The 426th Session of the Maryland General Assembly ended Sine Die on April 13, 2009.

The budget with the Americans for Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) revenues built in for both the fiscal 2009 and 2010 State budget of $14.1 billion includes $2.5 billion in federal funds resulting from the ARRA. Of this amount, $1.1 billion reflects a higher federal match for the State’s Medicaid program, $296 million funds increases in the State’s education aid formulas, $242 million supports highway and mass transit projects, $712 million enhances existing federal programs, and $81 million supports costs traditionally funded with general funds.

In March the Board of Revenue Estimates lowered the general fund revenues forecast by almost $1.2 billion for fiscal 2009 and 2010. Consequently, current revenues are projected to decline 2.3% in fiscal 2009 and another 1.6% in fiscal 2010. Although there is a $1.6 billion, or 21.1%, increase in federal funds, the total budget grows by3.5%.