In the shadowed corridors of Annapolis, where budget discussions echo like the whispers of palace intrigue, Governor Wes Moore remains conspicuously absent. While legislative leaders, hands wringing and brows furrowed, haggle over Maryland’s spiraling fiscal woes, the governor has chosen to divert his gaze to the distant horizons of national prominence. It is a curious thing: when Marylanders require leadership most, their governor appears more interested in cementing a political brand than in confronting the financial crisis unfolding under his watch.
Gary Collins, of WBFF FOX 45, has aptly chronicled Moore’s national escapades—whether it be the gilded Gridiron Dinner in Washington or a leisurely Sunday appearance on “Face the Nation.” These engagements may flatter his ambitions, but they do little to assuage the anxieties of Marylanders who see their tax burden poised for yet another precipitous climb.
Collins has been particularly diligent in exposing the administration’s reluctance to engage with local media on pressing financial issues, highlighting Moore’s preference for national exposure over state-level accountability. And climb it will, regardless of the semantic pirouettes performed by legislative leaders. Whether labeled a “business-to-business tax” or a “sales tax on some services,” Marylanders will soon feel the cold hand of government extracting more from their pockets.
Senate President Bill Ferguson assures us that we are “very, very close” to a budget framework. But to what end? The process is taking longer than usual, deadlines have come and gone, and the only certainty is that the taxpayers will foot the bill for the incompetence of single-party rule.
The deficit has metastasized from a surplus of $5 billion to a shortfall of $3.3 billion—an astonishing reversal in just a short period of time. The Senate Minority Leader, Steve Hershey, sees this predicament with clarity: Maryland’s overreliance on federal largesse has left it vulnerable to the slightest tremors in Washington. The pattern is undeniable: crisis, federal bailouts, and an utter refusal to heed the warnings of fiscal reality.
Yet Governor Moore, despite his repeated assertions that he is “working very closely” with lawmakers, has done little to clarify his stance on the tax proposals currently under discussion. As Collins reported, Moore has declared that a broad business-to-business tax is off the table, but only in the sense that it must be accompanied by a broader tax on consumers and individual taxpayers. This is the governing equivalent of promising to hit the taxpayer with a left hook rather than a right.
One imagines the Maryland Chamber of Commerce nodding along grimly, understanding that the distinction is largely academic. As Mary D. Kane, President of the Chamber, succinctly put it, “It’s the same problem in different packaging.”
Senator Hershey’s analysis is equally unflinching: Maryland cannot tax its way out of this deficit. Yet that is precisely what legislative leaders are attempting, while Governor Moore offers no resistance. Instead, he indulges in rhetorical hedging, allowing the legislature to move forward with tax increases while preserving a fig leaf of plausible deniability. The message is clear: he may not lead the charge, but he certainly won’t stand in the way.
Senator Justin Ready has articulated the frustration many Marylanders feel, noting that Moore seems more interested in “decisions he’s not making” than those he is. Del. Mark Fisher, never one to mince words, went so far as to accuse Moore of “ignoring Maryland” in favor of his national ambitions. Collins’ reporting underscores this sentiment, documenting Moore’s repeated absences from key budget discussions and his conspicuous silence on looming tax hikes. The governor’s office, when pressed, offered a response so perfunctory as to be insulting—boasting of in-state visits that do nothing to address the gaping chasm in the state’s budget.
It is telling that even as Moore decries the economic consequences of Trump’s tariff policies, his own administration is unable to substantiate the claim that Maryland’s port is suffering. On the contrary, recent data indicates an increase in car and container traffic. It is a curious thing, this compulsion to deflect blame to Washington, even when the facts are uncooperative. But in the absence of decisive leadership, misdirection becomes the next best strategy.
Tyrone Keys, a financial services and real estate expert, has cut through the smokescreen with admirable concision: “We can’t afford anymore.” And that, ultimately, is the reality that eludes Moore and his legislative allies. Marylanders are not an inexhaustible source of revenue. They cannot perpetually absorb the cost of government mismanagement. And they are right to ask: where is our governor?
If Moore harbors aspirations for higher office, he might consider that competent governance is the surest path to political viability. As things stand, his tenure is becoming an exercise in abdication—one where fiscal calamity looms, tax burdens rise, and Maryland’s governor is nowhere to be found.
Craig Phillips says
Wes is going to do what Tudor Jones tells him to do.
Michael Davis says
I recently read some information about the state budget issue. My memory of the numbers is rough, but I think the issue was about $3.3 billion deficit. One billion would be fixed by raising taxes and $2.3 billion would come from spending reductions. As I have read this column and your columns in the past, I’d assume you would fix the issue only by cutting spending. What would you cut? Schools? Heath care? Aid to veterans? The environment? Aid to children? Tax breaks going the members of the Chamber of Commerce? Enquiring minds need to know.
Your columns are long on complaints, long on unsubstantiated “facts” and very short of solutions. Next tine you write, please provide a list of items Gov Moore could have cut adding up to $3.3B that would be approved by our state legislature. Approval by both the Governor and the State Legislature is required by state law, FYI.
Eric Ploeg says
Mr. Davis,
It’s obvious that you haven’t been paying attention over the past 2 years as this governor has been boastfully spending away our tax dollars. Moore blew through the huge surplus he inherited as he blew through the pre-allocated operating budget and then sent our state into a deficit of BILLIONS. FACT. NOTHING has improved for ordinary Maryland citizens. Can you provide any evidence to the contrary?
Rather than considering Moore’s irresponsible, frivolous spending on his own special interests which is what created this situation, instead you unfairly cry about potential cuts to schools, veterans….and of course aid to children. With fiscally responsible management to begin with, we wouldn’t be addressing the issue of cuts. (Politics 101 – use schools and public safety to justify taxes. Advertising likes using babies and puppies too!)
Inquiring minds would like to know exactly how and where our state funds have been spent, beyond the allocated budgeted items? Who is benefiting by all of Moore’s spending? How about an actual accounting of how a $5 BILLION surplus vanished ending up with a $3+ BILLION deficit.
Moore seems to equate Maryland’s taxpayer funds to the Soros sponsored “nonprofit” where he spent previous years giving away other people’s money to politically aligned causes. Moore will still have the ability to wreak havoc with Maryland’s budget for another 18 months if unchecked. We were already in deep financial trouble well before the upheaval in D.C.
Does this governor’s political affiliation justify his malfeasance? What is it that makes people ignore the obvious here?
David Sutherland says
You have always been one to have us face reality. As a marylander, I am disgusted with our legislature and Governor. Why is everyone so quiet on Senator Fergusons conflict of interest advancing or leading the charge on solar sprawl. They are going to ruin our agriculture industry for higher energy cost. I am in the energy business and know utility grade solar proformas well. We will have higher cost at the expense of ag. Eastern shore is nothing but a willing post to these corrupt and incompetent leaders. I would enjoy talking to you about several related items.
Janet Sweeney says
Amen
Eric Ploeg says
Mr. Mitchell,
You’re entirely accurate pointing out the reality that many others seem to overlook. For the past 2 years, almost daily Moore was beaming in front of the cameras as he granted away millions upon millions of Maryland funds to his select special interests and “nonprofit” comrades. When he wasn’t giving away Marylanders dollars, he was creating another state office, department, agency, commission, etc. We now have thousands of new state employees and payroll costs have ballooned.
Moore is the primary reason Maryland’s handsome surplus vanished and we’re now facing a nasty deficit. We were in trouble before Trump took office but this was barely mentioned. So when we do hear from Moore, he tries to explain away his financial irresponsibility using Trump and DOGE.
Hopefully your article isn’t too difficult to understand sense it makes too much common sense. Thanks for your writing.
** If you won’t run for state or local office, consider writing a book! Your ability to use words is outstanding.
Robert Newberry says
One important issue is the fact that our way of life on the eastern Shore of Maryland has been crushed. Farmers, commercial fishermen, hunters and all outdoorsman are suffering the consequences of this lackadaisical governor that now sits on the second floor in Annapolis. I watched him this morning on Fox News Sunday and had to actually leave the house before I got sick. This guy should go to work on a farm somewhere here on the Eastern Shore and do what he does best, spreads so much manure, you wouldn’t have to fertilize your crops for 10 years. I can honestly say, this governor has destroyed the quality of life not only in Maryland, but here on our lovely Eastern Shore. Great job bobblehead. Hopefully this will only be one term for you. Absolutely disgusting!
DeirdreLaMotte says
“I watched him on Fox News Sunday”.
That is the problem.
The Hogan administration ran up the state’s credit card with no plan to pay it off. Now, we are stuck with the bill,
Governor Moore’s plan will lead us to the end of this fiscal crisis and grow our economy, all while still delivering on his promise to leave no one behind.
Meanwhile, Fox is trying to get everyone to look away while Musk/Trump tank the stock market,
our environment (as a farmer you still care about land, water and air, correct??!!), slash your SS and Medicare, Medicaid.
Y’all really signed up for this s**t? If so,good luck cos I’m sure you all have trust funds to keep you solvent ,correct?
Sarah Oppenheimer says
Your rhetoric leads me to believe that you in fact live off of a trust fund and that you hate working class people.
Deirdre LaMotte says
“Working class” people who support Trump better have something better than raft to save them.
Good luck, he only has two constituents: Musk and Putin.
Sarah Oppenheimer says
Wes Moore getting that USAID $. The DC lefties on the shore are becoming intolerable with their stupidity.
S Gerard Dantoni says
Yes it is time for a party change a new direction for our state.
Nina Lewis says
I have not been following Maryland politics closely and the only question I have is this. Since Governor Moore inherited the $5B surplus and in a short time it is now $3.3B, where is that money being spent?