Eleven fiscally sound and environmentally friendly “green budget” policies evaluated in the Greening the Budget (Maryland) 2004 report could improve the outlook for Maryland’s environment, while simultaneously increasing state revenues by at least $145 million in the next full fiscal year, with up to $3 billion in long-term savings. Closing harmful loopholes in the tax code, eliminating unfair subsidies for pollution, and cutting wasteful projects would create financial disincentives for sprawling growth, air pollution, wetlands development, overuse of groundwater, and other environmentally damaging activities. At the same time, these policy changes could help address the severe fiscal crisis facing the state.
