Signed by Governor Martin O'Malley

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that amends appropriations for fiscal year 2007-2008.

Highlights:

-Requires the Governor reduce the fiscal 2009 budget by at least $550 million (Sec. 11). -Rescinds $30.6 million allocated to various counties for partially offsetting the costs of the property tax exemption (Sec. 1). -Sets the target per-pupil foundation level for each school district at $6,694 for fiscal years 2008 through 2010 (Sec. 2). -Allocates 20 percent or $21 million, whichever is greater, of the funds distributed to Program Open Space to the Forest and Park Service (Sec. 5). -Allocates $77 million of surplus funds in the State Employees and Retirees Health and Welfare Benefits Fund to funding health insurance costs of employees and retirees in 2009 (Sec. 9). -Reduces the number of vacant full-time positions in the executive branch by 500, saving at least $5 million (Sec. 10) -Requires the Department of Education update the Geographic Cost of Education Index every three years, beginning in September 2009, so that it may be used for future appropriation adjustments (Sec. 13)

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends appropriations for fiscal year 2007-2008.

Highlights:

-Requires the Governor reduce the fiscal 2009 budget by at least $550 million (Sec. 11). -Rescinds $30.6 million allocated to various counties for partially offsetting the costs of the property tax exemption (Sec. 1). -Sets the target per-pupil foundation level for each school district at $6,694 for fiscal years 2008 through 2010 (Sec. 2). -Allocates 20 percent or $21 million, whichever is greater, of the funds distributed to Program Open Space to the Forest and Park Service (Sec. 5). -Allocates $77 million of surplus funds in the State Employees and Retirees Health and Welfare Benefits Fund to funding health insurance costs of employees and retirees in 2009 (Sec. 9). -Reduces the number of vacant full-time positions in the executive branch by 500, saving at least $5 million (Sec. 10). -Requires the Department of Education update the Geographic Cost of Education Index every three years, beginning in September 2009, so that it may be used for future appropriation adjustments (Sec. 13).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends appropriations for fiscal year 2007-2008.

Highlights:

-Rescinds $30.6 million allocated to various counties for partially offsetting the costs of the property tax exemption (Sec. 1). -Sets the target per-pupil spending level for each school district at $6,694 for fiscal years 2008 through 2010 (Sec. 2). -Allocates 20 percent or $21 million, whichever is greater, of the funds distributed to Program Open Space to the Forest and Park Service (Sec. 5). -Establishes the annual appropriations level for the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation through fiscal year 2022, in order to allow the corporation to be self-sufficient by that year (Sec. 7). -Establishes the annual appropriations level for Maryland's soil conservation districts for fiscal years 2008 through 2011 at $8.8 million. The appropriation level increases to $9.2 million for fiscal year 2012, $9.6 million for 2013, and $10 million for 2014 (Sec. 7). -$10.8 million worth of grants under the Aging Schools Program allocated to Maryland counties for fiscal year 2009 and in each fiscal year thereafter, including $2.5 million for Baltimore City, $2.1 million for Prince George's County, $1.1 million for Montgomery County, and $896,109 for Anne Arundel County (Sec. 7). -Allocates $77 million of surplus funds in the State Employees and Retirees Health and Welfare Benefits Fund to funding health insurance costs of employees and retirees in 2009 (Sec. 9). -Reduces the number of vacant full-time positions in the executive branch by 750, saving at least $7.6 million (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text