Hogan, legislative leaders, outline $3.9B in federal relief

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland’s $3.9 billion in federal pandemic relief will be used to shore up the state’s unemployment insurance fund, support state recovery efforts, reopen schools and invest in broadband technology.

Gov. Larry Hogan announced a bipartisan budget agreement on Wednesday with the legislative leadership. The Republican governor said $1.1 billion will be dedicated to stabilizing unemployment insurance tax rates for businesses for calendar years 2022 and 2023.

Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Baltimore Democrat, highlighted $300 million in broadband technology investments. Ferguson joined the governor at a news conference along with House Speaker Adrienne Jones.

Source: AP – All contents copyright 2021 Associated Press.  All rights reserved.