As previously reported on Conduit Street, Montgomery County is facing a FY 2013 shortfall of over $135 million.  In recent meetings with its General Assembly delegation, it is asking that the State “do no harm” as it prepares for the opening days of the General Assembly session. As reported by the Washington Post:

County officials are trying to protect themselves from potential cuts to state aid that could lead to tough budget decisions in the spring. They also are working to increase transportation funding for a backlog of road maintenance, the Purple Line and the Corridor Cities Transit way, an integral part of the county’s plans to build a 150-mile network of bus lanes.

In recent weeks, county officials have been pushing state officials in private meetings for a proposed statewide gas-tax increase and have been urging the state to waive a $26 million penalty on state education funding that is slated to be imposed next year.