Education: Democrats running for governor say it's the top issue for voters
The Democratic candidates for governor are gambling on education this year, making it their top priority and promoting ideas that just four years ago might have seemed left wing.
They would spend billions more each year on public schools, offer more support services in high poverty schools, provide pre-kindergarten for all children and make at least the first two years of college free.
The seven major candidates running in the June 26 primary have so much in common in their education platforms that the differences are razor thin. Many of the proposals are based primarily on the recommendations of the Kirwan Commission which is studying how to improve Maryland’s public schools. What they differ on is how much money will be needed and how to pay for all the initiatives they want to put in place — though none offers a detailed plan for coming up with the revenue.
Their bet is part of a political calculation that says Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s record has been flawed, and that voters will blame him for problems they see in their schools.
Read more: http://www.capitalgazette.com/bs-md-governor-candidates-education-20180523-story.html