May 4, 2012
Many audits of state agencies find wasted dollars, poor accounting controls, lax purchasing measures and even occasional fraud; so it’s worth pointing out that legislative auditors reviewing $2.6 billion of spending that went through the transportation secretary’s office found absolutely nothing. The good news comes as Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley announced she’s leaving the post July 1, after almost three years in the job. [...more]
May 3, 2012
Despite a strong protest, the Board of Public Works unanimously awarded a $598 million contract to provide health services to 26,000 prison inmates over the next five years to Wexford Health Sources of Pittsburgh. As prison officials advised, it rejected the bid by Corizon Inc. of St. Louis, which has been providing two-thirds of the services to the prisoners for the last seven years.
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April 4, 2012
Approval of two retroactive contracts for Maryland Public Television worth $162,152 were unanimously approved by the Board of Public Works on Wednesday, but the long-standing problems with procurement at the state agency rankled Treasurer Nancy Kopp. [...more]
March 7, 2012
Because of lower-than-expected income tax revenues, the Board of Revenue Estimates lowered Maryland’s projected revenues for the coming year by $80 million, and Comptroller Peter Franchot warned against any policies that would impact individual taxpayers. [...more]
February 9, 2012
A complex and contentious $2.4 billion contract for state employees’ prescription drugs was awarded to St. Louis-based Express Scripts on Wednesday, over the protests of Comptroller Peter Franchot and the Maryland company holding the old contract. [...more]
February 6, 2012
Despite the state’s efforts to remain fiscally sound, Maryland is struggling to avoid the downgrading of its cherished top triple A bond rating due to possible federal budget cuts, State Treasurer Nancy Kopp told the House Appropriations Committee Friday. [...more]
If property values don’t start increasing, the state may need to increase property taxes or tap the general fund to pay off its bond debt, legislative analysts told lawmakers. [...more]
December 19, 2011
A state debt committee voted to increase Maryland’s borrowing by $150 million next year to almost $1.1 billion, and the decision left Comptroller Peter Franchot steaming. “One week we are taking in less money, and the next week we are spending more,” Franchot said in an interview, referring to a write down of estimated revenues Dec. 9. “We are doubling down with a vote on a failed economic model” – that higher taxes, more spending and more debt can reduce unemployment. [...more]
December 11, 2011
More economic uncertainty – brought on by potential cuts in federal spending, a lack of consumer confidence, and debt issues in Europe – led the Board of Revenue Estimates on Friday to reduce its projected revenues for fiscal year 2013 by $71 million to $14.4 billion in the general fund. [...more]
November 16, 2011
The $552,000 purchase of 32 Steinway pianos by Bowie State University for its new $79 million performing arts center opening next year is “out of touch” with the current economy, Comptroller Peter Franchot said at the Board of Public Works Wednesday. “Given the challenges that these universities face, I think it’s a luxury at this point that the taxpayer shouldn’t be paying for,” said Franchot, who voted against the purchase. [...more]
