MOORE, GENERAL ASSEMBLY PREPARE FOR NEW SESSION: The Maryland General Assembly gathers today to commence its 90-day legislative session, where legislators will confront the significant effects of federal policies implemented during the Trump administration. Democratic leaders have expressed their intention to rapidly advance an agenda that counters numerous policies laid out by President Donald Trump, particularly in areas such as the economy, immigration, and health care. They also aim to prioritize growth and affordability. Katie Shepherd and Katie Mettler/The Washington Post.
- The 2026 General Assembly session was anticipated to be relatively uneventful after a more tumultuous 2025 session that saw lawmakers addressing a $3.3 billion budget shortfall through various strategies including one-off fund transfers, program reductions, and $1.6 billion in tax hikes. However, Gov. Wes Moore (D) enters this session—the final one of his first term—grappling with multiple challenges as he gears up for his reelection campaign. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
FERGUSON TO PRIORITIZE BUDGET ISSUES: During the 2026 legislative session, budget matters will take center stage for Senate President Bill Ferguson. His chamber will handle Gov. Wes Moore’s concluding budget of the term, which carries a projected deficit of $1.5 billion. Interestingly, Ferguson is not expected to delve into the state’s eight congressional districts. In spite of pressure from the governor and the House to redraw these districts mid-cycle, the Senate leader has firmly stated his opposition, asserting that it’s too late for any action, even if a bill is presented on the opening day of the General Assembly. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
DEMOCRATS HONOR DEPARTING PARTY LEGENDS: At the Maryland Democratic Party’s annual luncheon, which took place the day before the legislative session commenced, attendees paid homage to two significant figures stepping down from their roles, while reflecting on past and upcoming challenges. Newly appointed House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk celebrated her predecessor, former Speaker Adrienne Jones, acknowledging her as a trailblazer. The luncheon also served as a heartfelt farewell for Rep. Steny Hoyer. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
SECOND POWER LINE PROJECT SPARKS COMMUNITY CONCERNS: A new initiative aimed at increasing electricity capacity within Maryland is facing strong resistance from property owners. This project involves BGE’s request for state approval, initiated in July 2024, to significantly raise the voltage capacity of overhead lines traversing Harford, Baltimore, and Anne Arundel counties. This change is deemed necessary as BGE plans for the eventual retirement of the Brandon Shores coal-fired plant in Anne Arundel County. Residents have expressed confusion between this initiative and the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, which would span approximately 70 miles through sections of Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick counties. Bryna Zumer/The Baltimore Sun.
WHISTLEBLOWER ALLEGES COVERUP IN MOORE ADMINISTRATION OVER SNAP ISSUES: A former senior official from the Maryland Department of Human Services is casting doubt on the legitimacy of an investigation that Gov. Wes Moore claims took place, related to recent allegations about the state’s food stamp program. The whistleblower contends that several senior DHS officials devised a plan to sustain a high payment error rate in the food stamp program—commonly referred to as SNAP—to postpone $240 million in newly imposed federal penalties. Brooke Conrad/The Baltimore Sun.
WHO’S RESPONDING TO HOYER’S VACANT SEAT? Upon announcing his retirement from Congress after nearly 45 years, a long list of individuals is eager to claim his Maryland’s 5th Congressional District seat. Notable candidates include former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker; state Delegates Adrian Boafo and Nicole Williams; state Senator Arthur Ellis; Harry Dunn, a retired U.S. Capitol police officer and former candidate for the 3rd Congressional District; along with Wala Blegay, a member at large of the Prince George’s County Council. Brenda Wintrode/The Baltimore Banner.
- The roster of candidates that had already registered with the State Board of Elections last week expanded with the addition of Republican Michelle Talkington, who previously challenged Hoyer in 2024, as she officially filed her candidacy paperwork with the board. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
COLUMN: DOES STENY HOYER SUPPORT TERM LIMITS? Steny Hoyer advocates for term limits, albeit not in the conventional sense that most might expect. His interpretation relies on voters to make the call on whether to retire candidates, rather than imposing restrictions on the number of times constituents can vote for incumbents. Having served in Congress for 45 years, the question arises: Is the 86-year-old from St. Mary’s County a strong argument for implementing term limits, or does his experience suggest that the current system is effective? Rick Hutzell/The Baltimore Banner.
CARROLL COMMISSIONERS VOICE CONCERNS OVER SOLAR PROJECTS IMPACTING FARMLAND: Following the recent state approval of yet another community solar project in Carroll County, the county’s commissioners committed to exploring options to hinder solar projects from encroaching on farmland. Maryland law prohibits counties from blocking solar projects via local zoning laws, and currently, solar initiatives in Carroll constitute only a tiny fraction of the county’s overall agricultural zoning district. Nevertheless, the commissioners maintain that an excessive number of solar installations could potentially reduce local farmland availability and disrupt the county’s food production capabilities. Lily Carey/The Carroll County Times.
CARROLL SCHOOL BOARD TO CONVENE ON REVISED ICE POLICY: The Carroll County Board of Education will hold a vote on Wednesday to consider revisions to the policy regarding immigration enforcement actions in public schools. Two key alterations have been made: The list of public spaces has been modified to exclude school reception and open office areas, necessitating a judicial warrant for ICE officers to enter these spaces, except in emergencies. Additionally, staff will be required to liaise with the Sheriff’s Office to manage interactions with ICE. Gabriella Fine/The Carroll County Times.
BALTIMORE COUNTY reassesses its stance on DATA CENTERS: In the last 18 months since Baltimore County initially sought to accommodate data centers, public opinion has shifted dramatically as discussions around their environmental and economic ramifications have sparked grassroots opposition, including within Baltimore County. Sapna Bansil and Bria Overs/The Baltimore Banner.
BA CO COUNCIL PROPOSES BILLS TO PROTECT RESIDENTS FROM ICE ACTIONS: Two bills being proposed in the Baltimore County Council aim to shield non-citizens from discrimination and certain immigration enforcement initiatives. One bill would restrict the county’s enforcement of federal immigration policies and safeguard confidential details regarding individuals’ immigration statuses. The second bill seeks to formalize the immigrant affairs office within the county executive’s office. Natalie Jones/The Baltimore Sun.
SCOTT STAYS SILENT ON ALLEGATIONS OF FALSIFIED RECORDS BY CONTRACTED FIRM: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott refrained from commenting on Tuesday amidst reports from the Sun regarding six former employees of Concentric Educational Solutions, who allegedly deliberately falsified records concerning the company’s tutoring and home visits for Baltimore City Public Schools between 2021 and 2024. Ruben Castaneda/The Baltimore Sun.
HARFORD’S DEPUTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT PLACED ON LEAVE: Eric Davis, the deputy superintendent for operations at Harford County Public Schools, has been placed on paid administrative leave while details surrounding an incident involving him and Superintendent Sean Bulson during a New Orleans education conference in April 2024 remain unclear. A recent investigation by the state Inspector General’s Office discovered that Bulson used Davis’s personal phone to call 911 to report a theft allegation while attending the conference. Matt Hubbard/The Aegis.
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