Miller Urges Caution On Bills That Cost Money

Given the state's tough budget times, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) is urging restraint when considering legislation this session that costs the state money.

In a letter today to Senate committee chairmen and vice-chairmen, Miller noted that the state is facing a combined shortfall this year and next of more than $2.3 billion and said, "unfortunately, for the forseeable future, the problems may well worsen before they begin to improve."

"I would respectfully request that the committees give very careful consideration to any bill that has either a fiscal impact this year or a fiscal impact that would be realized in future years," Miller wrote, saying "exercising greater caution" than in previous years is warranted.

He also asked that senators refrain from setting up new task forces or commissions, a common practice in Annapolis, "during these times of fiscal austerity."

House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) is planning to announce more detailed guidelines tomorrow about his chamber's fiscal policies this session. Formal consideration of the state budget starts in the House of Delegates this year.