More importantly, "and communities that have been underestimated and undervalued now have an important seat at the table in the halls of power," Moore lamented.
Concerning public safety, the governor stated that the people of Maryland are demanding greater rehabilitation for young offenders, more accountability for lawbreakers, and justice for everyone. He also mentioned intentions to boost the number of police officers across the state and do more to get illicit firearms off the streets.
Republicans in Maryland have made criminal justice a priority, and they have been demanding harsher punishments for violent offenders. Republicans support the governor's efforts to make the community safer, but Senator Steve Hershey argues that the governor's proposal does not go far enough in punishing violent offenders.
"In order to make a meaningful impact, the governor must advocate for a proactive strategy that establishes clear and immediate repercussions for violent offenders, thereby shielding Marylanders from being victims initially," stated Hershey, the Republican leader of the Eastern Shore Senate, in response to Moore's speech.
The state's fiscal situation has Republicans on high alert as well. Hershey stated that Republicans were glad that Moore's budget proposal would not raise taxes, but that it fails to address the growing budget shortfall that would be incurred in subsequent years, mostly as a result of a costly and ambitious school reform bill.
Since Democratic Comptroller Brooke Lierman's report last month, the state's economic situation has been a point of contention between the two major parties. Despite ranking first in the country in a number of important economic metrics, the state's growth essentially halted in 2017 and has been flat ever since, according to the analysis.
Life sciences, biotech, data centers, and cyber will receive support from the governor's administration, which he stated will invest in future sectors. Moore said that the government will reduce bureaucracy that companies face.
According to Hershey, Maryland has some of the worst tax rates, most difficult regulations, and least conducive environment for private sector expansion of any state in the union. In particular, he brought up a Republican plan to gradually lower the state's corporate income tax rate from 8.25% to 6.25% over the course of four years.
In his state of the state speech, the governor also outlined the plans his administration has to lower the cost of housing in Maryland. Among the suggestions are measures to safeguard tenants, reduce bureaucracy that hinders the construction of high-quality housing, and the creation of new instruments to propel housing development in areas that have the most need.
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