Maryland appropriators warned Thursday that legislative ambitions in the first year of a new term under Democratic party rule in Annapolis might have to be constrained a bit after state revenue estimates came in lower than anticipated.
House Appropriations Chair Ben Barnes (D-Prince George’s) said lawmakers would have to work on a budget that accounts for a new projected structural deficit before considering passing new bills with new spending obligations.
Barnes’ comments came shortly after the state’s Board of Revenue Estimates released new figures estimating a $478 million revenue dip during the current and next fiscal year, for which lawmakers are expected to pass a budget by April 3.
Overall, the fiscal writedown equals about 1% of previously anticipated revenue.
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