Budget

As Frederick County begins its budgeting process for next fiscal year, residents made their voices heard at a meeting Monday night.

Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor calls for public comment as no residents spoke at the first of five public meetings as the city begins its budgeting process for fiscal year 2027.

Gov. Wes Moore is freezing the hiring of new state employees, offering voluntary buyouts and planning to eliminate vacant jobs and possibly consolidate offices.

The council must vote on any amendments to the mayor’s $4.6B budget proposal by June 26th.

Among the new changes are new income tax rates on households earning at least $500,000 a year.

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced her proposed $1 billion budget on Tuesday.

Protections for immigrants passed Monday with minutes to spare before lawmakers’ midnight deadline.

The Senate and House need to reconcile differences before sending a budget package to the governor for his signature.

Debate in the state Senate continues next week, and a vote could come Monday night. But after that, there's still more to do.

Republicans unsuccessfully fought against proposals to increase spending on education and health care.