Shore Counties To See More Funding In Governor’s Budget

BERLIN -- Gov. Martin O’Malley this week introduced his proposed fiscal year 2014 budget, and while the weighty document is sprinkled with mixed news, it appears Worcester and Wicomico counties could stand to gain much more in state aid in various departments and for significant capital projects.

O’Malley on Wednesday introduced a proposed $37.3 billion fiscal year 2014 budget that includes an estimated $325 million in spending cuts while increasing the state’s rainy day fund to $921 million while reducing the structural deficit by $318 million. The governor called the spending plan a “jobs budget” and called on state lawmakers not to tinker too much with the final product.

“Because of the better choices we’ve made together over the years, we enter 2013 in a better position than most other states to create jobs, expand opportunity and protect the safety and security of our citizens,” he said. “We’ve built the number-one public schools in America five years in a row, driven down violent crime to three-decade lows and protected our AAA bond rating. The proposed fiscal year 2014 budget protects the progress we’ve made together and places us on the verge of eliminating the long-standing structure deficit.
More