Commissioner says state 'unfunded mandates' cost St. Mary's County about $8 million, urges delegation to act
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Summary
An unnamed county commissioner said state bills and unfunded mandates reduced St. Mary's County revenue by nearly $8 million and urged the county's legislative delegation and MACo allies to resist measures that shift costs to the county.
An unnamed commissioner addressing the meeting said state legislation has recently shifted costs to St. Mary’s County, costing the county “close to 8,000,000 in revenue,” and urged the county’s three delegates and senator to oppose further measures that would require the county to pick up added expenses.
The commissioner, who identified his involvement with the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), said MACo’s legislative and land-use committees work each week during session to try to limit statewide bills’ impacts on smaller, rural counties. “We all meet every Wednesday during a general session to discuss the various bills that are truly affecting us,” he said, adding that a rural coalition attempts to “tone down these bills so they don't impact our counties as much.”
He said the county’s loss of revenue last year was substantial and that with the governor’s deficit he expected further pressure for counties to absorb costs. He warned that the school system also will look to local funds to fill gaps after state increases fell short of expectations.
No formal motion or vote was recorded on the matter during the remarks. The commissioner closed by urging the county’s state delegation to “work hard this coming session” to block or limit proposals that would create new local expenses.