Bob Long:”Cut Excess Spending Now to Avoid Budget Shortfall”

-The following article was submitted by Delegate Bob Long about spending issues in Annapolis-

I attended my Committee’s Spending Affordability meeting last week and it is no surprise that the State’s budget is alarming.  We learned that Maryland has a gap in its spending and revenue. 

If our spending stays on this path, in fiscal year 2030 we will have the largest spending gap in 20 years.  This will even be more than we had during the Great Recession.

We know the increased spending is because of the Blueprint (KIRWAN) and higher than expected Medicaid costs. We told our Democratic colleagues that the Blueprint (KIRWAN) was too expensive as a whole and we needed to prioritize important parts of the plan.

The Democrats would not compromise and had to include every inch of the program, and we are paying for it now. 

I was shocked to learn that Maryland ranks 50th in job growth.  It is due to the taxes, fees and over regulations of business.  Under Governor Hogan, we had a stronger economy.  

Governor Hogan left us with a $5 billion surplus and now the state has a $300 million budget shortfall.  By 2026 it is projected to be $2.6 billion. We need to work on bringing jobs to our state and not losing them to neighboring states.

We still have money in the rainy-day fund.  The state might tap into those funds for the budget shortfall, but this will come with some possible consequences.  Maryland currently has a AAA bond rating but is in danger of losing this coveted rating at this spending rate.

Don’t be surprised if the Democrats try to raise taxes again including the new death tax to make up for their mess.

I have been in Annapolis for 10 years and I never will vote for a tax increase including the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) that passed this year. I signed a pledge in 2010 not to vote for any new taxes!  All Republican Delegates voted against the largest tax increase except for one.

The Spending Affordability Committee noted some revenue from fuel taxes and title fees, but this all comes from the hard-working taxpayer, who is already stretched financially thin. 

We still need to factor in the cost of the Key Bridge.  I will be personally lobbying Washington for help from the Trump Administration for funding. If the Federal Government doesn’t come through with funding,  Maryland Department of Transportation will bear the costs which will raise tolls.  The Key Bridge should be a top priority now! We need to stop the Red Line project.  Baltimore commuters should not have to wait for years to have this bridge rebuilt. 

 We can still turn this bad news around by limiting the costs of non-essential programs and subsidies.  The commonsense solution is to spend within our means.  I just hope the rest of the General Assembly will listen to these warnings and vote accordingly during the 2025 Legislative Session.