By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
With concern high around mounting budget woes and fears about the impact of President Donald Trump’s return to office, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Feb. 5 delivered an impassioned State of the State Address.
“Our entire state is being tested right now,” said Moore. “We are being tested by a historic fiscal challenge, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the Great Recession. If that wasn’t enough, we are being tested by a new administration in Washington that sows uncertainty, confusion and chaos.”
The state is facing a $3 billion budget deficit this year, as well as weakened confidence in federal support from a fully Republican-led government in Washington, as Maryland is a strongly Democratic state.
“Forty-eight hours before the tragedy on the Potomac, the White House announced a freeze on all federal grants and loans, including those coming to Maryland,” said Moore. “In the days since the tragedy, we have seen the beginnings of a trade war, the shuttering of federal agencies, and plans to lay off thousands of workers. These ideological moves will have the distinct impact of hurting the middle class, which is already feeling the pinch of inflation.”
Despite this, Moore said he will still “look at the new leadership in Washington and hope we can work together to make progress for Maryland.”
The governor highlighted the progress made under his administration thus far.
“Together, we have created nearly 100,000 jobs,” said Moore. “We have connected over 100,000 Marylanders to broadband for the first time. We have provided child care to 16,000 additional Maryland children. We raised the minimum wage and made sure our people can be paid fairly for their labor.”
And, he added, “We are breaking the back of violent crime.”
“According to preliminary data, homicides and non-fatal shootings are the lowest they have been, statewide, in a decade,” said Moore.
The governor called on Marylanders to be courageous as they navigate these two big challenges.
“I call on all Marylanders to find renewed strength in the courage of those men and women who raised their hands to serve,” said Moore. “In this moment, we must follow their lead and confront crisis with courage because our entire state is being tested right now.”
During his address, Moore pressed Maryland’s ability to be resilient during challenging times and called for unity beyond party lines.
“We’re Maryland. We step up, we stand tall and we always answer the call in a moment of crisis – not with fear, but with determination,” said Moore. “We will not agree on everything. But I want us to agree on this: Let’s stand united in our commitment to working together – Democrats and Republicans – To do what is required in this moment.”
Moore called Marylanders to action.
“Let’s put the politics to the side,” said Moore. “Let’s answer crisis with courage. Let’s rally together, as one state and one people. Let’s weather these two storms like we always have and we always will: Together.”
The governor highlighted some newer initiatives he has set his eyes on for the last two years of his term.
“We have studied the data and identified three lighthouse industries of the future we need to build out: Life sciences, I.T. and aerospace and defense,” said Moore. “I want Maryland to be the capital of quantum. And A.I. And clean energy. And biotech. And all of the sectors that will define the economy of tomorrow.”
Moore also said this year he will direct his administration to uplift boys and men in Maryland.
Moore highlighted his 2025 economic growth agenda, which includes the DECADE Act, the Housing for Jobs Act, the RAISE Act and the Procurement Reform Act.
“Let us rededicate ourselves to helping more Marylanders become active participants in a growing economy, instead of being weighed down by a stalled economy,” said Moore. “This year, we have put forward a commonsense package for tax reform that will make taxes simpler, fairer and pro-growth.”
The DECADE Act aims to revamp, relocate and rebrand business development programs in the state to enhance Maryland’s economic resources. The Housing for Jobs Act would tackle housing affordability by implementing housing production goals when there are too few homes in an area to support open jobs. The RAISE Act would create new career pathways through apprenticeships. The Procurement Reform Act aims to modernize Maryland’s procurement process.
Maryland legislators reflected on the governor’s 2025 State of the State Address.
State Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey (R-Md.-36) said he thought the speech was “a lot more on rhetoric, a lot less on solutions.”
“He talked about what he submitted, he talked about tax brackets, but at the end of the day, we’ve got to find a way to cut ourselves out of this deficit,” said Hershey. “Raising taxes on Marylanders is not the solution.”
Del. Vanessa Atterbeary (D-Md.-13), chair of the Ways and Means Committee, also commented on his speech, highlighting continued concerns about budget cuts pertaining to education.
“The Blueprint changes proposed by the governor suggest changes to Community Schools which represent our lowest income kids, our most vulnerable kids,” said Atterbeary. “Right now, particularly given the federal government’s stance on DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and LGBTQ+ folks, we really need to be supporting these communities.”
Former State Sen. Larry Young, who was also in attendance, shared his thoughts on the governor’s initiatives and the future of state and federal government relations.
“I’m hoping that he can get most of what he proposed done,” said Young. “I’m concerned about how deep the cuts will be coming from Washington, and how that’s going to reflect on what his budget can be. Apparently he’s prepared for the fight, and I hope the Legislature is prepared for the fight.”