MOORE’S 4th STATE OF THE STATE: FOCUS ON AFFORDABILITY, GROWTH, AND A TOUCH OF TRUMP? As Governor Wes Moore prepares for his State of the State address on Wednesday, political experts are wondering: Will he criticize President Donald Trump and set the stage for a potential presidential campaign in 2028? Tinashe Chingarande/The Baltimore Sun.
- Moore will present his fourth State of the State speech, maintaining a complex relationship with President Trump’s administration. Although their interactions have been tense, the governor recently had a fruitful meeting with Trump’s transportation secretary regarding the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and he attended White House discussions on energy matters. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
- “My address will concentrate on the issues our administration has prioritized,” Moore stated on Tuesday, highlighting economic growth and affordability. He emphasized the need for the state to resist “the ongoing challenges emerging from Washington, D.C.” Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
SHERIFFS APPEAL TO MOORE TO DISMISS BILL CANCELLING ICE COLLABORATION: Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler, along with other sheriffs and municipal leaders from several Maryland localities, recently gathered in Edgewood to urge Gov. Wes Moore to reject a proposed bill that would terminate local law enforcement’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly referred to as ICE. Brendan Nordstrom/The Baltimore Sun.
GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION ABANDONS TRUMP MEETING AFTER MOORE, POLIS WITHDRAWALS: The National Governors Association (NGA) has canceled its annual meeting at the White House following President Trump’s invitation extended solely to Republican governors. Ashleigh Fields/The Hill.
- The NGA announced it will forgo a formal gathering with Trump when governors are scheduled to convene in Washington later this month, due to the exclusive invitation only for Republican governors. On Tuesday, 18 Democratic governors also declared their intention to boycott a customary dinner at the White House. Joey Cappelletti, Steve Peoples, and Steven Sloan/The Associated Press.
- Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) was among those excluded from Trump’s guest list for the dinner, a long-standing tradition aimed at fostering dialogue between the president and governors from both political parties. Mariana Alfaro/The Washington Post.
- Eighteen Democratic governors are refusing to partake in the White House dinner with President Trump next week, following the uninvitation of Gov. Wes Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
CRITICS ARGUE VACCINE PLAN WILL CAUSE CONFUSION FOR MARYLANDERS: The Moore administration’s strategy to combat “confusion” stemming from fluctuating federal vaccine guidelines, by empowering state officials to set vaccination policies, is likely to lead to increased confusion, critics warned during a Senate committee meeting on Tuesday. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
LAST-MINUTE MOVE BY SEN. HARRIS ON EXELON’S CONTROVERSIAL BILL: Since the Maryland General Assembly commenced last month, Exelon has sought legislative support for a controversial measure allowing its subsidiary, Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., to construct and operate power plants while passing expenses on to consumers. Late Monday, Senator Kevin Harris, a Democrat, filed this bill just before the procedural deadline. Adam Willis and Lee O. Sanderlin/The Baltimore Banner.
- Harris expressed uncertainty regarding whether his bill, which permits investor-owned utilities to re-enter the power generation sector and utilize ratepayer funds, is a viable solution for Maryland’s soaring energy prices and limited demand. However, he is convinced that action is necessary. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
A SOLO DEMOCRAT DELEGATE VOTES AGAINST REDISTRICTING: Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes often finds herself in a unique position, as she is the sole Democrat representing the Eastern Shore in the General Assembly. Previously, she was the only Democrat on the Wicomico County Council. Last week, she stood alone in the House of Delegates to oppose a bill aimed at further gerrymandering Maryland’s congressional districts to benefit her party. Lee O. Sanderlin/The Baltimore Banner.
SEN. ELLIS CRITICIZES FERGUSON’S LEADERSHIP: Senator Arthur Ellis from Charles County intensified his critique of Senate President Bill Ferguson on Monday night, asserting that Ferguson is unfit to lead the chamber. Ellis claimed that Ferguson’s choice to block a proposal for additional gerrymandering of Maryland’s congressional maps in favor of Democrats undermined his eligibility as Senate president. Lee O. Sanderlin and Brenda Wintrode/The Baltimore Banner.
ATTORNEY GENERAL BROWN EXPLAINS LETTER THAT SPURRED NEW BALTIMORE IG RESTRICTIONS: On Tuesday, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown clarified that a letter from his office, which led to Baltimore’s implementation of new restrictions on the information accessible to its inspector general’s office, was merely “standard advice” and not a judgment about the city’s oversight office operating “within or beyond accepted limits.” Dan Belson/The Baltimore Sun.
EXECUTIVES OF BALTIMORE’S OPIOID NONPROFITS EARN LESS THAN REGIONAL PEERS: Baltimore nonprofits received a share of the $580 million from opioid settlement funds to address the opioid crisis affecting the city. A recent examination of their latest federal tax filings revealed that executive salaries range from $0 to $360,364. Most executives earn over $100,000 annually, which is less than their counterparts in the mid-Atlantic region. Kate Cimini and Steve Earley/The Baltimore Sun.
BUDDHIST MONKS ON PEACE WALK SET TO VISIT ANNAPOLIS: A group of Buddhist monks, who are undertaking a monthslong journey spanning 2,300 miles from Texas to Washington, D.C., plan to make a stop in Maryland’s capital on Thursday. As stated on their website, the monks and their supporters will start walking in Annapolis at 9 a.m. from the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Alex Mann/The Baltimore Banner.
The post State Roundup: Moore to deliver his 4th State of the State; Sheriffs appeal to Moore to discard ICE bill; NGA cancels Trump meetup originally appeared on MarylandReporter.com.
