Bill Giving MD Schools Flexibility on Start Date Gains Traction in Assembly (Opposed by Governor)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The governor sets the policy agenda and with the veto has some oversight of the legislature. If the legislature wants to override Hogan's veto, of course they can. But, they would be overriding the will of (by far) the most popular bi-partisan governor in the United States.

The governor sets the governor's policy agenda. He doesn't set the General Assembly's policy agenda. And, of course, if he vetoes the bill, then he's attempting to override the will of elected officials who represent a large majority of the people in the state.

This is basic civics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The governor sets the policy agenda and with the veto has some oversight of the legislature. If the legislature wants to override Hogan's veto, of course they can. But, they would be overriding the will of (by far) the most popular bi-partisan governor in the United States.

The governor sets the governor's policy agenda. He doesn't set the General Assembly's policy agenda. And, of course, if he vetoes the bill, then he's attempting to override the will of elected officials who represent a large majority of the people in the state.

This is basic civics.

+1 First PP is being dense. And just because a governor is popular doesn't mean that he is representing the "will of the people" on all issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The governor sets the policy agenda and with the veto has some oversight of the legislature. If the legislature wants to override Hogan's veto, of course they can. But, they would be overriding the will of (by far) the most popular bi-partisan governor in the United States.

Actually, the 2nd most popular. All the polls in 2018 showed that Charlie Baker (R-MA) is the most popular governor in the US within his state. And since Mass is also a Democratic state, he would qualify as the most popular bi-partisan governor in the US.

https://morningconsult.com/2019/01/10/americas-most-and-least-popular-governors-q4-2018/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love the after Labor Day start time but I would like to go later in June to get a winter break in February and a proper spring break. I understand AP exams are early and after that High School students are checked but I'd like to see MCPS get creative with a late end date in June and have the kids spend half the day in enriching classes and the other half on a volunteer project, internship or local travel in the DMV area for cultural experiences.

I would prefer starting in August so kids with APs don't get one month less of instructional time. But totally agree that it would be great to get a full week spring break (and dare I dream of a winter break and a spring break as I had growing up.) It's such a compressed calendar now.

I'm a big labor day defender because I've seen the summer vacation shrink as well. For much of my childhood school was out before Memorial Day and didn't start until after Labor Day. While I would love a longer Winter Break and Spring Break, the amount of homework/projects my kids have had to do, not to mention feeling the need to study for tests and finals has made the breaks we do have largely meaningless.

I'd be happy to start August 1, IF:

We had a guarantee of release by Memorial Day (stop counting snow days against minimum attendance requirements). Businesses would still benefit from holiday spending and parents would appreciate being able to make firm vacation plans. Children would get a full 2 month summer vacation.

There was a policy enacted which prohibited assignment of homework/projects over the break and semester finals (if the school district has them) are scheduled before the break. With school starting earlier, this should be easily accomplished.

This schedule would seem to fit better with the AP schedule, and ending the fall semester before Winter Break seems more natural.

[Anonymous]

Well, remember, "70%" of Maryland wanted to "Let summer be summer!" when this whole stupid campaign began, so even if this survey is skewed towards the Governor's agenda, that's a big drop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love the after Labor Day start time but I would like to go later in June to get a winter break in February and a proper spring break. I understand AP exams are early and after that High School students are checked but I'd like to see MCPS get creative with a late end date in June and have the kids spend half the day in enriching classes and the other half on a volunteer project, internship or local travel in the DMV area for cultural experiences.

I would prefer starting in August so kids with APs don't get one month less of instructional time. But totally agree that it would be great to get a full week spring break (and dare I dream of a winter break and a spring break as I had growing up.) It's such a compressed calendar now.

I'm a big labor day defender because I've seen the summer vacation shrink as well. For much of my childhood school was out before Memorial Day and didn't start until after Labor Day. While I would love a longer Winter Break and Spring Break, the amount of homework/projects my kids have had to do, not to mention feeling the need to study for tests and finals has made the breaks we do have largely meaningless.

I'd be happy to start August 1, IF:

We had a guarantee of release by Memorial Day (stop counting snow days against minimum attendance requirements). Businesses would still benefit from holiday spending and parents would appreciate being able to make firm vacation plans. Children would get a full 2 month summer vacation.

The big problem with this schedule is lack of air conditioning at many facilities. August can get quite hot! What do you mean by stop sounding snow days against minimum attendance requirements?

There was a policy enacted which prohibited assignment of homework/projects over the break and semester finals (if the school district has them) are scheduled before the break. With school starting earlier, this should be easily accomplished.

This schedule would seem to fit better with the AP schedule, and ending the fall semester before Winter Break seems more natural.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The governor sets the policy agenda and with the veto has some oversight of the legislature. If the legislature wants to override Hogan's veto, of course they can. But, they would be overriding the will of (by far) the most popular bi-partisan governor in the United States.

Actually, the 2nd most popular. All the polls in 2018 showed that Charlie Baker (R-MA) is the most popular governor in the US within his state. And since Mass is also a Democratic state, he would qualify as the most popular bi-partisan governor in the US.

https://morningconsult.com/2019/01/10/americas-most-and-least-popular-governors-q4-2018/

This last poll has Hogan at 78% overall approval rating (vs. 72% for Charlie Baker). 78>72 last I checked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The governor sets the policy agenda and with the veto has some oversight of the legislature. If the legislature wants to override Hogan's veto, of course they can. But, they would be overriding the will of (by far) the most popular bi-partisan governor in the United States.

Actually, the 2nd most popular. All the polls in 2018 showed that Charlie Baker (R-MA) is the most popular governor in the US within his state. And since Mass is also a Democratic state, he would qualify as the most popular bi-partisan governor in the US.

https://morningconsult.com/2019/01/10/americas-most-and-least-popular-governors-q4-2018/

This last poll has Hogan at 78% overall approval rating (vs. 72% for Charlie Baker). 78>72 last I checked.

Charlie Baker was elected with 66.6% of the vote. Larry Hogan was elected with 55.4% of the vote (against a lousy candidate).

In any case, the approval rating is irrelevant to the bill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The governor sets the policy agenda and with the veto has some oversight of the legislature. If the legislature wants to override Hogan's veto, of course they can. But, they would be overriding the will of (by far) the most popular bi-partisan governor in the United States.

Actually, the 2nd most popular. All the polls in 2018 showed that Charlie Baker (R-MA) is the most popular governor in the US within his state. And since Mass is also a Democratic state, he would qualify as the most popular bi-partisan governor in the US.

https://morningconsult.com/2019/01/10/americas-most-and-least-popular-governors-q4-2018/

This last poll has Hogan at 78% overall approval rating (vs. 72% for Charlie Baker). 78>72 last I checked.

Source? The poll I quoted above from January 2019 rated Hogan at 68% vs 72% for Baker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The governor sets the policy agenda and with the veto has some oversight of the legislature. If the legislature wants to override Hogan's veto, of course they can. But, they would be overriding the will of (by far) the most popular bi-partisan governor in the United States.

Actually, the 2nd most popular. All the polls in 2018 showed that Charlie Baker (R-MA) is the most popular governor in the US within his state. And since Mass is also a Democratic state, he would qualify as the most popular bi-partisan governor in the US.

https://morningconsult.com/2019/01/10/americas-most-and-least-popular-governors-q4-2018/

This last poll has Hogan at 78% overall approval rating (vs. 72% for Charlie Baker). 78>72 last I checked.

Source? The poll I quoted above from January 2019 rated Hogan at 68% vs 72% for Baker.

Poll came out this week. Posted a couple pages back. Here it is again.... https://htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com/files/gonzales-maryland-poll-march-2019-1551775985.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, that poll is definitely interesting. What jumps out to me is Hogan's approval rating. I'd say that with these numbers he should get anything he wants. Legislature would be foolish to fight him too much.

I believe that Hogan governs the way he governs BECAUSE Democrats have a veto proof supermajority in the State House. This prohibits him from even proposing any of the extremist crap seen in some Red states and flowing from the White House. Kudos to him for understanding this, and thank god for the supermajority!