Maryland Governor Moore Signs Bay-Friendly Budget

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Thanks Legislators for Preserving Investments in Clean Water and Air

Today, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed a package of legislation finalizing next year’s state operating and capital budget. The budget package will support a healthy Chesapeake Bay and the many people, jobs, and wildlife that rely on it.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) appreciates Governor Moore, Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, President Bill Ferguson, Budget Committee Chairs Guy Guzzone and Ben Barnes, and members of Maryland’s General Assembly for preserving our state’s environmental investments despite a challenging $1.5 billion deficit.

Throughout session, CBF offered testimony, rallied allies, and urged legislators to adequately fund the programs and state agencies that spearhead Bay restoration and protect people from the threats of climate change. Despite budget hurdles and uncertainty at the federal level, Maryland’s General Assembly ultimately decided that investments in clean water and air are worth protecting. In particular, CBF appreciates the leadership of capital budget subcommittee chairs Senator Craig Zucker and Delegate Malcolm Ruff, as well as environmental subcommittee chairs Senator Shelly Hettleman and Delegate Courtney Watson.

Maryland’s environmental programs and agencies are not just good for the Bay, they also support jobs, improve people’s health, and make strong financial sense. To preserve these assets, next year’s budget will:

• Maintain consistent funding and staffing within the Departments of the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, as well as the Maryland Energy Administration—the state agencies collectively tasked with protecting the environment, addressing climate change, and conserving our state’s natural resources. These budgets are supplemented by one-time federal funding allocations.
• Not divert funds from key programs and funding sources like the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund, Clean Water Commerce fund, Bay Restoration Fund, and transfer tax revenues for land preservation. These dollars go directly to farmers, watermen, homeowners, and restoration practitioners who are on the ground improving Maryland’s waterways.
• Provide $400 million for climate-related programs funded out of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund this year, an increase of nearly $100 million compared to the budget as submitted by the Governor.

CBF Maryland Executive Director Allison Colden said:

“Investments in clean water and air are investments in Maryland’s future. Legislators came to the same conclusion we did: protecting our environment is not only a sound financial decision, but one that supports people’s health, jobs, and what makes Maryland such a great place to live.

“CBF thanks Governor Moore and the Maryland General Assembly for getting a Bay-friendly budget over the finish line, which will allow Maryland to continue its progress towards healthier communities and a cleaner Chesapeake Bay.”