In his first State of the State address to the Maryland Assembly, Governor Robert Ehrlich highlighted the environment, education, and crime policies that he plans on pursuing.

Ehrlich addressed the assembly on January 28. He highlighted Maryland's high crime rates and emphasized how drugs are often the cause of crime. “Gun violence – domestic abuse – sexually transmitted disease – lack of educational opportunity – overcrowding in our criminal justice system - over-representation of minority youth in prison – all are directly related to our drug culture." Throughout his speech, Ehrlich used Maryland success stories to emphasize his points.

The speech focused on social issues not economic issues. Ehrlich endorsed money for clean up in the Chesapeake Bay. He said, “Despite millions of dollars invested in environmental clean up, the health of the Chesapeake Bay is precarious." He cited the story of a Bay fisherman who says that the animals he catches for a living are at a low become scarce.

Ehrlich addressed education in the speech by explaining the situation of a woman who was classified as having learning disorders and surpassed the goals set for her. She founded Cesar Chavez Elementary School, and with her story Ehrlich proposed $242 million for education.

To read the full text of the speech, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/daily/jan03/stateofstate012903.html