What Hogan's budget proposal means for Washington County

Michael D. Garcia, The Herald-Mail
·3 min read

ANNAPOLIS — Gov. Larry Hogan announced his budget proposal for FY 2023 last week, which included a surplus in Rainy Day Funds and tax relief. Washington County could expect to see over $264 million, which is a 2% increase from the FY 2022 budget.

"It's a continuation of what the governor set forth when he was first elected," Sen. Paul Corderman, R-Washington, told The Herald-Mail. "When you talk locally, the governor has been very gracious to our needs and concerns here in Western Maryland — certainly Washington County."

Corderman along with Sen. George Edwards, R-Allegany/Garrett/Washington, sit on the state's Budget and Taxation committee.

The spending plan needs to go through the General Assembly, which is meeting now in Annapolis. Undoubtedly, the Senate and House of Delegates, controlled by Democrats, will make changes to the pitch by Hogan, who is a Republican.

The last day of the legislative session is April 11.

More on budget: In his final proposed budget, Hogan notes surplus, tax relief

More on Washington County: Homeless people to receive more assistance to quarantine from COVID-19

Some projects included in the governor's budget proposal are a continuation of support, such as $9.2 million to finish the I-70 bridges over Md. 65 and adjacent CSX tracks. He included $16 million in the FY22 budget proposal.

The new Hagerstown multi-use sports and events facility was also included in Hogan's budget proposal, with $3.8 million being dedicated to finishing the development of the facility.

"Overall, it's a good budget," Edwards said. "I think Washington County overall is pretty good with budget this year, particularly Hancock and Smithsburg."

Another year with differences

Adrienne A. Jones, D-Baltimore County and speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, released a statement about the governor's proposal, stating Hogan's plan would "undermine" the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

The Blueprint, a measure adopted in 2020 to overhaul the state’s educational system, is based on recommendations from the Kirwan Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education. The Blueprint is priced at nearly $3 billion in new state spending per year by the end of its 10-year phase-in.

It focused on five policy areas for kindergarten through 12th grade, including increasing teacher salaries and expanding early education. Hogan initially vetoed the plan in May 2020, but lawmakers overrode the veto in 2021.

Sen. Paul Corderman, R-Washington, said that this a process and that the budget proposed by Gov. Larry Hogan would make it's rounds through the state legislature for revisions.
Sen. Paul Corderman, R-Washington, said that this a process and that the budget proposed by Gov. Larry Hogan would make it's rounds through the state legislature for revisions.

Edwards said that there's going to be disagreements on how to approach issues, but that Jones, Senate President Bill Ferguson and Sen. Guy Guzzone, chairman of the Budget and Taxation committee, want to work with Hogan.

"Every year, you still have your differences and try to air them out," Edwards said.

Washington County potential funds

Primary and secondary education locally could see $230 million from Hogan's proposal, which is a 2% change from the FY 2022 budget.

The local library systems would receive $2.1 million — a $73,000 increase.

Hagerstown Community College could receive $15.9 million — a $2 million increase.

Funding dedicated to police aid in the county is $2.6 million and fire and rescue aid is $335,000.

Elderly and disabled funding is $147,000, and dedicated Highway User Revenue funds is $4.6 million.

The Highway User Revenue fund is the share of state motor fuel and vehicle taxes distributed to local governments for their own road and bridge maintenance.

During former Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration, much of the funds were used to plug a budget deficit, but Hogan has been gradually giving some back to local governments.

County health aid would get $3.2 million.

Disparity grants are awarded to the less wealthy counties through a fairly complicated formula that takes into account whether those counties have maxed out their income-tax rate; $3.8 million is proposed for Washington County.

Program Open Space "provides financial and technical assistance to local subdivisions for the planning, acquisition, and/or development of recreation land or open space areas." The county is proposed to get $1.7 million.

The county's retirement funds are proposed to get $17.6 million.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: What Gov. Larry Hogan's FY23 budget proposal mean for Washington Co.