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 2010 Legislative Session Wrap-Up
Dear Towson University Alumni, Friends and Advocates:
Thank you for your support during the 427th Maryland General Assembly legislative session. The Towson Advocacy Program (TAP) and the TU Alumni Association seek to engage alumni and friends in the issues being addressed in Annapolis and we hope the TAP newsletter kept you informed and up-to-date during the session.
We appreciate your support as there were several bills and budgetary issues this year that involved higher education. There were a total of 2,721 bills submitted this session with 808 bills and 4 resolutions achieving final passage and now awaiting the Governor's signature. As a state institution, the operating and capital budgets are paramount, and given the fiscal difficulties which still face our State and Nation, the budget was again a focal point during the session. Maryland passed a $13.2 billion dollar budget. The institutions that make up the University System of Maryland received $1.07 billion in general operating budget funds, but also received a $145 million reduction in the USM's fund balance reserve for FY2010 and FY2011. Unofficially for Towson that will result in an estimated $12.6 million for TU's share of the fund balance cut. All State employees will also be furloughed this year for approximately 2-14 days. Finally, with the general fund allocation, a 3% undergraduate in-state tuition increase is likely to occur. The Board of Regents has final authority over tuition rates for the USM and it is likely they will vote on the issue in the coming weeks.
As we culminate the final stretch of our strategic plan, Towson University 2010: Mapping the Future, campus construction remains a key component of moving the campus forward and critical state funding keeps us on track to accomplishing our goals. The State's Capital Budget includes over $234.7 million for USM higher education projects in FY2011. Towson received approval for $38.65 million for the final allotment of construction and equipment funds for phase 2 of the new College of Liberal Arts building. This final round of funding will enable completion of the College of Liberal Arts Complex. The result is an academic building with 293,000 gross square feet that will provide classroom, research, laboratory, student study, and office space. In addition to accommodating planned enrollment growth, completion of the project will consolidate ten departments of the College into one facility. Phase II construction is on schedule to be completed by fall 2011.
Throughout this session the Governor and General Assembly have made education and higher education a priority. The combined support of the Governor, our legislators, and the USM Board of Regents enables Towson University to continue to serve our students and the State.
Be sure to thank our legislators for their advocacy for higher education as they return to their districts. While the Annapolis session may be over, their work is never done so tell them about your connection to Towson University. As you take advantage of the beautiful spring weather, visit the campus and enjoy the many alumni, arts, and athletic events underway.
Thank you for your continued interest in Towson University and helping us share the great Towson story.
Cordially,
Robert L. Caret
President
Culminating the 2010 Plan
For more than 6 years, the Towson University campus community has been committed to fulfilling the 23 goals of our strategic plan, Towson University 2010: Mapping the Future, and using it as a roadmap to set the university on an accelerated path to success and raising awareness about Towson's significant value to the region and state. In a short amount of time, Towson University made many noteworthy accomplishments and developments, but there is still more to do. As we look forward to the University's next strategic plan, we will build upon the collaborative momentum which allowed the 2010 plan to make remarkable progress. Thank you for your support in helping Towson take on such an aggressive strategic plan. Please stay connected to see where our new roadmap to the future will take us.
2010 Plan | Report Card | Guiding Principles
New in the News
Read up on the latest higher education issues that have appeared in the news recently:
 Legislative Session Bill report
Budget related bills:
Passed - awaiting Governor's signature:
- SB 140 Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2011)
- SB 141 Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2010
- SB 142 Creation of a State Debt - Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2010, and the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loans of 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009
For FY2011 Towson University will receive $91.4M in general funds, this amount includes a 2% tuition buy down and it is anticipated the USM Board of Regents will increase tuition a modest 3% for Fall 2010, after 4 years of having tuition frozen at 2006 rates. TU will receive a reduction of approximately $12.6M in our fund balance for FY10 and FY11. The Capital Budget bill has allocated $38.65M for the completion of the College of Liberal Arts Complex.
Died in Committee/Withdrawn/Unfavorable Vote:
- HB 163 Taxpayers' Bill of Rights
- HB 1533 Deficit Reduction Financing Act of 2010
Thank you for your assistance. Higher education advocates were instrumental in defeating the proposal to reduce General Fund appropriations for USM by at least $50 million; eliminate 1,000 positions; reduce the budget for travel by 50%; and halve the tuition remission benefit for employees and their families. It was vital that legislators were made aware of the potential negative effects on student success and retention and the recruitment of staff and faculty.
- SB 616 Anti-Deficit and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2010
- SB 806 Budget - Reductions of Appropriations
- SB 840 Budget Reduction Act
- SB 998 State Budget
- SB 1004 Budget Reconciliation and Balancing Act
- SB 1024 Taxpayers' Bill of Rights
- HB 655 State Government - Furloughs and Temporary Salary Reductions
- HB 1159 Budget Reduction Act
Higher Education related bills:
Passed - awaiting Governor's signature:
- HB 257 Evidence - Journalist's Testimonial Privileges - Student
Became Law - Chapter 140. Journalist's Testimonial Privileges-Student expands eligibility for "shield law" privileges to include postsecondary students engaged in any news gathering or disseminating capacity recognized by their schools as a scholastic activity.
- HB 466 / SB 286 Governor's P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland
Taking effect July 1, 2010, this Administration bill codifies the Governor's P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland, which is primarily charged with aligning pre-kindergarten through post-secondary education and ensuring that Maryland will produce and maintain a competitive workforce. The council is charged with investigating ways to improve education, advance workforce creation, and make the state more competitive.
- SB 283 / HB 470 Higher Ed Investment Fund -
Tuition Stabilization and Funding
SB 283 makes permanent the distribution of corporate income tax revenues to the Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF). Additionally, the bill establishes the Tuition Stabilization Trust Account within HEIF to retain revenues for stabilizing tuition costs for students. The bill establishes the goal that any increase in resident undergraduate tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education in any given year should not exceed the percent increase in the three-year rolling average of the State's median family income.
- SB 275 Education - Maryland Longitudinal Data System
SB 275 sets the groundwork to establish the Maryland Longitudinal Data System. The bill reflects the plan developed by the inter-agency workgroup which was chaired by Chancellor Kirwan, and Mr. Jim DeGraffenreidt, President of the State Board of Education. The plan represents a consensus on an approach which can be rapidly put in place; effectively meets the assurances associated with the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009; and offers a system that can answer Maryland's critical policy questions regarding educational persistence and achievement. Most importantly, it builds on existing processes, establishes no new agencies, and limits duplication of efforts by existing agencies. It has formed the basis for a $13M federal ARRA Department of Education grant. Those testifying in support of the bill worked hard to assure legislators that while no data system is 100% perfect, the safeguards for data security and confidentiality are the highest priority during the planning period.
- SB 311 / HB 943 Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program
SB 311/ HB 943 establishes the Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust to provide young adults with meaningful service opportunities to promote, preserve, protect, and conserve the environment.
Died in Committee/Withdrawn/Unfavorable Vote:
- HB 352 Education - Maryland Data Warehouse Council
- HB 387 Maryland Teacher Scholarships - Service Obligation
- HB 506 Higher Education - Delegate Scholarships - Summer School
- HB 677 Higher Education - Nonpublic Institutions of Higher Education - Free Speech
- HB 1369 Task Force to Study Standardizing and Accountability of Introductory Courses in Higher Education in Maryland
- SB 503 Higher Education - Sergey Brin Scholarship Program
- SB 596 Maryland Prepaid College Trust - Student 2+2 Program - Out-of-County Costs
- SB 604 College and Career Readiness Act of 2010
SB 604 would have required the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to adopt a definition of college and career readiness and adopt common assessment and benchmarks to show progress toward college readiness. The bill also seeks to develop strategies and curricula to be implemented to ensure students are successful in college. USM testified in support of Senate Bill 604 with a minor amendment to ensure that MSDE and MHEC consulted with institutions of higher education when developing the definition and criteria for college and career readiness.
- SB 639 Higher Education - Death of Police Officer or Firefighter - Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program
- SB 708 Maryland Higher Education Business Coalition and Fund
- SB 1084 Maryland Higher Ed Commission - Review of Program Proposals
SB1084 would require the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to review program proposals through a deliberative fact-finding process, including receiving witness testimony and the weighing of evidence. The concerning part of the bill would open up the academic program approval process to judicial review and the potential of State Universities suing each other in Circuit Court. Currently MHEC has the final authority to decide these academic issues. USM testified in opposition to the bill due to the delay in program approval it would create and the possibility of state agencies suing one another.
- SB 1115 / HB 1550 Maryland Higher Education Commission - Review of Duplicative Academic Programs
Miscellaneous Bills:
Passed - awaiting Governor's signature:
- HB 795 Task Force to Study Nanotechnology and Nanobiotechnology
HB795 establishes a Task Force to Study Nanotechnology and Nanobiotechnology. The task force is required to report its findings and recommendations on the benefits of these technologies and the State's role in promoting them by January 1, 2011. The bill also calls for the Governor to appoint three representatives of higher education institutions in Maryland involved in research or scholarship on nanotechnology or nanobiotechnology. Currently, state law established the Coordinating Emerging Nanobiotechnology Research (CENTR) Program and Fund requiring TEDCO to provide operating and capital grants for nanobiotechnology research projects. Specifically, the purpose of the CENTR program is to support advanced nanobiotechnology research at higher education institutions and promote Maryland as a key location for private-sector firms in the industry. In June 2009, TEDCO, in consultation with DBED, awarded $2.9 million in research funding through what is now called the 2009 Maryland Nanobiotechnology Research and Industry Competition Grants. Each award was capped at $250,000 to foster public-private partnerships as feasible to carry out the purpose of the CENTR program.
- HB 1370 Public-Private Partnerships - Oversight
HB 1370 defines a "public-private partnership" (P3) and establishes a framework of P3 reporting requirements and oversight procedures for state agencies. The bill also establishes a Joint Legislative and Executive Commission on Oversight of Public-Private Partnerships. The bill requires the state treasurer to analyze the impact of each P3 operating lease on the State's capital debt affordability limits and submit the analysis to the General Assembly for its review and comment. The committee can take as long as 45 days to review and comment on an analysis. The bill also prohibits the Board of Public Works (BPW) from approving P3 operating leases until after legislative review. The Capital Debt Affordability Committee (CDAC) would be required to include in its annual report an analysis of the aggregate impact of P3 operating leases on the total amount of new State debt that may be authorized for the next fiscal year. USM testified in support of HB 1370 with an amendment that exempted USM P3 projects not financed or otherwise supported by state dollars.
Died in Committee/Withdrawn/Unfavorable Vote:
- HB 482 Maryland Football Act
The bill would have set into State law a requirement that the University of Maryland host Towson University and Morgan State University in a football game at least once every four years. Towson does value the in-state rivalry and has been working with Maryland to schedule games. Therefore, we did not feel it was necessary legislation. Stay tuned as the Tigers and Terrapins meet on the football field for the first time on Saturday, September 3, 2011!
- HB348 New Design and Substantial Exterior Modification - Notice
HB 348 as originally drafted would have required each USM institution to send a notice of construction or renovation to residents within a 3 mile radius of the proposed construction site. With the amendments, House Bill 348 would require USM institutions to make "reasonable efforts" to inform all adjoining property owners and the municipal government of the design of a new structure or substantial modification of an existing structure. The means of communication can be paper or electronic. USM supported the amended version of the bill.
Towson University through our community outreach efforts, community relations website, community newsletter, and the Community/University Relations Committee aim to continuously communicate updates on campus news, events, construction, and student life as they arise.
- SB 191 Weapon-Free Higher Education Zones
- HB 782 Department of Information Technology - Security of Computer Systems
Financial Literacy related bills:
Died in Committee/Withdrawn/Unfavorable Vote:
- HB 335 State Board of Education - Financial Literacy Curriculum - Graduation Requirement
- SB 264 / HB 764 State Board of Education - Financial Literacy Curriculum - Graduation Requirement
- HB 853 / SB 1030 State Department of Education - Personal Financial Literacy State Curriculum
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SB 1036 / HB 1400 Commissioner of Financial Regulation - Financial Education Resources Clearinghouse
Despite the efforts of many to put curriculum in place and provide for a clearinghouse for financial education materials, the bills did not end up passing. Towson University, the Maryland Council on Economic Education, and the Maryland Coalition for Financial Literacy are all committed to educating Marylanders on financial literacy.
For more bill information, please visit the Maryland General Assembly's website.
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