ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland Democrats are calling on Gov. Larry Hogan to fund Planned Parenthood in his next budget proposal.
Lawmakers sent a letter making the request of the Republican governor on Tuesday. It is signed by 74 Democrats, including nine senators and 65 House members.
Matt Clark, a spokesman for Hogan, says the administration will spend the next several months crafting next year's budget, which won't be released until January.
The letter notes that Maryland's fiscal year 2014 budget included payments of $2.6 million to Planned Parenthood of Maryland, Inc.
The letter says the payments were made primarily by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to support community-based health care. That includes cancer screenings, family planning services and other cost-saving preventative health care services.
