“Gov. Larry Hogan announced Wednesday that he would not release $245 million the legislature put into the state budget for various projects—including school construction, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and summer jobs for Baltimore youth,” writes Luke Broadwater in Wednesday’s (7/3) Baltimore Sun. The legislature had previously set aside $1.6 million in special funding for the symphony, which is in financial distress and has locked out its musicians. “Though the General Assembly approved a balanced budget as required by the Maryland Constitution, Hogan argued the state shouldn’t fund the legislature’s priorities because of a possible $960 million shortfall next year. Other funds being withheld are … $750,000 for a prescription drug affordability board, and $200,000 to expand Maryland’s free tax preparation and filing services for poor people…. During this year’s 90-day session, the legislature amended Hogan’s proposed $46 billion operating budget for the year that began Monday. Legislators made close to $300 million in changes to the budget Hogan introduced, deleting items he favored and replacing them with items they preferred. But under state law, Hogan doesn’t have to release the money for … [the legislature’s] chosen programs.”
Posted July 9, 2019
