The primary purpose of each session of the General Assembly is to pass the Budget for the State of Maryland. The budget bill is heard alternate years in each chamber, and this year the budget was first reviewed by the Appropriations Committee of the House of Delegates.
On March 25, the budget for Fiscal Year 2010 passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 116 -21. There were 235 amendments representing the review work and cuts proposed by Appropriations. Many of the amendments spark debate and represent diverging views of how government should operate. The bill next goes to the Senate which will do their own review work and make proposed cuts.
These are long days with two sessions per day and debate lasting to 8 pm or more to finish the work.