Maryland lawmakers are facing an unprecedented tight budget year, with the need to cut an additional $200 million to $500 million from the budget, according to a report by 11 News. The Budget and Taxation Committee Chairman described it as the most extraordinary budget process he has ever been through, with uncertainty from Washington driving the need for more cuts.
Options for budget cuts include tweaking the Medicaid formula, adjusting scholarships, reducing cyber workforce grants, and deleting vacant job positions. Lawmakers have delayed budget deadlines by six days to await decisions from Congress, as Maryland relies heavily on federal funding, with 6% of the state’s workforce employed by the federal government.
The Maryland Department of Legislative Services has provided a list of hundreds of potential options for cutting the budget. The Board of Revenue Estimates is set to release revenue projections on March 9, which will likely influence the decisions of lawmakers as they navigate the challenging budget process.
With a focus on federal funding for areas like Medicaid, education spending, FEMA grants, and federal contractors, state legislators are facing difficult decisions in the coming weeks to balance the budget and ensure financial stability for Maryland. Lawmakers, including Senate President Bill Ferguson, are preparing for the impact of potential cuts and uncertainties from Washington on the state’s budget.
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