The Department of Legislative Services, in its budget analysis of Payments to Civil Divisions of the State, is recommending that the General Assembly concur with the Governor’s formula-driven fiscal 2021 allocation for the Disparity Grant Program. The Governor’s allowance for the Disparity Grant Program totals $158.3 million, an increase of $12.2 million over fiscal 2020, which is due primarily to increases in disparity grant payments to Dorchester, Washington, and Wicomico counties generated by increases in those…
Harford County has earned its 31st consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). In order to receive the budget award, the County had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation that assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device. Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, and in the fourteen mandatory criteria within…
Recognizing the crucial need for government financial transparency, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has undertaken a major project to help state and local governments share financial information in ways that are comprehensible for both finance professionals and average residents, improving overall confidence and trust in government. GFOA's "Guide to Online Fiscal Transparency" is free and full of practical insights and advice for governments that want to "go beyond the PDF." The key takeaway is…
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich introduced his first recommended $4.23 billion FY 21-FY26 capital improvements program (CIP) and FY21 capital budget to address the County’s major needs over the next six years. Despite constrained resources, the proposed CIP includes significant investments in public schools, Montgomery College, transportation, pedestrian safety, economic development, affordable housing, and climate change initiatives. According to a press release: The recommended CIP for all County agencies (excluding the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) represents…
MACo’s 2020 President, Baltimore City Council Member Sharon Green Middleton, First Vice President, Caroline County Commissioner Wilbur Levengood, Chair of MACo's Education Subcommittee, Montgomery County Council Member Craig Rice, and MACo Associate Director Kevin Kinnally today presented MACo’s 2020 Legislative Initiatives to the House Ways and Means Committee. The MACo panel followed the Department of Legislative Services’ analysts, who presented the annual Overview of State Aid to Local Governments. Substance use disorders and mental illness…
The Department of Legislative Services (DLS) today presented its annual fiscal briefing to the General Assembly budget committees. This briefing provides a comprehensive overview of the Governor’s proposed FY 2021 operating and capital budgets, aid to local governments, and the State’s economic and revenue outlook. The Quick Look at Fiscal 2021 Budget shows that the Governor’s proposed budget leaves a general fund balance of $414.4 million at the end of FY 2020 and $108.5 million at…
Governor Larry Hogan yesterday unveiled a proposal to cut taxes for retirees by more than $1 billion over the next five years. “People who have been lifelong Marylanders and have contributed so much, and still have more to offer, are moving to other states for one reason—our state’s sky-high retirement taxes,” said Governor Hogan. The bill would eliminate all state tax on the first $50,000 of income for retirees making up to $100,000 in federally…
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