Miller confident in Baltimore school funding deal

Maryland's Senate president says he's confident a deal will be struck on a funding arrangement for Baltimore schools.

 

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said Tuesday that his staff has been working with staff members of Gov. Martin O'Malley and House Speaker Michael Busch to develop a compromise, just like they did on a transportation funding measure now before lawmakers.

 

Miller says the problem with the school funding negotiations is "we have to deal with extremes." Miller, D-Calvert, says some want a handout with no checks and balances, while others want oversight. Still, he says thinks a fair and equitable arrangement will be negotiated.

 

Supporters hope the proposal would put more than $1 billion toward remodeling dilapidated infrastructure. Miller says the dollar amount is still being negotiated.