MDCEP Releases First Look at Budget
After a preliminary review of the governor’s budget, which was released this morning, Maryland Center on Economic Policy Executive Director Benjamin Orr issued the following statement:
“Even though the state can afford to maintain current levels of state services, the governor has opted to shortchange certain programs.
“For example, while he has touted his support for public primary education, he has opted not to invest in higher education at the levels that state experts said is needed.”
Comparing the governor’s proposal to the Department of Legislative Services baseline budget, which reflects what state departments believe is needed to essentially maintain current levels of state services:
- State colleges and universities (excluding community colleges) – $52.1 million below baseline
- Medicaid – $13 million below baseline. While state officials have said they expect Medicaid caseloads to decline, nonprofit organizations that work with people who rely on Medicaid for their health care say they believe the drop in enrollment may be due to problems with the state’s renewal process.
- Health (non-Medicaid) – $58.9 million above baseline
- Debt service – $50 million below baseline. This is likely linked to the governor’s decision to reduce the state’s investment in construction projects by capping bonds at $995 million per year.
- Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services – $47.3 million below baseline.
- Juvenile services – $7.4 million below baseline
We will have more analysis of the proposal in the coming days.
