Date Set for Maryland Special Session

Gov. Martin O'Malley and legislative leaders want to call the General Assembly back in session in mid-May to make changes to a budget that left the state with $500 million in cuts.

O'Malley spokeswoman Raquel Guillory said Wednesday that the governor, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch have agreed to bring lawmakers back to Annapolis on May 14.

Miller said he expects legislators to wrap up the budget debate within a day or two.

The budget process fell apart in April when lawmakers failed to pass an income tax increase that would have prevented the cuts, which largely target education and public services.

The governor and presiding officers said they are close to an agreement on how to rectify the budget situation.