‘Doomsday’ budget looms over legislators, students - Jim Bach, University of Maryland Diamondback

Many state lawmakers called it a “doomsday” budget because of the severe expected cuts to health care and education if a special session isn’t called; higher education overall could see a $63 million cut, and the system could receive $50 million less in state funding, according to university lobbyist Ross Stern. “We’re clearly upset and very concerned about the budget as passed; the only way to solve that is for a special session to occur,” system lobbyist P.J. Hogan said. “I think everything will be on the table from significant tuition increases to reduction of student services, larger class sizes, probably fewer sections; it’s going to be painful one way or another.” Gov. Martin O’Malley would have to call for the General Assembly to reconvene at a separate special session — outside of the allotted 90-day session — to vote on the revenue-generating bills. Those would offset the $512 million cuts that Monday night’s meeting triggered.