Maryland state lawmakers ended this year’s session addressing a major budget shortfall and countless other issues in the state. But their work might not be over for the year. Through a combination of tax hikes and spending cuts, lawmakers passed a balanced budget, despite a three-point-three-billion-dollar budget deficit. Maryland taxpayers who make more than half a million dollars a year will pay more in taxes, along with higher taxes on sports betting and marijuana sales. Brenda Wintrode, with the Baltimore Banner, says lawmakers had to tackle multiple pressing issues for the state.

"The budget took the oxygen out of the session. It took up all the space. They had an energy crisis to resolve, which they did pass a sweeping energy package to try to make some room for more energy production in the state."

The legislature passed a major energy initiative meant to ramp up energy production through nuclear, natural gas, solar power and battery storage, along with a small rebate for electric bills. Lawmakers also made more than two billion dollars in spending cuts.

Republicans in the state, however, objected to tax hikes to balance the budget. But despite the end of the regular session, Wintrode says there might be more work to do this year. All eyes are on Washington as President Donald Trump’s cuts to the federal workforce and spending could impact the state.

"They have a balanced budget that is going to meet where we are as a state in this moment to get us through the end of the federal government’s fiscal year. They are not ruling out having a special session, possibly coming back in October after the federal government looks at what it’s going to be doing."

A report by Moody’s Ratings finds Maryland faces the greatest risks of any state from federal spending cuts.