Tag: Nancy Kopp
Franchot: ‘We are still $600 million or $700 million less than what we should have been pre-pandemic’
MarylandReporter.com spoke with Comptroller Peter Franchot on Friday afternoon following a Board of Revenue Estimates meeting in which the board unanimously voted to slightly increase the state’s revenue projections for FY 2021 and FY 2022. The board previously met in September and is comprised of Franchot, Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Budget Secretary David Brinkley.
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State Roundup: BPW spares millions from cuts, but Hogan warns $205M still must go
BPW spares millions from cuts, but Hogan warns $205M still must go.
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Md.’s top economist: Projected general-fund revenue loss may not be as bad as was expected
State Comptroller Peter Franchot calls the projections by Andy Schaufele, director of Maryland’s Bureau of Revenue Estimates, an “economic nightmare.”
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Rascovar: Procurement disgrace in Annapolis
Maryland’s system of contracting for services through competitive bids is in shambles. It has been that way for years — and is getting worse. It’s an embarrassment to taxpayers. Yet a long list of procurement debacles hasn’t been enough to spur sweeping reforms.
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O’Malley’s final BPW meeting — smiles, applause and budget cuts
Twice a month for eight years, Gov. Martin O’Malley has presided over the Board of Public Works. Its three members all describe it as a unique institution in American state government where three independently elected state officials get to review every major government contract and purchase, from health insurance and prison food service to university dorms and wetland permits. Wednesday was O’Malley’s last session as governor, and at Comptroller Peter Franchot’s suggestion, the audience gave O’Malley a standing ovation.
Read MoreBoard of Public Works approves more gaming machines and worries about Balto. Metro safety
The Board of Public Works approved a $200 million contract for gaming machines at the state’s two smallest casinos and also worried about safety on Baltimore’s metro system during its Wednesday morning meeting.
Read MoreTreasurer, comptroller urge senators to restore $100M cut in pension funding
In unusual joint testimony, Maryland State Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot, chair and vice-chair of the state pension board, pleaded with Senate budgeters not to permanently cut $100 million in state payments to the retirement system. They said the cut proposed by Gov. Martin O’Malley had high long-term repercussions and undermined the state’s credibility with bond rating agencies by reneging on promises made in 2011 pension reforms.
Read MoreBarry Rascovar: O’Malley’s latest pension grab
It takes quite a bit for the quiet, diplomatic State Treasurer, Nancy Kopp, to criticize her fellow Democrat, Gov. Martin O’Malley. But she gently laid it on the line in opposing O’Malley’s $100 million budget cut for state pension contributions.
“It’s a question of trust,” Kopp said
Read MoreMore Md. bond funding in the works
The O’Malley administration on Wednesday successfully pushed to raise next year’s bond authorization to $1.16 billion, $75 million more than this year, rejecting objections by state Comptroller Peter Franchot that “we’re adding another Christmas tree ornament.”
“We can’t afford it,” Franchot told the Capital Debt Affordability Committee, saying it should stick to this year’s bond authorization of $1,085,000,000.
Read MoreMd. pension system earns 10.6% on investments
The Maryland state pension system achieved a 10.6% return on its investment portfolio for the fiscal year that ended June 30, bringing the fund assets to a total of $40.2 billion, Chief Investment Officer Melissa Moye told the pension trustees Tuesday.
The return exceeded the system’s target of 7.75% annual return, and was far better than the dismal results of less than 1% for fiscal 2012.
Read MoreGroup home founder protests state rejection of renewed funding
REVISED AND CORRECTED: The Maryland Board of Public Works on Wednesday approved 44 new contracts for child residential care services in locations throughout Maryland totaling over $364 million over five years.
But one Montgomery County provider did not win an award for a group home that the state and Montgomery County have previously invested in, virtually ensuring the foreclosure of the Sandy Spring group home, its founder said .Hattie Washington of Aunt Hattie’s Place Inc. vociferously protested the lack of funding.
Read MorePension system advisor ‘very disappointed’ in legislative cut in contribution
The outside advisor for the Maryland pension system told its Board of Trustees Tuesday that he was “very disappointed” that the legislature reduced the state’s payment into the retirement fund by $100 million in budget action this month. The money comes from $300 million in added contributions of state employees and teachers passed in 2011. It is being set aside for the possible federal budget cuts from sequestration.
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