WHAT GOV. MOORE’S BUDGET MEANS FOR SCHOOLS: This year was supposed to be huge for education spending. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the state’s expensive and ambitious plan to make schools the best in the nation, called for a massive investments in teachers and wraparound services for low-income students. Liz Bowie, Kristen Griffith and Maya Lora/The Baltimore Banner.
- Governor Wes Moore’s state budget proposes cutting $111 million from the University System of Maryland, according to state budget officials. The system of 12 public college campuses and three regional centers would get $2.21 billion in state funding next budget year, if Moore’s proposal is adopted. That’s down from $2.32 billion this year. Liz Bowie, Kristen Griffith and Maya Lora/The Baltimore Banner.
BLACK CAUCUS PUSHES FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOL FUNDS: Gov. Wes Moore has proposed freezing funding for community schools, which provide wraparound services to students in high-poverty areas. Restoring that funding is among the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland’s top priorities during this year’s legislative session. Rachel Baye/WYPR-FM.
MOORE LAUNCHES SALES JOB ON HIS BUDGET: The last time a Democratic governor in deep-blue Maryland enacted big tax increases, the party lost the governor’s mansion in 2014 to a Republican, Larry Hogan, who capitalized on voter discontent about it. Erin Cox/The Washington Post.
LIVE COVERAGE: HOUSE LEADERS QUESTIONING SOME PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS: In the House of Delegates, Democratic leaders already are considering whether to restore some of the spending cuts proposed by Gov. Wes Moore. Banner Staff/The Baltimore Banner.
CELEBRITIES HELP STUFF MOORE’S $4 MILLION DOLLAR WAR CHEST: Gov. Wes Moore (D), who stumped across the country for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot in 2024, raised almost $4 million for his state campaign account over the past year — often when he was on out-of-town trips. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
- Gov. Wes Moore is entering the two-year period leading up to his potential reelection bid with nearly $5 million in campaign cash after stepping up his fundraising efforts in 2024, which also included raising millions for other Democratic candidates, according to newly filed finance reports and the governor’s campaign team. Sam Janesch/The Baltimore Sun.
PHA HEALTHCARE WILL STILL HOUSE PATIENTS DESPITE COURT ORDER TO STOP TREATMENT:: PHA Healthcare, a drug addiction treatment provider in Baltimore under a state order to stop its outpatient programs, has told some patients that they can continue to reside in its housing, according to Banner interviews with current clients. Alissa Zhu/The Baltimore Banner.
HOUSE ARGUES OVER PRO-FORMA CALENDAR: Thursday vote to set a Friday session of the House of Delegates was anything but pro forma. House Republicans ramped up objections to meeting in a scaled-down floor session — a pro forma session — planned for Friday and forced a debate and vote on whether every delegate should attend, even though little work is likely to be done. Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS REVEAL ATTENDEES AT FERGUSON’S COLORADO RETREAT: Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) raised eyebrows in the fall when he borrowed a page from congressional leaders and hosted a $25,000-per-ticket retreat at a ranch in Colorado to benefit the Democratic Senate Caucus Committee. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
BGE PRICE INCREASES: For the average combined residential gas and electric customer, the state-approved price increases began Jan. 1 at an average of $7.77 per month, the company reported. By June, that’ll grow to $26.06, a 12% increase for the average bill. Todd Karpovich/The Baltimore Sun.
FREDERICK CO. TO FILE PETITION FOR INTERVENTION OF PIEDMONT TRANSMISSION LINE: Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater on Tuesday announced that the county intends to intervene in the state approval process for the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a proposed power transmission line. Ceoli Jacoby/Frederick News Post.
- The Maryland Public Service Commission heard plenty of opposition Tuesday night to a proposal to build a solar facility on farmland in Westminster. Residents living near the proposed site off Old Westminster Road made their feelings known during an online hearing before Chief Public Utility Law Judge Chuck McLean. Sherry Greenfield/The Carroll County Times.
ADVOCATES RALLY IN ANNAPOLIS TO PUSH JUVENILE JUSTICE BILLS: A march and rally at Lawyers Mall in Annapolis intensified a continued focus on juvenile services, justice and reform in Maryland. Kate Amara/WBAL-TV NEWS.
HERE’S HOW HOW BLACKS WHO DIDN’T VOTE FOR TRUMP WILL SPEND INAUGURATION DAY: Roland Park resident Nivia Prescod has no plans to venture to the nation’s capital to witness Donald Trump’s inauguration next week. Instead, she plans on Monday to have a “self-care, stress-free, reclaiming-my-time day” without watching the news and likely unplugging from social media. John-John Williams IV/The Baltimore Banner.
RETAIL DELIVERY FEE COULD BE ADDED, HERE’S WHAT THAT MEANS: Gov. Wes Moore’s plan to pay for transportation projects with a new 75-cent surcharge on meals, Amazon orders and other home deliveries has opened up an argument about who will pick up the tab. Madeleine O’Neill/The Baltimore Banner.
FORMER MO CO PARTY CHAIR FILES TO RUN FOR COUNTY COUNCIL: Former Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) chair Scott Goldberg confirmed Thursday he is formally considering a run for an at-large seat on the Montgomery County Council. The Silver Spring-based real estate attorney unsuccessfully ran for the same seat in the 2022 Democratic primary. Ginny Bixby/Bethesda Today.
