Federal shutdown bad news for Maryland

For the first time in 17 years, much of the federal government has shut down. This is bad news for Maryland and the nation's economy and for the public that benefits from a wide array of public services.

The parts of the federal government that haven't shut down are either "essential" (mostly activities that protect life and property); are funded outside of the appropriations process (like Medicare and Social Security); or have other funds available, at least for a little while (for example, Medicaid has enough money for the next quarter, and housing vouchers will be unaffected in October).

But lots of other important programs will be affected, including many that help our most vulnerable neighbors. For example:

• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is not funded for FY 2014. States do have a few funding streams they can use to temporarily cover the loss, but they won't last long.
• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) has now expired. States should have already appropriated the matching funds required for the program, and could potentially use these funds to maintain the program until a new appropriation or continuing resolution is passed.
• Child care funding is in the same situation as TANF.

If you want to learn more about a specific program, check out the contingency plans by federal agency.

Here are a few estimates of what the shutdown will cost Maryland:

• Furloughs could cost Maryland $5 million a day in income and sales tax collections and perhaps $15 million a day in overall economic activity, according to the governor's office.
• Dr. Daraius Irani, executive director of the Regional Economic Studies Institute at Towson University estimates that a partial government closure could mean between $18 million and $68 million a day in lost income for Maryland workers, and between $700,000 and $2.5 million a day in lost income tax collections. His analysis does not include lower tax collections from furloughed workers cutting back on their spending.
• Dr. Stephen Fuller, director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University, estimates the DC region (not just Maryland) could see losses up to $200 million a day. Dr. Fuller's analysis excludes tourism and cuts to direct services such as new Medicare or Social Security applications, small business loans, and child-care subsidies.
• The Baltimore Sun also has a slideshow illustrating the shutdown's effects on Maryland.

In other more positive news, the Maryland Health Connection opens at noon today. Part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), this exchange allows individuals and small businesses to shop for health insurance, including using tax credits if they qualify. Implementation of the ACA is unaffected by the shutdown.

The Week Ahead

Last week we blogged about the cuts to food assistance that will arrive this fall, absent action from Congress. Also last week, Neil Bergsman appeared on WYPR's Midday with Dan Rodricks to talk about taxes in Maryland. You can hear a streaming podcast of the show here. Neil's segment can be heard around the 19 minute mark.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released several reports last week, including the monthly employment numbers by state and metropolitan area for June 2013 (not seasonally adjusted). Overall, the national unemployment rate this June was 7.8 percent, which was 0.6 percentage points lower than last June. Maryland's non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.5 percent in June, up from 6.9 percent in May. The Employment Situation Summary for July 2013 reported that the national unemployment rate reduced lightly by 0.8 percentage points, at 7.4 percent. Very little change occurred in most labor sectors and among most worker demographics since June.  

For the week of August 5th through the 11th:

• On Tuesday, August 6th, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey at 10:00 am.
• On Wednesday, August 7th, the Workgroup on Access to Habilitative Services Benefits meets at 9:30 am at the Maryland Insurance Administration Hearing Room on the 24th Floor of St. Paul Plaza at 200 St. Paul Place in Baltimore.
• Later on Wednesday, the Vehicle Theft Prevention Council will be reviewing programs and budgetary issues for fiscal year 2014 at 10:00 am at the Loyola University Graduate Center at 8890 McGaw Road in Columbia.
• Also at 10:00 am on Wednesday, the Board of Environmental Health Specialists assembles at the Howard County Bureau of Utilities Building at 8270 Old Montgomery Road in Columbia. They may discuss/vote on proposed regulations, and a portion of the meeting may be held in closed session.
• Wednesday afternoon, the General Provisions Article Review Committee meets at 2:00 pm in room 241 of the House Office Building at 6 Bladen Street in Annapolis. They will be reviewing committee drafts.
• On Thursday, August 8th, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Board of Directors have a board meeting at 9:00 am in Suite 630 of 1 Calvert Plaza at 201 E. Baltimore Street in Baltimore. Participants may attend in person or by conference call. For dial-in instructions, click here.

Happy New Year 2014!

On Monday, July 1 Maryland began its fiscal year 2014. Last week, we reviewed the fiscal year 2013 budget that we rang out with the old year at midnight on June 30. The new budget totals $36.7 billion. That’s 3% higher than last year. After adjusting for inflation and population growth, the budget grows only 0.5 percent . On an inflation-adjusted, per person basis, this budget is below the budget in place three years ago in fiscal 2011.

Most of the money is stated for education, healthcare, transportation and public safety. These four slices make up over three-quarters of the total. Most of the budget growth over the current year will be in health and education programs.

The budget is balanced, with a surplus if over $1 billion projected to be available at the end of the year, one year from today (counting both general fund balances and the state’s “Rainy Day Fund”).

Week Ahead (Mother's Day Edition)

Yesterday was Mother's Day (hope you didn't need the reminder!), and we're celebrating by highlighting a blog post last week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics about working mothers.

Last week we blogged about U.S. Senate action on the internet sales tax, which has the potential to help Maryland businesses as well as state government. We also blogged about how unpopular Maryland is with CEO Magazine. And, we released our latest animated video, on the need for paid sick leave (watch other videos here).

For the week of May 13th through May 19th:

• On Tuesday, May 14th, the Advisory Council for Alternative Response holds their monthly meeting. From 1pm in room 1044 of the Department of Human Resources, 311 West Saratoga Street, Baltimore.
• The Maryland Commission on Artistic Property also meets on Tuesday, at 1:30pm in room 180 of the House Office Building, Annapolis. The Commission will discuss matters related to the State owned art collection.
• Later on Tuesday, the State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy meets at 5:30pm at 2009D Commerce Park Drive, Annapolis. 
• Finally on Tuesday, the Community Services Reimbursement Rate Commission meets from 6-8pm at the Mental Hygiene Administration office at 55 Wade Avenue, Catonsville. 
• On Wednesday, May 15th, the Board of Public Works meets at 10am in the State House, Annapolis.
• On Thursday, May 16th, the Maryland Health Care Commission meets at 1pm in their offices at 4160 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore.
• On Friday, May 17th, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases state-level employment figures for April. The initial BLS estimate for March found that Maryland's unemployment rate held steady at 6.6 percent, though the number of unemployed residents fell. However, the national figures for April included positive revisions to the February and March estimates, which may spill over to Maryland's figures.

The Week Ahead

Last week Neil Bergsman blogged about this week's Food Stamp Challenge, which he is participating in, while I blogged about the falling national unemployment rate. Neil also broke down Question 7 (the expanded gambling referendum) for Fox 5 DC. And last but not least, Greg Cantori officially joined the team as CEO of our parent organization Maryland Nonprofits last Monday.

Tuesday, October 9th

• Advisory Council for Alternative Response meets. The Council is developing alternatives to traditional responses to cases of suspected child abuse or neglect. 1pm in room 1044, Department of Human Resources, 311 West Saratoga Street, Baltimore.

Wednesday, October 10th

• House Health and Government Operations Committee goes on a site visit to the University of Maryland, College Park's School of Public Health. Members will be briefed on the Center for Healthy Families, minority health disparities, the Center for Health Information, and the Institute for a Healthiest Maryland. 9:30am to 1:30pm at University House, University of Maryland, College Park.  
• Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) meets. 10am in room 100, 4160 Patterson Ave, Baltimore.
• Maryland Nonprofits offers Now What? Sustaining Your New Nonprofit. This is a Maryland Nonprofits training. For more information or to register, go to their events page.

Thursday, October, 12th

• Maryland Economic Development Commission holds an infrastructure roundtable. 10am to noon at the Verizon office, 13100 Columbia Place, Silver Spring, MD.
• Board of Directors of the Maryland Health Insurance Plan (MHIP) meets. Topics will include findings from an audit of MHIP; the Missing Federal Application Report; updates on procurements, the Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program, and federal enrollment; and a discussion about MHIP/Exchange messaging. Participants may attend in person or by conference call. Dial in 888-769-8761 Passcode: 7592829. 9am in suite 630, 1 Calvert Plaza, 201 E. Baltimore Street, Baltimore.

The Week Ahead

Last week we blogged about the new revenue estimates for Maryland, the annual briefing of the Joint Committee on Welfare Reform, new data from the Census Bureau, and the August state-level employment figures. Also last week, Governing Magazine highlighted our brief on expanded gambling.

Monday, September 24th

• Exchange Financing and Sustainability Advisory Committees of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Board meet. 2-4pm at the Maryland Health Care Commission, 4160 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore.
• Board of Directors of the Maryland Health Insurance Plan meet about messaging and a memorandum of understanding between MHIP and the Exchange. 3pm in suite 630, 1 Calvert Plaza, 201 E. Baltimore Street, Baltimore.

Tuesday, September 25th

• Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee does a site visit to Thurgood Marshall International Airport, from 11am to 2pm.
• Public Health and Long Term Care Subcommittee of the House Health and Government Operations Committee meets to discuss HB 1090. 1pm in room 241, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board meets. 9am to 1pm, University of Maryland BioPark, 801 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore.

Wednesday, September 26th

• Maryland Nonprofits offers Forming a Nonprofit: The Paperwork. This is a training program; for more information check out Maryland Nonprofits' events page. 

Thursday, September 27th

• Video Lottery Facility Location Commission meets to receive an update on legal proceedings and to consider an extension request from CBAC Gaming and the City of Baltimore. This meeting will be held via teleconference. Interested parties may attend the meeting from Room 111 of the Legislative Services Building. A portion of the meeting may be held in closed session. 11am in room 111, Legislative Services Building, 90 State Circle, Annapolis.
• Commission to Study Campaign Finance Law meets. 1pm in room 130, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council meets. 3-5pm in the Joint Hearing Room, Department of Legislative Services, 90 State Circle, Annapolis.
• Governor's Commission on Small Business holds a town hall meeting. 10am to 1pm in the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, 44219 Airport Road, California, MD. 
• Bureau of Labor Statistics releases county-level employment data.
• Maryland Nonprofits offers Build Capacity with Dynamic Volunteer Engagement. This is a training program; for more information check out Maryland Nonprofits' events page. 

Friday, September 28th

• Maryland Advisory Committee on Manufacturing Competitiveness holds a board meeting. 10am to noon in the 17th floor conference room, World Trade Center, 401 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore.

The Week Ahead

Last week we signed onto a letter from 23 organizations calling for greater funding for the Maryland Meals for Achievement (MMFA) program. Schools participating in MMFA provide breakfast in the classroom each morning to every student, regardless of family income. The MMFA program improves academic performance, reduces behavior problems, and increases students attention spans.

Sometime this week we expect the Comptroller to announce the results of the FY 2012 closeout. Fiscal year 2012 ended June 30th. The Comptroller also maintains an archive of previous closeout reports.

Monday, August 27th

• Commission to Study Campaign Finance Law meets. 9:30am in room 130 of the House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Community Services Reimbursement Rate Commission meets. 6-8pm in the Conference Room at the Maryland Association of Community Services, Unit P, 8835 Columbia 100 Parkway, Columbia.

Tuesday, August 28th

• Public Health and Long Term Care Subcommittee of the House Health and Government Operations Committee meets to discuss HB 1090. HB 1090 would have regulated palliative care services, but failed to pass in the 2012 session. 1pm in room 241 of the House Office Building, Annapolis.

Wednesday, August 29th

• Capital Budget Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee meets for a briefing on the new youth detention center report. Public testimony is not usually accepted for briefings. However, written public testimony will be accepted for this briefing. Submit 40 copies no later than August 28, 2012 by 3pm. The briefing starts at 10am in room 120 of the House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics releases July employment figures for metropolitan areas.

Friday, August 31st

• Friday is the first of the rolling deadlines for executive agencies to submit their FY 2014 budget requests to the Department of Budget and Management.

The Week Ahead

Legislators will return to Annapolis Thursday in a second special session. On the table will be adding a sixth gambling location in Prince George's County, allowing table games and internet gambling, and possibly liability issues for pet owners. The outcome of this special session is less predictable than the first, but there are some indications that whatever happens will take about a week.

One news item of note that we neglected to highlight when it happened last week was the state bond sale. On Wednesday the state sold more than $700 million in general obligation bonds at very favorable rates. The low interest rates were possible because of the actions taken by the governor and legislature to protect Maryland's AAA bond rating by drawing down the structural deficit over the last several years and responsibly balancing the budget.
 
Tuesday, August 7th

• Maryland Nonprofits offers Harnessing the Power of LinkedIn for Outreach, Networking, and Prospecting. This is a Maryland Nonprofits training; go to their website for more information or to register.

Wednesday, August 8th

• Maryland Nonprofits offers an introductory webinar about the Standards for Excellence program. This is a Maryland Nonprofits training; go to their website for more information or to register.
• Maryland Nonprofits offers Board Orientations and Handbooks. This is a Maryland Nonprofits training; go to their website for more information or to register.

Thursday, August 9th

• Senate Budget and Taxation Committee meets to discuss gaming authorization and regulation. 1pm in 3 West, Senate Office Building, Annapolis.
• Senate Finance Committee holds a briefing on interim policies proposed by the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. 9am in 3 East, Senate Office Building, Annapolis.
• Maryland Economic Development Commission holds a board meeting. 10am to noon, Medifast Inc., 11445 Cronhill Drive, Owings Mills. 
• Maryland Nonprofits offers Special Events That Rock. This is a Maryland Nonprofits training; go to their website for more information or to register.

Friday, August 10th

• Even though the special session starts on Thursday, the House of Delegates will not convene until Friday.