Budget
We are still recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression, but we managed to pass a balanced budget without making severe cuts and without significant new tax increases (HB 70, HB 72). We remained one of only eight states in the nation with an AAA bond rating, allowing us to borrow money at low interest rates for our road, transit, and school construction.
I’m very proud that unlike states like Wisconsin and Ohio, Maryland has not chosen to balance our budget on the backs of state workers. As we have each year, we collaborated with our public employees, we avoided widespread layoffs and protected collective bargaining rights. While the budget did not allow COLA or merit increases this year, our hardworking state employees will receive a one-time $750 bonus to partially compensate them for the average of $3,100 they have lost over the last three years.