Maryland Lawmakers Pass Budget with No New Taxes or Fees

Governor Wes Moore signs Fiscal Year 2027 state budget into law after legislative approval.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:36pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, painterly depiction of the Maryland State House in Annapolis, its grand architecture and surrounding landscape rendered in warm, muted tones that evoke a sense of quiet contemplation around the state's budget negotiations.The Maryland State House stands as a symbol of the state's political process, where lawmakers grappled with the budget without raising taxes or fees.Annapolis Today

The Maryland state legislature has passed and Governor Wes Moore has signed the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget, which includes no new taxes or fees, maintains the state's Rainy Day Fund at 8%, increases the state's Fund Balance to $250 million, and has General Fund expenditures smaller than the Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund budget.

Why it matters

The passage of the state budget without any new tax or fee increases is seen as a win for Maryland residents, who have been calling for more affordability and relief from the state government. However, some lawmakers have criticized the budget for not addressing structural issues or providing meaningful tax relief.

The details

The budget bill, which was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Moore, shifts some funding onto other municipalities instead of raising taxes or fees. While the governor praised the budget process and the final product, some lawmakers like Senator Paul Corderman have criticized it as an "election year budget" that is "robbing Peter to pay Paul" without truly addressing the state's financial challenges.

  • The state legislature's Sine Die (end of session) is slated for April 13, 2026.
  • Governor Wes Moore signed the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget into law on April 8, 2026.

The players

Governor Wes Moore

The current Governor of Maryland who signed the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget into law.

Senator Paul Corderman

A Maryland state senator who criticized the budget as an "election year budget" that does not truly address the state's structural financial issues.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“A budget is more than numbers on a page. It tells our people what matters, it tells our people who we are fighting for, and it tells people whether we are willing to make hard decisions and still deliver. This budget protects our people, makes life a little more affordable for our people, and strengthens Maryland's economic competitiveness.”

— Governor Wes Moore

“What we did not do this year is we did not provide any tax relief. What we did not do this year is to address any of the structural issues. What we did not do this year is to address the affordability issues that Marylanders from all across the state are begging for us to do.”

— Senator Paul Corderman, Maryland State Senator

What’s next

With the budget now signed into law, state lawmakers have a short window until the end of the legislative session on April 13th to pass any additional legislation.

The takeaway

The passage of the Maryland state budget without any new taxes or fees is a win for residents seeking more affordability, but some lawmakers argue the budget does not go far enough in addressing the state's structural financial challenges or providing meaningful tax relief.