MD’S DEFICIT WIDENS BY $280 MILLION,WORSENING HISTORIC BUDGET GAP: A key fiscal panel cut another $280 million from the state’s revenue projections Thursday, warning of an impending “unnecessary negative shock” to the state’s economy driven by expected federal budget and employment cuts. The updated projections from the Board of Revenue Estimates come amid increased concern about federal budget and employment cuts and a looming potential shutdown. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters
- The new economic forecast out Thursday showed that the state should take in about $107 million less in taxes for the current budget year than expected, plus another $173 million less for the state budget year that starts July 1. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
- State officials project Maryland will take in less tax revenue in the coming years due in part to federal layoffs. Robert Lang/WBAL NewsRadio and David Collins/WBAL-TV 11.
MOUNTING CONCERNS OVER THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL SECURITY: Former Maryland governor and Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley recently spoke with WBAL’s T.J. Smith about mounting concerns regarding the future of Social Security. O’Malley, warned of a potential system collapse due to drastic staff reductions, outdated technology, and misinformation about fraud within the agency. Katarina Hein/WBAL Radio.
MORE FUNDING FOR ABORTIONS: The Maryland Health Department could soon have access to millions of dollars in unspent insurance funds that it hopes to use to fund abortions for uninsured and underinsured Marylanders. That is the goal of legislation gaining momentum this week in House and Senate committees: Giving the state access to about $25 million in premium surcharges that were required as part of the federal Affordable Care Act but have not been spent down. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters
KEY BRIDGE WIDOW WANTS TO HELP OTHERS AVOID LEGAL OBSTACLES: Miguel Angel Luna Gonzales was one of the six members of a construction crew who were killed when a container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26. As a noncitizen, the widow — who goes by Carmen — was not allowed under Maryland law to serve as a personal representative for her husband’s estate. Madeleine O’Neill/The Baltimore Banner.
THERE COULD BE A TAX ON SUGARY BEVERAGES: In an effort to address Maryland’s growing budget deficit, two Democratic lawmakers are considering a tax on sugary beverage distributors — a proposal that has sparked controversy among Republicans and retailers. Natalie Jones/The Baltimore Sun.
TRUMP LAWSUITS PUT MD FEDERAL JUDGES CENTER STAGE: A surge in high-profile lawsuits against President Donald Trump has put a national spotlight on Maryland’s federal judges, some of whom have been singled out for their rulings by Trump’s high-profile supporters. Madeleine O’Neill/The Baltimore Banner.
STEIN WANTS TO HIT THE BRAKES ON ELECTRIC VEHICLE SALES: Del. Dana Stein (D-Baltimore County) wants to pump the brakes on a state law that would require that more than 40% of all cars sold in the state be electric by the 2027 model year. Jack Bowman/Maryland Matters.
B’MORE CITY COUNCIL WANTS ANSWERS ON ABSENTEEISM: Almost half of Baltimore City students were considered chronically absent last school year, meaning they missed over 18 days of instruction. Bri Hatch/WYPR-FM.
B’MORE WANTS SOLUTION TO STUDENT MASS TRANSIT NIGHTMARE: Baltimore City Council members on Thursday pressed officials in the city school district and the Maryland Transit Administration to find solutions to improve mass transit for public school students. Liz Bowie/The Baltimore Banner.
BAY ADVOCATES CONCERNED OVER GRANT FREEZES, FIRINGS: Advocacy groups focused on reducing bay pollution told The Sun that they’re bracing for more cuts to federal positions serving the waterway, and for cuts to grant funding for environmental projects from the EPA and other federal agencies. Christine Condon/The Baltimore Sun.
CARROLL COMMISSIONER CALLS SCHOOL BUDGET PROPOSAL ‘FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE’: The school system is requesting that the county increase education funding by $57 million and parents and some school board members have asked the commissioners to use the county’s $69.5 million “unassigned” fund balance to help fund the request. Carroll County Commissioners’ President Ken Kiler said it would be “fiscally irresponsible” for the county to give Carroll County Public Schools money from the county’s savings account to help balance its fiscal 2026 budget. Sherry Greenfield/Carroll County Times.
SULLIVAN RETURNS AS MoC0 GOP CHAIR, DEMS GET NEW LEADERSHIP: Reardon Sullivan, who resigned as chair of the Montgomery County Republican Party (MCGOP) to run unsuccessfully for county executive in 2022, is back in charge of his party’s local central committee. Ginny Bixby/Bethesda Today.
