Free Republic

Gov. Martin O'Malley, trying to burnish his fiscal credentials amid new budget troubles, claims he has made $1.8 billion in budget cuts since taking office in January last year. But figures provided by his administration to The Washington Times show the governor was responsible for less than two-thirds of the cuts, and that sizable increases in spending and a $1 billion withdrawal from the state's rainy-day fund are not reflected in Mr. O'Malley's accounts. "That $1.8 billion is nonsense," said Delegate Steven R. Schuh, Anne Arundel Republican. Mr. Schuh, a personal financial adviser and budget expert, said that while Mr....

ANNAPOLIS -- Frederick County's lawmakers serving on state budget committees are preparing for between $100 million and $300 million in cuts to the governor's proposed fiscal 2009 budget. The cuts come just a few months after lawmakers met in special session, passing tax increases and pushing for a skinnier budget as a way to address an anticipated $1.5 billion deficit. Delegate Galen Clagett, a Democrat representing Frederick County, attended a meeting with other leaders of the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday and said they plan to cut between $100 million and $300 million to make up for projections in revenue...