Gov. Moore addressed the Maryland Association of Counties in a solemn speech heavily acknowledging the financial position of the State of Maryland. Amidst noting the $2.7 billion dollar budget deficit, Governor Moore spoke to the strain on state government financial resources in part due to the current complex education reform plan, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. He also acknowledged the state’s slowed economic growth over the years after the pandemic.
Looking forward to solutions, Moore said “We need to grow….. It’s the key to securing Maryland’s future. Anyone who thinks we can just cut our way to greater prosperity isn’t being honest. Anyone who thinks we can just tax our way to greater prosperity is not being honest. Now is the time for us to make the hard choices that will help us build a durable economy – one that is business-friendly and invests in growth.” Moore made proposals to jump-start the state economy, some of which include an executive order aimed at making Maryland “more business-friendly by cutting red tape on permitting; prioritizing three sectors of the economy, life sciences, I.T., and aerospace and defense, taking advantage of the resources that already exist in the state; and better coordinating with local jurisdictions on economic development strategies.”
Moore issued the executive order during a visit to the Frederick Hotel and Conference Center project site in Frederick—a public-private development project that is expected to generate $1.5 billion in new private sector spending over the next 25 years, more than 200 jobs, and more than $4 million in state and local tax revenue annually.
Moore also has plans to introduce a bill increasing the state’s housing supply as well as seeking to modify the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, in an effort to mitigate the extreme budget deficit the state is facing. He reaffirmed his commitment to “help school districts build out their pipelines for recruiting teachers” and is hopeful his modifications will give school districts the tools they need to retain teachers.
State confronting ‘two storms,’ Moore tells county leaders – Maryland Matters
