Maryland Leaders Agree to Develop Four-Year Budget Plan

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk agreed to develop a four-year plan to address the state’s recurring budget shortfalls, moving away from one-year fixes. Maryland faces a $1.4 billion gap in fiscal 2027 and a projected fiscal 2028 structural deficit of roughly $2.6 billion to $3 billion, with larger gaps expected in subsequent years. The leaders said the plan will involve reviewing state spending, improving government efficiency and assessing which investments are delivering results; they also cited federal cuts and economic uncertainty as added pressures. They did not specify potential program changes or say whether taxes or fees are under consideration, while pledging to make difficult decisions jointly and protect key services. One account also noted that spending commitments growing faster than projected revenue have contributed to the state’s structural problem.