Tuesday, U.S. Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Maryland State Delegates Gerron Levi, Bill Bronrott, James E. Proctor, Jr., and Heather Mizeur and former Talbot County Councilmember Hilary Spence on a telephonic press conference call to discuss the budget crisis facing Maryland.  The speakers also urged Congress to help protect Maryland’s families with a fiscal relief package.

The press conference also featured the release of a new report on Maryland’s budget crisis by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The report highlights the immediate need for aid to Maryland with a series of recommendations for Congressional action to protect Maryland families.  After addressing a substantial budget gap for FY 2009, recent tax collections indicate that there will be a $200 million shortfall before the end of the fiscal year.  As a result, Maryland is facing another round of cuts in vital public services, which would thereby exacerbate the downturn, worsen unemployment and poverty, and underfund and undermine infrastructure and public service delivery systems.