LISTEN: Looming Budget Deficit in Annapolis Could Mean Big Local Cuts

Steve Burns
WMAL.com

ROCKVILLE, Md. – (WMAL) The top item on Governor Larry Hogan’s to-do list in the new year will be releasing his budget proposal, set to happen sometime in mid-January. In it will be his recommendations on filling what could turn out to be a nearly $500 million budget deficit. One of the first places that could see slashing may be local aid, as new taxes will likely not be popular with Republican Governor Larry Hogan.

Leaders in Montgomery County are bracing for the impact in a place they say needs money now more than ever.

“Our county doesn’t need less, it needs more,” County Council President Roger Berliner told WMAL. “This is not a time when they can skimp on Montgomery County.”

Berliner cited the ever-growing school population and the region’s constant transportation woes between Metro, Interstate 270 and the American Legion Bridge.

“Given the Trump administration’s commitment to infrastructure, the Governor saying he’s a roads person, we need him to step up and make things happen for this region,” Berliner said.

“We certainly have to protect our aid to schools. We have to protect transportation dollars,” County Executive Ike Leggett told WMAL. “There are no areas in that budget that I think are easy to make cuts and reductions, because we’ve already reduced it quite considerably.”

Hogan is expected to release his budget proposal in mid-January.