Paying for BRAC
U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski said yesterday that she would push an amendment allowing any school district affected by the realignment of military bases to receive federal aid before the arrival of students whose parents relocate for the job shifts.
But another Maryland Democrat, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, cautioned later in the day that the state "needs to be in position to shoulder the load."
A Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development study released Friday projected that Maryland would gain more than 45,000 federal and private-sector jobs as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission plan, known as BRAC.
Mikulski (D-Md.) said her amendment might bring the state $25 million more in federal impact aid, which now compensates school systems across the country only for students from military families who enroll.
"This is a national priority," she said.
Mikulski spoke at a news conference with Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold (R), who has asked the state to accelerate key road projects such as the widening of Route 175 near Fort Meade. Anne Arundel would gain 10,049 positions because of BRAC, including 5,717 jobs moving directly to Fort Meade, according to the state report. "BRAC is a great opportunity, but we need the resources," Leopold said.
But Hoyer cautioned yesterday that Maryland should not expect a great deal of help from the federal government. "Most of the communities in America would kill for that sort of economic expansion," Hoyer said at a luncheon with reporters in Bowie.
"After all, we went and argued vigorously that we wanted this expansion," Hoyer added. "We really now can't come down and say, 'Look what you've done to us. We need money.' "
A study paid for by the U.S. Department of Labor projects that BRAC would create a demand for more than 25,000 homes in eight Maryland counties, increasing the burden on crowded schools and roads. Federal, state and county officials are working to develop a regional plan to prioritize projects.
Raymond McCaffrey and Steve Vogel
By Phyllis Jordan |
February 13, 2007; 7:51 AM ET
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Posted by: NW DC | February 13, 2007 10:17 AM
I believe one line on the MARC Penn line (which runs a lot more frequently then the Camden line) stops at Aberdeen, but not often.
Posted by: Columbia, MD | February 13, 2007 11:31 AM
Not yet has a single article about this subject (BRAC) looked into whether people will be leaving the area because of the influx of jobs. Every politician talks about how we need more houses, more roads, more schools, more everything. No talk about how many vacant houses there are, how many houses may go on the market, which schools have capacity (many do), etc. etc. I know that I am looking forward to being able to sell my house when this happens.
Posted by: jj | February 13, 2007 1:07 PM
Steny Hoyer has it right, Mikulski is being her usual self. MD reps and senators BEGGED for this surge, and now they want to play VICTIM?? Too much.
Posted by: gitarre | February 13, 2007 1:58 PM
Maybe you folks could get the feds to put a tax on the communities that got the negative side of BRAC to help you out....
Another thought...maybe the added income from those new folks who are almost all government employees who will bring federal dollars either directly (Fed support to local schools for military children) or indirectly spending their money in your businesses will offset those costs.
Posted by: PhD2B | February 13, 2007 2:01 PM
Mikulski oughta be ashamed. If she wasn't such an idiot, she would realize how outrageous of a request she has made.
And anyone who votes for her is also not too bright.
Posted by: JD | February 13, 2007 2:18 PM
the state and the counties affected will have to raise their taxes to build the homes and schools that BRAC is expecting to generate. But even if they do, what if the newcomers look at MD and say,"hmm, no thanks, I'll go for a lower cost of living in York PA and DE." It is already happening now for families with young children. What is the demographic of the workers expected to come? Older? Single? or entry level with families?
Posted by: state and local taxes | February 13, 2007 3:09 PM
My house in Laurel is for sale now, if anyone is interested!
Posted by: Fortmeademover | February 13, 2007 3:47 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
If these jobs are coming to MD they need to have MARC run more often, complete the Purple Line, extend the Green Line to Ft. Meade and BWI, and create some sort of public transportaiton link to the Aberdeen Proofing Ground.