Posted on 04/08/2014 10:38:15 AM PDT by Welchie25
The Maryland Catholic Conference counts the boost in minimum wage and full funding of two programs benefiting nonpublic schools among its successes as the General Assembly adjourned April 7.
Legislators passed a bill April 7 raising the states minimum hourly wage from $7.25 to $10.10 incrementally by 2018. The final bill does not require, as earlier drafts did, that the wage be indexed to inflation. It also extended by one year the original proposals timeline for the full wage increase to take effect.
The MCC, which advocates for public policy on behalf of the states Catholic bishops, supported a general wage increase, said Chris Ross, MCC associate director for social concerns. Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Denis J. Madden twice joined state leaders, including Gov. Martin J. OMalley, at rallies promoting a wage hike.
This affects working families, Ross said. That (the wage increase) was a (session) highlight, knowing that those people are going to have further assistance.
The 2015 budget, which passed April 5, retained governor-proposed funding levels for two MCC-backed education programs. A program providing money for nonpublic school textbooks and technology was funded at $6 million, and a program providing grants for infrastructure renovations and security improvements at aging schools was funded at $3.5 million.
Last year was the first time in 13 years that the textbook program was funded at the proposed amount, said Garrett ODay, MCC associate director for education and family life. The aging school program was added to the budget last year.
We hope it sets a precedent to give much-needed help to our schools, ODay said of the aging schools grant. Theres a lot of schools that have deferred maintenance projects that they were able to take care of.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicreview.org ...
Tells you what you need to know about the Catholic Church's official political views. Hard Left.
Whatever happened to all that hand-wringing about establishment of religion?
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
Blog-pimpin’ yet again, huh?
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