On January 31, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 393- Higher Education- Community College Facilities Renewal Grant Program- Alterations. This bill requires the Maryland Higher Education Commission to annually distribute grants of equal amount under the Community College Facilities Renewal Grant Program to all 16 community colleges. Beginning in fiscal year 2025, this bill also requires the Governor to allocate an amount equal to 10% of the Commission’s operating budget towards the Community College Construction Grant
As part of her testimony, January also drew attention to the significant cuts to State aid to community colleges in the proposed budget.
By supporting the capital needs of our community colleges, SB 393 will help them expand these critical programs and serve a greater number of students and, in turn, help produce more graduates and qualified professionals in these in-demand fields. Furthermore, Maryland’s community colleges serve some of the state’s most vulnerable student populations, including a large portion of the state’s Pell Grant recipients.
SB 393’s cross-file, HB 427, was heard on February 6, 2024 in the House Appropriations Committee. MACo Legislative Fellow Kristina Curley testified in support of this bill.
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