Senate Unanimously Approves $51 Billion Budget Plan

Maryland’s Senate gave unanimous approval Thursday to a nearly $51 billion budget plan, and final negotiations with House lawmakers could begin as early as Friday. The budget has grown steadily during the legislative session thanks to federal stimulus funding and higher-than-anticipated revenue estimates. Sen. George C. Edwards (R-Garrett), a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee, said he was worried throughout the legislative session about additional funding considerations and supplemental budgets continually flowing into the committee.