It does not address the mental health deficit, and it provides insufficient sums to address other problem programs, according to legislative analysts. Last month, armed with complaints about Glendening's budget, key Senate leaders launched an attack on the governor's absolute authority to shape state spending. Maryland is the only state in which the General Assembly is prohibited from adding budget items. That effort failed under heavy pressure from Glendening. But lawmakers broached the subject again last week in a closed-door meeting with the governor, complaining that Glendening has allowed deficits to mount in crucial programs while spending lavishly on pet projects.
Every governor is into legacy-building.
Maryland, the agencies said, is in excellent shape to weather a possible economic downturn. Unfortunately, Glendening said, being a good manager means making tough choices. Though the treasury is flush, the surpluses could be gone tomorrow. Those moves also would violate the General Assembly's rules for keeping state operating costs within legislatively set limits, Glendening's aides point out. The legislature's spending cap applies only to ongoing costs, not to one-time capital expenditures.