Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio was among four delegates selected to represent the Economic Matters Committee in a joint hearing on the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) of 2009. The Appropriations bill contains a number of budget reductions that are aimed at resolving this year’s structural deficit, but may worsen Maryland’s economic situation.

Tourism, the arts and economic development loan programs such as the Maryland Agriculture and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) fall under the purview of the Economic Matters Committee and are all under consideration for budget cuts. “In these tough economic times, I understand that we have to make budget reductions – I support that,” Haddaway said. “However, I think it is short sighted to harm programs that generate revenue for the State and provide us with some of the best return on our investment. We also need to be careful about harming our most vulnerable populations.”