Howard could face $26.4 million in state funding cuts, hitting programs such as open space, arts grants and substance-abuse outreach.

“I hope the folks in Annapolis will not pass along drastic cuts to local jurisdictions to invest in their quality of life locally,” said County Executive Ken Ulman, referring to Gov. Martin O?Malley?s “doomsday” cuts in local aid to address the state?s 1.7 billion budget deficit.