Explaining Question 1 on Maryland's 2020 ballot: Balancing the state's budget

There are two questions on the back of Maryland's ballots this year.

Question 1 is a proposed state constitutional amendment that would alter the state's budget process.

Currently, the state's budget of nearly $48 billion is created by the governor. Legislators can cut, but can't change or add to the budget.

If Question 1 passes, the legislators would be able to move money around. For instance, they could take funds from the state police, and move it to schools, as long as the total doesn't exceed the governor's budget.

"This would be a simple change that would allow the legislature to have the ability to put money where constituents and voters believe the money should go," says Senator Bill Ferguson, a Democrat.

The change would not take effect until Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, leaves office.

Hogan has declined comment on Question 1, but some Republican legislators have said the system works fine as it is.

You can read full summaries of both the 2020 ballot questions HERE.