Maryland

Governor Moore proposed a historic $10 billion for public schools including a new Academic Excellence Program with academic coaches. He celebrated three consecutive years of improvement, graduation rates up, and a 20-slot jump in national early literacy rankings in just two years. He highlighted cutting the teacher vacancy rate in half and recognized Maryland's Teacher of the Year, School Counselor of the Year, and High School Principal of the Year.

Governor Moore warned that the Trump administration's domestic policy could kick up to 180,000 Marylanders off healthcare. His budget fully funds the $14 billion Medicaid program and proposes legislation to decouple the state's vaccine authority from the federal government, pledging that 'our vaccine policy will be led by science, not internet conspiracy theories.'

Governor Moore reported attracting more than $10 billion in private investment in three years, including Microsoft's $1 billion Capital of Quantum initiative, AstraZeneca's $2 billion commitment, and the Sphere venue at National Harbor. He emphasized creating nearly 100,000 new jobs and graduating over 5,000 apprentices, with a goal of 4,000 high school Registered Apprenticeship graduates annually. He identified IT, life sciences, and aerospace/defense as lighthouse industries.

Governor Moore highlighted the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild as the fastest large rebuild in the United States, along with a historic $1.4 billion project to modernize Baltimore's light rail system. He emphasized partnerships on projects including I-81, US 15, and the American Legion Bridge, and called for energy infrastructure reform including more solar, wind, and energy storage alongside natural gas and nuclear power.

Governor Moore reported homicides down nearly 50% statewide, with the lowest homicide rate in Baltimore since before he was born. He credited the ENOUGH Initiative, bridging gaps between police and prosecutors, and community-based approaches. He emphasized that addressing violent crime requires addressing failed conditions in communities where violence thrives.

Governor Moore addressed rising energy prices (up 13% since last year) and proposed an additional $100 million in energy rebates on top of $200 million provided the prior year. He led a coalition of governors calling on PJM to cap energy prices for two years and demanded data centers hire local workers, engage communities, and cover their own power costs. He called for doubling down on solar, wind, and energy storage while maintaining a diverse portfolio including natural gas and nuclear.

Governor Moore highlighted the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act of 2026, emphasizing building more housing near transit and investing in transportation connecting people with opportunity. He reported providing funding to build 4,000 new rental housing units in the last fiscal year — the highest level since the COVID pandemic — and stated Maryland's population is growing faster than it has in a decade.

Governor Moore presented a balanced budget with a General Fund smaller than the previous year for the fourth consecutive time, without raising taxes or fees. He proposed $100 million in additional energy rebates, filling a $40 million SNAP funding gap created by federal cuts, and $14 billion for Medicaid. He noted the state faces $25,000 federal job cuts — the most of any state — and emphasized protecting services while maintaining fiscal discipline.

Governor Moore announced a $4 million investment in AI workforce training, plans to use AI to help residents navigate government services (SNAP, Medicaid, childcare), and an AI-powered small business navigation tool with Bloomberg Philanthropies. He identified I.T., life sciences, and aerospace/defense as three lighthouse industries, highlighted the $1 billion Capital of Quantum Initiative with Microsoft, and announced conditions for data center projects requiring local hiring, community engagement, and covering their own power costs.

Governor Moore highlighted the transformation of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home from a one-star to a four-star rated facility and pledged to achieve five stars. He recognized administrators Emily and Dorine for their work and emphasized that when they say 'thank you for your service,' it should actually mean something.

Governor Moore announced a $4 million investment for AI workforce training and plans to use AI to help Marylanders navigate SNAP, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, and child care. He highlighted reforming procurement processes, cutting wait times for state contracts from months to weeks, and noted the budget is smaller than the previous year for the fourth consecutive year without raising taxes or fees.

Governor Moore announced filling the $40 million SNAP funding gap created by federal cuts, proposed $14 billion for the state's Medicaid program serving 1.4 million Marylanders, and highlighted expanding child care access by 70% to support over 41,000 children. He also proposed $100 million in additional energy rebates and announced the Citizenship Maryland program to help 150,000 eligible residents obtain citizenship.

Governor Moore highlighted rising costs (energy up 13%, beef up 19%) driven partly by federal tariffs. He proposed $100 million in additional energy rebates on top of $200 million delivered last year, called for data centers to cover their own power costs, and partnered with other governors to demand PJM cap energy prices for two years. He also emphasized housing supply through the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act and proposed a $10 billion investment in public schools.

Governor Moore highlighted the story of Pastor Omar Fuentes Espinal, who was detained by ICE after 24 years in the U.S. He announced "Citizenship Maryland" to help 150,000 eligible Marylanders obtain citizenship and pledged legislation to protect Marylanders from unconstitutional actions by federal agents, while noting nearly one in five Marylanders was born in another country.