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Budget and TaxesMaking the Budget Work for Marylanders The Institute examines Maryland’s budget and tax policy priorities and their effects on low- and moderate- income families, vulnerable populations, and important community programs that serve them. This project translates the complex world of state fiscal policy into accessible, credible and timely information that is used by policy makers, community advocates, and the media. Conference Committee Completes Budget Compromise Local Contributions to Teacher Retirement - no cut for now - study over summer Legislative scholarships remain in the budget 4/9/10 >> Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute's analysis >>See Marylandreporter.com's coverage House Appropriations Committee Crafts Its Version of the Budget House and Senate versions are close in totals, but significant differences exist in specific items, and in plans for future budgets. 3/29/10 >>See Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute Report Senate Budget and Tax Committee approves budget Committee trims $100-million-plus this year, and prescribes hundreds of millions in cuts in the future. Next stop for the budget - the House of Delegates Appropriations Committee 3/20/10 >> See Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute's Report >> See MarylandReporter.com's coverage Senate Budget Committee Approves Subcommittee Reports Big items, including a $60 million cut to local school aid, are on hold for resolution Friday afternoon. 3/18/10 >> See MarylandReporter.com's coverage Maryland Senate subcommittees recommend $200 million in cuts so far. More may be on the way. $60 million proposed cut to public school aid "on hold" for now. 3/16/10 >> See MarylandReporter.com's coverage New Revenue Estimates Maryland’s Board of Revenue Estimates issued a report reducing revenues by $66 million in the current year (fiscal year 2010) and leaving the current estimate unchanged for fiscal year 2011. Because the Governor Martin O’Malley provided a $273 million cushion in his proposed budget, the legislature can still pass a balanced budget without making deeper cuts. 3/10/10 >> See the Revenue Report [PDF, 4pp.] Legislative Republicans propose alternative budget cuts. >> Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute Analysis [PDF] 3/5/10 >>See MarylandReporter.com's coverage. 2/26/10 Regular Person's Guide to the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget The purpose of the “Regular Person’s Guide to the Governor’s Budget,” as the name suggests, is to provide basic, useful information about the State’s spending plan to people who normally do not “live and breathe this stuff.” 2/23/10 Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley proposed his budget plan for fiscal 2011.The plan includes:
The Governor highlighted budget increases for K-12 education of $189 million, a $20 million job creation tax credit and another $20 million in Bay-related programs. Notable cuts included $330 million from level-funding local aid programs, $123 million from Medicaid hospital payments, and $146 million in employee compensation adjustments (additinal furlough days, no salary imcrements, no deferred compensation match). Expect MB&TPI's quick analysis of the Governor's budget shortly, and our more comprehensive Regular Person's Guide to the Governor's Budget in February. 1/19/10 >>Read MB&TPI's Special Report 1/21/10 >>See the Governor's press release and briefing material.
Expanding Sales Taxation of Services: Options and Issues 8/10/09 The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities's (CBPP) recent report confirms how most states including Maryland could improve their sales taxes and their tax systems in general with some expansion of the tax base to include services.
Fact Sheet on fiscal year 2011 budget 1/4/10
Official Revenue Estimates – the free fall may have ended, but balancing the budget is still a daunting challenge 12/16/09
The Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates has issued its official report on the state’s revenue prospects for the current year and the upcoming budget. These estimates are down only slightly from the previous set released in September. Said state Comptroller and Board Chair Peter Franchot, “I’m hopeful that the days of massive write-downs are behind us.” In the current year, the Board projects state general fund revenues of The Board estimates renewed revenue growth of 3.0% in 2011, to $12,672 million. This is $62 million under the September estimate. State budget secretary T. Eloise Foster estimated that with these estimates, further reductions to the current budget will not be needed at this time. There is a large enough projected fund balance to absorb the The Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute believes that bridging this gap with cuts alone would cause unacceptable harm to the states investments in education, health, public safety, and/or assistance for the most needy Marylanders. MB&TPI advocates a balanced approach to balancing the budget, including expenditure reductions, revenue increases, and prudent use of the state reserve fund.
More tax flight talk without evidence There is still no evidence that millionaires are fleeing Maryland in significant numbers to avoid state income taxes. MBTPI Director, Neil Bergsman provides commentary in The Gazette 12/11/09 >>See Neil Bergsman's analysis >>See Neil's column in the Gazette The State of Working Maryland 2009 Report is here! 12/4/09 The findings of this year’s State of Working Maryland mark a sharp departure from findings in prior years. In the past few years, we found that the overall living standard of blue- and pink-collar Marylanders was stagnating. But this year, as a result of the worst recession since the early 1980s and perhaps since the Great Depression, we find that their overall economic living standard has actually deteriorated. The annual State of Working Maryland Report is a joint effort between the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute and the Progressive Maryland Education Fund. MB&TPI would like to thank the work of interns Shane Bailey & Brooke Rieder for the work on this report.
A DIME-A-DRINK LIQUOR TAX INCREASE WOULD HELP
The Facts on Maryland Millionaires and the Millionaire Tax 11/25/09 Monthly Monitor - Third Quarter Recovery Jobs data Analyzed - Unemployment insurance Reforms Needed for MD to Receive Full Funding 11/25/09 Board of Public Works Cuts $364 Million. Cuts since budget passed now total $1.1 billion 11/18/09 Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute Fact Sheet is here>>. Links: Governor O'Malley's press release, PowerPoint presentation and detailed budget cuts News story from Capital News Service Analysis from MarylandReporter.com BUDGET BRIEFS / FACT SHEETSMd Health Care Coverage Expands, Un-Met Needs Persist >> 6/24/09Food Stamp Benefits Increase Effective April 1st >> 3/31/09A Threat to School Readiness >> 3/23/09Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC/EIC) >> 3/18/09Energy Administration Budget >>3/6/09Medical Care Programs Administration Budget >> 3/4/09Family Investment Administration Budget >> 3/3/09Early Childhood Development Budget >> 3/2/09Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund (PDF)>> 2/25/09Developmental Disabilities Admin Budget (PDF)>> 2/20/09 Mental Hygiene Administration Budget (PDF)>> 2/4/09 Medicaid and Maryland's Economy (PDF)>> 2/3/09 State Employees (PDF)>> 1/30/09
MB&TPI REPORTS Recent Reports
Special Report on the effect of the federal Stimulus Bill on Maryland (PDF)>> 2/18/09Exciting PowerPoint Budget Summary (PDF)>>1/28/09Governor Introduces Budget for Fiscal 2010
Legislative Budget Preview (PDF)>> 1/12/09
Where does the money? How was it balanced? Who are the biggest loosers? Find this out and more in this snap-shot of the FY10 Budget. Regular Person's Guide to the Governor's FY10 Budget 2/18/09 Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute and Open Society Institute-Baltimore present an accessible, understandable explanation of the budgetfor the state of Maryland. Regular Person's Guide to the Governor's FY 09 Budget 2/8/08 Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute and Open Society Institute-Baltimore present an accessible, understandable explanation of the budgetfor the state of Maryland.
Citizens for Tax Justice has issued new data showing that most Marylanders - including farmers and small business owners - are not touched by Federal Estate taxes. Eliminating this tax only reduced burdens on those most able to pay, and exacerbates federal and state budget deficits. 12/3/08 See Citizen's for Tax Justice Maryland data (PDF) See the full Citizens for Tax Justice report (PDF) Special Report - $300 million in cuts approved by Board of Public Works>> 10/17/08 Budget Update: Governor considers $400 million menu of cuts>> 10/14/08 The Regular Person’s Guide to the Maryland Slot Machine Referendum>> 9/12/08 Download the full report (PDF)>> Budget Updates
Legislators submit bills to offset regressive effect of special session taxes 2/25/08 Read the Analysis by MB&TPI and Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Click here to access Budget and Tax reports from 2007>> |
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THE BUDGET AND SAVE LIVES. Maryland Citizens' Health Initiative and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Release new report