Amid pandemic expenses, state and local officials braced for tough times. Some public employees were furloughed, agencies drew up shrunken budgets.

Then Congress passed the American Rescue Plan last month, flipping the budget picture and sending billions of dollars to Maryland and its counties, cities and schools. U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin: 
“I think this is as dramatic for many american families as the New Deal was during the 1930’s”

The General Assembly just okayed a state budget 12 percent bigger than last year’s. Senate President Bill Ferguson pushed a $300-million-dollar investment to wipe out the digital divide.

“We in the state of Maryland are going to be on the front edge of treating broadband like we do roads or electricity. Like it is a basic necessity of the modern economy.” 

Amid pandemic expenses, state and local officials braced for tough times. Some public employees were furloughed, agencies drew up shrunken budgets.
Then Congress passed the American Rescue Plan last month, flipping the budget picture and sending billions of dollars to Maryland and its counties, cities and schools.&nbsp;U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin: &ldquo;I think this is as dramatic for many american families as the New Deal was during the 1930&rsquo;s&rdquo;
The General Assembly just okayed a state budget 12 percent bigger than last year&rsquo;s. Senate President Bill Ferguson pushed a $300-million-dollar investment to wipe out the digital divide.
&ldquo;We in the state of Maryland are going to be on the front edge of treating broadband like we do roads or electricity. Like it is a basic necessity of the modern economy.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org" target="_blank">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

On The Record

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

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