Senator Reilly Attacks Budget Deficit

In only his first legislative session, Senator Edward R. Reilly (R-Anne Arundel County-District 33) is taking on the budget chaos in Annapolis with a proposal to address ongoing state spending to reduce out-year deficits. Senator Reilly was appointed last year to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Senator Janet Greenip.

Using his seven years of experience in county government, Reilly has introduced Senate Bill 840 - Budget Reduction Act. Senator Reilly stated, “of all the issues that face our State, none is more important than addressing the state’s troubling budget picture.  For this reason, I am making this my primary 2010 legislative priority.”

Senator Reilly further explained, “it is imperative that the state budget reflects the reality of the current financial climate. This means that, unlike the administration’s proposals which depend heavily on the limited and uncertain Federal 'stimulus’ money, Senator Reilly addresses the budget issues from the expenditure side. This is because all revenue projections must be viewed skeptically at best and with trepidation at worse. Because we cannot control revenue streams, and because Maryland’s citizens and businesses cannot afford any more tax/fee increases, the only prudent approach is to cut expenses. Maryland must focus on limiting funding to government’s core functions. All other state government expenditures must be ‘on the table’ and evaluated for reductions."

With these goals in mind, Senator Reilly has submitted a bill that addresses budget cuts across multiple state departments and jurisdictions. He believes that his budget proposals reflect an approach that adjusts the state’s current spending to reflect the difficult economic realities of our time.

To view the text of SB 840, click here.