information on becoming a foster or adoptive parent, viewers are urged to call the Prince George’s Department of Social Service at 301-909-2273.
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY ON MARYLAND'S NUMBER ONE RANKING IN EDUCATION WEEK'S 2009 QUALITY COUNTS ANNUAL REPORT
Maryland's Public School System Leads the Nation
ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 7, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley today made the following statement regarding Maryland’s number one ranking in Education Week's 2009 Quality Counts annual report:
“This is tremendous news for the State of Maryland. Today, Education Week announced that Maryland’s public school system ranks first in the nation among all 50 states – moving up from third in the nation last year. It is a great tribute to the students, teachers, and parents who, in response to the increased investments made by all Marylanders, continue to achieve at unprecedented levels.”
Since the passage of the Thornton Bridge to Excellence Plan, State funding for local school systems has increased by $2.029 billion dollars, an 82 percent increase. Later today, the Maryland State Department will release the final report of its consultant (MGT America) evaluating the effect of increased state aid to local school systems through Thornton’s Bridge to Excellence Plan.
Last year, the State of Maryland has invested an historic $5.3 billion in public education, and has invested over $740 million in school construction to build classrooms and schools for the 21st century. The O’Malley-Brown Administration also froze college tuition for a third consecutive year to ensure that a higher education is accessible for more Maryland families. In addition, last year, the Milken Institute ranked Maryland No. 2 nationwide for technology economy preparedness, and ranked Maryland first in the nation for human capital investment.
Each year, Education Week issues an education report card. Each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia receives an overall letter grade spanning all six categories that constitute Quality Counts’ analytic framework: Chance for Success; transitions and alignment; school finance; K-12 achievement; standards, assessments, and accountability; and the teaching profession.
Maryland ranked number one in transitions and alignment policies, which measures a State’s ability to connect the K-12 education system with early learning, higher education and the workforce. Maryland earned a grade of 100 for early-childhood education, earned a grade of 90 for college readiness, and earned a grade of 100 for the economy and the workforce.
“Now is more important than ever, even in these difficult times, to continue to protect our investments in public education to ensure that every child receives a world class education and a better future. The people of Maryland are our greatest asset and our continued economic strength depends upon our ability to invest in them, and prepare our children today for the jobs of tomorrow.”
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY HELPS OPEN NEWLY RENOVATED RECOVERY CENTER IN BALTIMORE
The Baltimore Station has undergone a $4.4 million renovation project to expand its services
BALTIMORE, MD (January 6, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley joined state, local, and nonprofit leaders in a ribbon cutting ceremony today at The Baltimore Station, a center that provides a therapeutic residential recovery program to help men in Baltimore, most of which are veterans of U.S. wars, transition from substance abuse, homelessness and economic dependency to self-sufficient, productive lives. Also participating in the ribbon cutting were Baltimore City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Brigadier General James Adkins of the Maryland Veteran’s Administration, Secretary Raymond Skinner of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and Shale Stiller of The Weinberg Foundation.
“Far too often, our veterans in need return to a nation unable or unwilling to provide the services they require and as a result, some of them end up homeless or addicted,” said Governor O’Malley. “Veterans constitute eighty percent of The Baltimore Station’s residency, and this expansion allows these valuable services to reach even more. The residents of this unique program and the people of Maryland owe The Baltimore Station a tremendous debt of gratitude.”
According to the Baltimore Homeless Census, there are between 3,000 and 4,000 people who are homeless in Baltimore on any given night. It is estimated that addiction is the root cause of homelessness for up to 80 percent of homeless men in Baltimore. The Baltimore Station serves this demand with two locations, in Seton Hill and Sharp-Leadenhall neighborhoods, with a capacity to serve over 130 residents between both locations.
“The Baltimore Station is grateful to its many funding partners who have come together to make this expansion project happen on time and on budget,” said Michael V. Seipp, Executive Director of The Baltimore Station. “Funds from federal, state, and city governments, along with many individuals, foundations and corporations, have allowed The Baltimore Station to continue providing our successful therapeutic residential community, life-skills training, and access to health care, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment to existing residents and now, an additional 42 veterans who are homeless due their addictions.”
The South Baltimore Station expansion project included the rehabilitation of the existing structure, a former fire house, and the new construction of a three-story addition. The expansion accommodates 92 beds, including 76 beds within two dormitory areas and 16 beds in four smaller suite-style bedrooms. Funding for the expansion project came from the Veterans Administration, Baltimore City Homeless Services, local, state and federal grants, community organizations, businesses, faith organizations, special events, individual contributions, and private foundations.
The recovery-oriented program is for men who have become homeless largely due to a history of chronic substance abuse and addiction. Supportive services stress personal responsibility for residents’ life and behavior and implement life skills. Residents can stay up to 24 months. The project targets veterans of military service, with at least 75 percent of the residents being honorably discharged military veterans.
The O’Malley-Brown Administration has made real and steady progress for our servicemen and servicewomen and helped ease the transition for our returning veterans. Initiatives include those focusing on behavioral health services for Maryland veterans, disability benefits and compensation claims, veterans’ scholarships, and reintegration services.
In addition, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has championed a number of initiatives aimed at helping Maryland’s most vulnerable citizens, including the creation of the Maryland State Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council as part of a comprehensive strategy to coordinate substance abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment services, and improve the criminal justice and correctional systems’ links to these services. In addition, Governor O’Malley provided funding for the expansion of residential treatment services for juvenile offenders, and created a statewide Buprenorphine initiative for the treatment of heroin addiction.
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY URGES MARYLANDERS TO DONATE BLOOD
ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 6, 2009) – Since 1970, January has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month. To help ensure an adequate blood supply, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley is joining forces with the American Red Cross, Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region and the American Association of Blood Banks to stress the importance of donating blood. The Governor urges all eligible blood donors to call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) right away to schedule a blood donation appointment.
“Particularly following the holiday season, when donations typically decline, it is important to make blood donation a habit,” states Governor O’Malley. “It is our civic responsibility to ensure that our friends, neighbors, and even ourselves and members of our own families can rely on a stable blood supply should they require a transfusion. There is no such thing as a spare Marylanders, and therefore all Marylanders are encouraged to learn more about giving blood and schedule a donation appointment by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE.”
Every two seconds, someone needs blood. Each day, patients across the country receive approximately 39,000 units of this lifesaving resource. This year alone, as many as five million patients will require blood transfusions, as accident victims, people undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases. According to Gary J. Ouellette, Chief Executive Officer for the GC&P Region, “If everyone who was eligible donated blood regularly – about 3 to 4 times a year – blood needs could be met and we could make blood shortages a thing of the past.”
The Red Cross urges all community members who are eligible to give blood to donate as soon and as frequently as possible. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) and schedule an appointment to donate blood today and save a life. Platelet donors may call 1-800-272-2123.
WHO CAN GIVE BLOOD?
The Red Cross advises the community that the demand for blood remains constant and donors are needed every day to maintain a safe and sufficient blood supply. The American Red Cross asks local donors to commit to donating regularly to help stabilize the blood supply for the area.
Donors must:
• Be in generally good health;
• Be at least 17 years of age, or, in the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia; 16 years of age with parental consent
• Weigh no less than 110 pounds;
• Have NOT received a tattoo within the past year;
• Have NOT donated whole blood within the past 56 days.
Members of the community are asked to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE immediately to schedule an appointment to donate at any American Red Cross Donor Center or community blood drive. Information about Regional Blood Donor Centers or community blood drive locations and times can be found at www.my-redcross.org. Business and community groups interested in hosting blood drives may call 1-800-787-9282, ex. 4925 for more information.
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY CONGRATULATING THE BALTIMORE RAVENS
ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 5, 2009) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued the following statement today congratulating Coach John Harbaugh on their decisive victory over the Miami Dolphins and wishing them luck on their next playoff game against the Tennessee Titans.
“I want to congratulate Coach Harbaugh and the entire Ravens organization on soundly defeating the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the playoffs. This victory not only allows the team to advance to the next round, but it also secures the Ravens’ position among the NFL’s best teams as they continue their pursuit for a championship.
“Best of luck to Joe Flacco, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and the entire team as they roll to victory in Tennessee on Saturday. Go Ravens!”