Alexandria, VA - Bob Williams, President of State Budget Solutions (SBS), a national nonprofit organization advocating for fundamental reform of state budgets, released the following statement regarding the Maryland legislature returning today for a three-day special session to approve a budget deal.

"Maryland's fiscal day of reckoning is now.  For years, Maryland has had significant tax fee increase, raided dedicated funds, increased the fiscal burdens of local governments and resulted in excessive borrowing and other ‘gimmicks' to allegedly balance the budget.  Maryland's years of spending beyond the taxpayers means of funding needs to be addressed now or Maryland will lose more jobs.

Maryland should live with the budget that was passed in the regular session. In addition, Maryland needs to address their nearly $50 billion in unfunded pension liabilities. State Budget Solutions also urges Maryland to adopt Reality Based Budgeting, which would focus on core functions of government and spending based upon outcome performance measures. 

It is time for the Maryland legislature to unite and work together to pull their state out of the red. By passing the existing budget, Maryland will have the opportunity to decrease their massive deficit and implement real pension and spending reform before it is too late."