Earlier today Governor Larry Hogan tweeted that nearly $9 million in tax credits would be awarded by the Maryland Higher Education Commission. “Since its launch in 2017, over 40,600 residents have benefited from @MDMHEC’s Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Program. Today we are awarding an additional nearly $9 million in tax credits to over 9,000 Marylanders with student loan debt.”
Below is the full press release:
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced nearly $9 million in tax credits to more than 9,000 Maryland residents with student loan debt, awarded by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). To date, nearly $41 million in tax credits has been awarded to Maryland residents.
“Since its launch in 2017, more than 40,600 residents have benefited from the Maryland Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Program,” said Governor Hogan. “Programs such as this allow for greater opportunities for our students and expanded options to assist with student loan debt, especially during this time when people are being squeezed by higher costs.”
Maryland taxpayers who have incurred at least $20,000 in undergraduate and/or graduate student loan debt and have at least $5,000 in outstanding student loan debt are eligible to apply for the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit.
There were 9,155 Maryland residents who were awarded the 2021 Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit. The tax credits were divided into two groups of eligibility, including Maryland residents who attended a Maryland institution and Maryland residents who attended an out-of-state institution. There were 5,145 applicants who attended in-state institutions and will each receive $1,067 in tax credits, while 4,010 eligible applicants attended out-of-state institutions and will each receive $875 in tax credits.
Last year, MHEC awarded the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit to 7,962 Maryland residents.
“We have now administered a total of $40,838,314 in tax credits to Maryland residents since the program originated,” said Maryland Secretary of Higher Education Dr. James D. Fielder. “MHEC remains committed to administering innovative programs like this, which promote and provide student success with less debt.”
The tax credit is claimed on the recipient’s Maryland income tax return when they file their Maryland taxes. If the credit is more than the taxes owed, they will receive a tax refund for the difference. For example, if $800 in taxes is owed without the credit, and a $1,000 Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit is applied, the taxpayer will get a $200 refund.
Under Maryland law the recipient must submit proof of payment to MHEC, showing that the tax credit was used for the purpose of paying down the qualifying student loan debt.
To learn more about the Maryland Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Program, visit MHEC’s website.
Expands Summer SNAP Program To Support 50,000 Children in Low-Income Families, Increases Monthly SNAP Benefit For 27,000 Seniors Boosts Support For Food Banks, Launches New Nonprofit Business Accelerator Program
Press Release from the Office of Governor Hogan:
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced that his Fiscal Year 2023 budget will include historic investments in public health, including record funding for the state’s local health departments. The budget will also expand support for 50,000 low-income children and 27,000 seniors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), while providing additional resources for food banks and nonprofits.
“Our budget will make record investments in the local health departments on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Hogan. “We are also providing critical relief to support underserved Marylanders and people in need, especially our seniors on fixed incomes and children in low-income families.”
Record Funding For Local Health Departments. The governor’s budget will commit a record $75 million to local health departments as they continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the state will provide $9.4 million to help local health departments overcome pandemic-related funding shortfalls. Overall, the Hogan administration has increased funding for local health departments by 62%.
Additional Provider Rate Increases. The governor’s budget will commit more than $187 million to fund provider rate increases in the fields of behavioral health, developmental disabilities, Medicaid, and other services. Every budget under the Hogan administration has increased rates paid to developmental disabilities and behavioral health community service providers.
Expansion of Summer SNAP For Children. The governor’s budget will commit $1.96 billion in SNAP benefits for more than 390,000 households. An additional $4.8 million is being provided to expand the summer SNAP program—24 times above the mandated level—to provide nutritional benefits for 50,000 children in low-income families during the months they are out of school.
Enhanced SNAP Benefits For Seniors. The governor’s budget will commit an additional $6.6 million to increase the minimum monthly food supplement benefit for households with seniors by 33%, providing enhanced benefits for 27,000 seniors. An additional $3 million is provided to support local agencies in connecting eligible seniors to programs and services. The state will commit $17.8 million to reduce waitlists for home health care programs, including $10.3 million for senior care; $5.3 million for the Senior Assisted Living Subsidy; and $2.2 million for the Congregate Housing Services Program.
$10 Million For Food Banks. As demand for food banks remains high, the governor’s budget will commit $10 million to support local food banks, including the Maryland Food Bank, Capital Area Food Bank, Food and Friends, and Moveable Feast. The state has prioritized food banks for relief throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, providing $17.5 million in federal funds dating back to March 2020.
New Maryland Nonprofit Accelerator Program. The governor’s budget will commit $5 million to launch the Nonprofit Business Accelerator Program, which will help organizations across the state develop more back-office capacity to get off the ground administratively, operate more efficiently, and leverage additional resources. This program will be administered by Maryland Nonprofits.
Governor Larry Hogan placed the first official sports bet at MGM Grand during a betting preview on Thursday, betting on the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Football Team to make it to the Super Bowl.
He placed the first official sports bet at Maryland Live on Friday, going with underdog Navy (located in Maryland) to defeat Army in the annual Army/Navy game. He won that bet, and will donate his winnings to the Maryland Food Bank.
Later on Friday, he placed one of the first bets at Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, betting on Maryland to defeat Virginia Tech in the upcoming Pinstripe Bowl.
“Today marks the culmination of more than a year of effort to get sports betting up and running here in the State of Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “In addition to allowing Marylanders to bet on the NFL, March Madness, and so much more, sports betting will also help to keep more dollars in-state and will provide another critical revenue source for public education.”
After a referendum was approved by Maryland voters, HB 940 was passed by the Maryland General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Hogan last May, which officially legalized sports betting in the State of Maryland.
A total of seven facilities have been awarded licenses so far, which are among the 17 entities that were designated in the sports wagering law. Additional locations and the launch of mobile sports wagering are anticipated in the coming year.
Maryland’s sportsbooks will contribute 15% of their revenue to education in the state. This is in addition to the casino lockbox initiative enacted by Governor Hogan, which requires a further investment of $4.4 billion more for Maryland schools.
No word yet on when Marylanders will be able to use sports betting apps in-state.
Earlier today Governor Hogan tweeted his support to get sports gambling started in Maryland, “We are pleased that the legislature’s sport wagering commission has finally acted to approve these licenses.
Our administration will continue to work to get sports betting up and running in Maryland as quickly as possible.”
Per The Baltimore Sun, The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission gave its blessing to Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, Live! Casino & Hotel in Hanover, Hollywood Casino in Perryville, MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill and Ocean Downs Casino in Berlin.
Governor Hogan signed legislation to legalize sports betting in Maryland earlier this year in May.
It is estimated that sports betting will generate close to $20 million annually, the majority of which would go towards education.
Below you’ll see notes from Governor Larry Hogan’s 10/25 press conference, as tweeted by his Deputy Communications Director, Kata Hall:
• VACCINE UPDATE. Maryland has administered more than 8.3 million COVID-19 vaccines, including:
-98% of Marylanders 65+
-85.9% of Marylanders 18+
-84.9% of all eligible Marylanders 12+
• COVID-19 DATA UPDATE:
-Case rate down 39% since 9/15
-Positivity rate down 37% since 8/22
-Hospitalizations down 28% since 9/9
• COVID-19 BOOSTERS. Maryland has already administered *280,000* booster shots.
With the latest CDC approval for Moderna and J&J, nearly *1.4 million Marylanders* are now eligible to receive a booster shot.
• BOOSTER ELIGIBILITY UPDATE. Marylanders who fall into the following categories are currently eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot:
• MIX AND MATCH. Eligible Marylanders can choose *any* vaccine as a booster shot, even if it is different from what you received initially.
• ELIGIBILITY PORTAL. To help Marylanders determine their eligibility for a booster, we have launched a new portal on covidvax.maryland.gov where you can enter your information and get clear guidance.
• The data does show that the level of protection does begin to wane over time, especially for those who are immunocompromised or have comorbidities.
Since May, we have gradually seen an increase in post-vaccination infections:
• More than half of the state’s COVID deaths over the last month are linked to hypertension and diabetes.
Cancer, obesity, and chronic lung disease are other leading comorbidities among COVID deaths in Maryland.
• State health officials have issued an advisory strongly urging people with comorbidities to get a booster dose as soon as possible.
• Visit covidvax.maryland.gov to find out where boosters are available near you.
• COVID-19 VACCINES FOR 5- TO 11-YEAR-OLDS. With CDC authorization expected as early as next week, the state is now completing final preparations to be able to vaccinate the 515,000 Maryland children who will become immediately eligible.
• Maryland health officials have begun placing orders for an initial 180,000 Pfizer doses for children.
There will be a range of options for getting 5- to 11-year-olds vaccinated, and additional updates will be provided to make sure parents have the information they need.
Notes From Governor Hogan’s 4/21 Press Conference
The notes from Governor Hogan’s 4/21 press conference come from the tweets of his deputy communications director, Kata Hall.
• @GovLarryHogan is holding a press conference at the State House in Annapolis with Brigadier General Janeen Birckhead, leader of the Vaccine Equity Task Force, and Dr. Jinlene Chan from @MDHealthDept.
• VACCINE PROGRESS. Maryland has surpassed the milestone of 4 million vaccines administered. As of today, we have vaccinated more than 82% of all Marylanders over the age of 65, and more than 55% of all Marylanders 18 and older.
• The state’s more than 3,000 points of distribution have now expanded to 509 pharmacies and 104 doctors’ offices, and the Vaccine Equity Task Force is adding dozens of clinics each week.
• MASS VAX SITES. Tomorrow, we launch the newest mass vaccination site at Ripken Stadium in Harford County. Howard County site at the Mall in Columbia opens next week.
• NO-APPOINTMENT NECESSARY OPPORTUNITIES. Walk-up lines are expanding to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, the Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital, and the FEMA site at Greenbelt Metro Station.
• We also expanded walk-up lines at M&T Bank Stadium, Western Maryland, and Eastern Shore mass vaccination sites, and will continue to increase these opportunities in the coming weeks.
• MASS VAX SITE MILESTONES:
-Six Flags will hit 250,000 vaccinations
-Southern Maryland site hitting 100,000 vaccinations today
-M&T Bank Stadium hit a new record of 1,000 vaccinations in an hour yesterday
• The best way to be guaranteed a vaccine and to get through these sites quickly and effectively is to pre-register and secure an appointment.
• NO ARM LEFT BEHIND. The governor announces a new set of initiatives in an all-hands-on-deck effort to make sure that every Marylander who wants a vaccine can get access to one as quickly as possible.
• DIRECT OUTREACH TO SENIORS:
-Completed or scheduled clinics at 98% of all senior housing facilities
-Contacting more than 70,000 Medicaid recipients who have not yet received a vaccine and booking appointments for them
-Conducting clinics at dozens of senior centers
• COLLEGE STUDENTS:
-Partnering with Maryland Higher Education Commission to conduct outreach to all college campuses
-Reserving appointments at mass vax sites for college students
-Partnering with 42 public and private colleges and universities on a social media and ad campaign
• PARTNERSHIP WITH MAJOR EMPLOYERS:
-Working with Southwest Airlines, Exelon, Comcast, Amazon and others to ensure that workforces are vaccinated
-Conducting vaccine clinics for essential workers at manufacturers
-Conducting outreach programs for agricultural workers
• VACCINE SUPPORT CALL CENTER:
-Call center will now provide direct assistance to Marylanders who need help getting a vaccine
-Available seven days a week from 7am to 10pm
-Support providers are now available in over 200 languages
• VACCINE CONFIDENCE CAMPAIGN. We are launching a new PSA featuring trusted physicians talking about the safety of #COVID19 vaccines and encouraging people to get vaccinated.
• @GovLarryHogan: “Next to getting vaccinated, the most important thing you can do is to encourage all of your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family to get vaccinated as well.”
Governor Larry Hogan will hold a press conference today at 3:30 to provide an update on Maryland’s COVID-19 response and recovery.
you can watch live here Twitter, Facebook, or Youtube.
As always, we will provide notes from the press conference.
Governor Hogan will hold a press conference today at 2:30 for an update on COVID-19 in Maryland.
You can watch live on Twitter, Facebook, or Youtube: bit.ly/GovHoganYouTube
As always, we’ll have notes available towards the conclusion of the press conference.
