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Maryland Revenue Estimates Down

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland revenue estimates have been revised down by $51.4 million for fiscal years 2016 and 2017.

The state's Board of Revenue Estimates announced the revisions Wednesday. Officials say the less-than-expected revenue indicates consumers are still being cautious.

Comptroller Peter Franchot says the state continues to see "lackluster growth in wages and minimal growth in high-paying jobs." He says "very weak sales" during the holiday shopping season are part of the reason for the revenue drop off.

Hannah Marr, a spokeswoman for Gov. Larry Hogan, says the revision "perfectly illustrates why we must use extreme caution moving forward when making decisions on our funding priorities."

A Senate panel is expected to vote on Maryland's budget this week. It's expected to be taken up on the Senate floor next week.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.