The General Assembly's budget analysts are recommending a decrease in Baltimore's share of highway use revenues by $30 million of the $131 million it currently receives annually so that it can be redistributed to the counties and other municipalities. The cuts would take effect in the budget set to start this July.

Staff members said the change in the formula for distribution of highway user revenue funds are needed to help alleviate distribution problems that emerged in 2010, when many counties took a severe hit in terms of their share of user funds.

Historically, local payments account for 30 percent of state highway user revenues. Without changes to the 2011 budget, Baltimore would get 40 percent of that 30 percent. Traditionally, Baltimore gets a larger share of these funds because it maintains state roads within the city boundaries.