January 17th, 2017 by WCBC Radio
.Maryland Governor Larry Hogan unveiled his fiscal year 2018 budget proposal Tuesday, saying it spends less than last year's budget and doesn't raise taxes.
Hogan said there are no serious cuts in the budget, and that the state rainy day fund is being used to balance the budget.
The governor said he is introducing a bill requiring mandate relief. He also wants the General Assembly to put aside a "tax-and-spend mentality," and he is introducing the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Hogan said education spending increases in this budget proposal with $334 million proposed for school construction and $1.5 billion for higher education.
The governor is also proposing targeted tax relief for police, fire and emergency medical personnel. The budget includes $1.9 million to hire more Department of Natural Resources police.
Hogan said Mayor Catherine Pugh has not put a request on the table for consent decree funds. The governor said money could be available in his supplemental budget. The consent decree was approved last week to reform the Baltimore Police Department.
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