ANNAPOLIS - Senator Steve Waugh (R-St. Mary's County) has announced the Maryland General Assembly passed a $42 billion budget that gives Governor Larry Hogan and the State of Maryland a FY 2017 budget that contains a reasonable increase in funds for projects that ensure the state maintains its commitment to programs that benefit the well-being of its residents.
"The FY 2017 budget shows real leadership: funds our top priorities and maintains a surplus - with no new taxes.
It provides cautious economic stewardship by both the Governor and the General Assembly," Senator Waugh stated. "At the same time, it reflects our values to fund programs that benefit all residents while holding firm on budgetary restraints."
With a $403 million surplus in the general fund, the House and Senate passed SB 190 with less than a half percent change in the Governor's budget request. In addition, this budget will result in a five-year structural deficit of over $280 million, down from the $5.1 billion deficit estimated in December 2014.
To fund state priorities, the General Assembly cut and restricted $136 million, $80 million of which was redirected from the Governor's proposed appropriation to the Rainy Day Fund to cover existing and new programs. Priorities funded in this budget will:
-- Maintain the state's commitment to its public schools with over $6.3 billion in financial support for public schools.
-- Provide $15.0 million to assist with the transition to a new Prince George's County Regional Medical System, $21.5 million for strategic demolition neighborhood revitalization projects across the state, a significant increase in critical maintenance funding to preserve state facilities, and $2.0 million in new funding for the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund to support rural entrepreneurship and community development.
-- Keep higher education tuition increases low.
-- Provide vital health care services to vulnerable populations and funding for physicians.
-- Increase by $12.1 million spending on substance abuse disorders to cover new and expanded services and treatment for individuals with a substance abuse disorder.
For additional information about the Budget Bill as passed, please visit the following link- http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/Pubs/BudgetFiscal/2016rs-budget-docs-operating-cc-summary.pdf.
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"The FY 2017 budget shows real leadership: funds our top priorities and maintains a surplus - with no new taxes.
It provides cautious economic stewardship by both the Governor and the General Assembly," Senator Waugh stated. "At the same time, it reflects our values to fund programs that benefit all residents while holding firm on budgetary restraints."
With a $403 million surplus in the general fund, the House and Senate passed SB 190 with less than a half percent change in the Governor's budget request. In addition, this budget will result in a five-year structural deficit of over $280 million, down from the $5.1 billion deficit estimated in December 2014.
To fund state priorities, the General Assembly cut and restricted $136 million, $80 million of which was redirected from the Governor's proposed appropriation to the Rainy Day Fund to cover existing and new programs. Priorities funded in this budget will:
-- Maintain the state's commitment to its public schools with over $6.3 billion in financial support for public schools.
-- Provide $15.0 million to assist with the transition to a new Prince George's County Regional Medical System, $21.5 million for strategic demolition neighborhood revitalization projects across the state, a significant increase in critical maintenance funding to preserve state facilities, and $2.0 million in new funding for the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund to support rural entrepreneurship and community development.
-- Keep higher education tuition increases low.
-- Provide vital health care services to vulnerable populations and funding for physicians.
-- Increase by $12.1 million spending on substance abuse disorders to cover new and expanded services and treatment for individuals with a substance abuse disorder.
For additional information about the Budget Bill as passed, please visit the following link- http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/Pubs/BudgetFiscal/2016rs-budget-docs-operating-cc-summary.pdf.
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