Gov. Martin O'Malley presented his proposed fiscal year 2013 budget for the state of Maryland last Wednesday. As predicted by local officials and lawmakers, the document includes reductions in state aid to Garrett County, particularly in the area of education.
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Total aid to local government is a proposed $31.95 million (including retirement payments for the Board of Education, Ruth Enlow Library, and Garrett College personnel). This is $2.625 million, or 7.6 percent, less than for FY 2012.
The governor's budget calls for a 9.9 percent, or $2.264 million, decrease for local primary and secondary education funding, which includes allocations for special education and student transportation. This cut is mainly the result of an increase in the county's wealth (based on a state formula) and a decrease in student population.
O'Malley also plans to cut state aid for local teacher retirement by 1.9 percent, or $914,000. The total loss in state aid for local primary and secondary education, therefore, is a proposed 11.8 percent, or $3.178 million, compared to FY '12.
Garrett County will not be alone in its loss. Entities across the state will be asked to begin paying for their educators' retirements.
"Among the tough choices in the FY 2013 budget is sharing teachers' retirement costs with local governments," the O'Malley administration states in the budget document. "Currently, the state pays the entire cost of teacher pensions, totaling $946 million in FY 2013. Teacher salaries, the key cost driver of pension costs, are determined by local jurisdictions."
O'Malley's proposal requires locals to pay 50 percent of the combined costs of Social Security and teachers' retirement contributions. Local entities currently pay for Social Security only, which accounts for one-third of the combined costs.
"The administration is proposing several measures to mitigate the impact of this cost shift, including increasing local revenue, enhancing aid to less wealthy jurisdictions, and providing targeted budget relief," the budget plan states.
The proposed budget lists $3.756 million for Garrett College. This includes direct aid, unrestricted grants, and optional/state retirement. The FY 2013 allocation would be $20,000 more than the previous year's.
Local libraries are slated to receive $119,000 in state aid, plus $72,000 for personnel retirement payments.
O'Malley's capital budget includes $122,000 for the Loch Lynn Community Park Trail Project, $95,000 for Oakland's Glades Park Path Extension/Fence Repair Project, $260,000 for the Grantsville Waterline Extension Project, and $300,000 for Oakland Water System improvements.
Funding for Department of Natural Resources' development projects includes $150,000 for the planning phase of trail construction in local state parks; $150,000 for the planning phase of the Western Maryland Recreational Access and Trail Restoration Project in Garrett County; $20,000 for new roofs for Bear Creek Fish Hatchery Wildlife Management buildings; $15,000 for cabin chimney renovations at Herrington Manor State Park; $500,000 for cabin renovations, $15,000 for new fuel dispensers, and $30,000 to stabilize the nature center foundation at New Germany State Park; $37,000 to renovate the exterior of the Savage River State Forest office; and $15,000 to renovate the office/store at Swallow Falls State Park.
Under "Miscellaneous," the proposed budget shows $437,000 in local health grants, $2.538 million in disparity grants, and $76,000 for local Program Open Space projects.
More here.
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