O'Malley to present budget cuts in coming weeks

Gov. Martin O'Malley plans to call for hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts at the next Board of Public Works meeting, after a new report showed the state's general fund revenues at roughly $14 billion - $432 million less than original estimates.

The budget shortfall came to light on Tuesday when the Board of Revenue Estimates submitted a revised estimate for fiscal year 2009 in a letter to the governor.

"Given the national economic downturn, national foreclosure crisis, and the increased price of energy, gasoline and food, these revenue estimates are not unexpected," said O'Malley in a statement.

O'Malley blamed former Gov. Bob Ehrlich's administration for the "structural deficit that we inherited."

"You name it he blames it on Ehrlich. He doesn't take any responsibility for anything," House Minority Leader Tony O'Donnel told PolitickerMD.com in Ehrlich's defense.

O'Malley then referenced the November slots referendum as a worthy solution to the budget shortfall.

"The people of Maryland will also have an opportunity to vote on a slots referendum in November that is expected to provide an additional $650 million for public education," he said.

The Board of Revenue Estimates is comprised of the comptroller, state treasurer, and the secretary of budget and management. The Board of Public works consists of the comptroller, state treasurer and governor.