[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6634935,"mediaKeyId","2653406-99f1e82e533759b26775690caf3fbe78","parentId",2653406,"title","College Park reports enrollment growth in transfers and increased need-based aid amid budget pressure","audioSeconds",843,"startMs",5665160,"endMs",6508220,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2653406-99f1e82e533759b26775690caf3fbe78&start=5665&end=6508","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2653406-99f1e82e533759b26775690caf3fbe78/thumbnail_5665160.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6634935/Maryland/College-Park-reports-enrollment-growth-in-transfers-and-increased-need-based-aid-amid-budget-pressure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634935-fbbdc42a3cad79f8f1adb84a6b7e6e20/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136545&Signature=B-Vq7KS65wnfPCrqEXx7tA6pz5TvJxo2QW0PzlrSJiarwj40-l36OmUZ9EM07QOl9k3fqWYnSMTCYUnAlxkrf2D7fReM7FTeXMnA2szAfBriF5nXNOyFO4sWuXUoeZJAX2vNd9aGtLTipbwv9Rq8ek6XcFR7p9NiArm0QtZTPpYUd71bdvLBbQUDr7epKhytwSWSVRtx6muJbb0lQgMdt4d4MHSu1cVm1Zz9pXMU1YI8~Aw1rYZQUf5Qh4Qv330ugLNcpb0V0GgHtjXSh7VZYH3xaxY8uopyeYUTSiVgs9Zalw88g89-SmmKj84rVg14kiaMZoWoBL4rTLrKE9HKFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - EBA","date","2025-03-01T20:35:07.473Z","article","University of Maryland College Park leaders and analysts described enrollment trends, retention and graduation rates, and the campus' financial outlook during the subcommittee hearing.

Sarah Baker, the DLS analyst for College Park, said total applications surged after the university adopted the Common App and that fall 2024 enrollment increased 1.8% from the prior year, driven largely by a 20% rise in transfer students. \"Exhibit 2 shows fall 2024 enrollment grew for a second year, increasing 1.8% and this is mainly due to a 20% increase in the number of transfer students,\" Baker said.

Retention and graduation metrics

Baker reported second‑ and third‑year retention rates have declined since the pandemic: second‑year retention fell to 91% for later cohorts and third‑year rates dropped to 78% for the 2022 cohort. Six‑year graduation rates remain above 80% for cohorts through 2017; the analyst said the university has invested in measures to improve persistence and degree completion.

Financial aid and budget pressures

College Park has increased institutional aid, with total expenditures on institutional aid rising 63% to about $93.9 million in 2024; need‑based aid grew by $22.2 million driven in part by the launch of the Terrapin Commitment. Baker said the Terrapin Commitment aims to ensure in‑state tuition and fees are fully covered for eligible Maryland students.

President Darrell Pines told the committee that the university will address a reduction in state support by slowing hiring, reducing non‑personnel spending and seeking new revenue sources while protecting academic priorities. \"We plan to address the current round of reductions in state support through a range of actions designed to lower expenses and increase revenues,\" Pines said. He said the university would prioritize health and safety and the academic core while seeking efficiency gains and entrepreneurial revenue.

Ending

Committee members thanked university representatives for the presentation and asked for clarification where needed; no formal budget action was taken at the hearing. Lawmakers and university leaders said they will continue to discuss state funding and institutional priorities as the budget process continues.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","EBA Committee Session, 2/27/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","University of Maryland College Park officials told the committee that undergraduate enrollment rose driven by transfer students and that the campus increased need-based aid through the Terrapin Commitment while facing state funding reductions for fiscal 2026.","taxTitle","Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee, Budget and Taxation Committee, SENATE, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",78813,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6634939,"DGS faces data, vacancy and procurement challenges; new grants system and utility-centralization pilot underway",954,6553740,7508610,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2653406-99f1e82e533759b26775690caf3fbe78&start=6553&end=7508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2653406-99f1e82e533759b26775690caf3fbe78/thumbnail_6553740.jpg","/articles/6634939/Maryland/DGS-faces-data-vacancy-and-procurement-challenges-new-grants-system-and-utility-centralization-pilot-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634939-f1b202cc5636a5875add77517e20f1ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136545&Signature=Qvy6Q0lyST4JN~kDiHzACBBvidebvdhlFJcvyld-a-r~0f1sXDXs6kdLOCGlvEcyTF7Mg0e-G84iZ~-OpL6pAJ42xG6WDmCa3BPThycvoWKTh9VhUzdoo8vZ~1XEvCEEFElKZ1WF8Lcz-avWJPRvrl1~zacojF0Mfw0ohu99uER2a6nc-Akq~RGLvyWXUnGk07YAPanekjCWTN0qMT4qafShFYJByY2borMWiGH6r9huESmibRizIfkWCcmRhBahfr7KgZqklHLb15u-iB1Cin4~VOM8MDxta~NEh-QQ1UCzgsUh1VJ5id0NBrk0GQqBw3K-grNNj15ornnAWTYjPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Legislative analysts told the Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee that the Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) is implementing reforms while facing operational challenges: data integrity issues tied to an e‑procurement transition, a sizable number of long‑standing vacancies, and ongoing costs tied to the cancellation of the State Center redevelopment public–private partnership.

DGS Secretary Atif Chaudhary said the agency provides central services for state government and described steps to modernize procurement and grants administration, noting DGS's plans for a new web portal (CGL Connect) to improve grantee and legislator access to grant status information.

Procurement and vacancy concerns

DLS noted that while DGS aims to complete 80% of large procurements within 90 days, managing-for-results data were unavailable since fiscal 2021 because of data integrity issues during the transition to the eMaryland Marketplace Advantage system. DLS reported that new procurements rose by 264% from fiscal 2023 to 2024 and that competitive service procurements over $50,000 receiving two or more bids dropped from 95% to 68%.

DLS recommended deleting funds for 12 new Office of State Procurement positions added in fiscal 2025 that remained unfilled as of Dec. 31, 2024. Secretary Chaudhary said seven of those 12 positions were already filled at the time of the hearing and that DGS was actively recruiting to fill the remainder, arguing the positions are needed to implement procurement reform.

Grants management and customer service

DGS launched a new cloud-based grants management tool (Submittable) to replace a largely paper-driven workflow for some 4,000 active grants. DLS and lawmakers raised concerns about onboarding and user access — some grantees and legislative staff reported difficulty accessing the portal and obtaining timely status updates. The agency said further refinements and a public-facing inquiry portal (CGL Connect) are forthcoming and that it will add grant coordinators to improve customer responsiveness.

State Center relocation and fiscal items

DLS presented a status update on agency relocations from State Center following the cancellation of the private redevelopment: the Board of Public Works approved a $58.5 million settlement related to that cancellation, with $46.8 million in general funds and $11.7 million from the Transportation Trust Fund. DGS said five of 12 agencies had completed moves, two more were expected in 2025, and the remainder planned to relocate in 2026. DGS reported a projected $29.3 million balance in a dedicated purpose account (after accounting for prior additions and contingent reductions) and said it would provide a further status report as requested.

Ending

Lawmakers pressed DGS for clear customer-service standards and quick responses to legislative inquiries during the budget process. Secretary Chaudhary said the agency would supply contact points and that DGS is adding staff to address timely responses for grants and procurement-related inquiries.

","The Department of General Services told lawmakers it is implementing a new grants management system and expanding a utility bill centralization pilot, while legislative analysts flagged procurement data integrity issues, high vacancy rates and a $58.5 million State Center settlement.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6634944,"Racing stakeholders urge lawmakers to preserve purse-dedication share; warn cuts would harm Maryland breeders and racetracks",495,5199330,5695080,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2653406-99f1e82e533759b26775690caf3fbe78&start=5199&end=5695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2653406-99f1e82e533759b26775690caf3fbe78/thumbnail_5199330.jpg","/articles/6634944/Maryland/Racing-stakeholders-urge-lawmakers-to-preserve-purse-dedication-share-warn-cuts-would-harm-Maryland-breeders-and-racetracks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634944-3dba7a4f8f38e693ab6c79f849475eb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136545&Signature=XovMYDV09LJX73wTs57vNXCfWwHBd9gtGh3Gpu3gygQ3QIApSMaRiAfK3gerUK3EzsV4I0pgabczroW-S5XK-nVkoi4muTNY75F~X8oYJ-LBP06qiLrLBfOT7s3ls10YOyvI0LPVKECsYbao8oB8nymWvS1HWjv25ZEwBP4uQxXa8o9N6b2v~3PO-RCb3Hfq1eeOXT2RnWbzttxMJJ59TkLgj~PXmJZ7MXFLyZB7e6QXpFN41WFggvpcFdcn9QAGZA6rfEkKgMKqanof4o5U9fJvjU6vOUHrXaKILVzlljsn4PEwFocJ-JpCTo6mYind04Y-pOzdOL6WmtlOEdtWZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple representatives of Maryland's standardbred racing industry urged the Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee not to reduce the current percentage of video lottery terminal (VLT) proceeds distributed to the Purse Dedication Account (PDA).

Speakers including Michael Hall (trainer, owner and breeder), Sharon Roberts (executive director, Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association), and Lisa Watts (general manager and director of operations, Rosecroft Raceway) said a proposed reduction from 6% to 5% of VLT proceeds would cause material cuts to purses, breeding incentives and the small operations that comprise much of Maryland's breeding base.

Sharon Roberts said the reduction \"would have significant cascading effects on the standardbred breeders fund resulting in a 16.16% decrease in funding,\" and warned small-scale breeders would be disproportionately affected. Lisa Watts told the committee that Rosecroft Raceway provides the majority of racing opportunities for standardbreds in the state and that the PDA funding \"solidifies the ability to provide racing opportunities\" and supports local community programs.

Why it matters

Testimony emphasized that Maryland's racing and breeding industry is a local economic cluster: in 2024 Winbak Farm reported horses earning more than $20 million and the industry supports breeders, trainers and racetrack employees. Witnesses said 80% of overnight purses remain paid to Maryland-connected owners and that a 1% reduction in PDA allocation would translate into substantial percentage losses for breeders and purses.

Committee interactions and next steps

DLS earlier recommended amending BRFAA language that would reduce the PDA share; industry presenters asked the committee to reject that change. No formal vote was taken at the hearing; lawmakers acknowledged the testimony and signaled they would consider industry impact in budget negotiations.

Ending

Testifiers invited committee members to visit breeding farms and track facilities to see the industry firsthand and asked that any budget adjustments avoid immediate reductions to the PDA that would shrink purses and breeder incentives.

","Owners, racetrack operators and industry groups told the committee that reducing the video lottery terminal (VLT) proceeds share to the Purse Dedication Account would significantly harm Maryland's standardbred breeding and racing economy and requested lawmakers maintain the current 6% allocation.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6634949,"Maryland labor budget hearing highlights family/medical leave delay debate and unemployment insurance struggles",145,2641000,2786280,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2653406-99f1e82e533759b26775690caf3fbe78&start=2641&end=2786","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2653406-99f1e82e533759b26775690caf3fbe78/thumbnail_2641000.jpg","/articles/6634949/Maryland/Maryland-labor-budget-hearing-highlights-familymedical-leave-delay-debate-and-unemployment-insurance-struggles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634949-b8ab100e43e6a86dd3b48da495a3f2de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136545&Signature=PwVIHijG3Ng5Whs0oRN7dDd7Q6LbNr~TDh7GazalO4pZp~6K1eBL8lEhQL9TUN2NpL3idcbVirkxLxpGZabIrHZ-TeqtmB7w0DuiVp6qwe~UjjWKWpKp8r49pD2Rdz~RMPVeWCXLTjAdxQpsXDewf0XFFrfiLHBRq5hpLPBDYrALUHB0G~VcNTN~JI5YkF~MM~G-qTBozaVFndcKidWOVLwivpIBegWSFuSjo-ffHAwlFgFQXPT3vA2ahsK04Cj07ZOwTcko3JFzZwknxFtdcqEixOFbM0cQp81jvAUlhiOYCpvPZMax3ojgdL8EpLLSiI~eSlqwQlLgwFNSOPcBKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maryland Department of Labor presented its fiscal 2026 budget and fielded questions about implementation of paid family and medical leave, unemployment insurance timeliness, apprenticeship growth and several grant and program appropriations.

Secretary Portia Wu urged continued support for the department's proposed investments, including funds for cyber workforce development and an expanded Talent Innovation Fund. \"We must build pathways of opportunity and strengthen economic safety nets and critical protections,\" Wu told the Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee.

Family and medical leave implementation and funding

Department analysts and witnesses discussed the timeline for the Family and Medical Leave (paid leave) program, enacted in Chapter 48 of 2022. The department announced a proposed 18‑month implementation delay — shifting required employer contributions and benefit start dates later — citing federal uncertainty and administrative preparations. DLS reviewed the program's funding profile and said that without contributions in fiscal 2026 the family fund could not be used for program expenses and that general funds of about $34 million would be required under an alternative two‑year delay scenario included in fiscal-note estimates.

Advocates urged the committee not to delay the program. Lisa Klingemeyer of Maryland Family Network, representing the Time to Care Coalition, warned that an 18‑month delay would deny benefits to hundreds of thousands of Marylanders slated to be covered and would force the state to find general funds to maintain program development. \"No other state has ever taken six years from the passage of their legislation to implementing their paid family and medical leave program,\" she said.

Unemployment insurance operations and administrative funding

Committee members pressed Secretary Wu and analysts about ongoing problems with timely UI payments and appeals backlog dating to pandemic-era system changes. The fiscal 2026 allowance includes a $21.8 million increase for the Office of Unemployment Insurance and 125 regular positions to transition from a contract call center to in‑house operations.

Secretary Wu and DLS staff highlighted an ongoing need for administrative funding and IT improvements; the department supports a BRFAA provision that would establish an administrative fee (0.15% on taxable wages beginning Jan. 1, 2026) to fund UI administration while offsetting employer costs by reducing employer contributions to the trust fund by a corresponding amount.

Committee discussion and DLS recommendations

DLS recommended several actions, including restricting $250,000 in general funds pending status on repeat audit findings, making a new special fund appropriation contingent on legislation establishing it, and narrative language requesting reports on unemployment insurance performance and family program needs. Secretary Wu said the department disagreed with restricting funds to the office of the secretary and noted legal limits (FERPA) prevent resolution of some audit recommendations.

Other budget items and developments

- The Department of Labor's FY2026 allowance totals $722.3 million with growth driven mainly by special funds. DLS noted a proposed increase for the family program administrative costs and a large special‑fund balance projection tied to build‑up of contributions once the program begins.
- Apprenticeship activity has grown to more than 11,000 active apprentices; the number of programs decreased from 41 to 35 between fiscal 2023 and 2024.
- DLS flagged a statewide review showing the Department of Labor recorded potentially unsupported accrued federal fund revenues totaling about $204.7 million in FY2024 transactions; DLS highlighted this as a finding from a broader statewide closeout review.

Ending

Lawmakers pressed the department for clearer timelines and better customer support for constituent services related to UI and other programs. Secretary Wu requested legislative support for administrative funding measures and said the department will continue to work on IT modernization, hiring, and program implementation details.

","Lawmakers and advocates pressed the Department of Labor on the possible delay of Maryland's paid family and medical leave program, the state of unemployment insurance operations and the department's workforce investments and grant spending.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6634952,"Audit finds procurement and transparency issues at UMGC; marketing spending and HIDA affiliates under scrutiny",171,388540,560360,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2653406-99f1e82e533759b26775690caf3fbe78&start=388&end=560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2653406-99f1e82e533759b26775690caf3fbe78/thumbnail_388540.jpg","/articles/6634952/Maryland/Audit-finds-procurement-and-transparency-issues-at-UMGC-marketing-spending-and-HIDA-affiliates-under-scrutiny","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6634952-b3f0010595a54c4e84435a12585dc895/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136545&Signature=XvABFckP93k5keCqdh3SpZHw94mIczoF2nSXWAbSsajwwORRlS69FzhEcI4IROEklMdxIgz9DRks-vHFIzaynJ-UV-cG5fQiqCeOtmQGVwJYcAdKtT6I~jd4ngav5Ha2asEupkj76Id2KS3vyIl3ORbHFGncqRTYc-hYlFHXCafKtxBPbRgbNAQ5gE~WCdaJwFtf57o0DZ~TbgxSh-Rn8fGM1eLDhS-z6Ix~XpNCtcLkRpKg1HmONNOZZ06WpypjX1Nj9ZEmNJP9LAh3seaKfxGviuXSvNy5NLcZ~S3eqXTx4HEGKNzpGHjlsEi-J7bbwJ~tR3EUw0Fywc1Ew-xBQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Office of Legislative Audits and the Department of Legislative Services presented an audit and budget analysis on the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) that questioned the university's handling of technology-transfer affiliated entities and its marketing procurement practices.

The audit manager, Adam Westover of the Office of Legislative Audits, told the Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee that the audit covered Oct. 1, 2018, through Dec. 31, 2022, and included findings about UMGC-related HIDA entities and advertising contracts. He said UMGC paid about $175.4 million for advertising from February 2019 through December 2022 and that the university spent about $326 million of an approved $500 million advertising authorization. \"We continue to believe the use of a competitive procurement among the prequalified vendors is appropriate,\" Westover said, describing gaps in documentation and selection processes for task orders under master advertising contracts.

Why it matters: The audit identified potential weaknesses in competitive procurements, documentation of statements of work and the justification of annual sole-source contracts that may affect state oversight of discretionary spending and financial transparency.

Audit findings and university response

The auditors said UMGC created three HIDA (Higher Education Innovation and Development) entities and that the Office of Legislative Audits found problems including a lack of competitive procurements for some transactions, insufficient IT project monitoring and concerns about whether the HIDA arrangements remained in the state's interest because UMGC accounted for 92% of one venture's revenue from fiscal 2017–2022. The audit also noted limited access to financial documents related to the HIDA entities, prompting a USM Board of Regents task force to recommend changes to HIDA policy on Feb. 14, 2025, including increased transparency, fiscal oversight and removal of procurement exemptions.

Mindy Garrett, senior auditor, summarized the advertising-related findings, saying UMGC did not adequately justify annual sole-source contracts for two advertising services and did not consolidate those annual contracts, a practice the auditors said appeared to circumvent approval requirements. \"UMGC did not adequately justify annual sole source contracts for 2 advertising contracts,\" Garrett told the committee.

UMGC President Darrell G. Fowler defended the university's marketing strategy and said the university will strengthen procurement documentation and oversight. \"Our marketing efforts have a lifetime value that equates to a 1 to 5 ratio with every dollar that we spend generating $5 in revenue,\" Fowler said, explaining UMGC's argument that sustained national marketing builds brand awareness that eventually yields enrollments. Fowler told the committee UMGC will provide more detailed statements of work, clearer performance metrics and adopt competition and multiyear contracting approaches where appropriate.

Other details and follow-up

- The USM Board of Regents previously authorized HIDA entities and later formed a task force whose recommendations include removing procurement exemptions and requiring greater reporting and auditability.
- The audit flagged statements of work that lacked specific deliverables, time frames and measurable performance metrics; auditors said that absence limited the university's ability to hold vendors accountable or verify campaign effectiveness.
- UMGC had placed an item on the Oct. 2, 2024 Board of Public Works agenda seeking approval to spend up to $450 million on advertising over six years; the item was withdrawn.
- The Department of Legislative Services recommended committee narrative requesting that UMGC submit a comprehensive report on its national marketing campaign and its measurement of student gains attributable to advertising.

What was not decided

No formal legislative vote was recorded at the hearing on any sanction or funding adjustment. The committee requested additional information and indicated it will monitor UMGC's written responses and follow-up actions.

Ending

The auditors said they will assess UMGC's progress on recommendations in a future audit cycle. UMGC said it supports the Board of Regents' recommended HIDA policy updates and will provide the committee with additional documentation on advertising vendor selection and HIDA-related analyses.

","A fiscal compliance audit and legislative analysts raised concerns about the University of Maryland Global Campus' oversight of its HIDA-affiliated entities and its large national marketing contracts, calling for improved procurement documentation, transparency and performance metrics.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

College Park reports enrollment growth in transfers and increased need-based aid amid budget pressure

DGS faces data, vacancy and procurement challenges; new grants system and utility-centralization pilot underway

Racing stakeholders urge lawmakers to preserve purse-dedication share; warn cuts would harm Maryland breeders and racetracks

Maryland labor budget hearing highlights family/medical leave delay debate and unemployment insurance struggles

Audit finds procurement and transparency issues at UMGC; marketing spending and HIDA affiliates under scrutiny