Maryland Gov. Wes Moore delivers 'State of the State' address as anti-Trump protests rage nearby
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore delivers 'State of the State' address
In his ‘State of the State’ address Wednesday, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore talked about the state's multi-billion dollar budget gap while also taking aim at policies coming from the Trump White House.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - In his ‘State of the State’ address Wednesday, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore talked about the state's multi-billion dollar budget gap while also taking aim at policies coming from the Trump White House.
Since President Donald Trump was re-elected, the Democratic governor has said he’d work with the Republican administration when it helped Maryland and speak out when something goes against the state’s interests. His speech included a lot more of the latter.
Protests against Trump
Demonstrators Bring The Noise:
Just down the street from where Moore was delivering his address, hundreds of demonstrators rallied to stand against the Trump administration and its fire hose of executive orders on everything from immigration enforcement, transgender policy and slashing the federal workforce.
"Women’s lives are on the line. Trans lives are on the line. Gay marriages. Everything is on the line," one protester said.
"Now our enemies are in The White House! Let’s do something to get them out," said another. "Organize!"
Maryland state budget deficit
Dig deeper:
Meanwhile, Gov. Moore sought to ease concerns over Maryland's nearly $3 billion budget gap, detailing his plan for $2 billion in cuts and increasing taxes for the state’s highest earners.
"We must close this $3 billion budget gap and we have to do it in a way that grows the middle class, super-charges and diversifies our economy," Gov. Moore said.
The governor says taxes will go down for 66% of Marylanders but Republicans tell FOX 5 that new fees and higher taxes on things like food delivery are going to be a tough sell.
The other side:
"It was a lot more on rhetoric and a lot less on solutions and if Marylanders are going to listen to this they want to hear a little bit more on the details," Republican Senate Leader Sen. Steve Hershy said.
While Republicans say they agree with some of the governor’s budget decisions, cuts to higher education and developmental disability programs may prove unpopular with Democratic lawmakers.
By law, Maryland has to pass a balanced budget by the final day of the session on April 7 — just 61 days away.