O'Malley Announces Special Session on Budget

Gov. Martin O'Malley on Friday announced that he is calling lawmakers back to Annapolis on May 14 for a special legislative session to address the state budget.

The governor's office said in a news release that the special session would "ensure that Maryland’s Triple A bond rating is protected, and critical investments in public education, public safety, the State’s workforce, and critical social services are restored."

The General Assembly adjourned its 2012 regular session on April 9 after , and , to avoid massive cuts in the state budget. The spending plan approved in the session's final hours included $512 million in cuts to public schools, law enforcement and social services.

O'Malley (D), Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. and House Speaker Michael E. Busch will hold a news conference next week to discuss the session, the release said.

“There is too much at stake not to move forward,” O’Malley said in the release. “I’m confident that we can come together with the Senate President and House Speaker to complete this most important work for the people of our State.”