The Moore-Miller Administration is Making Maryland More Competitive

"We have an obligation to use every tool at our disposal to make it easier to grow our economy."
— Governor Wes Moore

The Moore-Miller Administration is focused on creating a more competitive Maryland and growing our state’s economy. Last year, Governor Moore laid the foundation for an economy that works for everyone, and this year he will build on Maryland’s strong economic momentum. In 2024, the Governor’s agenda is filled with priorities to sharpen Maryland’s competitive edge by investing in our schools, making Maryland a leader in industries of the future, and bolstering the state’s infrastructure.

Budget Priorities To Invest in Maryland Schools

$9.2 billion

Record funding for PK-12 education and full funding for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

$906 million

To fund school construction and make Maryland’s school facilities better.

$160 million increase

To support low-income students in PK-12.

$2.3 billion

Record state funding to the University System of Maryland institutions.

Budget Priorities To Bolster Maryland’s Infrastructure

$150 million

From the Rainy Day Fund to fund public transit and key travel corridors.

$20 million

To expand data science and computing infrastructure at Johns Hopkins University.

$173 million

In increased federal funds to expand and improve broadband in underserved areas across the state.

Budget Priorities To Invest in Industries of the Future

$6.4 million

In new state investment to support Baltimore’s Tech Hub Consortium.

$5 million

For the Maryland Equitech Growth Fund.

$7.5 million

For the Pre-Seed Build Fund.

$5 million

For social equity partnership grants.

$2 million

For the Institute for Health Computing at the University of Maryland Baltimore.

$100 million

To support the location of the new FBI headquarters in Greenbelt.

Budget Priorities To Connect Marylanders to Jobs

$2 million

In additional funding for the expansion of the Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) program.

$2 million

For the Talent Innovation Program to support nonprofits and community colleges in scaling up cybersecurity training.

Budget Priorities To End Child Poverty

$15 million

To support the implementation of the ENOUGH Act, a first-in-the-nation effort to end concentrated child poverty at the state level and build safe and thriving communities.

Budget Priorities To Make Maryland a Leader in Clean Energy

$90 million

From the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to fund initiatives to support the implementation of the state’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan.

$74.5 million

From the Chesapeake and Atlantic Bays 2010 Trust Fund to support critical bay restoration activities.

Legislative Priorities to Make Maryland More Competitive

The ENOUGH Act (SB 482, HB 694)

The first-in-the-nation effort to end concentrated poverty at the state level. For too long, communities in Maryland have experienced multi-generational poverty and its consequences, which include higher rates of crime, less educational and economic opportunity, and decaying housing. Through place-based interventions in selected communities across the State, the ENOUGH initiative will give communities the support and resources they need to identify the root causes of poverty in their neighborhoods and begin to address them. Because poverty does not look the same in every neighborhood, ENOUGH communities will work with community organizations, non-profits, anchor institutions, and other key community members to build a locally-focused plan of action for addressing poverty.

The Pava LaPere Legacy of Innovation Act (SB 473, HB 582)

Seeks to honor the life and legacy of Pava LaPere by supporting entrepreneurs and investing in Baltimore’s innovation economy. The bill creates two new programs: a grant program named for Pava LaPere focused on providing start-up grants to student entrepreneurs in Baltimore in order to give them the boost they need to grow the next generation of Baltimore-based businesses, and the Baltimore Innovation Initiative (“BII”) to provide access to capital and wraparound services for technology startups associated with public or private colleges or universities located within the Baltimore Metropolitan Area. These investments will bolster Baltimore’s federal tech hub designation and help expand the footprint of the innovation economy in the city and across Central Maryland.

The Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act (SB 474, HB 579)

Would remove barriers to the growth of Maryland’s technology infrastructure by streamlining the regulatory process for approval of data centers. Data centers and other major infrastructure rely on backup power generation in case of power outages, and current Maryland law makes it difficult to get prompt approval for these generators. By simplifying the regulatory process, this bill will ensure that the growing data center industry in the mid-Atlantic is located in Maryland rather than in our neighboring states.

The Transparent Government Act (SB 472, HB 581)

Aims to improve predictability for those seeking to build or grow businesses in Maryland. The legislation will require all state agencies to establish and publicize projected timelines for licensing and permitting applications – and to share publicly whether they are meeting these timelines. Giving entrepreneurs a better sense of how quickly they can expect a response from state agencies will help them to better plan their business growth.