UPDATE: The Maryland General Assembly has passed the Built to Learn ActMaryland General Assembly has passed the Built to Learn Act.

Original story below…

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NOTTINGHAM, MD—On Friday, the Maryland House of Delegates passed HB1 the “Built to Learn Act.”

This bill will invest an additional $2.2 billion into school construction prioritizing schools with the oldest buildings and schools with a high number of classroom trailers.

“I am thrilled to hear that the Built to Learn Act of 2020 passed in the Maryland House of Delegates today (128-6),” said Baltimore County School Board member Julie Henn. “Baltimore County’s students need safe and healthy schools now. This bill will provide the necessary funding to ensure that critical school construction projects move forward, including two projects to provide relief for overcrowding in Perry Hall: a new northeast middle school and a new northeast elementary school at Ridge Road. I appreciate our legislators’ prioritization of school construction needs and look forward to passage of this vital bill by the Senate.”

“Passage of the Built to Learn Act will allow Baltimore County to move forward with critical projects such as the new northeastern elementary and middle schools,” said Councilman David Marks. “School Board member Julie Henn and I have been pushing for this bill for the past two years, and I am excited it is close to a reality.”

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski issued the following statement on the passage of the Built to Learn Act:

“Today’s historic and bipartisan vote is a critical step in providing our children and educators here in Baltimore County—and across the state—with the modern school facilities they deserve.

“I’ve proudly led the fight for increased state investment in school construction to ensure Baltimore County can finally move forward on nearly $250 million in County-funded, shovel-ready projects.

“I applaud Speaker Jones and the Maryland House of Delegates for moving quickly on this priority and I look forward to continuing to work with Senate President Ferguson to get the job done this year for communities across Maryland.”

Governor Larry Hogan today released the following statement on the passage of school construction legislation by the Maryland House of Delegates:

“I want to commend members of the House of Delegates for embracing our landmark proposal to bring schools across our state into the 21st century, and for agreeing with us on the need to provide local school systems, and most importantly our students, with the healthy, efficient, heated and air conditioned, modern school buildings that they deserve. Now we need members of the Senate to take action and help us get this historic investment in our schools enacted.”

Earlier this month, Marks and Henn penned a letter to local lawmakers urging them to pass the Built to Learn Act.

That letter can be viewed below.

The full Built to Learn Act can be viewed by clicking here.

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