Md. Has Extra $57M But It Won't Stop Furloughs
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Good news and bad news on the state's economic front. The state will have $57 million more to work with than expected, but it won't do much to help programs or state workers, who are slated for another furlough day next week.
The estimated revenue adjustment doesn't come close to eliminating the deficit and Governor Martin O'Malley says this year will seem even more painful than the last two because there are no more federal stimulus funds coming in.
"I wish there were just all sorts of dollars to be saved from eliminating waste, fraud and abuse or accelerating efficiencies. We can always do what we do more efficiently but that's not going to generate $1.2 billion. It's going to be a very tough budget year," O'Malley said.
The previous deficit estimate was $1.6 billion. The governor has promised to balance the budget without tax increases.
The General Assembly reconvenes on Jan. 12.
