Education funding may have been the biggest winner of Election Day for Maryland taxpayers. Close to 90 percent of voters approved Question 1, the constitutional amendment that promises a half-billion dollars for schools.No matter what you call it -- Question 1, Fix the Fund, lockbox -- it's now the law in Maryland. But how soon will see this new gambling money head to schools?"Educators are waking up today thrilled that so many Marylanders are supporting funding for public education," said Cheryl Bost, president of the Maryland State Education Association.So are lawmakers, who helped to draw up legislation to funnel millions of casino gambling dollars to local schools."It will happen. It has to happen by law," said Delegate Maggie McIntosh.McIntosh said she's already doing the math."It will have to include, probably, between the $400 million and $500 million increase for enhanced educational services and programs because of the money," McIntosh said.A school funding commission said the state is almost $3 billion short of what it needs to fully fund educational programs. Fresh off winning a second term in office, Gov. Larry Hogan is expected to set aside new money in the budget that he'll present to lawmakers by Jan. 1."This is really the first step getting it passed -- the vote, and in the constitution, but it is now going to be everybody's responsibility to hold our elected officials accountable to show where they're increasing education funding and to find other ways to fill the budget gap," Bost said.Some said that budget gap had already started to widen before the results of Tuesday's election.​

Education funding may have been the biggest winner of Election Day for Maryland taxpayers. Close to 90 percent of voters approved Question 1, the constitutional amendment that promises a half-billion dollars for schools.

No matter what you call it -- Question 1, Fix the Fund, lockbox -- it's now the law in Maryland. But how soon will see this new gambling money head to schools?

"Educators are waking up today thrilled that so many Marylanders are supporting funding for public education," said Cheryl Bost, president of the Maryland State Education Association.

So are lawmakers, who helped to draw up legislation to funnel millions of casino gambling dollars to local schools.

"It will happen. It has to happen by law," said Delegate Maggie McIntosh.

McIntosh said she's already doing the math.

"It will have to include, probably, between the $400 million and $500 million increase for enhanced educational services and programs because of the money," McIntosh said.

A school funding commission said the state is almost $3 billion short of what it needs to fully fund educational programs. Fresh off winning a second term in office, Gov. Larry Hogan is expected to set aside new money in the budget that he'll present to lawmakers by Jan. 1.

"This is really the first step getting it passed -- the vote, and in the constitution, but it is now going to be everybody's responsibility to hold our elected officials accountable to show where they're increasing education funding and to find other ways to fill the budget gap," Bost said.

Some said that budget gap had already started to widen before the results of Tuesday's election.