More from Governor Wes Moore

Published: 1/29/2023

Gov​ernor Wes Moore Released Preliminary FY 2024 Budget Plan, Created the Office of Civic and Service Innovation, Signed First Executive Orders, Announced Release of $69 Million in Previously-Withheld Funding, Chaired First Maryland Board of Public Works Meeting, and Announced a New Cabinet Appointment

ANNAPOLIS, MD — In Governor Wes Moore's first week of office he made it clear he's leading with service–serving the people of Maryland and giving them the opportunity to serve. The Governor released his preliminary FY 2024 Budget Plan, created the Office of Civic and Service Innovation, signed his first Executive Orders, announced release of $69 Million in previously-withheld funding, chaired his first Maryland Board of Public Works meeting, and announced a new cabinet appointment.

Governor Wes Moore Recaps First Week in Office

@GovWesMoore: We've been in office for a little over a week and we've already accomplished so much for Marylanders.

Through urgency, compassion, and responsiveness, we take this honor seriously. And we know that we will take the challenges of our state on together.

Governor Wes Moore's Budget Includes Transformative Funding for Education, Transportation, and Eliminating Child Poverty 

Governor Wes Moore announced his preliminary FY 2024 budget plan, which includes record investments in education and transportation, while keeping his promise of focusing on creating a competitive and equitable economy, ending childhood poverty in the state, and public safety reform. 

Gov. Wes Moore proposes boosting spending on education, transportation

Ovetta Wiggins // Washington Post

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Friday proposed a $63.1 billion spending plan that accelerates raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, expands eligibility for the child care tax credit, permanently extends a tax credit to immigrants, and boosts investment in education and transportation.

Gov. Moore Releases $63 Billion Maryland Budget Plan

Brian Witte // NBC 4

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore released his $63 billion budget plan for the state Friday, outlining education and transportation as priorities amid a large budget surplus while maintaining an ample Rainy Day Fund to be prepared for an economic downturn.

Moore, a Democrat, described his budget plan as being “bold without being reckless."

Wes Moore proposes historic spending hike to boost education, transportation needs

Leonard Fleming // DC News Now

Gov. Wes Moore said he wanted to be bold and move fast and with his new budget, the state's new top leader is doing just that.

Moore, who was just inaugurated two days ago, on Friday proposed a $63.1 billion budget that proposes historic spending in education and transportation as well as pushes for a $15-an-hour minimum wage approved this year.

Gov. Moore unveils 'most ambitious budget' earmarking $500M to Blueprint for Maryland's Future

Matt Bush // WYPR

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore wasted no time in making his mark on the state, submitting a budget on his third day in office that is in sharp contrast to the ones his Republican predecessor then-Gov. Larry Hogan crafted.

The Democrat released his more than $63-billion spending plan on Friday in Annapolis. It attempts to follow through on many of Moore's campaign promises, including cutting the estimated 13.4% vacancy rate in state government jobs.

Gov. Moore Released $69 Million In Funds To Train Abortion Care Providers, Combat Climate Change, Implement A Program For Paid Family Leave And Lay The Groundwork For A New Recreational Marijuana Industry

Governor Wes Moore announced the release of $69 million in previously-withheld funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. These funds were authorized by the legislature last year, and Governor Moore is proudly standing with the legislature by directing these investments toward critical programs and services throughout the state.

Md. Gov. Moore signs executive orders, unveils $69M future plans on first day in office

ABC 7 News Staff // ABC 7

On day one of his official term in office, the first order of business for Maryland Gov. Wes Moore was to release $69 million in previously withheld funding to put toward key administrative priorities like climate change and economic parity.

The funds were authorized by Maryland legislative leaders in 2022.

Moore held a press conference alongside newly sworn-in Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller on Thursday. The pair wasted no time getting to work following Wednesday's historic inauguration ceremony in Annapolis.

Gov. Wes Moore releases $69M withheld by Hogan, including funds for abortion care training

Pamela Wood & Brenda Wintrode // Baltimore Banner

On his first full day in office, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore released $69 million in state funds to train abortion care providers, combat climate change, implement a program for paid family leave and lay the groundwork for a new recreational marijuana industry.

Gov. Moore Created the Office of Civic and Service Innovation

Moore's first day: New Cabinet department, abortion access funds, ethics rules

Bryan Sears // The Daily Record 

Gov. Wes Moore started his first full day in office creating a new Cabinet position, establishing a set of ethics standards for his administration and releasing nearly $70 million in funds that includes money to expand access to abortion procedures.

Moore, in the first of four meetings with the news media, signed a series of executive orders. One of those orders creates the Department of Service and Civic Innovation — a new Cabinet position. Moore did not discuss funding for the new department or name a secretary. It is believed the new department will subsume some existing agencies within state government.

New Maryland governor creates Department of Service and calls for marijuana possession charges expunged

Delia Goncalves // WUSA9

The governor also signed two executive orders. 

One was for creating an ethical guideline for the executive branch, the other – a brand new government agency called the Department of Service and Civic Innovation.

“We're asking people to serve each other, and this department would be a perfect way to bring resources together to consolidate and make sure Maryland is a state that serves," said Gov. Moore.

Gov. Moore Chaired First Maryland Board of Public Works Meeting

Moore sets priorities as he chairs his first Board of Public Works meeting

David Collins // WBAL

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore chaired his first Board of Public Works meeting on Wednesday.

The board has the authority to spend money and approve state contracts. On Wednesday, it approved more than $229 million in expenditures. Among the several capital projects approved includes $68 million to begin construction of a new Baltimore City District Courthouse.

Moore, top officials urge expanding contracts for state's minority businesses

Bryan Sears // The Daily Record

State lawmakers and members of the Board of Public Works Wednesday called for increased efforts to ensure expanded participation in state contracting by minority-owned businesses.

The renewed interest follows Gov. Wes Moore's campaign promises to view every aspect of state government through a lens of equity. Moore and others said the state is not living up to its own standards when it comes to ensuring small businesses owned by minorities have a fair shot at state contracts.

Gov. Moore Announces Former Metro Chief Tom Kelso as Next Transportation Secretary

Moore picks former Metro chief as Maryland transportation secretary

Ovetta Wiggins, Justin George and Katherine Shaver // Washington Post

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has selected former Metro general manager Paul J. Wiedefeld, who led the nation's third-largest transit agency for six years before resigning in the spring, to serve as Maryland's secretary of transportation.

Moore's announcement of Wiedefeld as transportation secretary comes with extra muscle

Josh Kurtz // Maryland Matters

Gov. Wes Moore (D) began rolling out cabinet appointments a week after his election, and he's picked more than 20 individuals to head state agencies over the past 2 1/2 months, along with dozens of staffers to play key roles in his new administration.​