Posted on 12/12/23
| News Source: FOX45
Before leaving office last year, Governor Larry Hogan claimed the state is on sound financial ground.
"I inherited the worst financial situation the state had ever been in and now, I'm turning it over to Governor Moore in the best financial state it's been in," said Hogan.
However, Governor Wes Moore is painting a far more troubling picture of the state's finances.
"Our budget problems started long before I took office. Of the last 20 state budgets, 17 needed cuts to stay balanced. We might not have caused this problem but we will address the problem," said Governor Moore in a speech to county administrators last week.
"It's always easier to blame the guy before you," said Del. Kathy Szeliga.
In a speech to county administrators last week, Governor Moore pointed to billions in federal COVID dollars which the state received during the Hogan administration.
"Extra money in the short term could pad the budget but extra money in the short term never fixed the budget. It was a mirage. Now we're forced to reckon with structural challenges that have plagued our state for years," said Governor Moore.
"It's not, as if, we don't have the money to spend. What we need is a little bit of fiscal responsibility. I think these excuses are an indication that they don't want to do that. They don't want to question their priorities they just want to raise taxes," said Del Robin Grammer.