Truth in Accounting launches Maryland government finance series with FOX45, WJLA and The Baltimore Sun

Truth in Accounting has teamed up with The Baltimore Sun, FOX45 in Baltimore and WJLA in Washington, D.C., to examine Maryland’s finances using audited government reports instead of budget talking points. The project starts with state books and is meant to expand to all 23 counties and Baltimore City, as the group invites other local newsrooms to use the same model.

Why it matters: - Marylanders will get a look at the state’s long-term obligations, not just annual budget headlines. - The project aims to show how pension promises, retiree health care and other liabilities affect taxpayers at the state, county and city level. - Truth in Accounting says the series is meant to help voters judge whether local governments can cover the bills they have already incurred.

What happened: - Truth in Accounting announced a joint effort with The Baltimore Sun, Sinclair Broadcast Group stations FOX45 in Baltimore and WJLA in Washington, D.C., including the Spotlight on Maryland investigative unit. - The collaboration will examine Maryland’s finances over time using governments’ own audited numbers. - The first piece in the series was a guest commentary by Truth in Accounting founder and CEO Sheila Weinberg, CPA, published in The Baltimore Sun on Aug. 9, 2026. - The organization invited other local media outlets in Maryland and beyond to use the same framework.

The details: - Truth in Accounting has analyzed government financial reports since 2002. - The Maryland project will cover the state government, all 23 counties and Baltimore City. - The analysis will compare cash-basis budget claims with audited financial reports. - The work will explain how government accounting rules differ from those applied to corporations and households. - The project will also examine the exemption from ERISA-style pension funding requirements. - The series will put one-time windfalls, federal aid, investment spikes and accounting maneuvers in context. - Truth in Accounting found Maryland’s shortfall grew from $23.4 billion, or about $9,700 per household, in Fiscal Year 2023 data compiled near the end of the Hogan administration, to a $25.7 billion hole and an $11,200 per-household Taxpayer Burden™ in the most recent analysis under Gov. Wes Moore. - Truth in Accounting has tracked Maryland’s condition since 2009. - Full historical data is available at Data-Z. - Truth in Accounting said it can help newsrooms read an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and explain pension and retiree-health promises in plain language. - The organization says it does not take positions for or against candidates or parties. - Truth in Accounting says it receives no funding from state or local governments.

Between the lines: - The project frames government finances as a long-term accountability issue, not a one-budget-cycle story. - The push for local newsroom partnerships suggests Truth in Accounting wants to turn its analysis into a repeatable reporting model in other states. - Weinberg argues that official budget narratives can obscure costs that are pushed into the future. - The group is positioning itself as a nonpartisan translator of public accounting, rather than an advocacy group.

What's next: - Truth in Accounting will continue the Maryland series by moving from the state budget to county and Baltimore City finances. - The organization says it is looking for editors, publishers and news directors who want a similar series for their state, local government or school board. - Newsrooms interested in a similar project can contact Truth in Accounting through the information provided in the release. - The Baltimore Sun will continue hosting the August 9 commentary as part of the launch coverage.

The bottom line: - The Maryland project is designed to make government balance sheets harder to ignore and easier for readers to understand.