They love to spend. But Kittleman explained that any legislation aimed at restraining spending has little hope of passing in Maryland. That knowledge, he said, dissuades many lawmakers from trying to instigate change. Although these sponsors are armed with predictions about a slowly eroding economy, many of their colleagues in the Democratic-controlled legislature are unwilling to acknowledge this issue, much less embrace any kind of fix. We're one of six states with the highest possible bond ratings.
Nothing is perfect.
Each year, the committee meets to set the level at which the upcoming budget can increase. Typically, the governor overshoots that mark, and then the legislature is forced by law to bring the spending plan in line with the committee's decision. It's as much a ritual as the passage of spring. The move caused even some Democrats to raise an eyebrow or two. Sauerbrey was one of the legislative forces behind the spending affordability law that passed in 1982.