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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore delivers his third State of the State address

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore delivers State of the State address
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore delivers State of the State address 02:19

BALTIMORE -- Maryland Gov. Wes Moore delivered his third State of the State address Wednesday afternoon from the House Chamber of the Maryland State House.

The governor discussed his plans, priorities and budget for Maryland.

During his 47-minute address, Moore focused on unifying lawmakers in Annapolis, saying there are only difficult decisions in front of them this legislative session. 

On several occasions, Moore has described this session as critical because the state is facing what he calls two storms: a nearly $3 billion budget deficit and uncertainty with the new Trump Administration in Washington.

WJZ sat down with Moore before his speech on Wednesday.

Overcoming a $2.7 billion deficit

Moore recently broke down his FY2026 budget that would trim taxes for  66% of Marylanders with another 16% receiving no change to their income taxes at all.

The governor said the plan, part of a broader budget strategy that includes $2 billion in spending cuts, aims to relieve middle-class families while asking more from those earning over $500,000 annually. Individuals making more than $1 million would see the largest tax increases under the proposed budget. 

Maryland is figuring out ways to alleviate the state's $2.7 billion deficit, its largest in 20 years. Moore compared the state's massive shortfall to worse than the Great Depression.

"I inherited a structural deficit when I became the governor because the state was both spending at a clip of what that was not sustainable, and we were growing at a clip that was embarrassing," Moore said in a prior interview.

When asked about criticism to his plan by Republican leaders in Annapolis, who say the governor is trying to hide increases elsewhere, Moore challenged his critics to come up with another plan to review.

"People who don't like what we proposed about giving the majority of Marylanders a tax cut, they should propose their own plan because I'd be really curious to see what that is," Moore told WJZ. "They should check their math, because I've checked mine, and the math is showing that the majority of Marylanders Under my plan is going are going to get a tax cut."

"We're telling people, on the one hand that we're enacting these massive cuts, but I think we also just told you was we're spending more money," said Del. Jason Buckel, who serves as the house minority leader.

Moore also addressed the concerns about additional fees, including the $0.75 charge for deliveries. He says this cost will be passed onto big corporations, such as Amazon, who need to pay their share. He says this money will go toward infrastructure projects because the company's trucks damage the roads.

Republicans, though, were not impressed with his budget comments during his address. Some said Moore should take accountability for the deficit because of increased spending on mandates such as the Blueprint. Moore has maintained that he is restructuring the Blueprint and adjusting it, which he says happens to marquee legislation.

"If we simply used the alleged "Blueprint Fund" to pay for our state government's other ongoing obligations, there would be no real need for the billion dollars in tax hikes Governor Moore is requesting. To say the Blueprint is not contributing to Maryland's deficit is just not true," Buckel said in his rebuttal address on Maryland Public Television.

The state is legally required to pass a balanced budget, and the legislature will likely vote on the 83rd day of the session, on April 1, 2025. 

Proposed investments also include the following:

Moore says the state has lacked an economic "thesis" and "strategy" for years. His administration crafted a plan which he says focuses on three key industries: information technology and cyber, defense, and life sciences.

During this session, Moore has said repeatedly that the state needs to stop relying on the federal government and federal jobs. He also says Maryland has the resources to be hubs in these industries, which will diversify its portfolio. Republicans argue by raising taxes on the highest earners, businesses will leave the state and the state's economy won't grow.

"These are industries that have seen consistent levels of growth and significant levels of market capacity, regardless of who's sitting inside of the Oval office," Moore said.

"You can't find me one of the other 49 states in this country that consistently raises taxes, raises fees and raises their budget, and grows in GDP, other economic factors, and in population. Show it to me because it does not exist," Buckel retorted to WJZ.

Moore has proposed the following investments included in the budget:

  • $750 million for economic and workforce development, including 128.5 million of targeted business development investments.
  • $27.5 million to invest in the "Capital of Quantum" initiative in partnership with IonQ in College Park and the University of Maryland. According to Moore, investing in the quantum computer industry.
  • $25 million for the state's "Sunny Day Fund" to attract businesses to the state.
  • $15 million to support Tradepoint Atlantic's new terminal development in Sparrow's Point.
  • $6 million for the Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 program
  • Other investments in cyber, bio, and apprenticeship programs.
  • Maintain $122 million in local aid for police protection.
  • Increase funding for the Department of Juvenile Services.
  • Investments in public education and childcare.

Uncertainty in Washington

Moore has described the state's position as caught in the middle of two storms: the fiscal crisis and uncertainty in Washington. After two weeks with a flurry of executive orders from the White House, Moore called it political chaos and says state lawmakers need to work together to create a sustainable plan for Maryland's future.

"You're not only dealing with a multibillion-dollar structural deficit that we inherited. You're doing it at a time when we are watching chaos in Washington, DC, that those two storms have never hit our state at the same time," Moore said.

He also addressed this during his state of the state address.

"…the White House announced a freeze on all federal grants and loans, including those coming to Maryland…We have seen the beginnings of a trade war, the shuttering of federal agencies, and plans to lay off thousands of workers."

"I didn't like the shots that he was taking at the new federal administration who's been in office for a mere two weeks," Del. Jesse Pippy, the house minority whip, said.

Republicans in Annapolis argue that the executive orders to this point have not impacted the funding Maryland is receiving.

"Can anybody identify me an actual dollar in the last 10 days that was supposed to come to Maryland that hasn't it come to Maryland? Nope," Buckel said.

Legislative priorities

Among his legislative priorities, Gov. Moore said he plans to focus on government efficiency and generating new businesses and streams of revenue in the state.

The governor also said he plans to push for four proposed bills during the 2025 legislative session, including:

  • The Decade Act which would cut programs that haven't returned on investments, allowing funds to be reallocated.
  • The Housing for Jobs Act which would address rising housing prices by setting production goals when there are not enough homes to support jobs in certain areas.
  • The Raise Act which would create non-college career pathways in the trade industries.
  • The Procurement Reform Act which would allow small businesses to access state contracts, prioritizing women-, and veteran-owned and local companies for state projects. 

Deadly overdose decline 

Moore said Maryland had a sharp decline in deadly overdoses in 2024.

Data from Maryland's Overdose Data Dashboard shows 1,553 reported fatal overdoses in the state last year, which is a 38% decrease from the 2,511 fatal overdoses in 2023. 

"The decrease in fatal overdoses that we're seeing in Maryland is historic, and it's proof that our investments in behavioral health and substance use care and the incredible efforts of people all around our state are paying off," Moore said. "However, we still have work to do. We are still losing far too many of our loved ones and neighbors to preventable overdoses, and we will not let up in our efforts to meet people where they are and make connections to care."

According to the data dashboard, Black individuals accounted for 44% of overdose deaths in Maryland since 2022, and Black men older than 55 years of age saw the highest rate of increase in overdose deaths. 

Overdose deaths among Hispanic residents under age 25 have surpassed those of both white and Black residents in the same age group since 2023, according to the report. 

Gov. Moore's approval ratings

A Gonzales poll conducted between Dec. 27, 2024, and Jan. 4, 2025, found that 61% of Marylanders approve of Moore's work as governor, while 28% disapprove.

The poll questioned 811 registered voters in Maryland who said they were likely to vote in the next election.

According to the poll, 79% of Democrats and 75% of Black voters support Gov. Moore's performance.

A UMBC poll conducted between Sept. 23, 2024, and Sept. 28, 2024, found that 54% of Marylanders approved of the governor's performance, while 32% disapproved.

Key Bridge design unveiled

On Tuesday, Gov. Moore and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) unveiled the design for a new Francis Scott Key Bridge after the original collapsed on March 26, 2024. The cargo ship Dali lost power before crashing into the bridge, causing it to collapse and sending seven workers into the Patapsco River, killing six of them.

Moore said the proposed bridge design will honor the architectural tradition of the original Key Bridge.

"Our new bridge will also be constructed in accordance with the most advanced industry standards and the very best in infrastructure design," Moore said. "We are going to use the best materials available and employ many Marylanders to build it." 

Francis Scott Key Bridge New Design Unveiled
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) unveiled the design for the new Francis Scott Key Bridge almost a year after it was hit by a cargo ship, causing it to collapse.  Moore-Miller Administration

Pre-construction began in January 2025, and the rebuild is expected to be completed by fall 2028. Kiewit Infrastructure estimated that the project will cost about $2 billion.

Officials said the cable stay design of the new bridge will allow the federal shipping channel to expand from 700 ft. to 1,000 ft. wide. The base of the bridge will also be raised to 230 ft., which is a 45-foot increase to accommodate ship traffic.

The roadway will still be two lanes wide going in each direction. 

"We're basically taking the best of the best that we can find, but we're also very focused on the time to redo this bridge," MDOT Sec. Paul Wiedefeld said.

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