On Maryland’s Eastern Shore, our economy has always been different from the rest of the state. We aren’t powered by construction of monuments or federal office buildings—we’re powered by our farmers, watermen, small businesses and hardworking families. But when the current Trump administration eliminated nearly 25,000 Maryland federal workers it sent ripple effects across our entire economy. Despite those unprecedented cuts, Maryland has still added nearly 18,000 jobs this year, almost doubling the national rate of job growth.
For communities on the Shore, economic growth isn’t measured by headlines in Washington—it’s measured by whether our Main Streets are thriving, whether manufacturers are expanding, whether our farmers can stay in business and whether our children can find good-paying jobs. I was pleased to learn Governor Moore recently secured disaster relief for our growers affected by the late winter freeze. Notable as well are his efforts to fund and expand Maryland’s Main Street and downtown revitalization programs; it matters. Those funds return to our community.
In three years, Maryland has attracted more than $14 billion in private investment. Companies are expanding and investing across the state. While some folk take exception to our Governor’s travel to other states, those visits pay dividends. He is a tireless promoter of Maryland. His administration has also focused on helping small businesses grow by expanding financing programs and modernizing economic development tools, so entrepreneurs and local employers have better access to capital.
Despite the largest federal workforce cuts in the country to Maryland, our state continues to outperform the nation in job growth and add new businesses. That’s a testament to an economy that is becoming more resilient, more competitive and better prepared for the future. And, yes, there is more work to do.
As an Eastern Shore resident for the past fifty years, I appreciate Governor Moore’s attention to our community: from his support for the new Medical Center and the First Responder Training Center; for the Enough Program dealing with poverty, for the financial support for our farmers; for creating the Department of Service and Civic Innovation to initiate a service year program for our youth; to keeping the Orioles in Baltimore and for his incredible optimism and efforts in the face of challenges despite the bridge mishap and federal cutbacks.
Don’t stop, Wes. Not an easy job to insure no one gets left behind, but well worth the fight.
Richard Marks
Retired CEO Arbre Group Holding
Easton
10 Responses
I agree with Richard Marks. Wes Moore has been a great governor for all of Maryland but especially for the Eastern Shore. He deserves re-election.
It’s reassuring to hear positive statistics about the leadership of Governor Moore. Thank you for taking the time to write.
Governor Moore is a natural leader who cares about families, jobs, education and making Marylanders the best we can be. He leads from the front, has done an excellent job and deserves our continued support.
Team Moore 👍
All coming from wealthy individuals whom can afford the ridiculous fee hikes and taxes imposed. Interesting……..
How about thinking of the people who live paycheck to paycheck? Car registration, doubled. Boat registration, tripled. Now you pay a six dollar fee when you buy a tire, and then have to pay another six dollar fee when you get rid of the same tire. I can go on and on.
Mr. Strickland, if you care about “people living paycheck to paycheck” what’s your position on the pending Medicaid cuts Trump adopted and Andy Harris voted for. Here’s the effect of those cuts on people living paycheck to paycheck:
Maryland Medicaid is the state’s largest and most effective anti-poverty program. It covers 1,522,680 people, 25% of the state’s population including almost half of all children in the state. It is also an economic engine of the state’s healthcare system supporting 122,981 providers.
About Maryland Medicaid
Maryland Medicaid provides essential health care services across the lifespan.
● Over 40% of all Maryland births.
● 663,435 children and youth, almost half of all children in the state.
● 350,392 adults covered by Medicaid expansion.
● Medicaid is the #1 payer of long-term services and supports, including nursing homes.
○ Almost 80% of all nursing home revenue is paid by Medicaid.
○ 40,000 Marylanders receive home and community-based services (HCBS). Of those, 18,314 adults and children with developmental disabilities receive
services.
● 300,000 individuals, covered for mental health and substance use services.
○ $2.9 billion dollars annually in provider payments to more than 1,000 providers to support access to behavioral health services.
Medicaid is the largest source of federal funding to the state of Maryland, helping to provide economic security for all Marylanders.
● Annual Medicaid budget: $14.6 billion ($8.5 federal funding, $6.1 in state funding).
○ Maryland receives 50% federal match for traditional Medicaid, 90% federal match for expansion population.
○ Overall, approximately 58% of the total annual Medicaid budget is covered by the federal government.
Not just healthcare, but food benefits are being slashed by the federal government:
Work Requirements: Maryland Department of Health projects 56,000 adults could lose coverage, resulting in $316.7 million annually in reduced federal funding.
Semi-Annual Redeterminations: The state projects 130,111 adults could lose coverage, with $864 million annually in reduced federal funding and $22.6 million in additional state administrative costs.
Maryland Food Assistance Changes
Maryland Department of Human Services analysis shows 684,000 Marylanders rely on SNAP benefits.
The “Big Beautiful Bill’s” restructuring requires Maryland to pay $572.5 million annually in costs for this program previously covered by federal funding. Either that or reduce benefits.
You’re griping about a $6 tire recycling fee but the Republican Party (of which you are a member. running for the County Council) is taking healthcare and food away from vulnerable Marylander’s to heap tax benefits on the top 1%. Seems to me you have your priorities mixed up. If you want to help folks working paycheck to paycheck stand up for them and oppose these Republican policies that make it harder on them.
I like eating frozen fruits and vegetables, and I appreciate longstanding local family businesses like Paris Foods that provide productive, year-round jobs. Please expand here – working people in Talbot County sorely need more opportunities.
But businesses cannot expand where local plans and zoning leave little room for commercial and industrial growth. Talbot needs substantially more land zoned for those purposes, along with housing that working families can afford.
Governor Moore is outstanding for championing business investment and economic growth. Until Talbot reforms its own codes, plans, and zoning, greater state preemption may be the only effective answer to local restrictionism that blocks jobs, housing, and upward mobility.
Governor Moore is moving Maryland toward a 21st-century economy. It is time for Talbot County to get on board.
I agree Richard. Re-elect Governor Moore!
Are you serious? Why did the most recent yearly CNBC poll rank MD’s economy 49th out of 50 states and why do I read every morning in the Baltimore Sun about more people moving out of MD into DE, PA and other states?
Exactly, Terry.