2025 Maryland General Assembly Recap: Gov. Wes Moore
Balloons and confetti dropping in the Maryland State House on the night of April 7, signified the end of the 2025 legislative session, which included passing a $67 billion budget in the final days and adding additional taxes on information technology services, cannabis, and gambling.
Some of the major bills that passed this year were an expansion of youth health care subsidies, a bill to limit the liability for sexual abuse lawsuits at state and private institutions, and the Second Look Act, which would establish additional opportunities for release for inmates who have been incarcerated for 20 years or more.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said he opened the session with three main priorities: modernizing the tax code to give middle-class families tax relief; grow the state economy and diversify off Washington, D.C.; and invest in Marylanders, all of which he says were accomplished with the passage of the budget.
Prior to scheduled visits to South Korea and Japan to bring investments to Maryland beginning on April 12, Moore signed 94 bills into law, including energy reform and the Second Look Act.
The governor said local legislators have been working to uplift Marylanders, particularly at a time when President Donald Trump is signing executive orders that threaten federal funding to state programming nationwide.
“At a time when middle-class families need a break, we made sure that 94% of Marylanders will either get a tax cut or see no changes in their taxes,” said Moore. “When the federal government is trying to eliminate the Department of Education and gut funding for Maryland schools, including schools that teach students with special needs, we delivered the largest single investment in K-12 education in the history of our state.”
He also highlighted efforts to bolster programming despite cuts and support those people who have lost or are uncertain about employment due to federal furloughs
“As Elon Musk’s DOGE continues to lay off thousands of public servants, we have preserved record funding for local law enforcement and helped our federal workers find new opportunities in state government and the private sector,” Moore said. “Maryland is mobilizing. We’re working to grow this state and protect your rights. And while we’re willing to work with anyone, we will never compromise when it comes to protecting you. Let’s continue to answer crisis with courage.”
In a statement just six minutes after the session concluded, Moore noted that the legislature did not pass his affordable housing agenda, add nuclear energy to the state’s clean energy portfolio, or increase Maryland’s business competitiveness. He also reminded legislators that he retains veto power.
“If things violate or do not make sense with that in the context of what’s happening right now, especially what’s happened with the federal government, it will not get my signature,” Moore declared.
Legislative Black Caucus Celebrates Session Victories
The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland counted the creation of a Reparations Commission, the expansion of Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board, and the passage of the Second Look Act as 2025 legislative session victories.
Caucus Chairwoman Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D- District 20) touted the successes of the group of Black legislators in a successful session amid national issues.
“In Maryland, we just completed one of the most consequential legislative sessions in recent history,” said Wilkins. “Against the backdrop of national chaos—reckless federal layoffs that disproportionately impact our communities, attacks on diversity, and dysfunction at every level—we stood strong and delivered a bold, unabashed Black agenda.”
She emphasized the importance of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and the work they are doing toward justice.
“These victories weren’t just about policy: they reflect the power of Black leadership that is inclusive, effective, and deeply committed to the people we serve,” Wilkins continued. “In contrast to the divisive and polarizing policies dominating the national conversation, we demonstrated what real progress looks like—governance rooted in equity and results.”
In the closing minutes of session, some protections for immigrants were passed but advocates, including Cathryn Jackson of CASA, stated that language to ban state and local agencies from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was removed from the bill.
“[The program] 287(g) (with which ICE delegates immigration enforcement to local and state agencies) is such a direct funnel into the deportation machine,” said Jackson. “It is the most direct way that we are carrying out Trump’s agenda in Maryland.”
Jackson said “it is extremely heartbreaking that the immigration bills have not been prioritized,” emphasizing that this decision could have potentially dangerous consequences for many Marylanders.
“That is leaving the lives of so many people up to chance right now,” Jackson said.
