In a recent sit-down interview that I conducted with Wes Moore, the Maryland governor painted a picture of his state’s future that is centered on fiscal responsibility and practical solutions for everyday Marylanders.
“Maryland had a real problem. The problem was that we were spending more,” he said.
“If you look at the seven years before I became the governor, Maryland’s spending increased by 70 percent but the GDP growth in the state of Maryland grew at 3 percent. The average state in this country grew by 11 percent. So, Maryland was growing. ... lower than half of the national average but our spending increased by 70 percent, which means that you have a structural deficit.”
Government money provided during the COVID-19 pandemic also played a role, Moore said.
“What happened during the COVID years is you had this influx of cash that came on board from the federal government where they gave billions of dollars to every single state. And so you saw states with cash that was sitting on the balance sheet—but that was not structural, that was one-time cash,” he said.
“In the years before I became the governor, our economy just stalled.”
“If you want to create growth there are two things you have to do: You need to increase your top line and control your spending,” he said.
“We have now introduced three straight budgets that are smaller than the year before. I have actually decreased the size of government since I’ve been governor. ... When we talk about the things that we made the adjustments on, again, was it sustainable and was it effective? If it was sustainable or effective, then it got funded. ... If you can’t show me that something is effective ... then it was not something that made it into the budget.”
“This is a personal one for me. I had handcuffs on my wrist when I was 11 years old,” he told me. “This crisis that’s happening with young boys it’s not just real, it’s very personal for me. The thing that I knew is that I had people who were willing to give me a second chance. ... We need to make sure that we have the supports in place because we cannot punish young boys simply because of the situation that they’re in.”
With a Republican president in power, many are wondering whether any of the 23 Democratic governors will work with President Donald Trump. Moore addressed this concern, stating, “I am going to work with anybody to be able to make sure that the people of my state and the futures for the people of my state can be realized.”
Beyond the numbers, Moore touched on the broader cultural debate that has been dividing Americans for years. When asked about his views on “wokeism;” diversity, equity, and inclusion; and transgenderism in relation to the state, he offered a unique perspective.
“I’m focused on the issues that are most important to the 6.5 million people in my state. The things that are most important to the people in my state are making sure that we can do things like reducing prescription drug costs, ... [reducing] housing costs, ... [having] an education system that’s training young people how not just to be employees but employers,” Moore said.
“If you’re not talking about something that impacts the 6.5 million people in my state, if you’re not talking about something that’s going to make sure their quality of life is better and that we can decrease costs on them, then frankly, for me, it’s just a distraction and I just don’t have time for it.”
In closing, Moore reaffirmed that he is committed to resolving the issues and practical challenges that are facing everyday Marylanders.
“I think the most important thing we’ve got to do is grow. That’s why our main focus is the growth agenda. That’s why our main focus is making sure that we are investing in industries,” he said.
“By being able to leverage Maryland’s unique assets and invest in them wisely, by being able to do procurement reform, by being able to do permitting reform, regulatory reform, [we] make it easier for businesses to be able to come and grow in the state of Maryland. By giving tax relief to middle class families and giving a greater chance for more middle class and working families to keep their money inside of their pockets.
“I’m doing a job that I love for people that I love.
“I’m just a big believer that God puts us in places that he’s prepared us for. ... I love the work we are doing, I love my state, and I love Marylanders.”
