This week, Maryland will receive the first run of numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau of population changes, in preparation for the reapportionment and redistricting process. However, the General Assembly passed a law in 2010, "No Representation without Population Act" (ch. 66, Acts of 2010), which requires inmates to be counted at their last known address for the purpose of redistricting, instead of the in the county where the prison is located. This will delay final data from being available until, at the earliest, mid-March.

Once the most accurate data is assembled, the redistricting process will officially begin for both federal congressional districts and state legislative districts. The legal standards for the two processes are slightly different:  federal congressional plans must have exact mathematical equality, while state legislative districts must only be substantially equal, generally understood to be ±5% population variance. 

Both federal and state plans must comply with the federal Voting Rights Act in providing minority communities the opportunity to elect representatives of their selection. Additionally, the state constitution requires that state legislative districts must be compact, contiguous and demonstrate "due regard" for natural and political boundaries.

The General Assembly will take action on the federal congressional plan first, followed by the legislative plan. The following is the general timeline for both processes over the coming year:

The three largest categories of capital spending this year are:

• Environmental programs ($619M), including Enhanced Nutrient Removal ($327M), Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund ($141M) and Program Open Space ($33M)
• Education programs, including school construction ($250M) 
• Higher education projects ($218M) including university construction ($140M) and community college construction ($61M)

The Capital Budget also provides $23M to continue the replacement program for the State's Medevac helicopter fleet and $20M for housing programs. 

The Governor has also authorized $15M for legislative initiatives, commonly referred to as "bond bills", to be split between the House and the Senate. The House will continue to put a two year, "shovel ready" restriction on all bond bills in the Capital Budget, in order to maximize job creation. 

The Governor has also proposed to bond some capital-eligible programs out of the Operating Budget, to relieve pressure on the General Fund, totaling $329M. This allows more flexibility in the State's General Fund budget, until the State's economy has fully recovered. 

This year, the House Appropriations Committee has refined the Capital Budget review process, in order to make review of the State's capital program more efficient. The Capital Budget Subcommittee will now be responsible for the review of the State's entire capital budget, including General Obligation bond projects and Pay-As-You-Go projects. 

This year's capital budget is projected to put 15,000 people to work, helping to stimulate Maryland's economy.  The Capital Budget Subcommittee will begin reviewing the Governor's capital spending plan this week.