The Budget is Moving - Week 10 Update

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have spent a significant amount of my time on the state budget.  This week, the budget hits the House floor and the highlights are below.

As always, you can keep up with what I am doing by following me at @mkorman on Twitter or by clicking "Like" on Delegate Marc Korman on Facebook.

Legislative News

The budget of the state of Maryland has to be balanced every year, unlike the federal system.  It is typically made up of three separate pieces of legislation: the operating budget (costs for personnel and programs); the capital budget (funds for the state construction program); and the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (any legislative changes necessary to balance the budget). Thus far, the operating budget and Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act have been sent to the House floor.  Here are the highlights:

• Fully funds the state's statutory formulas for education;
• Sets aside $320 million in funding for the Kirwan Commission recommendations for education;
• Establishes a framework for $500 million in school construction funding for next year, which will be completed by the capital budget;
• Includes language on expanding state support of the Imagination Library program, which receives state funding in Baltimore City but not for other chapters of the program (there is one in Montgomery County);
• Makes the actuarially required payment of $1.6 billion to the state pension fund plus an additional payment of $75 million.
• Funds the State Reserve Fund (Rainy Day Fund) at 6% of general fund revenues;
• Requires the State Highway Administration to provide an update on the smart signalization program; and
• Withholds funds from the Maryland Department of Transportation until such time as the Environmental Impact Statement for the Governor's Beltway and I-270 road widening proposal is completed.

Once the House passes the budget, it will go to the Senate for approval.  The operating budget itself does not require the Governor's signature.
-----
Last week, the House of Delegates unanimously passed legislation I authored, the State Board of Elections Transparency Act.  This week, the full House is considering the Graduate Assistant Collective Bargaining Fairness Act, legislation I have been working on for many years.  The Energy Storage Pilot Project Act will also be on the House floor this week.  I am optimistic a few more of the bills I introduced will pass the House before the "cross-over" date--the date by which a bill must pass one house to be guaranteed a hearing in the other--on Monday.
-----
I spent all day Saturday in Annapolis hearing about capital projects around the state requesting taxpayer funding.  I also presented three projects on behalf of the District 16 Team:

• Josiah Henson Museum and Park: Josiah Henson was the slave who inspired the book Uncle Tom's Cabin.  The plantation he was enslaved on is in North Bethesda and a museum and visitors center are currently being constructed on site.
• Cornerstone Montgomery: This organization is a leading provider of behavioral health services in Montgomery County and its headquarters is in District 16.
• YMCA Bethesda Chevy Chase: The Old Georgetown Road Y is undergoing a major rehabilitation.​

Administration News

The State Board of Revenue Estimates has adjusted downward its budget projections for the current fiscal year and next fiscal year.  The decline is $268 million total, although overall the state is still forecasting approximately $500 million in tax revenue growth this year approximately $350 million next year.  These adjustments can be viewed here.

Community News

• Time Magazine featured several students from District 16 as part of an online feature on gun violence.  If you visit http://time.com/guns-in-america/, you can click on some students from Bethesda (and elsewhere) if you scroll left.

Community Events

• The Bethesda Chevy Chase Educational Foundation will hold its annual Wine, Chocolate, and Cheese Fundraiser on Thursday, March 14th starting at 7pm at the Woman's Club of Chevy Chase.  You can find more information here: http://bccedfoundation.org/about-the-foundation/
• On April 5th and 6th, the Bethesda Urban Partnership will host the annual Bethesda Film Fest.  Details are at https://www.bethesda.org/bethesda/bethesda-film-fest.
• On Saturday, April 13, the State Highway Administration will be holding a meeting regarding the I-495/I-270 widening proposal.  The meeting will be held at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.  The meeting time is 10am to 12pm.  Note: In a prior newsletter, the date of the meeting was misstated.
• On Monday, April 15th at 7:30am, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from my seatmate, Delegate Sara Love, along with Delegates Emily Shetty and Jared Solomon.  The meetings are at the Original Pancake House in downtown Bethesda.
• On Monday, May 6th at 7:30am, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from Sheriff Darren Popkin.  The meetings are at the Original Pancake House in downtown Bethesda.
• On Monday, June 3rd at 8:00am, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from Attorney General Brian Frosh.  The meetings are at the Original Pancake House in downtown Bethesda.

​
​If you know of a District 16 resident who merits recognition or condolences or an upcoming event, please email marc@marckorman.com.