ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan outlined some of his top budget proposals Thursday in his $46.6 billion budget plan for the next fiscal year, one day before the proposal is due to the General Assembly.
Hogan says his plan fully funds not only his administration’s priorities, but also spending programs mandated by the legislature without raising taxes. He also said it leaves $1.3 billion in reserves.
Hogan has a breakfast meeting scheduled with lawmakers on fiscal panels Friday, when the governor’s entire plan will be made public. Lawmakers will spend much of the rest of the legislative session working on it before taking a vote before session ends at midnight April 8.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights:
EDUCATION
The budget includes $9.3 billion for K-12 education, which Hogan says is another record amount. Funding for school construction is more than $438 million, the most ever in one year, according to the administration. The governor also is proposing the state form a new fund that would enable $3.5 billion to be invested in school construction over the next five years. Hogan has set aside $200 million to implement recommendations of state panel known as the Kirwan Commission.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The administration has included $56.5 million in new funding to expand Maryland’s Opportunity Zone program, to attract businesses and development. The budget also includes $8 million for tax credits for manufacturing employers that create jobs in parts of the state with high unemployment.
TRANSPORTATION
The proposal includes $3.3 billion in investments in the state’s transportation network. That includes nearly $1.7 billion for state highways, $221 million for the Purple Line light rail project. It also includes $255.9 million for local jurisdictions known as Highway User Revenue - a $24 million increase from last year.
DRUG ADDICTION
The budget plan contains about $248 million for prevention and treatment of drug addiction, about a 20 percent increase over the amount in the last budget to battle addiction.
HEALTH
Nearly $11.5 billion is included for Maryland’s Medicaid program, which provides health coverage to nearly 1.4 million state residents. Nearly $130 million is allocated to pay for a 3.5 percent rate increase for behavioral health and developmental disabilities service providers.
CRIME
Hogan has included about $13 million to pay for initiatives to address violent crime in Baltimore, including increased enforcement efforts and added support for prosecution and witness protection. The budget also includes $3 million to implement additional security measures at houses of worship at risk of hate crimes, the administration said.
ENVIRONMENT
The budget fully funds transfer tax programs, including Program Open Space, with no diversions of special fund revenue to the state’s general fund. Programs funded by the transfer tax are slated to receive $267.5 million, an increase of about $14.5 million from last year.
STATE EMPLOYEE RAISES
The governor’s proposal includes at least a 3 percent raise for state workers.
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