Investment in Public Education: Successfully worked to allocate $250 million in FY2006 to build and renovate schools across Maryland. Montgomery County will receive $30.4 million of this allocation. Also, successfully worked to continue to provide additional operating funds for Montgomery County Public Schools (an additional $31.3 million for FY 2006).

Protection of the state’s financial health: Advocated for state budgets which maintain Maryland’s AAA bond rating (one of only seven states in the country), produce annual surpluses, adhere to the state’s responsible spending affordability guidelines and maintain a substantial "Rainy Day" fund.

Investment in Higher Education: Successfully worked to restore $43 million to Maryland’s universities and $9.5 million to Maryland’s private colleges and universities for the FY2006 budget.

Education: Continue the $250 million annual funding level to construct and renovate schools across our state. Continue the increased operating funding called for in the Thornton formula. Continue increased funding for our colleges and universities.

Health Care: Continue to work to expand access to health care for all citizens of Maryland, especially our senior citizens and children.

Children: Continue to reform the Department of Juvenile Services to ensure that all juveniles are being provided adequate services and facilities. Continue to develop a better system for protecting abused and neglected children.

Fiscal Responsibility: Address Maryland’s long term structural budget deficit to fully fund the Thornton Formula for our public schools, fully fund Medicaid, fully fund the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) waiting list, and provide a dedicated funding source for the Transportation Trust Fund ( need more monies for transit and roads).

Delegate Charles Barkley continues to serve on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. He is Vice-Chairman of the Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee and serves on the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The Appropriations Committee reviews the Governor’s budget and recommends changes.

Delegate Barkley is the House Chairman of the General Assembly’s Joint Audit Committee. This committee scrutinizes all state programs to ensure their efficiency and wise use of our tax dollars.

Delegate Barkley has been Chairman of the Montgomery County House Delegation for the last three legislative sessions and has been re-elected by his colleagues to Chair the Delegation for the 2006 legislative session. With 24 delegates, the Montgomery County Delegation is the largest delegation in the Maryland House of Delegates.

Delegate Barkley is active with the National Conference of State Legislators. He is currently Vice-Chairman of the Education Standing Committee, serves on the Executive Committee of the National Labor Caucus and is a member of the Steering Committee of the Education Caucus.