Maryland Senate Passes Capital Budget with Funding for Key Lower Shore Priorities

March 27, 2026/Joe Ciccanti

Expanded mental health support for students is coming to Maryland鈥檚 Eastern Shore after the Maryland Senate approved a $1.8 billion capital budget. The plan includes $2.5 million for a Kennedy Krieger Institute behavioral health school in Wicomico County鈥攁 project local leaders have pushed for over the past three years. Advocates say the facility will serve students with the most serious mental health needs, while easing pressure on public school classrooms. Senator Mary Beth Carozza calls the need urgent, noting the Eastern Shore currently has just one special education facility serving the region. The Senate Capital Budget also included funding for TidalHealth as well as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Salisbury University projects.聽The fiscal year 2027 Capital Budget now moves to the House of Delegates for consideration.
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Senator Mary Beth Carozza tells the Talk of Delmarva that the Capital Budget is where they are able to support specific projects…

 

 

She praised its inclusion in the capital budget, adding that Kennedy Krieger Eastern Shore behavioral health school to be located in Wicomico County will serve the entire Eastern Shore…

 

Senator Carozza tells the Talk of Delmarva what other investment will make a real difference locally…

She adds that project will help attract students from across the country to attend the new veterinary school at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, which received $500,000 in the capital budget.

 

She discussed funding for other projects included in the capital budget…

Diakonia, Inc. has been recognized at the state level as one of the most efficient operations serving the homeless on the Eastern Shore. Adding that this was a significant investment as the it expands on their new site which will be located on 611 as you head to Assateague in Worcester County. You’ll find a list of all the projects included in the Senate capital budget, at TalkofDelmarva.com.

 

Additional Information from the Senate of Maryland:

The Senate capital budget included:

Worcester County
Diakonia, Inc. $700,000
Atlantic General Hospital (TidalHealth Atlantic) $130,000
Worcester Co. Recycling Facility Expansion $50,000

Wicomico County
TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Hospital $1.7 million
Salisbury University, Blackwell Hall Renovation $1.1 million
Epoch After-School Center (requested by Senator Mautz) $150,000
Fruitland Recreational Park $75,000
Salisbury Fire Department Fire Training Building $75,000

Somerset County
University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Campus Switchgear Replacement $3.1 million
University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Nuttle Hall Demolition $1 million
University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Veterinarian School $500,000
New Somerset County Emergency Medical Services Facility $500,000
Janes Island State Park $500,000
It Takes a Village Project /Crisfield $495,000
The fiscal year 2027 Capital Budget now moves to the House of Delegates for consideration.

 

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