Some local bills won’t pass due to the huge budget deficit.
FREDERICK, MD. (LG) Lawmakers in Annapolis are moving legislation along-swiftly, according to Frederick County Delegate Ken Kerr.
Kerr said promising efforts are also looking up for the U-S Route 15 widening project, in Frederick, as Governor Wes Moore has said that he will put $7.4 million back in his fiscal year 2026 budget for this plan.
“All of us have been relentless in contacting and working with state officials in the Governor’s office. I’m very pleased that it (the funds) showed up in the Governor’s Budget,” Kerr added.
Although the pace of the session is moving faster than last year, Kerr says some of the proposed legislation that has been submitted, won’t make it through, because of the huge budget deficit. The State of Maryland is facing a shortfall of almost three-billion dollars in fiscal year 2026.
“Particularly, the Family Connect bill which is similar to the universal newborn nurse home visit program. I want to expand the program, statewide.”
Frederick Health Hospital provides the service free of charge to mothers within three weeks of giving birth. The funding for the program comes from a federal grant under the American Rescue Plan Act .
“The nurse comes to the home and does a comprehensive wellness check of both the mom and the baby. She connects them to community resources that are personalized, and can stay connected with the family for up to 12 weeks after the visit, but I don’t think it will be passed this year or next,” Kerr added. “It’s a bill that everybody agrees is a great idea, and it should be done, but I think, especially this year, it’s just going to be too expensive.
The 90 day session will end on Monday, April 9th, at midnight.
By Loretta Gaines