Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) unveiled the next fiscal year’s budget proposal for Maryland on Wednesday, promising to “not raise taxes or fees” on residents as he blamed the Trump administration for the state’s financial woes.
Designed to address a roughly $1.4 billion deficit, the state budget will be considered by the Maryland legislature for approval. The budget must pass both chambers by April 6 before the governor signs it.
Moore’s proposed operating budget is $70.8 billion, which he described as a “more conservative” estimate compared to past budgets. The prior budget totaled $67 billion in all funds against a $3 billion deficit around this time last year.
While announcing the budget proposal at a press conference on Wednesday morning, Moore and Maryland Department of Budget and Management acting secretary Jake Weissmann attacked President Donald Trump for last year’s mass federal layoffs and rising healthcare costs that are affecting Marylanders.
“Maryland’s spending did not cause 25,000 people to be fired,” Moore said, adding that the government shutdown halted food benefits for several weeks last fall. “Maryland’s spending did not cause for there to be a disruption in SNAP because food was being used as a political ploy and a political tool.”
The Democratic governor contrasted Trump’s “erratic” policies with his own, which he described as focusing more on “predictability and stability and growth” for his state.
Moore said Maryland is investing $10.2 billion in public schools, $124.1 million in law enforcement, and $73.7 million in economic development projects. Other areas of focus include strengthening the state’s juvenile services, fighting child poverty, lowering living costs, and investing in quantum computing.
A portion of the press conference was dedicated to the recent announcement that western Maryland will be the home of the next “Sphere” venue, which is extremely popular in Las Vegas. Moore estimated the “state-of-the-art project” will support over 2,500 construction jobs, generate over 4,700 permanent jobs once the landmark is constructed, and deliver more than $1 billion in economic benefits per year.
The 6,000-seat arena will be located in National Harbor near Washington, D.C.
MARYLAND’S REDISTRICTING COMMISSION APPROVES NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP VERY FAVORABLE TO DEMOCRATS
When asked how Maryland came to accept the planned construction, Moore disclosed the entertainment company that owns the Sphere was already looking for another location in the United States. Maryland was more than eager to jump at the opportunity. Recounting his conversations with the company, he simply asked, “Why not us? Why not now?”
The Washington Examiner reached out to Moore’s office for comment.