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Md. Senate Passes Budget, Trims Initiatives
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., left, sought to limit the budget debate, sparking a protest from Sen. Allan H. Kittleman, right.
(Rob Carr - AP)
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A move in the House committee to cut nearly $76 million from the geographic component was soundly defeated yesterday.
Since the special session, at which lawmakers raised taxes by $1.4 billion a year, the state's economy has been more sluggish than expected, prompting analysts to revise downward projected revenue by $333 million for the current fiscal year and the upcoming one.
"Economic times have changed and are still changing," Del. Norman H. Conway (D-Wicomico), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said as his panel debated cuts to the budget yesterday.
Among the casualties in both chambers is a Chesapeake Bay fund created during the special session. As envisioned, at least $50 million would be added to the fund each year. The Senate cut that amount to $25 million for the next two years. The House committee agreed to the cut only for next year.
The Senate budget also cuts O'Malley's proposed spending on stem cell grants in the coming year from $23 million to $5 million. The House panel voted to restore some of the money, recommending spending $15 million, after defeating a Republican-sponsored amendment to delete all funding.
The House panel is also seeking to divert $165 million, a significantly higher figure than the Senate, from a fund intended for post-employment benefits for state retirees.
Tempers flared on the Senate floor yesterday when Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) called for a final vote on the budget before any debate had occurred. The chamber had debated proposed amendments at length Wednesday, but several Republicans were planning to offer thoughts yesterday on the overall budget.
"Have a press conference outside if you want," Miller said in response to initial complaints.
"It's unfortunate that you're stifling debate on something this important," said Sen. Allan H. Kittleman (R-Howard), the minority whip.
Miller wound up allowing senators extended time to explain their votes, a procedure that is usually limited to two minutes per senator once votes have been cast.
