As pointed out on the editorial page of The Baltimore Sun ("Building for the Future," July 11) Gov. Martin O'Malley is to be commended for making the promise to keep funding for Maryland schools at the level he has maintained during the last four years. Former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. should go back and review, or read, State Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp's 2004 report on the lamentable state of Maryland schools. The funding called for by Ms. Kopp was to bring schools up to minimum standards throughout the state. When economic times were good, Mr. Ehrlich had the opportunity to invest in education for our children; instead, he cut funds for Maryland schools.

It takes courage to stand up and call for increased funding to educate our children, who do not vote. If Mr. Ehrlich really had the best interests of our children at heart, he would have followed the State Treasurer's recommendations, but he did not. On the issue of education in this state, Mr. Ehrlich does not possess the same courage and vision for the future as the present governor.

Laurie Taylor-Mitchell, Towson