$65.9 Million in O'Malley's Budget for Local Projects

Schools Make Up One-Third of Total

Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) unveiled his state budget proposal Thursday for fiscal 2008. The $30 billion spending plan, which he submitted to the General Assembly, calls for state spending to increase by about 2.5 percent next year.

O'Malley's budget recommends a record $400 million for school construction and proposes freezing tuition at public universities.

"Maryland's budget is one of the clearest reflections of our values as a state," O'Malley said in a statement.

For Southern Maryland, O'Malley's proposal would allocate a combined $65.9 million to Charles, Calvert and St. Mary's counties for construction projects, including public schools, a baseball stadium, waste-water treatment plants and environmental initiatives.

Public schools projects make up one-third, or $22 million, of the total.

Below is a sampling of the major allocations for Southern Maryland in O'Malley's budget. For a complete list, visit http://www.gov.state.md.us/index.htm.

CHARLES COUNTY ($22.8 million)

· Southern Maryland stadium, $4.7 million

· Benedict central sewer, $3.5 million