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Local taxes for transit projects proposed
ANNAPOLIS – As Gov. Martin O’Malley prepares to introduce a plan to raise taxes on gasoline, some state lawmakers are pushing their own proposals to pay for the massive transit projects at the top of the state’s transportation to-do list. The alternatives could lead to higher taxes, but only in those areas served most heavily […]
Maryland struggling to avoid bond rating downgrade
ANNAPOLIS — Despite the state’s efforts to remain fiscally sound, Maryland is struggling to avoid the downgrading of its cherished top triple A bond rating due to possible federal budget cuts, State Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp has told the House Appropriations Committee. “It’s very frustrating because everything you do, everything we do, they agree is […]
Legislators seek lock on dedicated funds
ANNAPOLIS — A bipartisan group of delegates wants to amend Maryland’s constitution to prohibit the transfer of dedicated funds to the General Fund, except in a state of emergency, as they look for ways to stave off potential tax increases. The Dedicated State Funds Protection Act would prohibit the transfer from accounts such as the […]
Sharfstein commits to fixing DDA problems
ANNAPOLIS — A flawed, outdated and ineffective method of accounting is why the state Developmental Disabilities Administration discovered $33 million in unspent funds, and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary Joshua Sharfstein said the agency is committed to fixing those problems. Testifying Tuesday before the House Appropriations Committee, Sharfstein, whose department oversees the[...]
Congress pushes back on healthier school lunches
WASHINGTON — Congress wants to keep pizza and french fries on school lunch lines, fighting back against an Obama administration proposal to make school lunches healthier. The final version of a spending bill released late Monday would unravel school lunch standards the Agriculture Department proposed earlier this year, which included limiting the use of potatoes […]
C. Fraser Smith: One favor deserves another
Endorsements don’t mean much in politics these days. Money is much more powerful. But there are dramatic exceptions. Martin O’Malley might not be governor today without the quiet support of a then-virtually unknown Baltimore councilwoman, Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake — now Baltimore’s mayor. She urged her father, the late Howard P. “Pete” Rawlings, to endorse O’Malley […]
Md. House Appropriations Committee to consider fee increases
ANNAPOLIS — Maryland lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee will be considering a plan to raise about $67 million in fees to help balance the state budget. Delegate Tawanna Gaines, who chairs a subcommittee on transportation and the environment, said Friday the plan would increase a fee for vanity license plates from $25 to $50. […]
House begins work on O’Malley’s $34.2B 2012 budget proposal
ANNAPOLIS — Business regulation and economic development funding escaped largely unscathed as the House of Delegates made preliminary changes to Gov. Martin O’Malley’s $34.2 billion budget proposal on Wednesday. “We’re in an economy where job creation and economic development are a focus for us,” said Del. Heather R. Mizeur, vice chairwoman of the House Education […]
Report says juvenile services underfunded by $7.2M
ANNAPOLIS — The governor’s proposed 2012 budget underfunds the Department of Juvenile Services by $7.2 million, according to an analysis unveiled last week. The analysis by the Department of Legislative Services, presented to the House Appropriations Committee Friday, says that Gov. Martin O’Malley’s budget overestimates the amount of money the state will receive from the [&hel[...]
Md. House committee holds hearing on pensions
ANNAPOLIS — A proposal to increase Maryland state employees’ pension contribution rate from 5 percent to 7 percent is getting a hearing before a House of Delegates committee. The House Appropriations Committee will discuss the proposal on Tuesday. Gov. Martin O’Malley is proposing changes to address $19 billion in unfunded pension liabilities. With increased contributions […]
Dept. of Human Services says it is proud of improved turn-around time
ANNAPOLIS — Officials of Maryland’s Department of Human Resources boasted to a House Appropriations Committee subcommittee Tuesday about exceeding the court-ordered number of quick turned-around claims for Marylanders on public assistance. These programs aid families in need. The Temporary Cash Assistance program provides money, and the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program provides s[...]
