Committee reduces bay fund by half

A Senate committee approved reducing a $50 million fund for the Chesapeake Bay by half yesterday, part of a medley of budget cuts and spending transfers that add up to about $300 million.

The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee voted to reduce the bay fund by $25 million for fiscal year 2009, which begins in July, and for fiscal year 2010. The bay fund was approved during November's special session to help clean up pollution.

The budget blow to the bay brought howls of protest from environmental groups, but lawmakers said cuts had to be made across the board - painful as that may be.

Cindy Schwartz, executive directory...