Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has signed a measure to settle a long-running federal lawsuit related to underfunding at the state's four historically Black colleges and universities for $577 million over a decade.
Hogan signed the bill Wednesday with lawmakers at Bowie State University. Hogan vetoed a similar bill last year after citing economic difficulties created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today was an historic day as @GovLarryHogan signed SB1 HB1 (the HBCU Settlement Bill) into law, ensuring $577M over 10 years in state resources to MD's four HBCUs. All of the presidents from the benefiting schools were on hand to witness the signing. #GrowingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/OBxWqGojWj
— Morgan State University (@MorganStateU) March 24, 2021
The General Assembly passed a new measure last week. It won't begin payments until fiscal year 2023 in an adjustment to account for the pandemic’s fiscal impact.
The lawsuit was first filed in federal court in 2006.
Historic Day in MD. After 15 yrs. of litigation, settlement is finally reached. With the $20 million or so coming to Morgan, we will mount a few degree programs to be in alignment with the human work of the future. I wanted to make sure the signature was in non erasable ink😀! pic.twitter.com/IGGm6CXRzG
— David Kwabena Wilson (@morganpres) March 24, 2021