The Governor’s Budget and the County Bottom Line

In this week’s episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, our familiar hosts Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson take the microphone to walk us through Governor Wes Moore’s proposed FY27 budget and the accompanying Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act – or as Michael likes to call it, “Big BRFA.”They break down the topline numbers, explain how the budget closes a projected shortfall, and examine what the plan ultimately means for local services – including education funding growth, some spending changes, but roughly $200 million in new and continued cost shifts to county governments. The conversation also dives into capped formulas, pension cost shifts, community college funding limits, and proposals affecting 9-1-1, public health services, and disparity grants. A full plate, for a busy session ahead.As the General Assembly begins its work, this episode sets the stage for the fiscal debates ahead and explains why counties, again, remain central to Maryland’s budget decisions. What Do You Do About Fluky Formulas?DLS Fiscal Briefing Warns of Mounting Cost Shifts and Budget GapsFollow us on Socials!MACo on TwitterMACo on Facebook