BALTIMORE (WBFF) — In one week, lawmakers will convene in Annapolis for the start of the 2026 legislative session and how to close the projected $1.4 billion budget deficit will likely be one of the biggest debates.
Deep within an issues report published in December 2025, Sen. J.B. Jennings, R-Baltimore and Harford Counties, said one thing raised more than an eyebrow as he paged through the publication – the growth for the state’s Child Care Scholarship Program.
“I had to take a double look or double take and say, ‘are you serious? 600%?,” Jennings exclaimed during an interview with FOX45 News.
When the program first launched in 2018, enrollment stood at around 12,000. Qualifying families received a voucher for child care and at first, a family of three was required to earn less than $29,900 to qualify. But that top number jumped to $106,563 and by the start of budget year 2026, there were 46,285 kids enrolled.
“That is what’s causing part of the problem with the budget is programs like this are exploding,” Jennings said. “There’s no check and balance. It is ballooning the budget to cause a deficit of $1.4 billion at this point.”
Maryland’s budget problems stem beyond one childcare program, but Jennings said the scholarship is an example of what can happen when spending grows without checks.
The national average price for childcare in 2024 was $13,128, according to the nonprofit Childcare Aware of America. In Maryland, the annual average cost is $14,850.
Finding the balance of what government can – and should – provide for its residents is a delicate dance, and something Jennings said he understands is difficult. However, Jennings argued Maryland can’t foot the bill for everything for everyone.
“I get it. I’m a parent of two. Childcare is expensive,” he said. “It was for those who are less fortunate, but for median income over $100,000 to be able to take this program, I think is wrong.”
In May 2025, the state paused enrollment in the program due to the budget crisis. Originally, the Maryland State Department of Education said the program would re-launch in September, but that has yet to happen due to high enrollment numbers still. Exceptions to the freeze still exist, including if a child has a sibling already enrolled in the scholarship plan.
The solution, according to Jennings, is to re-evaluate the eligibility requirements, and potentially make reductions “back to where it was.”
“But the hard decisions we have to make this session in the budget is what programs can we cut? We can’t keep expanding. It’s got to stop,” Jennings said. “Everybody always comes in needing more money for their program. And every program is important to somebody for some reason.”
“With this program, again, it’s a great program. I’m not saying stop it,” Jennings added. “I’m not saying defund it. I’m just saying, let’s look at it.”
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