House budget writers have agreed to follow the Senate’s actions and move funding for the Aging Schools Program out of the general capital program, and fund it by redirecting part of the appropriated allocation to the State’s “Rainy Day” Reserve Fund. The decision came as the House Appropriations Capital Budget Subcommittee made its capital budget decisions yesterday.

Governor Hogan’s budget provided $6.1 million for the Aging Schools Program in general obligation bonds, and he left $1.87 billion to go the State’s Reserve Fund.

The General Assembly has opted to redirect some of these reserve fund allocations for a variety of projects, including $6.1 million for the Aging Schools Program, which has historically been funded through the capital budget. Some stakeholders have concerns, however, that the Governor (who is not bound by the General Assembly’s direction) may not fund projects out of the set-aside, making any projects in that section of the budget vulnerable.

For more information about the Aging Schools Program, see The Analysis of the 2017 Maryland Executive Budget.