State Budget and Fiscal Issues Archives

Anne Arundel Maintains Triple-A Bond Rating

Anne Arundel County has once again earned a Triple-A bond rating from all three major credit rating agencies, marking the fourth consecutive year the county has received the highest possible designation. The ratings were reaffirmed by Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Ratings, and S&P Global Ratings, placing Anne Arundel among a small group of counties nationwide (roughly 1.5%) to hold top-tier ratings across all three agencies. From the press release: “Since the beginning of my administration, we…

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April 23, 2026

County News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues

State Keeps Property Tax Rate Flat for Fiscal 2027

The Board of Public Works (BPW) voted this week to maintain the State property tax rate for fiscal 2027, keeping rates unchanged at 11.2 cents per $100 of assessed value for real property and 28.0 cents per $100 for public utility property. The three-member board approved the rates unanimously, following a recommendation from the Commission on State Debt. The State property tax supports debt service on general obligation bonds, which fund capital investments such as…

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April 23, 2026

County Budgets / Policy Deep Dive / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

Deep Dive: Disparity Grant Delivers Less Than It Promises

This article is part of MACo’s Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top county policy issues of the day. Maryland created the Disparity Grant to deal with a basic problem. Counties raise revenue very differently, even when they apply the same tax rates. Some generate far more at the same rate because of higher incomes, while others cannot keep up. The program still tries to address that gap. But…

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April 22, 2026

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2026 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. Maryland’s 448th legislative session unfolded under significant fiscal pressure. Lawmakers closed the fiscal 2027 gap, preserved reserves, and fully funded principal commitments, such as the Blueprint, but did not resolve the larger structural deficits projected for the years ahead. That budget pressure shaped debates across nearly every policy area, from…

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April 17, 2026

County News / MACo Testimony / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: State Budget & Fiscal Issues

The segments below provide an overview of MACo’s work on State budget policy in the 2026 General Assembly session. County governments depend on a wide range of State-funded programs to deliver essential services. Changes in the State budget — whether in funding formulas, cost sharing, or program structure — can have broad and immediate impacts on county budgets. MACo advocates for predictable funding, protects against unfunded mandates, and supports targeted enhancements that align with local…

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April 16, 2026

County Budgets / Feature / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

House Appropriations Committee Rejects AOT Cost Shift, Budget Moves to House Floor

The House Appropriations Committee rejected a proposed assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) cost shift and advanced the Budget Bill (SB 282) and Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (SB 284) to the House floor. The Senate retained the AOT provision, which would have required counties to reimburse the Maryland Department of Health for escalating shares of program costs, starting at 25% and rising to 100%. The House removed that provision, avoiding a significant new State-mandated, locally funded…

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March 25, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Feature / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

Senate Advances Budget: Blocks Some Cost Shifts, But Fiscal Pressures Remain for Counties

The Maryland Senate has passed the Budget Bill (SB 282) and the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (SB 284), advancing both measures to the House of Delegates. The Senate plan largely mirrors Governor Moore's overall spending level, maintaining a roughly $70.8 billion budget while closing a projected $1.5 billion structural gap through fund transfers, targeted reductions, and financing adjustments. The plan leaves approximately $2.2 billion in the Rainy Day Fund, about 8% of general fund…

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March 18, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Feature / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues

State Revenue Forecast Improves for Now, Softens Ahead

Maryland’s latest revenue forecast boosts revenues for the current fiscal year by $355.7 million but lowers projections for fiscal 2027 by $108.0 million as budget pressures continue to build. The Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates (BRE) released its March update today, revising the State’s revenue projections as lawmakers continue to navigate a challenging fiscal environment. The latest forecast increases expected revenues for the current fiscal year by $355.7 million, while projections for fiscal 2027 decline…

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March 11, 2026

News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

Comptroller Lierman Names Erica Roach as Chief Deputy

Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman has appointed Erica Roach as Chief Deputy Comptroller. Roach will assume the role following the departure of current Chief Deputy Comptroller Andrew Schaufele. Roach currently serves as Assistant Deputy Comptroller for Revenue Operations at the Comptroller’s Office, where she oversees executive functions tied to statewide revenue collection, taxpayer assistance, and operational performance supporting more than $27 billion in annual state revenue. As Chief Deputy Comptroller, Roach will work closely with the…

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March 11, 2026

Feature / MACo Testimony / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

MACo: State Budget Plan Pressures Counties Toward Higher Taxes or Service Cuts

On March 4, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Budget and Taxation Committee in support of HB 392 - Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2026 with amendments. The BRFA shifts tens of millions of dollars in new, ongoing obligations onto county governments while limiting formula-driven State support. Taken together, these provisions place growing pressure on county budgets amid economic uncertainty, federal funding instability, and limited local revenue flexibility. Speaking on behalf of county…

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March 6, 2026