Overview
- Gov. Wes Moore says he will submit a balanced budget with no tax or fee increases and a smaller General Fund.
- His 2026 education agenda totals $10 billion, adding about $374 million for K‑12 without detailing offsets.
- Maryland starts the session facing a projected $1.4 billion shortfall, with analysts warning of larger gaps through 2031.
- Republicans, including Sen. Justin Ready, argue the focus on “investments” lacks clarity on cuts or funding sources.
- Last year’s enacted budget raised $1.6 billion through taxes and fees as state payrolls expanded by more than 3,300 jobs before a hiring freeze and buyouts cut $121 million.