CAROZZA SAYS THAT GOVERNOR HOGAN’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY BUDGET SUPPORTS SHORE PRIORITIES, HOLDS THE LINE ON OUT-OF-CONTROL SPENDING, NO NEW TAXES

“Governor Larry Hogan’s proposed Economic Recovery Budget funds Shore priorities while factoring in the impact of COVID-19, and without raising taxes or cutting services,” Senator Carozza said after reviewing Governor Hogan’s Fiscal Year 2020 Operating and Capital Budgets. “I want to publicly thank Governor Hogan for his continued strong support of our Shore priorities.”

Governor Hogan’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget was introduced in the Maryland Senate on January 20, 2021. The proposed $49.35 billion in the Operating Budget includes a record $7.5 billion for K-12 education; $833 million for school construction projects in every jurisdiction; a $1 billion tax cut for all Maryland retirees; $74.6 million in police aid to local governments; $13.5 billion for Maryland’s Medicaid Program; $124 million to fund provider rate increases in the fields of behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and other health care services; and $978 million for substance abuse treatment. All of these priorities are funded without raising taxes.

Shore Operating Budget Highlights

• $10.4 million for enhanced Tourism Board activities
• $48.8 million to fully fund the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund
• $2.8 million for the Ocean City Convention Center
• $53.9 million for the Maryland Park Service
• $23.4 million for the Maryland State Arts Council
• $15 million for the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarships Program
• $520,000 for the Senior Call Check Service and Notification Program

Shore Capital Budget Highlights

Somerset

• $18.7 million for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Princess Anne
• $2 million for Somers Cove Marina Bulkhead Replacement and Marina Site Improvements and $100,000 for General Maintenance at Somers Cove Marina, Crisfield
• $1.5 million for Wastewater Treatment Plant and Reverse Osmosis Reject Treatment Systems Upgrade at Eastern Correctional Institution, Westover
• $405,000 for Greenwood Elementary School, Princess Anne
• $150,000 for Dames Quarter Boat Ramp Bulkhead and Pier Improvements
• $100,000 for Janes Island State Park Boat Ramp and Transient Slip Repairs, Crisfield
• $90,000 for Crisfield Depot Piers and Walkways Improvements
• $75,000 for Tylerton County Dock and Harbor Improvements
• $50,000 for St. Peters Creek Marina Bulkhead and Finger Pier Replacement, Champ

Wicomico

• $7.5 million for Beaver Run Elementary School, Salisbury
• $2 million for Fruitland Tuxents Branch Drainage
• $1.1 million for Pittsville Water Treatment Plant Upgrades
• $905,000 for new facility construction for the Lower Shore Clinic, Inc., Salisbury
• $200,000 for the Eastern Shore Expansion of Vehicles for Change
• $100,000 for Elite Free State Cleaners Hazardous Substance Clean-up

Worcester

• $11.4 million for a new Maryland State Police Barrack, Forensic Lab, and Garage in Berlin
• $4.8 million for Stephen Decatur Middle School, Berlin
• $2 million for the Ocean City Beach Replenishment and Hurricane Protection Program
• $990,825 for the Pocomoke City Water Tanks #1 and #2 Mixers
• $90,000 for Stephen Decatur Park Restrooms, Berlin
• $50,000 for the Ocean City Fire Department Fire and Rescue Vessel Engine Replacement