Maryland's Wacky Budget Process

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss why the Old Line State's one-of-a-kind budget process makes Maryland's governor one of the most powerful in the country.While most state legislatures have the authority to increase or add an appropriation to the governor’s budget, Section 52 of Article III of the Maryland Constitution prohibits the General Assembly from increasing any budget item, adding any new appropriations to the governor’s budget for Executive Branch agencies, or moving funds from one program to another.But, it is time for a change? The General Assembly last month passed SB 1028 – Balancing the State Budget, legislation that could transform the state budget process. This proposed constitutional amendment, if approved by the Maryland voters at the November 2020 election, would allow the General Assembly to move items around in the budget.The Senate amended the bill to grant the governor line-item veto power for the operating budget. Under current law, the governor may only line-item veto parts or all of the capital budget.MACo has made the podcast available through both iTunes and Google Play Music by searching Conduit Street Podcast. You can also listen on our Conduit Street blog with a recap and link to the podcast.You can listen to previous episodes of the Conduit Street Podcast on our website.Useful LinksPrevious Conduit Street Coverage: General Assembly Approves Bill That Could Transform Maryland's Budget ProcessSenate Bill 1028 - Balancing the State Budget (2020)