Maryland Budget

For the second time this session, the House has given final approval to a bill that would ease restrictions on Congressional redistricting, but the Senate is not budging.

The House of Delegates has given final approval to a balanced state budget, as well as initial approval of a redistricting Constitutional amendment that is on track to die in the Senate.

The general bonds will be paired with around $3.8 billion in additional funds to total a capital spending plan of almost $6 billion.

Lawmakers are racing to meet a significant deadline for priority bills, utilizing double-day and weekend sessions

The Senate opted to adhere fairly closely to the governor’s recommended state spending proposal, but the fiscal impact on the developmental disability community will be lesser.

Those with developmental disabilities are anxiously waiting to see if the Senate adopts all of Gov. Wes More’s proposed $150 million in cuts to the state agency that helps provide them with care.

State budget experts are now projecting a $355 million surplus when the fiscal year ends in June, but next year’s fiscal outlook has worsened.

The state faces a 38,000 shortage of behavioral health workers by 2028.

Governor’s recommended budget cuts next fiscal year’s structural deficit in half, but fiscal experts worry the one-time shifts only put off difficult budget decisions.

The state is looking to change DDA policies bridge the deficit.