Hogan Threatens Referendum On Schools Starting After Labor Day
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan threatened a referendum on schools starting after Labor Day, after some state legislators introduced a bill to override his law.
One senate bill was introduced into the Maryland General Assembly that would override the governor's policy to start schools after Labor Day.
The bill would let county school boards set their start and end dates of the school year.
A compromise bill, also introduced into the general assembly, would allow schools to extended the length of the school year for up to five days past June 15 without approval.
Hogan sent out several tweets Monday on the issue.
Here they go again. Partisan legislators are once again trying to turn back the clock on the progress we have made by pushing legislation to stop our effort to start schools after Labor Day.
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) February 4, 2019
Hogan argues that schools starting after Labor Day is widely supported by Maryland constituents and that only 17 percent oppose the law.
During a press conference Thursday, Hogan said the compromise bill provides some flexibility on the school year's end date to help meet the state's requirement.
Students must go to school for 180 days in any given year. Hogan said the state also determines statewide holidays, so the law shouldn't be an issue among county schools.
Hogan said that if the state legislation goes forward with their version of the bill, they will have to get change put on the ballot or as a referendum.
It's the second year, Maryland schools started after Labor Day.
Follow @WJZ on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook