Governor Wes Moore Delivers State of the State Address

---

Maryland Governor Wes Moore today delivered his State of the State Address…

The Governor also said homicides are down nearly 50 percent statewide, with historic declines in crime reported in every corner of the state. He credits that progress to collaboration among community leaders, elected officials, and local schools, along with targeted funding directed to neighborhoods most affected by intergenerational poverty — addressing the underlying conditions where violence has historically taken root.

 

In his State of the State Address today, Maryland Governor Wes Moore highlighted initiatives his administration has advanced — as part of a broader effort to strengthen Maryland’s communities and improve quality of life across the state…

The Governor also reports a nearly 50 percent reduction in homicides statewide, alongside historic crime decreases in communities across Maryland.

 

Governor Moore’s State of the State speech as delivered (followed by responses to the Governor’s Speech):

Thank you everybody

Good afternoon

This is my fourth State of the State Address while serving as governor of the State of Maryland.

But there is something different about this moment.

Because over my left shoulder is House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk.

She is the first Afro-Latina to serve as Speaker of the House of Delegates.

And importantly, she is also someone who understands that making history isn’t the assignment. Making life better for all Marylanders is.

It’s the example that was set by her predecessor: Speaker Emerita Adrienne Jones.

And when you consider the legacy of these two public servants, you will see a common thread. 

That thread is, they always put Maryland first.

The same goes for Senate President Bill Ferguson

The same goes for Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller

The same goes for Comptroller Brooke Lierman

The same goes for Treasurer Dereck Davis

The same goes for Attorney General Anthony Brown

The same goes for your former colleague, senator, and now our Secretary of State Susan Lee

The same goes for all the members of my cabinet, all of our partners at the local and federal levels, and all the members in this chamber in both the House and Senate.

The same goes for all of your loved ones. And I want to thank my dearest loved one, the partner in life and my best friend, and our state’s First Lady Dawn Moore.

Now three years ago, we swore an oath, and the oath was to fight on behalf of the people of this state.

That we would fight for the family struggling to get by.

We’d fight for the worker who deserves a raise and a fair wage for their labor.

We’d fight for the car mechanic in St. Mary’s 

We’d fight for the restaurant owner in Lonaconing.

We’d fight for the teacher in Baltimore 

And we’d fight for the farmer on the Eastern Shore.

Now I cannot stand and I will not stand here and tell you I’ve gotten it all right.

I am more self-aware than the President of the United States. I would not give myself an A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus.

Many of us met on my first day when I was governor.

It’s taken time to build relationships, it’s taken time to learn Annapolis.

I am an outsider at heart––and I don’t see that changing.

I know I haven’t always made life easy for the House or the Senate. And I know there are times when you have not made life easy for each other.

And you know what? That’s okay! Because that’s democracy. It’s messy. It’s combative. It’s complicated, and it’s worth fighting for.

That’s not a flaw, it’s a feature.

It’s what we’re doing right now.

A few months ago, I reestablished the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission. Because at a time when other states were having a discussion about mid-decade redistricting, I said Maryland needs to be part of that conversation.

And after months of work, the Commission presented its recommendation.

And the House of Delegates debated it. They made adjustments. And then they passed the map.

Now I know there’s disagreement right now between the House and members the Senate

So my ask is simple: Do not let the democratic process die in the free state.  

Debate it, discuss it, make adjustments if necessary.

And put it to a vote.

Because that’s how we settle our differences in Maryland.

We battle ideas right in this building. Oftentimes passionately. Then, we go across the street. Share a drink at Harry Browne’s. And get back to work!

Unlike Washington, we actually have to balance budgets. We have to make sure our people are safe. We need to make sure we’re looking after our communities. That here we have big goals like ending child poverty in the State of Maryland. And here we do things that we think are important, like keeping our government open.

Now I know there’s been some discussion about the principled disagreement I have with the Senate President on redistricting.

We diverge on this particular issue.

But we both care about the future of our state. We both care about the future of our people.

And we are going to continue to work together on the issues we care about most.

Because our people are counting on us.

Marylanders are seeing firsthand how the White House Agenda is making their lives worse.  

In just the last year, the federal government has fired around 25,000 Marylanders who have federal jobs in our state alone.

Our neighbors. Our friends. Our family. It’s the biggest federal job cut of any state in the country.

The President’s domestic policy agenda could kick up to 180,000 Marylanders off health care.

More than 680,000 Marylanders could see their food assistance taken away.

That includes seniors. That includes veterans. That includes our children.

Washington is using this moment to attack and to limit and to retreat.

So in Maryland, we will use this moment to protect, deliver, and lead.

We will protect our people from the worst of Washington’s cruelty.

We will deliver the kind of results that people can actually feel in their homes and in their communities.

And we will lead our state and our people unapologetically in a way that inspires them to help move Maryland forward.

Protect, deliver, and lead. That’s the assignment, and that’s what I want to talk about today.

And we already know how to do it. I know that because you can just look at the last three years.

When we took office, Maryland’s economy was stagnant.

So we focused on making Maryland the best place in the world to change the world. We cut the red tape. We launched programs to get liquidity in the hands of entrepreneurs.

We invested in our public schools, invested in our universities, invested in our community colleges. And we built pathways to good careers, like our first-in-the-nation Service Year Option here in the State of Maryland.

We partnered with unions, and trades, and employers to graduate over 5,000 apprentices–and are going to be graduating 4,000 high schoolers with Registered Apprenticeships each year by the end of my second term.

Since we took office, our policies have helped to create nearly 100,000 new jobs and Maryland has seen over 35,000 new businesses open in our state.

Since we took office, our state suffered from a crisis of violence. Even more dangerous, we suffered from a crisis of apathy to the violence. The pain was no longer piercing. It was chronic.

Baltimore was averaging almost one murder a day. Maryland families from the Western Mountains to the Eastern Shore did not feel safe in their communities.

So we worked with our leaders, with fantastic leaders city leaders like Mayor Scott in Baltimore. We worked with state leaders like Chair Smith and Chair Bartlett. We worked with members of our federal delegation.

We bridged the gaps between police and prosecutors.

We built strong bonds between community leaders and elected officials.

We launched the ENOUGH Initiative, so we can work hand-in-hand with community schools and surge funding to neighborhoods most affected by intergenerational poverty. Because here is the fact, you cannot address violent crime if you aren’t addressing the failed conditions in communities where violence is living at.

And the results?

Homicides are down nearly 50% statewide, and we are delivering historic drops in crime in every single corner of the state… And in fact last time the homicide rate was this low in Baltimore, I was not born yet.

When we took office, the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home was in a state of complete disrepair and moral decay. Staff were abusing veterans. The facility earned a one-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

So we rallied veterans, and lawmakers, and the Board of Public Works… and our Department of Veterans and Military Families to ensure that were working together to turn Charlotte Hall around.

And I am very proud to announce that Charlotte Hall has gone from a one-star-rated facility to a four-star-rated facility. And we’re not done. Because we can, and we will, get that to a five-star rated facility. Our veterans need is and deserve it, and we’re going to produce it for them.

And we’re joined by two administrators at Charlotte Hall who are going to help us get there.

They’ve been on the front lines of making sure that when we say “thank you for your service,” it should actually mean something.

Could Emily and Dorine please stand up so we can give you a round of applause for your work?

So look, I know people like to talk about how powerful the federal government is.

But we need to remember how powerful we are: State leaders, citizens, people who love our communities and people who just simply want to make them better.

Because when we work together, we can actually deliver change.

We’ve reformed the procurement process, cut wait times to receive a state contract from months to weeks, and advanced over $4.3 billion in procurement awards to certified minority-owned and disadvantaged businesses.

We’ve expanded child care access by 70%, to support over 41,000 children.

We’ve cut overdose deaths every single year we’ve been in office, and brought them down to a ten-year low.

We’ve cut roadway fatalities by 18%. It’s the first time annual roadway fatalities have fallen below 500 in over a decade. And I want to give a special shoutout to our amazing Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller for her work to make Maryland roads safer.

So we’ve delivered enormous progress together.

But there is still work to do.

First, we need to protect our people from the damage that is being caused by this federal administration.

This year, Maryland is filling the $40 million gap in SNAP funding created by Donald Trump’s domestic policy agenda. It’s going to help ensure that children, and seniors, and people with disabilities who rely on nutrition assistance do not go hungry.

We have proposed $14 billion for the State’s Medicaid program. It provides health care for over 1.4 million Marylanders.

And we’ve made these investments without compromising fiscal discipline.

For the fourth year in a row, we are going to prove that we can do more with less.

So once again, I’ve introduced a balanced budget with a General Fund that is smaller than the previous year. And in a moment when prices are up on everything, our proposed budget does not raise taxes or fees on the people of this state.

And as we work to finalize a budget in Annapolis, we will continue to be out with the people who got us here in the first place: The people in your communities.

Last month, I stood with doctors and nurses at the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in Prince George’s County.

Washington, they told us, is making their jobs harder. Because the federal government went from data-driven research to “choose-your-own-adventure.”

So this year, I have introduced legislation to decouple the state’s vaccine authority from the federal government’s. Because our vaccine policy will be led by science, not internet conspiracy theories.

This is not about an ideology. It’s about protecting our people.

Giving the same support to our people that we want to give to our own family members. We will protect them no matter where they call home and no matter how they voted in the last election.

It’s a philosophy that I wish the Trump-Vance Administration understood.

Because when towns in Allegany and Garrett Counties were hit by historic flooding, many in this chamber were some of the first boots on the ground.

We stood with Senator McKay. We stood with Delegate Hinebaugh. And together we asked the federal government to help us recover.

They said “no.”

I appealed the decision directly to the President of the United States. And I let him know the area that he was neglecting was one that mainly voted for him.

And again, his answer was “no.”

So Maryland stepped up.

This year, I have proposed $12 million to support flood recovery efforts in Allegany County. And that includes $1 million to rebuild the Westernport Library.

When our people are in trouble, we’re going to help them. Their party affiliation doesn’t matter. If they’re Marylanders, they’re good.

I went to Western Maryland immediately after the storm. And the person by my side every single step of the way was Mayor Judy Hamilton.

Mayor Judy is the Mayor of Westernport. 

Mayor Judy is a Republican. I am not. Breaking news.

But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that we’re Marylanders.

Judy is in the gallery today. And Judy, it was an honor to watch you lead.

And I want to say to you and all the people of Westernport, and all of Western Maryland: We have your back today. We have your back tomorrow. And we will have your back always. God bless you, and thank you

So we’re also very clear, it will not be enough just to simply spend all of our time pushing back on Washington. We’ve got to push forward.

And we know the biggest concern for Maryland is rising costs.

Since this time last year, energy prices are now up 13%.

The price of beef is up 19%.

The price of fertilizer is up 15%.

And I just want to be clear, that’s not in Maryland. That’s nationwide. Those are the numbers across the country.

We cannot control federal tariff policy.

But we will work together to contain prices where we can, to grow our economy because we must, and build new pathways to work, wages, and wealth. So as prices go up, we know that this should not be a generational catastrophe for our people.

Last year, we worked together to provide $200 million in direct energy rebates to help Marylanders who were struggling.

This year, I’ve introduced legislation to build on that foundation with an additional $100 million in energy rebates. That’s $100 million that is going directly back into the pockets of hard-working Marylanders who need it now.

But we still have more to do.

And to all Marylanders who are worried about skyrocketing energy prices, I am here to say in a loud and a collective voice: We hear you, and help is on the way.

This year, let’s work together to build a thriving energy market that gets more energy to the grid, that adds more jobs to the economy, and puts more money in the pockets of working families.

Let’s make sure we’re doing it right here in Maryland too, so we don’t need to rely on other states to keep the lights on.

It’s time to double down on solar, and wind, and energy storage. That’s where the jobs are. That’s where many of the shovel-ready projects are.

The Maryland Energy Administration’s Community Solar Program is already helping add 78 megawatts of solar to the grid. It’s going to cut utility bills for at least 10,500 low and moderate-income Marylanders. So now, we need to scale up.

We also need to continue building a diverse energy portfolio that takes an all of the above approach, and that includes assets like natural gas and nuclear power. Because we need more energy, and we need it now.

But this can’t fall on our shoulders alone. Let’s ensure that energy and utility companies are just as worried about Maryland families as they are about their shareholders.

Last month, I led a coalition of Democratic and Republican governors at the White House to sign a Statement of Principles calling for energy reform.

We are calling on the grid operator PJM to cap the price of energy for the next two years.

We are also calling on them to incentivize new power generation and ensure that data centers will cover the price tag when they strain the grid.

And today, I am announcing that in order to receive my support, new data center projects must hire local workers, they must engage local government and communities, and they must cover the cost of their own power needs.

We are not going to choose between affordability and innovation. We can, and we will, lead in both.

Because the world is changing fast. And we need to change with it.

A few years ago, AI could barely put together a coherent sentence.

And today just to prove a point, I wrote this entire speech in Chat GPT.

I’m just playing. I ain’t do that.

We are all still figuring out both the power and peril of artificial intelligence.

It can feel scary… And that’s why we need a broad-based strategy—not just for government, but for all of society.

First: We need to make sure our workers are not being left behind by AI.

Maryland’s labor movement understands this. They understand that we can’t stop this technology. They just want to make sure workers are supported and not supplanted.

So today, I’m proud to announce that Maryland is investing $4 million to give our workers hands-on training to succeed in the AI economy so they are not left behind.

But we can’t do this alone. We need employers and workers at the table to help design these programs and build the pipelines to opportunities.

Annapolis can help lead the way. But I am calling on our entire state to get involved inside of this work.

Second: We must use AI to better serve the public.

Maryland is leading on this issue. AI will soon be used to help Marylanders navigate SNAP, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, and child care subsidies.

Leaders are taking notice. Foundations are stepping up. And we are partnering with them to prove that government can use AI to deliver better results.

Third: We must ensure that AI is a tool to drive economic growth.

AI companies want to move to Maryland because we have some of the best universities and research institutions in the world. And since we have the assets, they’ll bring the jobs.

This technology can also help us lift the dreams of the small business owner. And it must.

With the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, our innovation team launched a new AI-powered tool to help entrepreneurs navigate this labyrinth of data, grant programs, and support resources that can make starting a business just a little bit easier.

It’s a case study in how we can use AI to make opportunity more accessible, and not less accessible.

Those are the three pillars. Support our workers. Better serve the public. And make sure that Maryland benefits from the economic growth.

AI is going to help us grow and diversify Maryland’s economy.

And our focus on this new technology is part of a broader economic agenda to uplift three lighthouse industries that Maryland is uniquely positioned to win at:  

I.T., Life Sciences, and aerospace and defense.

And here’s the thing. Our strategy is working.

In three years, we have attracted more than $10 billion in private investment in the State of Maryland.

We’ve secured new partnerships with Microsoft to buid our $1 billion Capital of Quantum Initiative.

South Korea’s largest biotech company is building its first American manufacturing facility in the United States here in the State of Maryland.

The pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has made the single largest private capital investment in our state’s history. Their $2 billion commitment will create 2,600 jobs in Frederick and Montgomery Counties.

We’re also very proud that National Harbor will become the third location for a new Sphere performance venue in the world. Right after Vegas and Abu Dhabi. It is going to create and generate more than $1 billion in economic activity every year when it’s completed and each of these projects happened because industries chose Maryland.

I want to thank the Sphere Team. And I also want to recognize two partners who have been a driving force behind the Sphere project: County Executive Aisha Braveboy and Jon Peterson, whose company owns National Harbor. Congratulations and well done.

We will not lose sleep over how other states are moving. Let’s make sure they lose sleep over how we are moving.

And when we grow our economy, more people will want to move here and live here.

We’re already seeing what that looks like.

Maryland’s population is growing faster now than it has in a decade. And that is a good thing!  

More people are choosing Maryland. And that is a good thing!  

Yet, we need a housing supply that matches our aspirations.

We cannot get there by simply capping prices and praying for the best. That is neither sustainable nor smart.

The solution is simple and singular. We need to build.

Last fiscal year, we provided funding to build 4,000 new rental housing units. That’s the highest level of production supported by the State of Maryland since the COVID pandemic.

This year, we are continuing to focus on housing as a pathway to opportunity, both for individuals, but also for the entire economy.

A keystone of my legislative agenda is the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act of 2026.

The idea is simple: Marylanders should be able to get from where they live to where they work.

So let’s build more housing near transit. And let’s invest in transportation that connects people with opportunity.

Recently, I sat down with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. And we both agree that building great, big things shouldn’t be impossible in America.

I’m talking about projects like the American Legion Bridge.

I’m talking like projects like the rebuild of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which is currently the fastest large rebuild in the United States.

We will continue to partner with anyone who is willing to advance the interests of the people of Maryland.

You’ve seen us in your districts making transit, bridges, roads, and tunnels, and working together to make sure they’re safer, cleaner, and stronger.

I’m talking about projects like I-81 and US 15.

I’m talking about safety enhancements along 97 and Maryland 5.

I’m talking about our historic $1.4 billion project to modernize Baltimore’s light rail system.

This is what it means to actually deliver.

So we’re delivering on energy reform, even when Washington tries to cut clean energy projects.

We’re delivering on economic development and diversification, even when Washington slashes our legacy economic foundations.

And at a time when the President is tearing apart the Department of Education, Maryland is delivering on our promise to have the best public schools in the entire country.

And that work is being led by a very important Marylander, who goes by many names.

Some of you know her as “The Architect of the Mississippi Miracle.”

Many people call her: “The LeBron James of K-12 Education.” And that’s not because she’s six-foot-eight! It’s because she’s outstanding.

I’m talking about our Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Carey Wright.

Under Carey’s leadership, almost every single grade is making marked improvements in the fundamentals of both reading and math.

Maryland’s public schools have improved for three years in a row.

Our graduation rates are up.

And Maryland is quickly becoming a national leader in early literacy, jumping twenty slots in national rankings in just two years.

One of the reasons we’ve been able to deliver such strong results is by focusing on teacher recruitment.

In three years, we have cut the teacher vacancy rate in half.

Today, we are joined by three Marylanders who embody the promise of recruiting the best educator workforce in the world.

Danielle Crankfield is a High School Counselor with Anne Arundel County Public Schools. She is on the front lines of providing support, guidance, and mentorship to students at Crofton High.

ALonna Soward-Puryear is an Elementary School teacher in Frederick.

By the way she doesn’t just teach in the county. She knows the county. ALonna received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Hood College.

Dr. Ryan Durr is the Principal of Meade High School in Anne Arundel County. He is committed to academic excellence and has increased English Language Arts scores by 13 points.

So I’d like to give a big round of applause to Danielle, to Ryan, and to ALonna: Our National School Counselor of the Year, our Maryland High School Principal of the Year, and our Maryland Teacher of the Year!

My mother always told me, that “If you always remember who you’re fighting for, you will never stop fighting for them.”

So let’s keep fighting for Maryland students and educators.

This year, we are proposing a historic $10 billion for our public schools. These are targeted investments that will deliver results in our communities.

The foundation of our approach is a new Academic Excellence Program.

Any good teacher will tell you that learning is a lifelong pursuit.

We’ve built a Tiger Team of academic coaches. They’re going to help make sure Maryland educators have the tools, lessons, and the resources that they need to make our classrooms the best in the entire country.

Because I want every single one of our students to be career-ready before they even get a high school diploma.

And when young Marylanders walk across that graduation stage, I want them to know our state is incomplete without them—whether they were born here–or born halfway across the world.

When we think about how Maryland needs to lead in this moment, we need to think about how we’re standing with our immigrant communities as well.

Many Marylanders are terrified. They’re worried about getting detained when they show up for work. They’re worried about whether or not federal agents are waiting for them when they drop their kids off at school.

Let me say this very plainly: Maryland is a state of immigrants. And that is not our weakness, that is our strength.

Nearly one in five Marylanders was born in another country.

Our Lieutenant Governor, Aruna Miller, came to America from India when she was seven.

I stand here as the son of an immigrant single mom.

She came here as a child with a Jamaican accent. And now she gets to watch her son serve as governor of the state that he loves.

I want to thank you all for introducing legislation to protect Marylanders from the unconstitutional actions of some federal agents this session.

Working together, I’m confident we can take meaningful steps to hold federal agents accountable for violating the Constitution and help those who have been harmed to make sure they also get their justice.

The people of this state have come to learn that I have no patience nor tolerance for violent offenders. And our extraordinary men and women in Maryland law enforcement will continue to work with federal officials when it comes to getting violent criminals off our streets.

But they will always follow the Constitution.

We also need to make sure we’re stopping bad actors from preying on immigrants in our communities. Like conmen who are posing as immigration officials. And grifters who are charging for phony legal advice, and I want to thank Attorney General Anthony Brown for agreeing to work with us on this priority. Mr. Attorney General, thank you for your leadership,

And today, I am also proud to announce the launch of Citizenship Maryland.

It brings together law firms, the private sector, and unions to make sure that Marylanders who are eligible for citizenship know they are–and get the support they need.

This is about helping our teachers and our nurses. It’s about helping our national guard members and our permanent residents. The people who keep us fed, the people who are running small businesses, the people who look after our children, the people who look after our parents.

It’s about helping the 150,000 Marylanders who just need a little extra support to get their American citizenship…

They are our neighbors. They are our friends. They are our fellow Marylanders.

I’m talking about people like Daniel Omar Fuentes Espinal.

Pastor Omar fled Honduras 24 years ago to escape poverty and violence.

He built a life here. He built a beautiful family here. And he stepped up to serve as pastor at a church on the Eastern Shore.

Iglesia Del Nazareno 

Jesus Te Ama 

In the spring, Pastor Omar watched his son graduate from high school and also gave the eulogy to one of his son’s best friends, all within a matter of weeks.

And soon after that, Pastor Omar was abducted and detained by ICE.

They took him from his family. They put him in a detention facility in Louisiana, thousands of miles from home.

But the community stepped up. They fought for his release. And Pastor Omar is here with us today.

Pastor Omar:

Siempre serás bienvenido en Maryland. Ahora y Siempre. Dios lo bendiga.

You are always welcome in Maryland. Now and always. God bless you.

Maryland is a mosaic of backgrounds and cultures.

That’s been true for 250 years.

And over the next eleven months, we’re going to celebrate that history.

Today we’re joined by Michele Johnson, the Director of the Maryland 250 Commission.

She is the granddaughter of immigrants, a first-generation college graduate, and she has dedicated her life to helping young people chase their dreams.

And she is helping us tell Maryland’s history.

Maryland’s is a story that is deeply uneven.

We are the northernmost southern state in this country. We are the site of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. That was not in Tennessee, nor Alabama, nor South Carolina, it was actually in Maryland. Enslaved people built this capitol dome.

And listen, I love our flag. And to be clear, it ain’t changing. But neither are the facts.

Our flag is, by definition, a contradiction. A combination of symbols and ideas that were diametrically opposed, a contradiction. In the case of our flag, one during the Civil War.

That’s not a bad thing! It’s simply a reminder that Maryland is complicated.

Some are twisting that truth to divide us and other us… using a symbol we all love? Because they know that when we stand together, Maryland cannot lose.

Every time our nation has been tested, our state has answered the challenge with strength.

It’s Marylanders like William Williams. He was born into slavery in 1793. But he escaped bondage, defended America in the Battle of Baltimore, and fought for our nation’s freedom, even if our nation was not willing to fight for his.

It’s Marylanders like Augustus Bradford. My predecessor. Who was the Governor of Maryland during the Civil War. In the middle of the night, raiders burned his house to the ground because he wouldn’t join the Confederacy. But Maryland held the line. And the Union won the war.

It’s Marylanders like Gwendolyn Greene. She rallied with students from Howard University—Maryland’s fifth HBCU—and staged a protest at Glen Echo Park on June 30, 1960. The park was “whites only.”

Greene was arrested. But her courage emboldened civil rights leaders around the country. In fact so much that four years later, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law.

And I know many in this chamber probably know her by a different name. It’s the name below her portrait in the Miller Office Building. I’m talking about the late, great Senator Carolyn Britt.

My apologies Gwendolyn Britt I just got fact checked from both sides. Chat GPT wouldn’t have caught that!

The story of Maryland is the story of courage. It’s a story of courage in the face of hardship.

It’s a willingness to do what’s difficult.

It’s a faith that service does matter.

It’s a tradition that continues to this day.

It continues in the scientists who helped us discover the COVID-19 vaccine.

In the federal workers who keep food safe and who help to keep our planes in the air.

In the engineers who built a telescope that can see planets 13 billion light-years away.

It’s the courage of the four Maryland Olympians who right now are representing our nation overseas.

This moment has found all of us.

We’ve been building toward it not for the past three years, but for the past 250…

It’s a moment that will set the stage for the 250 years to come.

And together.

If we stay true to the spirit of our people.

If we stay true to our state.

If we protect, if we deliver, and if we lead.

I know we will build the kind of future that those who came before us fought for–and those who come after us that they deserve.

So thank you for your work and all you do. 

Let’s keep up the work, keep up the faith, and let’s make sure we leave no one behind inside of this process.

Bipartisan Maryland Leaders Praise Governor Moore’s Fourth State of the State Address

 Maryland leaders across state and local government; education; health care; and business are praising Governor Wes Moore’s fourth State of the State address, delivered today before a joint session of the Maryland General Assembly. The governor’s address highlighted the historic work that the Moore-Miller Administration has delivered for Marylanders and the work ahead to protect our people from Washington, D.C.’s relentless attacks, to deliver tangible results that make Marylanders’ lives better, and to lead our state forward.

Here’s what Maryland leaders are saying about Governor Moore’s fourth State of the State address:

“I’m proud of the work that the Moore-Miller administration has accomplished in our first term, and we’re not done yet,” said Lt. Governor Aruna Miller. “Governor Moore’s State of the State address made clear that Maryland is not standing still. Our vision is rooted in action and results—from driving drug overdose deaths and roadway fatalities to 10-year lows, to protecting our most vulnerable neighbors from federal actions. We are focused on delivering real results that Marylanders can see and feel in their daily lives.”

“Much of what Governor Moore outlined today reflects a shared dedication to the House agenda on Affordability, Accountability, and Opportunity,” said House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk. “On the bread and butter issues around making life more affordable, I especially appreciate the Governor’s focus on energy, housing, and health care. Data centers should have to cover the costs of their own power needs rather than straining the grid and burdening the ratepayers. Maryland has and will continue to step up and make sure health care coverage is affordable and available in the face of federal cuts. And we will find innovative ways to build more housing supply. I was deeply touched by the heartfelt way Governor Moore spoke about Maryland being a state of immigrants and that diversity is what gives us our strength. While we hold violent offenders accountable and support our local law enforcement, we also hold ICE accountable and demand Constitutional policing. And the Governor’s focus on educational opportunity for our students, teacher recruitment, career readiness, and apprenticeships creates pathways to future prosperity for our people, our businesses, and our state.”

“Baltimore’s Renaissance is here, which makes it all the more important for our city to have a real ally in Annapolis,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Governor Moore understands that the success of Maryland depends on the success of Baltimore. We look forward to working with the governor to continue our progress on public safety, economic development, job creation, and housing—including to address the vacants crisis.”

“The Moore-Miller Administration has shown what’s possible when state and local governments work together through bold partnership and innovation,” said Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton. “I appreciate the focus on progress for every Maryland community to support job creation and economic development; affordability; education; and an unwavering commitment to protect our people. Maryland is proving that we can get big things done—even in the face of uncertainty when we work together with vision and courage.”

“Howard County and Maryland lead by getting things done through bold action, strong partnerships, and innovation that puts people first,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “At a time when chaos and division persist in our community, Governor Moore’s leadership demonstrates that Maryland is choosing progress. From historic investments in education and public safety to protecting health care and food assistance to building a future powered by innovation, Governor Moore continues to embody what effective leadership looks like. With his vision, Maryland will continue to lead with courage, excellence, and a commitment to leaving no one behind.”

“I applaud Governor Moore’s State of the State Address,” said Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy. “I am confident that he will continue his commitment to strengthening partnerships across the state and to the goal of delivering for all Marylanders, including protecting families against the impact of federal cuts.”

“Maryland is navigating serious headwinds right now, and we are fortunate to have Wes Moore as governor, who is facing these challenges with both honesty and determination,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “As Marylanders, we don’t sit still when times are tough. We respond. We adjust. We govern. Governor Moore has a clear plan and path. Montgomery County looks forward to continued collaboration and partnerships with the Moore-Miller administration.”

“Governor Moore is working in partnership with local governments to protect essential services and create communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” said Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. “Together, we remain focused on investments in education, economic growth, affordable housing, and public safety to create a brighter and more equitable future for all.”

“Delivering strong job growth, investments in our education system, and economic opportunities for all remains essential to Maryland’s long-term stability and competitiveness,” said Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier. “We appreciate the Moore-Miller Administration’s continued focus on protecting our workforce and our communities, sustaining critical services, and partnering with local jurisdictions during a challenging budget year. Even in a difficult fiscal year, we look forward to working with the governor to prioritize responsible investments that support our residents and economy for the future.”

“Today’s State of the State Address reminded Marylanders that in order to win, you must play both defense and offense,” said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. “Governor Moore is protecting us from federal cruelty and lawlessness while aggressively pursuing the kinds of economic growth that leave no one behind.”

“I have seen firsthand Governor Moore’s unwavering commitment to protecting Marylanders in every corner of our state—regardless of party,” said Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton. “In our time of need, he has been a true partner to Westernport, providing the support and resources necessary for our community to continue our recovery. Because of his partnership, Westernport is not just rebuilding—we are building a stronger, more resilient future for every family who calls this town home.”

“The City of Annapolis looks forward to working collaboratively with Governor Moore and Lieutenant Governor Miller,” said Annapolis Mayor Jared Littman. “I appreciate their tireless efforts to make housing more accessible, promote economic growth, and reduce crime across our state. Together, we can build on our existing partnership to achieve shared goals.”

“Economic development is where results matter most, and as a Republican mayor, I believe in giving credit where it’s earned,” said Rising Sun Mayor Travis Marion. “Under the Moore-Miller Administration, Maryland has made real progress in job creation and business growth that supports Main Street and local communities. Growing our economy should never be a partisan issue, and I appreciate an approach that recognizes strong local economies as the foundation of strong communities.”

“This is great news for our state’s veterans and it is a credit to the staff at Charlotte Hall who have worked to improve the quality of care that our veterans receive,” said Senator Jack Bailey. “I am happy to see that their efforts and the collaboration between the governor, the Department of Veterans and Military Families, the General Assembly, and so many others in our community has resulted in improved care for our veterans, and I look forward to seeing this improvement continue in the years to come.”

“Governor Wes Moore is committed to the long-term growth and prosperity of our state,” said Senator Karen Lewis Young. “As the fastest growing county in the state, the governor has recognized that Frederick has the key requisites for success in contributing toward this goal. His strategic investments in AstraZeneca’s facilities and the Downtown Hotel and Conference Center are critical components of maximizing economic opportunity.”

“The speech was awesome and showed what a visionary leader the governor is,” said Delegate Aaron Kauffman.

“I think the governor did a great job highlighting the accomplishments of his administration,” said Delegate Nicole Williams. “I think he discussed the affordability concerns and rising utility bills that we are hearing from everyday Marylanders.”

“The Moore-Miller Administration’s commitment to transformative investments like Southern Maryland Rapid Transit demonstrates a clear understanding that economic growth, workforce access, and quality of life are all connected,” said Board of Charles County Commissioners Vice President Ralph Patterson. “I stand firmly in support of these efforts and I look forward to partnering with the administration to deliver real, lasting progress for Charles County residents. Governor Moore’s bold, forward-looking agenda reflects exactly the kind of leadership Maryland needs at this extraordinary moment in history.”

“I appreciate Governor Moore’s focus on economic development that creates family-sustaining wages and financial stability,” said Howard County Councilmember Christiana Rigby. “His commitment to expanding housing options is essential to ensuring everyone can afford to live and thrive here. When we connect stable housing with quality jobs, we build a stronger and more prosperous state for every Marylander to call home.”

“I’m proud of the demonstrated leadership of Governor Moore to ensure local and state governments are aligned in delivering real results for Baltimore’s District 10 and communities across Maryland,” said Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter. “Together, we are protecting families from harmful federal cuts, easing rising energy costs, and confronting the housing crisis head-on. That’s what leadership demands—values-driven solutions built through thoughtful dialogue and decisive action.”

“Sphere Entertainment is looking forward to partnering with Governor Moore and stakeholders to make the vision of Sphere National Harbor a reality,” said Sphere Entertainment Executive Vice President David “Digger” Granville-Smith. “Through this partnership, we can deliver a transformative project for the State and the region.”

“We thank Governor Wes Moore for his strong statement in his State of the State address about the importance of protecting the Medicaid program from federal attacks,” said Maryland Health Care For All Coalition President Vincent DeMarco. “We urge the General Assembly to make no cuts to the governor’s strong Medicaid and other health care budget items, and provide the resources needed to protect Marylanders enrolled in Medicaid from new federal restrictions on the programs.”

“This year’s challenging respiratory season reminded us how quickly rising patient volumes can strain emergency departments and inpatient units,” said Maryland Hospital Association President and Chief Executive Officer Melony G. Griffith. “Each year, Maryland hospitals and health systems care for more than 4.9 million people, and during this respiratory surge, our teams once again worked around the clock to meet rising demand. We thank Governor Moore and his team for partnering with hospitals, through the Health Services Cost Review Commission, to deliver critical respiratory surge funding that helps ensure continued access to care. We are grateful to this administration for recognizing that Care Takes All of Us and for their support for hospitals and the communities they serve across Maryland.”

“In a time of unprecedented challenges for healthcare systems in Maryland and nationwide, collaboration is essential; Governor Moore’s recent visit to University of Maryland Capital Region Health was a clear and powerful reminder of how partnership is the foundation of a strong healthcare system,” said University of Maryland Medical System President and Chief Executive Officer Mohan Suntha, MD. “By delivering critical resources during the recent surges in respiratory illnesses, the State and the University of Maryland Medical System are continuing our history of working together to keep communities, patients, and frontline team members safe and resilient in the face of public health challenges. UMMS remains fully committed to working alongside the Moore Administration and all of our partners at the State as we continue to strengthen access to world-class care for every Marylander.”

“Good policy and strong investments set the stage for real progress,” said Maryland State Education Association President Paul Lemle. “Thanks to the governor’s focus on education funding and educator-informed policies that will make education a viable career for everyone, we’re seeing significant progress in closing the educator shortages that have persisted in schools across the state for years. And when we see more educators in our schools, more high-level credentials, and fewer vacancies, then the result is greater support and success for our students.”

“Maryland is making a necessary shift to diversify its economy,” said Greater Baltimore Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Anthony Thomas. “For decades, federal investment flowed to this state because of the same assets that make us attractive to private industry and long-term growth. Building on those strengths to expand private-sector opportunity is the next logical step. We commend Governor Moore for prioritizing that shift and for treating business as a true partner in the work. Now the focus turns to disciplined execution, aligning capital, industry, and institutions, particularly in the Baltimore Region, to drive sustained economic growth,”

“The Semiquincentennial is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Maryland to tell its own unique story in an inclusive statewide observance of 250 years since the founding of our nation,” said Maryland 250 Commission Director Michele W. Johnson. “Guided by the themes of history, civics, and service, the MD 250 Commission is proud to partner with state and local government, ethnic commissions, heritage areas, nonprofits, and service organizations in support of 250th events, programs, exhibits, and untold stories statewide. With a commitment to ensuring every Marylander feels a part of the 250th, we thank Governor Moore for his steadfast leadership and look forward to our continued partnership in bringing this celebration of Maryland to life.”

“As a principal, I know firsthand that the success of our students depends entirely on the strength and support of our educators,” said 2026 Maryland Principal of the Year Dr. Ryan Durr. “Governor Moore’s State of the State address offers a visionary path forward, prioritizing the investments needed to recruit, retain, and empower a world-class teacher workforce. These resources are essential for leaders at schools like Meade High School to provide every child with a high-quality education, and I am encouraged by the governor’s continued support of our teachers—who lay the foundation of our children’s future.”

“I’m deeply honored to be recognized as Maryland’s Teacher of the Year, and I am inspired by the direction our state is moving under Governor Moore’s leadership,” said 2026 Maryland Teacher of the Year ALonna Soward-Puryear. “His historic investment in K–12 education reflects a clear understanding of what educators have always known. Every child deserves access, opportunity, and the support they need to thrive. By prioritizing our classrooms, he’s not just investing in schools, he’s investing in equity, workforce readiness, and a future where every student has greater access to the resources, support, and confidence needed to reach their full potential.”

“As a school counselor, my focus is on amplifying the potential in every student—academically, socially, and emotionally,” said 2026 American School Counselor Association National Counselor of the Year Danielle Crankfield. “Governor Moore’s historic investment in public education, backed by his initiatives to build a strong educator workforce, provides a critical foundation for every Maryland student to not just succeed, but thrive in and beyond the classroom.”

“It is an honor to serve the veterans who call Charlotte Hall home,” said Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Assistant Administrator Emily Kanavage. “The progress we’ve made—from a one-star to a four-star CMS rating—reflects the dedication of our entire team and the strong partnership between the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families and Pruitt Health. I’m grateful for Governor Moore’s commitment to ensuring our veterans receive the dignity, respect, and quality care they deserve.”

 

Republican Responses to the Governor’s Address:

Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey Delivers Republican
Perspective on the State of the State Message to Marylanders

 

Annapolis, Md — Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey will deliver the Republican Perspective on the State of the State message to Marylanders immediately following Governor Moore’s fourth State of the State of the Address on Maryland Public Television.

Senator Hershey challenges the gap between rhetoric and reality in Maryland, arguing that families and businesses are worse off after four years of rising costs, expanding regulation, and delayed fiscal accountability. Hershey points to higher energy bills, a looming multibillion-dollar budget deficit, and growing uncertainty for job creators as signs that the administration’s promises of urgency and progress have gone unmet. He calls for a new direction focused on affordability, fiscal accountability, reliable energy, streamlined regulation, and economic growth — emphasizing that leadership should be measured by outcomes, not slogans.

 

Hershey also addresses the Governor’s repeated references to national politics in explaining Maryland’s current challenges, arguing that responsibility for the state’s rising costs, energy policy failures, and fiscal instability rests with decisions made in Annapolis over multiple years — not with recent changes in Washington.

Selected Highlights

 

“Earlier today, you heard Governor Moore deliver his fourth State of the State address and outline his vision for Maryland. Vision matters. But as this Governor enters his fourth year in office, Marylanders are entitled to more than vision — results matter more. The first State of the State was grand. The second was ambitious. The third was hopeful. Now, Marylanders are asking a very simple question: What has actually changed? Do families feel more secure? Is life more affordable? Is it easier to live, work, build, and invest in Maryland? For far too many Marylanders, the honest answer is no.”

“It’s easy to blame Washington, but Marylanders know better,” Hershey said. “Rising costs, energy prices, and structural deficits didn’t appear overnight, and they didn’t start last year. President Trump has been in office for just one year. Marylanders expect their governor to focus on Maryland’s problems and take responsibility for the decisions made right here at home.”

“Maryland does not have to accept rising costs, growing government, and shrinking opportunity as inevitable. Republicans are offering a better path — one that restores affordability, rebuilds accountability, delivers reliable and affordable energy, and grows our economy by letting Marylanders work, build, and invest without government standing in the way.”

 

“Governor Moore has said Democrats cannot be the party of slow and no, but must become the party of yes and now. Those are the right words — but four years later, Marylanders are still waiting to see the ‘yes,’ and they’re still waiting for the ‘now.’ Marylanders don’t want headlines. They want results.”

 

“Marylanders are paying some of the highest electric rates in the country not because of storms or global markets, but because of political decisions made in Annapolis. Reliable, affordable energy was sacrificed, affordability was ignored, and Maryland families are paying the price every single month.”

 

“Governor Moore has described Maryland as ‘asset-rich but strategy-poor.’ He’s right. But after years in office, that phrase has become an indictment of inaction. If we had a real strategy, families wouldn’t be falling further behind, businesses wouldn’t be questioning whether Maryland wants them to stay, and the state wouldn’t be facing a massive budget shortfall.”

 

JOHN MYRICK, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND,
RESPONDS TO THE GOVERNOR’S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

Lanham, MD – John Myrick, Republican Candidate for Governor of Maryland, commented
today on the State of the State address given by Maryland’s current Governor today in Annapolis.
Myrick commented that, “the address was a Master’s class in fabrication, misdirection, and
blame. Our Governor failed to take responsibility for any of the issues adversely affecting
everyday Marylanders. From his fiscal mismanagement of taxpayer Dollars, to skyrocketing
energy costs, to one of the highest tax burdens in the entire country; he barely mentioned any of
these issues that are crushing every Marylander under the weight of his inept and abysmally poor
policy decisions.”
Myrick further stated, “Maryland needs real leadership – leadership that has been sorely
lacking from the Governor’s Office for the past three years. Maryland deserves more than
platitudes and deflection. Maryland deserves real solutions to the very real problems facing
every Marylander every single day. We simply cannot afford to have the recklessness and
incompetence that we have endured under the current Governor continue beyond this election.
Our next Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Brenda J. Thiam, and I have real solutions to Maryland’s real
problems. We look forward to putting them into practice once elected next November, because
Maryland deserves better.”

---