Last week we learned that the Senate Capital Budget Subcommittee was advancing budget language stating the General Assembly’s intention to place a CAP on Program Open Space funding if the Governor’s Budget did not allocate general fund revenues for the State Highway Administrations Watershed Implementation Plan improvements (Section 18 SB171 Capital Budget Bill). If adopted this CAP would be devastating to all programs funded by Program Open Space – Rural Legacy, Local Side, Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, and Stateside. If implemented this CAP would reduce funding for POS in FY 2016 – FY 2019 by between $57M and $75M each year, a cumulative reduction of $264 Million. This language MUST be removed from the budget.
Program Open Space has taken more than its fair share of cuts over the years. This years Governor’s budget reduced the amount of funding available by 50% with a promise to repay with bond funding in future years. Last year the Rural Legacy program funding was cut by 43% and MALPF by 19%. Since the inception of POS more than $1BILLION has been transferred to other programs. That represents taxes that Maryland citizens were told would go to land preservation and recreation. It is not. Now is the time to be investing in programs that protect our farms, forests and open spaces. Land prices are relatively low. Landowners are lined up and willing to voluntarily protect their farms. More and more residents are looking for quality local foods. Children and adults need outdoor recreational activities to increase the health of all Marylanders. This is not the time to cut these successful programs.
We urge you the Maryland legislature to reject any language that directs the General Assembly to place a CAP on Program Open Space. We need to return the program to full funding in accordance with the formula adopted by the General Assembly last year as soon as possible.
Today, we delivered letters with this sentiment to all members of the House of Delegates Appropriations Committee. Please urge your delegates to protect and restore Program Open Space.
See our flyer here.