The most recent 90-day legislative session swung Maryland’s fiscal picture from hundreds of millions in surplus to increasing projected deficits over the coming four years, according to the Department of Legislative Services.
Deficits projected in the report for 2028 exceed $1 billion and approach levels not seen since The Great Recession. The new projections pose a test to the ability of Gov. Wes Moore (D) to deliver on a number of priorities and promises.
Lawmakers said they were not surprised by the numbers but acknowledged challenges lie ahead.
Del. Ben Barnes (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel) watches proceedings in the House of Delegates on the first day of the 2023 General Assembly session. Barnes is chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Photo by Danielle E. Gaines.
“We’ve made some real commitments, and they are robust,” said House Appropriations Chair Ben Barnes (D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s), noting new investments in education reform and transit. “…We need to fulfill these commitments and to do that we certainly are going to need to take a hard look at more revenues.”
In January, Moore and lawmakers came to Annapolis with a historic $5.5 billion budget reserve. Much of that was the result of discontinued federal pandemic spending.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by Drew Hansen over at Maryland Matters
