Smith requests $81 million in state school aid

Nearly $81 million for school renovations topped Baltimore County Jim Smith?s wish list for the General Assembly session, a modest request, he said, in light of looming cuts in state aid.

Smith also requested $5 million in state funding for community projects, his smallest bond request in five years. Smith, who addressed the county?s Annapolis delegation in a private meeting Wednesday, said cuts already identified to solve Maryland?s $1.3 billion deficit will cost the county nearly $38 million.