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Governor’s First Budget Draws Complaints

January 24th, 2015 by WCBC Radio

Governor Larry Hogan's first budget was  formally introduced in the Maryland General Assembly Friday and it didn’t take long for the honeymoon period to end as democrats and union leaders voiced strong concerns. The $16.4-billion general fund budget will be considered in the House of Delegates first, then it will be considered in the Senate. House Democratic leaders briefed on the budget on Thursday are already raising concerns about proposed spending cuts. Leaders of the largest state employees' union are also criticizing Hogan's plan to eliminate cost of living raises for state workers. That move will cut $156-million.  Hogan is proposing $160-million in cuts in payments to hospitals and medical providers for treating uninsured patients. T hose reimbursements would be brought down to their Fiscal Year 2014 levels. While Hogan is proposing a $45-million increase in K-12 education, Hogan is proposing $143-million in cuts in other education funding, including the extra money the state awards Baltimore City and other large school districts based on a 2002 funding formula.

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