House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk and Senate President Bill Ferguson announced Wednesday that they have reached an agreement on the General Assembly’s major energy package, the Utility RELIEF Act (HB 1532). In a joint statement, Speaker Peña-Melnyk and President Ferguson said, “We are confident that this agreement will deliver real, immediate relief while making long-term investments [...]
What initially appeared to be a smooth path for the General Assembly’s major energy legislation has become more complex as the session nears its end. When the Utility RELIEF Act (HB 1532 and SB 841) was proposed in mid-March, leaders from both chambers joined Governor Wes Moore to show their unified support. However, the bill [...]
The General Assembly finalized the state’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget on Monday, with both chambers passing the Budget Bill (SB 282) and the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (SB 284) following conference committee. The FY27 budget exceeds benchmarks set by the Spending Affordability Committee, maintaining a $250 million general fund balance and reducing the structural [...]
The Secretary of the Maryland Higher Education Commission, Dr. Sanjay Rai, will conclude his nearly three-year tenure later this week, the Governor’s office announced today. Deputy Secretary Elena Quiroz-Livanis will serve as interim secretary until a permanent replacement is appointed. “I commend Secretary Rai for his dedication to public service and commitment to expanding opportunity [...]
As the General Assembly raced to meet Monday’s crossover deadline, lawmakers advanced a wide array of bills, from criminal justice to housing to environment and energy to consumer protections. While not an exhaustive list, these priorities are indicative of the scope of issues being considered during this legislative session. Housing Housing remained a priority, with [...]
Utility RELIEF Act The House of Delegates passed the Utility RELIEF Act(HB 1532) by a vote of 108–25, aiming to lower gas and electric bills as early as this summer. The bill cuts the EmPOWER surcharge (about $15-$20/month), with lawmakers estimating at least $150/year in savings. It also reforms utility rate-setting, addresses data centers, and [...]
The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee approved a state budget proposal(SB 282) Friday that, if adopted by both chambers of the General Assembly, is projected to leave the state with a $250 million surplus at the close of the fiscal year. The plan largely aligns with the roughly $70.8 billion budget proposal introduced in January [...]
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, along with Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, today announced a comprehensive legislative package known as the RELIEF Act(HB 1532) that will help reduce energy costs for Marylanders while also strengthening Maryland’s energy system. The plan is expected to save Marylanders at least $150 per year in energy [...]
The $70.8 billion budget plan for fiscal year 2027, proposed by Governor Wes Moore, will address a projected $1.5 billion deficit without increasing taxes, but analysts are predicting that this may only be a short-term solution. According to a fiscal briefing by the Department of Legislative Services, Governor Moore’s budget plan may stabilize Maryland’s fiscal [...]
Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson has presented a stark menu of potential $1 billion in budget cuts as lawmakers grapple with the state's fiscal challenges. Confronted with a $3 billion structural deficit and lower-than-expected revenues. Ferguson laid out ten possible cuts, each around $100 million, that include reducing Medicaid coverage, cutting food assistance to nearly [...]
