The clash over classroom funding continues in Annapolis, and right now, it’s not clear who will win and what it could mean for Maryland taxpayers.

Gov. Wes Moore proposed several budget plans at the start of the General Assembly, including changes to the state’s hallmark Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education spending plan.

The 10-year, multi-billion-dollar plan was first vetoed by then-Gov. Larry Hogan, who cited funding concerns at the time. That veto was overridden by the Democratic supermajority, and now, funding concerns are back in the spotlight.

Moore’s proposal includes pausing teacher collaborative time for four years and adjusting funding formulas for certain communities. Collaborative time is an aspect of the plan that gives teachers more time outside teaching in the classroom to prepare; however, due to teacher shortages around Maryland, there isn’t the capacity to comply with the requirements.

The governor also called for freezing funding at current levels for community schools, which impact communities with concentrated poverty. However, the House of Delegates restored the funding for those community schools and paused collaborative time for one year instead of four.

When asked if he would sign the bill as amended, Moore didn’t provide a clear answer. Instead, he talked about the significant fiscal crisis Maryland is facing, which is expected to get worse as more cuts are made at the federal level to funding and workforce.

“For all of our partners, I can’t stress enough the seriousness of this moment,” Moore said last week. “This is not a fire drill.”

“If we don’t make these adjustments, then you’re not addressing what I believe is the biggest issue that our education system is facing. When I’m looking at tens of thousands of shortages for educators inside our classrooms, if you don’t fix that problem, I don’t care what other problem you’re trying to solve for, it’s not going to get fixed.”

John Dedie, a political analyst in the Baltimore area, said he expects the Senate to claw back some of the changes made in the House. But what those details will be remains unclear.

Senate President Bill Ferguson has previously indicated support for a pause in collaborative time for teachers. But he has been less than interested in adjusting funding formulas to schools that need the money, he said.

“Even on concentration of poverty, I understand the rationale of where they are coming from, and they believe they are dealing with it in other ways like the ENOUGH Act,” Ferguson said earlier in the session. “I just think it’s a core piece of the program that we can’t hold back on.”

But finding the funding for the Blueprint remains an issue, especially as House Democrats have indicated they are committed to keeping funding at the current levels.

“I don’t know where magically they expect all this money to show up,” Dedie said.

Del. Ben Barnes, a Democrat representing Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties, has made it clear new revenues are part of the conversation. As chair of the House Appropriations Committee, he said there will need to be cuts made to the budget — especially after revenues projections dropped $280 million for the current and next fiscal years — but the conversation about taxes are on the table.

“We will do everything in our power to avoid the most difficult cuts to people who need it. There will probably have to continue to be cuts that we look at as we move forward. And revenue to make sure that we can protect things like education, [Developmental Disabilities Administration],” Barnes said.

The House’s version of the Blueprint changes passed on second reader; it’s not clear when the Senate will take up the bill and if or how the plan will change even more.

Monday, when asked if Moore would sign the current version, a spokesperson echoed a similar sentiment the public has heard from the governor himself: He’s open to conversations.

“Gov. Moore looks forward to continuing conversations with the state legislature, local officials, educators, families, and all partners involved to ensure the long-term success and sustainability” of the Blueprint, the statement read.

Have a news tip? Contact Mikenzie Frost at mbfrost @sbgtv.com.