January 24, 2025

Ready Report: Peeling Back Layers on Moore Budget, Carroll Delegation Voting Session & More…

It was a very busy week in Annapolis as we are coming to the end of the “1st Quarter” of the 2025 Session. I have a lot to discuss below but first – on Monday, President Donald J. Trump was inaugurated for the second time as our 47th President. Last year, the American people made it clear that they are desperate for real leadership. I look forward to President Trump and his team working towards a more affordable and safer country. I have been urging Maryland’s statewide leaders to work with President Trump’s administration to better our state as well.

The third full week of the 2025 Legislative Session has almost concluded. Below is an update on some of what I am working on in Annapolis – this week focused on the fight against MPRP, protect property owners and fixing Maryland’s energy policy overall.

Click the picture below to watch my Weekly Video Update for Session Week 3:

MD Senate & House Republican Caucuses Peel Back Layers of Moore Budget Proposal:

On Thursday, I joined with our other leaders in the Maryland Senate and House Republican Caucuses for a press conference to highlight and raise alarm and concern about what is really in Governor Moore’s FY 2026 Budget Proposal. Despite the Governor’s sunny rhetoric, the truth is that this budget holds basically no real cuts to government spending aside from moving money around and will raise either taxes or additional fees on every Marylander – some Marylanders may get a small break on their income taxes (unless you itemize) while others will have theirs go up massively – but everyone will pay more in car registration taxes, emission testing fees, a new “Amazon Tax” – .75 on every delivery to your home, getting rid of trade-in allowance on cars that saves people hundreds-thousands of dollars when they purchase new vehicle and much more. See our Caucus press release below for more details – we are committed to fight against tax increases and get real spending cuts and government reform:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PRESS RELEASE

 

January 23, 2025

 

Contact:          Megan Miller, Communications Director    Carrie Simons-Sparrow, Chief of Staff

[email protected]

[email protected]

757-871-0763                                               410-841-3401

 

Joint Republican Caucus Peels Back Layers of Governor Moore’s Budget Proposal

ANNAPOLIS, MD – A week and a day after Governor Wes Moore presented his budget proposal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, House and Senate leaders today discussed the myriad of tax and fee increases and spending revealed in the ongoing budget analysis.

“After taking time to thoroughly review Governor Moore’s budget proposal, it is evident that, as introduced, it is not a good deal for Marylanders,” said Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey. “Although we’ve heard appealing terms such as ‘growing the economy’ and ‘tax cuts,’ this budget ultimately increases the cost of living for all Maryland residents and fails to tackle the more significant budget deficits looming in the future.”

Since Governor Moore took office, his Administration, in partnership with the General Assembly, has passed or approved hundreds of individual increases in taxes and fees through legislation, regulation, and other means.  Budget analysis from the Department of Legislative Services shows 18 instances of new or increased taxes and fees, in this budget proposal alone. There are additional revenue-increasing fee actions within the Departments of Agriculture and the Environment that are still being reviewed.

“Governor Moore’s budget relies primarily on new or increased taxes and new or increased fees to cover the shortfalls,” said House Minority Leader Jason Buckel. “Wherever there appears to be a tax cut, there is a new tax or an increased tax to take its place costing Marylanders, and businesses hundreds of millions more.”

A number of the new and increased taxes and fees hit Maryland drivers. The Governor’s budget plan accelerates the increase in registration fees the General Assembly passed last year. It also establishes an administrative fee for Marylanders who need to pay these higher fees in installments. One of the most impactful actions is the Governor’s choice to eliminate the trade-in allowance on vehicle purchases over $15,000.

In Maryland, the average trade-in value of a vehicle is $20,000, reducing the consumer’s excise tax by $1,200.  The business model for car dealerships relies heavily on the trade-in and resale of trade-in vehicles.

“Governor Moore’s choice to limit the trade-in allowance amounts to an average $1,200 tax increase on individuals purchasing a vehicle,” said House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy.  “It happens at the same time we’re bludgeoning drivers with exorbitant registration fees and charging them extra when they need to pay their fees in installments. These increases might be easier for Maryland drivers to swallow if this money was going to roads, but for the most part, it is not.”

Maryland drivers contribute nearly 50% of the revenues to the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), through the gas tax, vehicle excise tax, and MVA registration and other fees. Less than a quarter of the TTF spending goes to roads and bridges, while 53% of the funds go to transit.

“Governor Moore’s proposal sadly continues the Annapolis establishment’s bad habit of leaving taxpayers with the bill for their overspending,” said Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready. “Going back to taxpayers again is unacceptable when they are already being crushed by our high cost of living and one of the highest tax burdens in the country. We actually can cut our way to prosperity by putting state government on a diet and reducing spending to keep more money in Marylanders’ pockets.”

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Carroll County Delegation Voting Session on Local Legislation – Next Friday:

The Carroll County Delegation will meet next Friday, January 31st, at 11am. Below is the agenda for this meeting, as well as a link to watch on the Maryland General Assembly website:

Carroll County Legislative Delegation Voting Session on Local Bill Requests

Friday, January 31, 2025, at 11 a.m.

To watch on MGA website: Meetings – Day(s)

  1. Call to Order
  2. Pledge of Allegiance
  3. Approval of Minutes January 17, 2025
  4. Voting List

Carroll County – SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY APPOINTMENTS

  1. New Business

Feel free to contact my office at [email protected] for any questions.

Ready in the Press

Earlier this week, I joined WBFF FOX 45 Morning News to talk about the latest on the MPRP project and our bi-partisan attempts in the General Assembly to stop it, put safeguards around the process, protect property owners, and deal with the underlying issue of lack of in-state energy production. I was opposite State Senator Mary Washington, and while she and I often are on opposite sides of issues, we were in agreement about the need to halt this project and find long-term solutions for energy needs. You can watch the segment here: https://foxbaltimore.com/…/lawmakers-urge-halt-on-psegs…

Farmers Could Qualify for Federal Emergency Loan Assistance due to 2023 & 2024 Severe Droughts

The United States Department of Agriculture has issued a disaster designation for many Maryland farmers – including in Baltimore, Carroll & Frederick counties affected by the summer’s heat and droughts. Some farmers may be eligible for federal emergency loan assistance. More details can be found by clicking the link here, and filling out a quick questionnaire.

Birdland Caravan Coming to Carroll County

The Baltimore Orioles’ Birdland Caravan will be stopping in Carroll County on January 31st. The Birdland Caravan brings Orioles Baseball to communities across Maryland.

  • The Bird & Camden Franks Meet & Greet
    Date: Friday, January 31
    Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    Location: Y in Westminster, 1719 Sykesville Rd, Westminster, MD 21157
    Type: Open to the Public

Senatorial Scholarships Available

If you are or know a high school senior or college student, please consider applying for a Senatorial Scholarship.  For more information or to request an application, email Emily Van Horn at [email protected] and include your full address.  Scholarships will be accepted up to April 15, 2025.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me anytime. My office can be reached by emailing [email protected], and my staff and I will do our best to get back to you in a timely manner. Have a great rest of the week!

The Trumpower Foundation Scholarship

Last year, The Harold Glen and Audrey G. Benson Trumpower Foundation Scholarship Fund awarded 76 scholarships to Carroll County students, totaling more than $729,000.

Applications for the 2025-26 school year must be completed online. Scholarships are awarded to Carroll County residents who are pursuing post-secondary education, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, or certifications. Scholarship money can be used to pay tuition, room and board, books, and other fees; and can be used for part-time or full-time study. Please learn more in the attached press release and visit our website to learn more and access the application at TrumpowerScholarships.org.  The application must be completed online by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 28. Students must complete the FAFSA before applying.

Get more information and apply at TrumpowerScholarships.com. Reach out to our Community Impact team at 301-695-7660 or email [email protected] with questions.

Have a great week ahead and please reach out with any questions.

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