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State budget: lobbying update points to Route 1 funding, IonQ dollars and municipal legislative items
Summary
The city’s lobbyist briefed the council on Governor Moore’s proposed FY 2026 budget, describing tax changes and items relevant to College Park including funds for Route 1 reconstruction segments, state support for IonQ, and bills to raise municipal infraction caps and expand municipal land‑use authority.
Tony Lucci, the city’s lobbyist, briefed the College Park City Council on the governor’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget and other legislative developments during the Jan. 20 meeting.
Lucci said the governor seeks a mix of cuts and revenue changes to close a roughly $3 billion shortfall in the state budget, and that the proposal includes revenue measures and spending adjustments that could affect municipalities indirectly. “Governor released his budget last week. He had to fill a $3,000,000,000 hole,” Lucci said.
Items of direct local interest Lucci highlighted included: - Route 1 reconstruction: funding in the proposed budget for right‑of‑way acquisition and utility work to finish Segment 1, plus engineering dollars budgeted for Segments 2 and 3 (Maryland 193 to the Capital Beltway). - IonQ/quantum computing: an appropriation from the State Reserve Fund (reported as $17.5 million with a possible additional $10 million) to support IonQ’s quantum computing project on Campus Drive in the Discovery District. - Municipal infractions bill: Lucci said legislation will be introduced to increase the maximum fine a judge may impose for municipal infractions from $1,000 to $5,000; sponsors named in the briefing were Delegate Kim Taylor (House) and Delegate Ron Watson (Senate). Lucci said the Maryland Municipal League indicated it would support the change when introduced. - Municipal land‑use authority: Lucci said the bill (referred to as MCPG 11425 in the packet) has been amended to broaden eligibility and would allow municipalities with certified planners to pursue municipal land‑use authority; he said the bill is scheduled for a bi‑county committee work session.
Why it matters: Council members praised the inclusion of Route 1 design money in the proposed state capital budget and noted state attention to the Discovery District and business development. Lucci said municipalities are “relatively insulated” from some cuts because highway user revenues and Program Open Space are held harmless through 2028.
Next steps: Lucci offered to provide a memo summarizing the items relevant to College Park and to track committee hearings; council members asked staff and lobbyists to alert them when bills are scheduled for committee hearings so they can organize support or testimony.
