News from MSTA/NEA

Education funding holds its own as legislature slashes budget

Governor O’Malley and the legislature kept their promise to keep public education a priority.

Budget cuts ran deep this year as the General Assembly made tough choices in a challenging budget debate. Other important areas felt the blows. See below.

Budget cuts approved before the 2008 General Assembly Session

Program Open Space Local Aid	77.0 million
Program Open Space Land Acquisition	41.0 million
Program Open Space Capital Development	15.1 million
Agricultural State Land Acquisition	1.5 million
Agricultural Land Preservation	25.4 million
Rural Legacy	7.5 million
Heritage Conservation Fund	2.7 million
Aid to local government	137.6 million
Systems reform initiative	3.0 million
Juvenile services	4.9 million
Library aid	3.4 million
Drinking Driving Monitor Program	1.4 million
Foster Care Program	6.7 million
OPEB	33.5 million
Community based services for children	1.9 million
Arts Council	.5 million
Health Care expansion	9.3 million
Stem cell research	8-10 million

Budget cuts made by legislators during General Assembly 2008

Local Aid to Counties	11.1 million
Medicaid	20.2 million
Higher Education	42.1 million
State Agencies	115.3 million
Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Program	0.6 million
Stem Cell Grants	4.0 million
Housing Programs	5.1 million
MD Economic Development	2.0 million
Real Property Records Improvement Fund	7.3 million
OPEB Liability	17.1 million
Voting machines	1.6 million
Chesapeake Bay 2010 Fund	25 million
MD Stadium Authority	3.0 million
Small Business Health Insurance Program	15.0 million
Medical Malpractice Insurance	20.2 million
Shock Trauma Capital Equipment	3.5 million
Transit Authority Subsidy	5.0 million
MD Dept. of Transportation	4.3 million
MD Econ. Development Fund	10.2 million
Other State Agency Reductions	3.2 million
PAYGO Funds	71.5 million
Library Aid	3.4 million

General Assembly-required cuts to be made by Board of Public Works by 7/1/08
$50.0 million