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“A budget is more than just a series of numbers on a page; it is an embodiment of our values.”
--Barack Obama
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Dear Supporter,
In September, when Speaker Adrienne Jones appointed me to serve on the House’s
Appropriations Committee
, I accepted the assignment with a commitment to honor the public’s trust by remembering that
how
,
where
,
why
and
when
we budget the State’s resources is a reflection of who we are as Marylander’s. In these unprecedented times the budget committees of the House and Senate pulled together to deliver a budget that received bipartisan support in both chambers. The Republican House Deputy Minority Leader remarked that
“
our budget committee has taken a budget from our Governor and made it better, and made it responsible
.
”
My committee’s chairwoman, Delegate Maggie McIntosh noted that “we [sic] left nearly
$1.4 billion to protect against economic uncertainty
.”
When I entered the House of Delegates, our State budget had a
$400 million structural deficit
.
[1]
The fiscal year 2021 budget
[2]
sets Maryland on a positive cash
flow and
eliminates the FY20 structural deficit
. The bipartisan adopted FY21 budget leaves over $200million in fund balance,
$105 million more than the fund balance remaining in the Governor’s proposed FY21 budget
and adds over $400 million to the rainy day fund to ensure that the needs of Marylanders will have adequate funding to be address as we face uncertain times together.
In the days to come I will share with you the key policy victories we had this session, and also the areas where there remains work to be done. For now, as Article III of the State Constitution requires, I will prioritize the budget.
Funds Coronavirus Response:
$10 million was added to the current operating budget to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and separate legislation authorizes the Governor to utilize $50 million from the Rainy Day Fund if necessary. Continues to Provide Vital Health Care Services: Medicaid funding totals $11.9 billion allowing the State to provide coverage to 1.4 million of our residents.
Our Commitment to Public Education:
Direct aid to local school systems was increased by $236.3 million, or 3.8%. The budget plan dedicates $362 million to support the implementation of The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
Restores Funds for Legislative Priorities:
The budget restored almost $40 million of general funds reduced by the Governor to increase reimbursement rates for providers delivering services to Maryland’s most vulnerable populations, $18.2 million for aid to community colleges, and $10.6 million for aid to independent colleges and universities. Near and dear to District 30A, we fully restored the City of Annapolis payment in lieu of tax (PILOT) funding to $750,000 annually with adjustments to the consumer price index, and we set aside $40,000 of the FY21 funds to commission strategic planning for the future of the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis.
State Support for Affordable of Higher Education:
State support for Maryland’s public four-year colleges and universities grew by $64.9 million (3.9%) allowing us to quell the recommended undergraduate tuition rates to increase a modest 2.0%. Funding for community colleges increases by $36.5 million (11%).
Funds Rate Increases for Providers Serving Children and Vulnerable Populations:
A 4.0% rate increase was funded for providers serving the developmentally disabled, people with behavioral health needs, and Medicaid enrollees. Rate increases of 2.0% are funded for human service providers.
State Employee Compensation:
A 2% general salary increase is funded effective January 1, 2021 (5% for law enforcement officers effective July 1, 2020). If fiscal 2020 non-withholding income tax revenues exceed the official revenue estimate by a specified amount, employees who were excluded from a 1% salary increase on January 1, 2020, will receive the 1% increase in fiscal 2021, and if funds are available, members of various bargaining units will receive a 2% increase.
DISTRICT 30 IN THE BUDGET
$750,000.00
City of Annapolis PILOT
fully restored from the Governors BRFA cut
includes $40,000 HACA strategic planning study
$789,000.0
0
Historic Annapolis (operating funds)
$40,037.00
Annapolis Maritime Museum (operating funds to support school visits)
$700,000.00
Annapolis City Dock- Flood Mitigation
$161,000.00
City of Annapolis Floating Docks
$89,000.00
Ellen O. Moyer Park
$3,000.00
Annapolis Fire Department- Rescue Boat
$1,000,000.00
Brice House- Historic Annapolis
$300,000.00
Defenders of Freedom Memorial
$450,000.00
Girl Scouts Camp Woodlands
$250,000.00
Ralph J. Bunche Community Center (Edgewater)
$75,000.00
Burtis House - City Dock (Stabilization) Preservation Maryland
$350,000.00
Pip Moyer Recreation & other Annapolis locations
$25,000.00
American Legion Post 141
$70,000.00
Brewer Hill Cemetery
$15,000.00
D.A.P.
Year of the Woman
Public Art Project
$50,000.00
Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse
$100,000.00
Library Signage
Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library
$150,000.00
AACo Detention Center Women's ADA Accommodation
$1,397,000.00
Tyler Heights Elementary School (AACPS)
$3,685,000.00
Edgewater Elementary School (AACPS)
$3,060,000.00
Epping Forest Drinking Water Improvement & Modernization
$1,080,000.00
St. Mary's Church - Shoreline Enhancements
$14,589,037 in District 30 Priorities
