Annapolis (July 30, 2003) - The Maryland Board of Public Works made $18,810,796 in cuts to subdivisions today, which included a $2.9 million cut in direct aid to Anne Arundel County. State cuts to the County include $1,067,508 in the utility tax grant, $126,696 in local health grants, $371,584 in K-12 education, and $1,312,320 to Anne Arundel Community College. "Since May 1, I've been telling citizens, the legislature and the County Council to expect this. This is not a surprise," County Executive Janet S. Owens said. "This is evolving exactly as we thought it would. While we planned for and anticipated these direct cuts in aid to the County, there is still a great deal that is unknown. For example, we have yet to determine how cuts in services provided by State agencies will affect the County and our constituents. Ultimately, the citizens will turn to the County for help if the State is unable to provide it," Ms. Owens continued. "I'm sure that other jurisdictions across the State will face these same challenges." "Today's direct cuts from the State depleted more than 60% of the money that had been reserved recently by the County Council for the Chief Administrative Officer's contingency account. Additionally, we know that the State is anticipating a $600 million shortfall for FY 2005, which will have to be balanced during the next General Assembly," Ms. Owens said. |
