March 28, 2024

Last Chance to Push for University Funding

Call or e-mail your Southern Maryland Senators NOW!

This is our community’s last chance to push for university funding for the USM Southern Maryland Academic and Research Center—popularly known as Building 3—at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center (SMHEC) campus.

The University of Maryland System has identified leftover university funding that can be re-programmed to provide Southern Maryland with the funding needed to keep this important project alive.

The Maryland legislature is making final funding decisions, NOW, that will determine if the Academic and Research Center we need for economic diversification and growth in Southern Maryland will continue to move forward or will be delayed.

The Maryland House of Delegates did not add funds for the imperative design and planning needed to be completed this coming year for the project to remain on track. The Maryland Senate is Southern Maryland’s last chance to receive these funds in time.

Your help is needed to make a strong plea for the Senate to return at least $2.85 million into the state budget for this project to advance.

St. Mary’s County has pledged $1 million and the University System of Maryland continues to demonstrate their commitment. It is the University that has identified this easy solution to keep the USM Southern Maryland Academic and Research Center moving forward. The University system has offered up its leftover funding from other completed projects that can be re-programmed to the center.

The Maryland Senate is Southern Maryland’s last chance to keep this program on schedule. A simple nod to re-program funds is all that is needed to keep this project alive. The Senate most restore the funding the House failed to supply.

If the Senate does include the funding the House Capital Committee will be able to recede and accept the funds during the conference committee delegation.

 CONTACT ALL THREE OF OUR SOUTHERN MARYLAND SENATORS

Senate President Mike MillerCalvert, Charles, & Prince George’s counties, can be reached at [email protected].

Senator Mac Middleton, Charles County, can be reached at [email protected].

Senator Steve Waugh, Calvert & St. Mary’s counties, can be reached at [email protected].

This will not happen without a major push from the entire Southern Maryland Community, so make the call and encourages others to call as well.

CALL Your Southern Maryland Senators TODAY at 301.858.3000.

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