August 29, 2025

Ready Report: Crime & Governor Moore Response, Park Funding Secured for Carroll & Local News

I hope you and your family have a great Labor Day weekend ahead. For the hard working men and women who built and are still building this country, this is a great weekend to be thankful and hopefully get some rest before we head into a busy Fall season. Below we’ve got some statewide news, particularly dealing with juvenile crime and my fight to focus the governor and General Assembly’s attention on what’s really important – Maryland’s working families and retirees – and we’ve also got some community news as well.

Ready Talking Juvenile Crime and Governor Moore’s Response on Fox 45:

From WBFF FOX 45 – “…Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready, R-Carroll and Frederick County, said complaints about juvenile crime continue (from residents). Click here for the full article.

“Just over the weekend, in Baltimore, there was a terrible incident with a playground where (juveniles) set fire to it,” Ready said. “Local law enforcement is continuing to tell us, ‘We’re still not getting young people who are picked up repeatedly getting the help and treatment of DJS.” Ready said the governor owns the ongoing issues with juvenile crime in Baltimore and statewide because “it is his Department of Juvenile Services.”

Governor Moore and Democrats Ignoring the Needs of Marylanders

Every day I hear stories of people who are struggling to pay the doubled car tax and higher cost of living brought on by Governor Moore and Annapolis Democrats’ increased taxes and fees. We have an eminent domain land grab being attempted in several areas of the state by an out of state corporation. We also still have intense crime in many areas of our state that makes neighborhoods unsafe for families and seniors.

So why is so much attention being paid to an illegal immigrant with a criminal record being deported and fighting about Washington DC politics? Marylanders need Gov. Wes Moore and our Annapolis and federal leaders to focus on making things better for people on the ground here – in our state. Click here to watch a brief video I recorded earlier this week.

Department of Natural Resources Funding Secured for Carroll County Parks

I work every Session to cut back on wasteful spending and hold the line on taxes. However, when there are opportunities within the approved state budget to secure funds during the year for my district and Carroll and/or Frederick Counties, I try to be on the lookout and work to be sure our taxpayers are getting good value back for the funds we send to the state.

On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the Board of Public Works will be considering several items that impact your District 5.  Specifically:

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $599,609.41 from Program Open Space funding allocated to Carroll County for the following projects:
    • Piney Run Park: $270,000for new playground equipment and safety surfacing (Item 4A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Mount Airy Rails to Trails: $37,730.76to pave the existing gravel trail to create an accessible pathway and construct a drainage culvert (Item 4A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Walkins Park: $54,537.25to resurface the existing trail and add a drainage culvert and signage (Item 4A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Union Bridge Community Center ($194,129.40):
    • $150,917.40to replace the floor, HVAC system, commercial refrigerator, kitchen countertop, doors, and chairs (Item 4A.4 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
    • $43,212.00to repair and resurface the existing tennis courts.  The project includes adding pickleball lines, new LED lighting systems, and new nets (Item 4A.5 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Maple Avenue Lion’s Club Park: $43,212.00to replace the roof on the existing pavilion as well as add new gutters, and paint and repair the walls (Item 4A.6 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $175,106.00in funding from the Community Parks and Playground Program to resurface, restripe and add pickleball lines on the existing tennis courts and new playground safety surfacing at Christmas Tree Park (Item 4A.8 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $250,000in funding from the Community Parks and Playground Program for a new pavilion, walking paths, restroom facilities, and playground equipment at Prospect Park (Item 6A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

You can find more information by clicking here for the August 27, 2025 BPW Agenda.

Carroll County Republican Central Committee Picinic

Last weekend, I attended the Carroll County Republican Central Committee’s Patriot Picinic. It was great to be with folks from all over the county that want to turn our state around with common sense, conservative principles. There was a strong presence from several Republican organizations throughout the county which is what we need going into the 2026 election cycle.

Carroll County Launches Age-Friendly Community Survey

The Carroll County Bureau of Aging & Disabilities (BOAD) is conducting a survey to guide the creation of the Bureau’s age-friendly strategy. BOAD, as a member of AARP’s network of Age-Friendly States and Communities is required to assess the local community in different areas including age-friendliness, gaps in services, defining strategies for improvement and implementing those strategies over time.

As Carroll County progresses toward becoming more age-friendly, residents are asked to weigh in! The Age-Friendly Carroll County Community Needs Survey will be used to determine the most pressing priorities in the community, and gauge residents’ awareness of existing age-friendly programs.  The overall objective is to identify the current needs of residents and to assist in making informed decisions on resources, programs and community-wide needs.

The survey may be completed online, via mobile phone, tablet or computer and only takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Carroll County residents are encouraged to participate in the survey until September 15,2025. The survey may be completed by clicking on this  link or scanning the QR code below.  Share your thoughts today!

 

SAVE THE DATE – October 15th Fall Family Fundraiser & Campaign Kickoff:

Please save the date of Wednesday, October 15th for my annual Fall Family Fundraiser and – this year – 2026 Campaign Kickoff, to be held at Island Green in Westminster – it’ll be a 5:30-7:30 event. Details and ticket availability to follow soon!

It is an honor to represent you in the Maryland Senate. As always, feel free to reach out to my office anytime with questions or concerns. Please be sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X for the most up-to-date information.

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