At the MACo Winter Conference, an expert panel provided insight into the fiscal and policy challenges ahead of the 2025 General Assembly session. The panel discussed significant policies likely to take center stage during the session, including education reform, energy, housing, and more, as well as the role of counties in shaping Maryland’s future.
Addressing the State’s projected multibillion-dollar structural deficit—primarily driven by the costs of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future—will require a focus on strategic planning and collaboration. Tackling these challenges will demand tough decisions on policies like education, energy, and housing to balance fiscal responsibility with economic growth.
2025 MACo President Queen Anne’s County Commissioner Jack Wilson led the discussion and moderated a robust Q&A featuring bipartisan perspectives and priorities for the upcoming session.
At #MACoCon, legislative leaders and senior officials shared insights into the 2025 session. The conversation centered on #budget deficits, #education reform, fiscal responsibility, and #energy policy, with bipartisan perspectives on the challenges ahead.#MDpolitics #MDGA25 pic.twitter.com/OXD7okIdYb
— Kevin Kinnally (@KKinnally_MACo) December 16, 2024
Panel speakers included:
- Eric Luedtke, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Wes Moore
- The Honorable Craig Zucker, Chair, Senate Capital Budget Subcommittee
- The Honorable David Moon, House Majority Leader, Maryland House of Delegates
- The Honorable Stephen Hershey, Minority Leader, Maryland Senate
- The Honorable Jesse Pippy, Minority Whip, Maryland House of Delegates
Senior Policy Advisor Eric Luedtke emphasized the administration’s commitment to implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future but stressed the need for refinements to ensure it aligns with current fiscal realities.
Senate Capital Budget Subcommittee Chair Senator Craig Zucker highlighted the importance of collaborating with counties to make strategic investments through the capital budget. He emphasized that these investments are key to addressing fiscal challenges while supporting local growth.
House Majority Leader David Moon discussed Maryland’s stagnant population growth and underscored the importance of focusing on long-term solutions. He called for addressing systemic issues with comprehensive housing, energy, and workforce development policies.
Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey emphasized empowering local governments with decision-making authority, particularly in zoning for energy and housing. He also called for streamlining government and curbing spending to tackle the fiscal deficit responsibly.
House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy raised concerns about affordability for Maryland residents, citing rising costs, an energy crisis, and the challenges of balancing education funding with fiscal responsibility. He described the structural deficit as the most significant budgetary challenge since the Great Recession.
The session was on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, Maryland.
More about MACo’s Winter Conference:
