Senate gives final approval to budget package, passes it to House

by Bryan P. Sears, Maryland Matters
March 19, 2026

A nearly $71 billion state spending plan is headed to the House of Delegates after the Senate gave final approval to the package Wednesday.

The final vote comes a day after the same chamber gave preliminary approval to a plan that amends the budget introduced by Gov. Wes Moore (D) in January. The spending plans close a $1.5 billion shortfall with no new taxes and limited new spending.

The two-bill package received the support of Senate Democrats and some Republicans. Six of the 13 Senate Republicans voted against the budget, including Senate Minority Leader Sen. Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (R-Upper Shore), wo called the bill “an election year budget.” Hershey said the plan does little to address billions in budget gaps that are projected to start next year.

“So instead of making the difficult decisions now, these are being pushed down until next year,” Hershey said. “And I think this only becomes more severe, potentially more costly for Maryland taxpayers, by not addressing it this year. So I think fiscal responsibility is not just about balancing the budget today, but ensuring sustainability for future years ahead. And unfortunately, I think this budget falls a little bit short of that.”

All but one Republican — Sen. Bryan Simonaire (R-Anne Arundel) voted against the budget reconciliation bill.

Moore and the General Assembly started the 2026 session with an unwanted surprise: a $1.5 billion projected budget deficit.

By law, the governor and legislature must pass a balanced budget. Moore accomplished that goal with his spending proposal and Senate Budget and Taxation Chair Sen. Guy Guzzone (D-Howard) several times this week called Moore’s proposal “a pretty darn good budget.”

Moore closed the gap without taxes or fees. Instead, he relied on a series of transfers from dedicated funding sources and swapping bonds for cash. The proposal also shifted some costs to local governments.

Besides holding the line on taxes and fees, the Senate version shifted some costs to local government. Among those is a share of community college and library pensions. Budget analysts recommended nearly $77 million be foisted onto local governments.

The Senate plan puts half that amount on local governments.

The plan also restricts $124 million in state aid to local police departments. Local governments can get their share of the funding only after certifying they have no formal agreements with federal immigration authorities. The demand puts teeth behind a bill passed earlier this year ending 287(g) agreements.

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