But as the red areas show, there has been a continuous exodus from our established cities and towns to the suburbs and the outer suburbs. If these growth patterns do not change, new development will consume as much land in central Maryland alone over the next 25 years as it has during the entire 350 year history of our State. Many of you have told me of similar patterns in your states. These trends are not only bad for the environment and our existing communities, but also are costly to taxpayers, who must foot the bill for new roads, schools, and other infrastructure required to support far-flung new development. This cartoon illustrates the logical conclusion of where we are heading if we do not change our ways.
People make bottom-line decisions.
In Maryland, therefore, we decided it must be our goal to change the bottom line. We opposed having the State subsidize the unplanned, or poorly planned growth that was eating up our countryside at an alarming rate. The cornerstone of our 1997 Smart Growth policy is the legislation that established Priority Funding Areas. This effort focuses state spending into existing communities, and other areas where local governments want future growth. For the first time, these areas will need to meet minimum State criteria for new residential growth.