Governor Moore names Betsy Fox Tolentino as Maryland Department of Juvenile Services acting secretary, Delegates Nawrocki & Szeliga issue statement

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore on Monday announced the appointment of Betsy Fox Tolentino as acting secretary for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, effective June 11, 2025. Tolentino, who currently serves as managing director of juvenile and young adult justice initiatives at The Roca Impact Institute, will take over leadership of the state agency. “My highest priority is keeping our […]

Maryland Freedom Caucus responds to Governor Moore’s ‘attempt to shift blame’ on bond rating downgrade

ANNAPOLIS, MD—The Maryland Freedom Caucus has responded to Governor Wes Moore’s remarks regarding this week’s downgrade of the state’s credit rating. Maryland lost its coveted AAA bond rating on Wednesday when Moody’s Investors Service downgraded its assessment of the state’s creditworthiness to Aa1, ending a more than three-decade streak of top-tier ratings. Governor Wes Moore, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, Treasurer […]

Moody’s downgrades Maryland’s coveted AAA bond rating, Gov. Moore: ‘This is a Trump downgrade’

UPDATE: The Maryland Freedom Caucus has responded to Governor Moore’s comments. Original story below… ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland lost its coveted AAA bond rating on Wednesday when Moody’s Investors Service downgraded its assessment of the state’s creditworthiness to Aa1, ending a more than three-decade streak of top-tier ratings. This downgrade means Maryland is no longer among the 14 states that hold the […]

Harford County Sheriff applauds continuance of federal public safety partnerships with ICE, CASA slams decision

NOTTINGHAM, MD—Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler on Tuesday thanked “Maryland Sheriffs and the residents of Maryland who made their voices heard loud and clear to save the 287(g) public safety partnership programs in Maryland.” House Bill 1222, introduced by Del. Nicole Williams (D-Prince George’s), would have prohibited local law enforcement agencies from entering into agreements with federal immigration officials such […]

Maryland budget deal reached

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland lawmakers have reached an agreement on a framework for the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget, Governor Wes Moore announced on Thursday. The budget framework eliminates a $3.3 billion structural deficit and creates a positive cash balance, according to a statement from the governor’s office. “As dysfunction and chaos unfold in Washington, here in Maryland, we’ve been moving in […]

NOW YOU KNOW: HB 1554 – A Tax Too Far for Maryland’s Businesses, Families, and Retirees

The following is an op-ed piece from Delegates Kathy Szeliga and Ryan Nawrocki. Maryland’s small businesses, families, and retirees are all feeling the squeeze of rising prices and flat incomes, and House Bill 1554—a 2.5% service tax up for debate in Annapolis—only stands to make things harder. We’re firmly against this measure, which we see as a triple threat: it […]

BCPS senior named Maryland Emerging Scholar

OWINGS MILLS, MD—A Baltimore County Public Schools student has been named one of 24 Maryland Emerging Scholars by the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education, or MBRT. Tremen McBride, a senior at Owings Mills High School, was selected for the award due to his academic excellence, community service, and leadership, according to a Feb. 14 news release from Baltimore County Public […]

Maryland commission unveiled to reform juvenile justice

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moorehas announced the inaugural meeting of the Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform and Emerging Best Practices in Annapolis. The commission, tasked with reviewing Maryland’s juvenile services, facilities, and programs, will convene for the first time on November 6th, with Judge Andre M. Davis presiding as chair. Judge Davis, whose nearly 50-year career spans roles in the U.S. […]