In a recent debate on closing Maryland’s budget deficit, Minority Leader Jason Buckel, a Republican Delegate from Allegany County, made an important point: “The man upstairs has only been there for two, three years. I don’t blame him for our economic failures of the last 10,” referring to Democratic Governor Wes Moore, who was elected in 2022 and whose office is on the second floor of the State House.
Buckel’s comments highlight a key reality that many of his Republican colleagues seldom admit ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial elections: it isn’t right to blame Governor Moore for budget challenges that have been brewing for years.
Maryland’s structural deficit, now projected at $3.3 billion, was a problem that started long before Moore took office. In fact, it was first projected in 2017, during the tenure of former Governor Larry Hogan. This isn’t an opinion—it’s a fact that Buckel and other lawmakers, including Republican Delegate Jefferson Ghrist, have bravely acknowledged. During that same debate, Ghrist remarked that the Department of Legislative Services had warned about this deficit throughout Hogan’s administration, yet he did little to address it.
Ghrist pointed out that during Maryland’s so-called “good years,” when the state received a flood of federal COVID-19 relief dollars, spending spiraled without proper regard for long-term fiscal health. Hogan used these one-time federal funds to support ongoing programs, masking the true state of Maryland’s finances and creating the illusion of fiscal stability. Hogan continues to take credit for the “surplus” Maryland had in 2022—even though experts have repeatedly noted that it was caused by the influx of federal dollars during the pandemic.
As Ghrist correctly noted, the lack of fiscal restraint and slow growth during the Hogan years laid the groundwork for the $3.3 billion structural deficit we face today. Indeed, Maryland’s economy has been stagnant since 2017, especially in comparison to our neighboring states, well before Governor Moore took office.
Compounding these challenges are President Donald Trump’s reckless policies, including massive layoffs and trade wars with our allies. Thousands of federal workers who live in Maryland are losing their jobs, which is costing the state hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue. Trump’s tariffs are also putting an enormous strain on our local businesses, including farmers on the eastern shore who are now subject to up to 15% retaliatory tariffs on agricultural products like chicken, wheat, soybeans, corn, fruits, and vegetables.
In light of this grim reality, Maryland’s lawmakers are making difficult, but necessary, decisions to shore up the state’s finances. Governor Moore and state legislative leaders recently came together on a budget plan that prioritizes growing Maryland’s economy without raising taxes on the vast majority of residents.
In fact, 94% of Marylanders should either see a tax cut or no change at all to their income tax bill under the proposed agreement. Lawmakers also want to cut government spending by the largest amount in 16 years, while making targeted investments in emerging industries, like quantum computing and aerospace defense, so we’re less reliant on federal jobs.
While the richest of Marylanders could see their income taxes go up, it’s reasonable to ask someone making over $750,000 a year to pay $1,800 more to support law enforcement, strengthen our schools, and grow our economy. As for the proposed tax on data and IT services, these products aren’t subject to Maryland’s sales tax under current law. Maryland leaders want to modernize our tax code, just like other states across the country including Texas and Ohio, by levying a 3% sales tax on these products.
These ideas are fair—especially since they don’t raise income taxes on the overwhelming majority of Marylanders—and because state leaders are also cutting spending by the billions. They’re also necessary, as Governor Hogan chose to kick the can down the road instead of addressing Maryland’s long-predicted deficit, and because Trump’s policies are laying off thousands of Marylanders and issuing tariffs that hurt our state.
By making responsible choices now, Maryland leaders are putting the state on a path toward long-term economic stability. These decisions will help Maryland continue to thrive, create jobs, and invest in the vital services that every resident relies on—without burdening the majority of hardworking families. I’m confident Maryland will emerge stronger, more resilient, and ready to lead in the industries of tomorrow.
Elaine McNeil
Chair of the Queen Anne’s Democratic Central Committee
George W. Lynn says
Ok— Let’s see what a DOGE audit of state finances reveals. I’ll bet you are not up to the challenge!
Donna Brandenberg says
While Governor Moore jet sets to Asia, for what? A waste of tax payer dollars.
Michael Davis says
There are a group of writers here who are being crushed, totally crushed by high Maryland taxes. They cannot even afford a dozen eggs. I often see them all the time panhandling for spare change to buy a Pappy Van Winkle Old Fashioned at Inn at Perry Cabin. So sad.
And why are they so poor? One big reason is that Gov Moore has not grown the Maryland economy. In the few years in office, Gov Moore has not made Maryland into a boomtown.
So what does Gov Moore do? He goes to Japan and Korea to visit with two of the state’s largest trading partners to help improve business in Maryland. And our poor little rich folks condemn him for that. At my last job, this was called “No good deed goes unpunished.” In my elementary school, this was known as “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”
Richard Marks says
Donna,
Were the SEVEN overseas trips that Governor Hogan took (included to Japan) during his tenure a waste of taxpayer dollars? No, but if you think so then be sure to be equally critical. These trips are opportunities to grow business in our state. And, as a businessman, I went on two such trips with Governor Schaefer. Those trips were full of meetings with public officials and business leaders. I remember being exhausted trying to keep pace with Governor Schaefer, a tireless promoter for our state. I am sure Governor Moore will be as well and succeed in helping grow our businesses and revenues.
Jim Bruce says
As described, Governor Wes Moore inherited a leaky fiscal ship from Gov. Hogan, but the Trump administration is now firing their own salvo of fiscal torpedoes at Maryland’s finances. In addition to Trump’s massive layoffs in Maryland and trade wars with our allies, his administration (Department of Education) just announced they were canceling previous approvals to spend down remaining COVID – 19 funds on education. For Maryland, that could jeopardize over $400 million dollars in appropriated monies, over $300 million are already spent but not reimbursed by the federal government. (See “Maryland faces $418 million ‘catastrophic’ loss in pandemic-era relief funds.” Maryland Matters, Talbot Spy, April 1, 2025) At best, this is the Trump Administration reneging on financial commitments made to Maryland, and at worst, an illegal impoundment of funds under the Budget Impoundment Act of 1974. Yet Republicans are silent.
Jim Bruce
Rick Hughes says
It is great to see truth coming from the right on this issue and government working as intended to solve budget problems. Let’s hope that the false-fact-spin-machine doesn’t kick into high gear to hid the truth and pin the problems on Gov. Moore as the next election approaches. Just like the USA, we can accomplish much if we are united in action and focused on facts. Enough with the DOGE sledgehammer approach and win at all costs, truth be damned, partisan politics!
Sandra Moxley says
They need to read comments on internet. All I see are comments regarding citizen’s and businesses talking about moving out of MD because of taxes. You talk about limited increases in income tax, but you fail to address all the tax increases on everything else. The worst is another increase in automobile registration and tags. There are so many poor people struggling now to keep their car on the road because of these expenses, and insurance, but Moore wants to raise the fees again!!! Insane
Sara Lissabet says
Well thank God there are still a few Republican centrists scattered (quietly) among the party. I’m surprised any state with legalized recreational cannabis taxed at 9% would have this much of a budget deficit. This is clearly a sign that Maryland’s fiscal health has been mismanaged for awhile. Gov Moore has a tough job that inevitably people will complain about. My fear is that we’ve only made it through four months of Trump’s presidency, and if the man continues to destroy the federal government and the US economy, Maryland could be faced with greater problems for its planning of the 2027 budget..
Sebastian Valentine says
Wow, how politically slanted an article could this be? How about O’Malley who put in a flush tax, rain tax, electric tax, and more. The true one that broke the back of the state was to make 87% of the budget set to automatically rise by the cost of living. This is what has killed the budget. Our budget was 46 billion just 6 or 7 yeas ago. Now it’s 67 billion. We are a state of 6.5 million people. It is outrageous. Our neighbors pay a lot less in taxes and have it better.
One fallacy that the legislative body has is being dependent on the federal government workers. We have pushed out numerous companies from the state due to our tax codes and regulations. This new bill will push out lots of businesses with good paying jobs. Even your own colleague from St. Marrys county said he would move his own company because he couldn’t compete. McCormic has said they will move corporate offices from the state. In true Maryland Democrat fashion, all be dammed. No tax is to much. No spending can be cut.
The people who can afford it, will move out of the state. This is a real fact. Or just buy property in another state and declare residency somewhere else.
This tax issue will never fix its self. It will only get worse.
John Barleycorn says
Democrats have enjoyed a veto proof majority in the state legislature for many election cycles. How much of the spending being discussed was passed by veto override?
James Wright says
No mention of the UNFUNDED Kirwin multi-billion dollar education spending debacle. Vetoed by Hogan and rightfully so. The super majority of Democrats in Annapolis have headed this State in the wrong direction and is continuing to do so.
Stevenson says
We need more politicians who will speak the truth regardless of party lines.
Juana Agua says
I love how Democrats always try to weasel out of any responsibility for their out of control spending. And I think you used two Republican quotes out of context making them sound like they blame Trump. You don’t even hide it. I know for a fact that Jeff Ghrist doesn’t believe that.
Exactly what are these “responsible choices?” Taxing and charging fees that will drive businesses and citizens out of Maryland? Typical progressive garbage.
John M. Scroggins says
While 94% of Marylanders MAY see their income tax remain the same or be cut, they will almost certainly be paying more out to the state as Moore and the Democratic General Assembly raise fee after fee–playing word games to disguise the fact that they are ramming through the largest tax increase in Maryland history with some of the worst regressive fees/taxes that will hit the poor and middle income families harder than any of the rich folk Ms. McNeil mentions.
Sibyl Wright says
If only we could stop using the same old blame-game talking points and stay focus on implementing sound solutions.
Fiscal responsibility is not a political ideology. It’s a tried-and-true approach to economic prosperity.
A.J. Bosley says
I thank those republicans for their honesty about the current situation.
Susan Krebs says
The writer of this article left out a big fact – during the Hogan administration, the Democrats in the Legislature passed dozens of pieces of legislation that had large state mandated spending attached. Governor Hogan vetoed many of those bills with a simple message – there is no money to pay for these programs. The Democrats ignored Hogan’s warnings and overrode his vetoes. All of this mandated budgetary spending kept adding up and then the “Blueprint for Education” blew everything up. For the record, I do not believe that we will see any improvement in student outcomes in the next ten years as a result of all of this historic new spending.There is no accountabilty for outcomes in this legislation.
Ongoing fiscal irresponsibility in spending (often with no positive results)is what Maryland taxpayers are footing the bill for. All of our surrounding states have budget surplus’and some have much larger populations with much smaller budgets.
Maybe Maryland Democrats should try something new and add some accountability if they really are doing this for the benefit of our kids education. My disappointment in Governor Moore is that he is just following the same broken record.