State Budget Now Overdue; Next Deadline April 13th

Maryland legislators now have a little more time to finish funding education and other important services, but the gap between them and the governor remains wide.

One of those gaps is over funding for education and health care. The General Assembly should stand firm on its commitment to public education and health care, two pillars of our modern economy. If Governor Hogan wants to underinvest in these areas he can, but the legislature should not be a party to it.

Constitutionally, Maryland’s budget is due on the 83rd day of the session, which was yesterday. However, policymakers are not really in trouble until the end of the session, one week later (next Monday, April 13th).

Even then, the governor can call for an extended session. On Monday, Governor Hogan did just that, issuing a proclamation extending the session for up to ten days if the budget isn’t passed by the end of the regular session. During those ten days, the General Assembly will only be able to discuss the budget.

Part of the problem is that, while the House and Senate are relatively close to an agreement, the Governor has not signed on. Both parties need the other to get the biggest parts of their agenda through, so negotiations are continuing.

The governor’s priorities are cutting taxes for business (maximum savings per business: $562 in Baltimore City) and reimbursing business for up to $5 million in donations to private schools, as outlined in his latest supplemental budget proposal. The legislature’s top priority is to restore public education and health care funding cut by Governor Hogan.

Technically the legislature has the final say here (the budget does not require the Governor’s signature), but because they can’t add money to the budget they need Governor Hogan’s cooperation to achieve their goals. The General Assembly is considering a plan that would call for additional spending on public education. They have achieved this by cutting spending in other areas and declining to change the law authorizing mandated education spending. Governor Hogan could reject the deal, but he would not be able to use the money for any other purpose.