MACo Policy Associate Kevin Kinnally testified in support of legislation (Senate Bill 303), that would increase state funding for community colleges starting in 2020, before the Education and Health and Environmental Affairs Committee on February 7, 2018.

The bill requires the Governor to provide $7 million in the State budget beginning in Fiscal Year 2020. This funding will relieve some of the burden placed on community colleges through tuition and residency waivers.

From MACo Testimony:

When state funding for community colleges lags, additional pressure builds on county budgets and on student tuition. When county budgets face distress from the economic climate or state actions, the local contributions cannot reliably offset these unfunded mandates. For the past several years, this combined dynamic has led to increased tuition costs for Maryland community college students, at a time when the training and education opportunities are most needed.

SB 303 would help to offset unfunded state mandates for tuition and residency waivers, signaling a new commitment to community colleges on behalf of the State. This legislation would support policy changes that will allow community colleges to extend affordable education and career training access to more Marylanders.”

Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2018 legislative session here.