As previously reported on Conduit Street, Governor Hogan had included an additional $2 million in general funds to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in his second supplemental budget for FY16 to be used to expand substance abuse treatment programs for individuals addicted to heroin. Although the supplemental budget was rejected, the General Assembly restricted $2 million to be used for this purpose, which may be restored at the discretion of the Governor through a budget amendment. As noted in the Maryland Department of Legislative Services 90 Day Report (page A-11):
While reviewing the budget, the legislature established a number of priorities primarily related to K-12 education, State employee compensation, and health care provider reimbursements. In some instances, funding for proposed contingent reductions was restored. These items are discussed further below.
Where funding could not be directly restored, the legislature acted to restrict $201.7 million in budgetary savings for legislative priorities.
Section 48 of House Bill 70 authorizes the Governor to transfer funds by budget amendment to restore spending, otherwise the appropriations revert to the general fund or the Dedicated Purpose Account.
The report continues with a chart detailing the general fund budget savings restricted for legislative priorities and the priorities authorized to be funded from the savings including the $2 million for substance abuse treatment for heroin addiction (page A-29):
For more information:
Previous coverage on Conduit Street:
Governor Provides Additional $2 Million in Supplemental Budget for Heroin Treatment