State cuts hit Baltimore County in roads, police, college
Aid to county will be cut by more than $23 million
By Bryan P. Sears, bsears@patuxent.com
Posted 8/28/09
Baltimore County will lose 90 percent of the state aid that pays for highway construction and road maintenance as part of an effort to close an estimated $740 million deficit in this year’s Maryland budget.
The rest of the county cuts will come from aid to police, the health department and the Community College of Baltimore County.
The state Board of Public Works today unanimously approved Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed $450 million in cuts to the state budget. Included are the elimination of 364 state jobs and the imposition of up to 10 furlough days for state employees.
“These are not easy decisions. Just as families, businesses and individuals across Maryland struggle to find ways to tighten their belts, our state government must do more with less,” O’Malley said in a news release Tuesday.
“Our citizens expect and deserve a government that works, and in spite of the most severe recession in a generation we’ve been working to reform our state government to make (it) more efficient and effective.”
The news release included a broad outline of reductions, including cuts in state aid to counties of about $211 million.
Aid to Baltimore County will be cut by slightly more than $23 million — second only to Baltimore City, which could see aid reduced by $35 million, according to a list of proposed cuts.
The board, which can cut the state budget by up to 25 percent without approval from the General Assembly, is made up of O’Malley, state Comptroller Peter Franchot and state Treasurer Nancy Kopp.
Don Mohler, a spokesman for County Executive Jim Smith, said earlier this week that county employees will not be laid off or furloughed this year or in the next budget year to offset reductions in state aid.
Councilman Kevin Kamenetz, a Democrat who represents the 2nd District, said Monday that proposed cuts in state aid and the continued poor economy ensure “it will a lean year next year.”
Baltimore County highway user funds were cut by $15 million, leaving a total of about $1.7 million.
State grants to the police department will be reduced by $3.4 million under the governor’s proposal. The reductions are likely to come from a reduction of grants from the governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention.
The reductions will not affect the number of police officers on the street, but could reduce or eliminate some public safety initiatives. Specific programs that will be affected are not yet known.
The grants typically pay for programs such as Juvenile Offenders In Need of Supervision. The program diverts non-violent, first-time juvenile offenders from the juvenile court system and detention facilities by placing them in an intensive, year-long supervision program.
Other initiatives, such as a program that helps monitor offenders on parole and probation in six county neighborhoods, could also be affected.
Aid to the county health department will be reduced by slightly more than $2.3 million under the governor’s proposal — part of nearly $21 million in proposed similar cuts to health departments around the state.
Similarly, aid to CCBC will be cut by about $1.8 million. State aid to community colleges around the state is expected to be reduced by more than $10.5 million.
Sandra Kurtinitis, president of CCBC, said Monday she did not know how big the cuts will be.
The number of full-time students attending the college is up 22 percent over last year, Kurtinitis said.
O’Malley is also expected to propose the elimination of 364 state jobs, including more than 200 that are current filled. The state estimates the move will save about $17 million.
State employees will also be required to take up to 10 furlough days. The number of days each employee will lose will depend on how much they earn.
Employees earning $40,000 to $49,999 will be required to take three furlough days. Those earning $50,000 to $99,999 will lose four days pay. Those making over $100,000 will lose five days pay under O’Malley’s proposal.
A spokesman for the governor said he and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown would take part in the furloughs.
This is the second time in a year that state employees have lost pay under a furlough plan. A similar plan was enacted last fall.
Other county officials have expressed frustration in the days prior to O’Malley announcing the reductions in state aid.
Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold, who spent five terms in the House of Delegates, said the state “over the last decade has balanced its budget in no small measure by raiding funds that will go to the counties.”
Money that is supposed to be dedicated to highway repair and construction and the purchase of land for parks and open space are typically the first to get siphoned off, Leopold said.
“To say the counties aren’t paying their fair share isn’t accurate,” Leopold said.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this Web story erred in stating the amount of highway user funds cut from the state. It has been corrected here. This story has been updated.
The rest of the county cuts will come from aid to police, the health department and the Community College of Baltimore County.
The state Board of Public Works today unanimously approved Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed $450 million in cuts to the state budget. Included are the elimination of 364 state jobs and the imposition of up to 10 furlough days for state employees.
“These are not easy decisions. Just as families, businesses and individuals across Maryland struggle to find ways to tighten their belts, our state government must do more with less,” O’Malley said in a news release Tuesday.
“Our citizens expect and deserve a government that works, and in spite of the most severe recession in a generation we’ve been working to reform our state government to make (it) more efficient and effective.”
The news release included a broad outline of reductions, including cuts in state aid to counties of about $211 million.
Aid to Baltimore County will be cut by slightly more than $23 million — second only to Baltimore City, which could see aid reduced by $35 million, according to a list of proposed cuts.
The board, which can cut the state budget by up to 25 percent without approval from the General Assembly, is made up of O’Malley, state Comptroller Peter Franchot and state Treasurer Nancy Kopp.
Don Mohler, a spokesman for County Executive Jim Smith, said earlier this week that county employees will not be laid off or furloughed this year or in the next budget year to offset reductions in state aid.
Councilman Kevin Kamenetz, a Democrat who represents the 2nd District, said Monday that proposed cuts in state aid and the continued poor economy ensure “it will a lean year next year.”
Baltimore County highway user funds were cut by $15 million, leaving a total of about $1.7 million.
State grants to the police department will be reduced by $3.4 million under the governor’s proposal. The reductions are likely to come from a reduction of grants from the governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention.
The reductions will not affect the number of police officers on the street, but could reduce or eliminate some public safety initiatives. Specific programs that will be affected are not yet known.
The grants typically pay for programs such as Juvenile Offenders In Need of Supervision. The program diverts non-violent, first-time juvenile offenders from the juvenile court system and detention facilities by placing them in an intensive, year-long supervision program.
Other initiatives, such as a program that helps monitor offenders on parole and probation in six county neighborhoods, could also be affected.
Aid to the county health department will be reduced by slightly more than $2.3 million under the governor’s proposal — part of nearly $21 million in proposed similar cuts to health departments around the state.
Similarly, aid to CCBC will be cut by about $1.8 million. State aid to community colleges around the state is expected to be reduced by more than $10.5 million.
Sandra Kurtinitis, president of CCBC, said Monday she did not know how big the cuts will be.
The number of full-time students attending the college is up 22 percent over last year, Kurtinitis said.
O’Malley is also expected to propose the elimination of 364 state jobs, including more than 200 that are current filled. The state estimates the move will save about $17 million.
State employees will also be required to take up to 10 furlough days. The number of days each employee will lose will depend on how much they earn.
Employees earning $40,000 to $49,999 will be required to take three furlough days. Those earning $50,000 to $99,999 will lose four days pay. Those making over $100,000 will lose five days pay under O’Malley’s proposal.
A spokesman for the governor said he and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown would take part in the furloughs.
This is the second time in a year that state employees have lost pay under a furlough plan. A similar plan was enacted last fall.
Other county officials have expressed frustration in the days prior to O’Malley announcing the reductions in state aid.
Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold, who spent five terms in the House of Delegates, said the state “over the last decade has balanced its budget in no small measure by raiding funds that will go to the counties.”
Money that is supposed to be dedicated to highway repair and construction and the purchase of land for parks and open space are typically the first to get siphoned off, Leopold said.
“To say the counties aren’t paying their fair share isn’t accurate,” Leopold said.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this Web story erred in stating the amount of highway user funds cut from the state. It has been corrected here. This story has been updated.
user comments (3)
user mdyoung216 says...
Don't worry, speed cameras are on the way. Oh that's right they are to protect the children, not raise cash. LOL
Posted 6:00 PM, 08.26.09
user cricket says...
Oh well here we go again more and more cuts and not enough jobs.
Posted 7:18 PM, 08.30.09
user wagb281 says...
Ok now tell us how much was cut from Baltimore City and Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties? You can bet lts less then all the other counties to protect their base voters? Not surprised at all.
Posted 8:08 AM, 09.01.09
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement