$111 million would be cut from Maryland University System under Gov. Moore's proposed budget
BALTIMORE -- Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's proposed 2026 budget would cut $111 million in state funding from the University System of Maryland, according to The Baltimore Banner.
Under the governor's proposed budget, the system would get $2.21 billion in state funding, down from $2.32 billion in 2025, the Banner reported. The university system is made up of 12 institutions and three regional centers.
The decrease in funding comes as Maryland faces an almost $3 billion deficit. The governor's proposed budget includes $2 billion in spending cuts.
Investments in higher education
The proposed budget details an investment of $447.8 million for higher education, including $71.1 million for construction at Towson University, $42.9 million for construction at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and $63.2 million for local community colleges.
Morgan State University would receive $119.2 million for construction and upgrades to the campus' electrical infrastructure under the proposed budget.
The University of Maryland, College Park would receive $58.7 million for a new School of Engineering facility, Salisbury University would get $35 million for ongoing construction and the University of Maryland Baltimore County would get $21.1 for renovations.
The budget also includes $8 million for projects at three private institutions: Hood College, McDaniel College and Stevenson University.
In his proposed budget, Gov. Moore predicts undergraduate tuition rates are projected to increase by 2.2% at University System of Maryland institutions in 2026.
Tuition and fee revenues from FY2027 through FY2030 are projected to increase by 2% per year.
Tax and spending cuts
The proposed budget would also bring tax cuts to 66% of Marylanders, increasing tax rates for about 18% of the state's highest earners. Residents making more than $1 million would see the largest tax increase.
Under Gov. Moore's tax plan, the state's lowest four tax brackets would be combined and taxed at 4.7%. The cut would average about $175.
The governor's proposed plan would eliminate the inheritance tax and cut the corporate tax rate with the goal of incentivizing businesses to grow in the state.
State Senate leaders are in the process of reviewing the proposed budget.