ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Governor has laid out his budget plans now law makers have the plan and will spend the next three months coming to an agreement.
An enthusiastic education budget put forth by democrats and money to combat crime will be on the forefront this year in Annapolis.
Governor Hogan met with legislative leaders this morning to unveil his budget. It's a $47.9 billion budget that addresses crime, infrastructure and the Kirwan Commission recommendations.
"The real works starts now. The budget committees will ask the hard questions and make sure that we are protecting Marylander's values."
Newly elected, president of the senate, Bill Ferguson was at the breakfast meeting and has begun looking over this massive document. Governor Hogan says in light of the recent multiple arrests from the Baltimore city Mayor to Maryland law maker, the governor wants to make sure the money is being used properly.
One of the largest budget increases comes from the multi billion dollar education bill proposed by democrats that has yet to be determined how it will be funded.
"The state should not and can not however simple increase 33 billion in new spending that we do not have without any plan whatsoever about where the funding is going to come from."
The Governor stated his number one issue is crime. Many of the problems stemming from the out of control crime level Baltimore City has experienced in recent years. The feeling from those at the meeting were generally positive yet President of the Senate Ferguson caution this might be a difficult process.
"I think moving forward we're gonna really have to ask some tough questions about what kind of state we are and whether we are going to make the real investments in our education system, our transportation system and climate policies to really make sure we win the future," Ferguson said. "Hopefully this budget gets us close but, there are some tough conversations ahead."
Of the nearly $48 billion budget 83 percent of it is mandated, that means the governor and the legislature only have 17 percent of the budget they can negotiate.
