House Bill 350 – Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2026) was introduced on January 15th but did not reach the Senate until March 28th. This delay left the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee with only 10 days to review and amend the legislation before entering a Conference Committee with members of the House of Delegates. Passing a balanced budget is the only duty the Maryland General Assembly is constitutionally required to fulfill. Yet this year, the process dragged on until Sine Die, the final day of session, resulting in a budget that left many Marylanders frustrated and rightfully concerned.

Republicans offered practical amendments that would have cut the $1.8 billion needed to eliminate new revenue sources such as: a hiring freeze for vacant state positions (with exceptions for public safety), a pause in state employee raises, and a 5% across-the-board cut to state agency spending, matching the scale of the deficit. All rejected in the name of “values.” But our values center on keeping Maryland affordable, helping families stay in their homes, and keeping jobs in the state- even improving growth.

While Marylanders continue to grapple with rising costs of living, lawmakers across the aisle declined to scale back some of the more idealistic spending. For example, offering free healthcare to a family of four earning $100,000, who could otherwise use the Affordable Care Exchange. Additionally, the Kirwan Blueprint adds $4 billion annually to the state budget, yet has not shown meaningful results. On a positive note, I stood with many of my constituents to successfully advocate for the restoration of funding for the Developmental Disabilities Administration. Supporting our most vulnerable community members is not just necessary, it’s the right thing to do.

While the Executive Branch shifts blame to so-called “structural deficits” and Washington, D.C., Senate Republicans recognize the real problem: an economy overly dependent on government spending and employment- despite two decades of warning from economists and an overly idealized budget that doesn't balance the true needs of our community.

While Senate Republicans stood firm against broad-based tax increases, targeted taxes and fees were raised. However, as your representative, I maintain reservations about the necessity of these measures. I firmly believe Maryland’s fiscal challenges stem not from inadequate taxation but from sweeping legislative initiatives enacted without a clear long-term funding strategy.