Bergsman: The next governor should open up Maryland’s budget process

Recent media reports have revealed that the Hogan Administration is closing its capital budget meetings to legislative staff members. The capital budget ($5.2 billion this year) deals with construction projects and other big-ticket items that the state can fund with bonds. Legislative staff have been invited to these meetings back at least to the administration of Governor Harry Hughes in the 1970s and ‘80s. This move is well within the rights of the governor and his budget staff. Still, it is a step backward.