Governor Underscores Commitment to K-12, Educators in State of State

And other legislative updates in this week’s Up the Street

Gov. Moore celebrated and recognized educators, including Baltimore County Spanish teacher Edwin Pérez (right) to the State of the State Address on Wednesday. (Photo: Governor’s Office.)

THIS WEEK IN ANNAPOLIS

State of State Includes Respect for Educators

On Wednesday, in his fourth State of the State address Gov. Moore outlined his commitment to his agenda to improve life for Marylanders, and celebrated some achievements in the K-12 public education realm, including reducing the educator shortage by nearly half and improving literacy and student achievement. Moore pledged to continue to support the programs that create a world class K-12 public education that serves all students. For the special occasion, the Moore-Miller Administration again recognized educators. Edwin Pérez, a Spanish teacher in Baltimore County who is chair of the Justice, Education, Inclusion, and Equity Committee and the multilingual community partnership for the Baltimore County PTA Council, was the special guest of Lieutenant Gov. Aruna Miller. During his speech, Moore recognized Crofton High School counselor and National School Counselor of the Year Danielle Crankfield; Maryland Teacher of the Year ALonna Soward-Puryear, a fourth-grade Monocacy Elementary School teacher; and Dr. Ryan Durr, Meade High School principal and Maryland Principal of the Year. During his address, Moore said they “embody the promise of recruiting the best educator workforce in the world.”

Moore cited his budget’s targeted investments to “help make sure Maryland educators have the tools, lessons, and the resources that they need to make our classrooms the best in the entire country. Because I want every single one of our students to be career-ready before they even get a high school diploma.” His proposed $10.2 billion K-12 budget represents funding expected under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and more to support the most vulnerable students, attract and retain educators, and create pathways to careers for both educators and other professionals.

General Assembly Swiftly Votes to Curtail Local Involvement in Federal Immigration Enforcement

On Thursday, the Senate and House passed, along party lines, each other’s versions of emergency legislation—effective immediately upon the governor’s signature—to prohibit, and in some cases end, local governments’ agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It was priority legislation for legislators that MSEA supported in response to the terror generated by the overly aggressive and violent enforcement of immigration law that has spread across the country. School days and attendance have suffered as ICE has stalked and abducted people near schools. Senate Bill 245 was introduced by Sen. Will Smith (D-Montgomery) and crossfiled with House Bill 444, sponsored by Del. Nicole Williams (D-Prince George’s). “It sends a strong message to Marylanders that we were standing up…to protect everyone in our communities, immigrants included, and to make sure that we check ICE and do everything we possibly can here at the state level,” Smith said. Nine Maryland counties currently have some form of cooperative agreements with ICE, that would have to cease under the new law: Allegany, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, St. Mary’s, Washington, and Wicomico.

ESP Bill of Rights Legislation Introduced

This week saw the introduction of essential legislation MSEA has supported to advance the Education Support Professional (ESP) Bill of Rights (BOR), one of MSEA’s top priorities. Legislatively, the BOR seeks to raise ESPs’ minimum wage, prohibit privatization of school-based ESP jobs, and have an ESP represented on the State Board of Education. Senate Bill 764, sponsored by Sen. Craig Zucker (D-Montgomery) and crossfiled with House Bill 1205, sponsored by Del. Greg Wims (D-Montgomery), would set the ESP minimum hourly wage at $25 by July 1, 2028. Zucker also introduced Senate Bill 904 that targets outsourcing of ESP jobs and would establish a new system of professional development for paraeducators and other ESPs. The crossfile to SB904 is House Bill 1254, sponsored by Del. Jessica Feldmark (D-Howard). Introduced earlier, House Bill 828, sponsored by Del. Eric Ebersole (D-Baltimore County), would add an ESP to the State Board of Education, where policies that pertain to ESPs are decided. HB828 will be heard in the House Ways and Means Committee on February 25, SB764 in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on March 3, and SB904 on March 4 in the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee.

MSEA Advocates to Reduce Educator Shortage, Strengthen Profession, Support Health

A month into the legislative session, with 2,200+ bills introduced, the number of hearings is quickly multiplying. This week MSEA provided testimony in nearly a dozen hearings, on bills to expand worker rights, reduce the educator shortage, strengthen voting rights, and improve access to healthcare, among other issues.

Worker Rights

On Tuesday in the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee, MSEA supported legislation to expand bargaining rights:

Educator Shortage

On Wednesday in the House Ways and Means Committee, MSEA supported bills to expand the educator pipeline:

Voting Rights

To protect democracy and voting rights, MSEA supported:

Healthcare Access

To ensure access to science-based healthcare, on Tuesday in the Senate Finance Committee MSEA supported Senate Bill 385, the Vax Act, sponsored by the Moore Administration, requiring the Secretary of Health to issue recommendations for certain immunizations, screenings, and services. The crossfile is House Bill 637.

NEWS AND NOTES

Trump Administration Backs off Threat to Withhold $700 Million from Maryland Schools

Giving up a court appeal, the Trump Administration has dropped its threat to withhold $700 million in federal funding from Maryland schools for supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and 18 other states sued the U.S. Department of Education for withholding funds from jurisdictions that engage in DEI initiatives. The Trump Administration “tried to blackmail Maryland schools—abandon your commitment to equal education or lose the resources your most vulnerable students depend on,” he said in a statement. A federal judge sided with the state plaintiffs in August, and last month the Trump Administration dropped its appeal of the verdict. “This victory means Maryland students with disabilities, English language learners, and children from low-income families will keep getting the support they need,” Brown said.

2026 CAMPAIGN NEWS

NEA Makes Recommendations in Maryland Congressional Races

Acting on the recommendation of the MSEA Board of Directors, the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education endorsed five members of the Maryland Congressional Delegation for re-election in 2026:

The candidates were endorsed for the current makeup of congressional districts. MSEA members and leaders will consider recommendations to the NEA in CD01, CD05, and CD06 later in the election cycle. Follow these and other educator recommended candidates by visiting www.MDAppleBallot.com