By WEAA News Staff
Governor Wes Moore has signed Maryland's Fiscal Year 2027 state budget into law, delivering what he called a commitment to making the state more affordable and competitive while investing in education and public safety.
The budget passed with bipartisan support from the Maryland General Assembly and includes no new taxes or fees. It maintains the state's Rainy Day Fund at eight percent, increases the state's Fund Balance to $250 million and keeps General Fund expenditures smaller than the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
"A budget is more than numbers on a page," Moore said. "It tells our people what matters, it tells our people who we are fighting for, and it tells people whether we are willing to make hard decisions and still deliver."
Among the budget's highlights, $306 million was allocated for renewable and clean energy programs, including $100 million in utility fee relief for residents. The budget also continues record funding of $434 million for the Child Care Scholarship program and a $32 million investment in community-driven initiatives to address child poverty through the ENOUGH Initiative.
On public safety, the budget includes a record $124.1 million to support law enforcement statewide and $10.6 million for the Department of Juvenile Services to expand programs serving justice-involved youth.
Education received the largest investment, with $10.1 billion allocated for K-12 schools — a more than $370 million increase over the previous fiscal year and a nearly 17 percent increase since the start of the Moore administration. The funding supports school construction, teacher recruitment, literacy and math coaches and Community Schools serving more than half of Maryland's public school students.
The budget also sets aside more than $100 million in business tax cuts to diversify Maryland's economy and reduce its reliance on federal spending. Maryland's push to become a national leader in quantum technology received continued support, with the state having secured more than $500 million in quantum investments since launching the initiative.
“Today’s bill signing is about delivering a state budget that reflects both discipline and direction, and does not lose sight of Maryland’s future,” said Senate President Bill Ferguson. “From the very beginning of January, we were clear-eyed about the challenges in front of us. Maryland families are feeling economic pressure from this federal administration. Despite that, this budget reflects balance, protecting what matters most today and investing in tomorrow.”
