January 13, 2025

Wednesday marked the Opening Day of the 447th Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly and my sixth session as President of the Senate. I was honored to welcome senators, elected officials from every level of our government, and Marylanders from around the state to the Senate Chamber, reflecting on the privilege and immense responsibility of serving Maryland’s 6.3 million residents. It was particularly meaningful to acknowledge our new Senate colleagues and the families who joined us for Opening Day and make this work possible. Public service is a shared journey that relies on love and dedication from those closest to us.

The beginning of the 2025 Legislative Session also reminded me of the Senate’s capacity to put partisanship aside to tackle major issues, just like we did in the final days last Session. The tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and its aftermath tested our resolve, but the swift passage of the PORT Act demonstrated this body’s commitment to addressing Marylanders' needs in times of crisis. The same spirit of collaboration that allowed the PORT Act to become law in record time will be essential as we face a $3 billion budget deficit this year. Although an undoubtable challenge, it is also an opportunity to modernize our fiscal policies and reaffirm our commitment to the values that make our State thrive.

Those values were on display last week when we cut the ribbon on the new Department of Legislative Services building, a project that came in on time and under budget. This building, which is more than just a physical space, represents our dedication to equipping Maryland’s public servants with the tools to deliver real results for our State’s residents. As we embark on these next 90 days, I am confident that the Senate and entire General Assembly will rise to meet every challenge with the deliberative and forward-thinking leadership that Marylanders deserve.

Every year comes with changes to our Senate membership. That was especially true following the 2024 Presidential Election as new United States Representatives Sarah Elfreth and Johnny Olszewski were elected to Congress. On Monday, I had the honor of swearing in Senator Shaneka Henson, the new senator for Maryland’s 30th Legislative District, replacing former Senator Elfreth. She brings a wealth of experience from her time in the House of Delegates and her background as a lawyer and community advocate.

At the same time, we sadly bid farewell to Senator Kathy Klausmeier, the dean of the Senate, who was selected by the Baltimore County Council to serve as County Executive through the duration of the current term. She served with distinction as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and represented the 8th Legislative District for nearly 30 years. County Executive Klausmeier’s expertise will undoubtedly benefit the residents of Baltimore County as she takes on this new role. 

The turnover in our chamber also created opportunities for key members of the Senate to assume new leadership roles. I hope you will join me in congratulating Senator Antonio Hayes who was appointed as vice chair of the Finance Committee, as well as Senator Clarence Lam who became chair of the Executive Nominations Committee. 

Senators Hayes and Lam are essential members of my leadership team and have dedicated years to honorably serving their communities. I am especially proud of the increasing representation of our committee leadership to match the diversity of our State’s residents, as Senator Lam makes history to become the first Asian American to serve as a Senate standing committee chair.

A full write up of committee leadership and assignment changes effective this Session can be found here.

The beginning of every legislative session also comes with the introduction of hundreds of bills, some pre-filed and some that recently came back from bill drafting, that the General Assembly will consider during our 90-days in Annapolis. Thanks to The Baltimore Sun for this early and helpful write up of bills already assigned to standing committees for hearings and deliberation.

Despite a challenging fiscal environment, legislators from around the State are tackling our most pressing issues. A few examples include:

• A bill to address food deserts, seeking to bring grocery stores and pharmacies to underserved areas, ensuring that seniors and single parents have better access to essential goods;

• Senate Bill 161, the Driver Education and Career Education Act of 2025, which would increase funding for career and driver’s education programs;

• Senate Bill 154, to strengthen access to counsel for low-income Marylanders in eviction proceedings; and 

• Senate Bill 252, legislation offered by the Maryland State Department of Education to address staffing ratios in child care centers.

One of my top personal priorities for the 46th Legislative District is passage of the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2025 to remove waste incineration from the Maryland Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard. As energy bills are set to increase in the coming months, it’s especially critical that we only subsidize true clean energy instead of dirty sources like the WIN Waste trash incinerator in South Baltimore.

Although the idea of allowing beer and wine sales in Maryland grocery stores gained greater attention recently, it will be exceedingly difficult if not impossible to move forward this year as we must prioritize issues like balancing the State budget and strengthening Maryland’s energy grid. Governor Wes Moore, who initially voiced support for the proposal, since signaled that he will not actively push the measure this year, citing the significant political and economic challenges facing the General Assembly. Like the Governor, I understand why many Marylanders support the convenience of buying beer and wine while grocery shopping. Unfortunately, this issue is far more nuanced than it appears.

Small, family-owned liquor stores are vital to our communities and economy. These businesses would face significant challenges if the market was disrupted by large grocery chains. At the same time, there could be broader reverberations on Maryland manufacturers of beer, wine, and spirits. Local liquor stores often dedicate shelf space to in-State- manufactured products at a higher rate than grocery stores. 

I am broadly supportive of the idea of allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores, but only if the relevant stakeholders can reach a compromise that strikes a balance between increasing consumer convenience and the livelihoods of small business owners. I am hopeful this compromise will emerge in the coming years after we address the acute and immediate challenges that will dominate the 2025 Legislative Session.

The groundbreaking for a new cable manufacturing facility in South Baltimore marks a significant leap in Maryland’s renewable energy future. This project, led by the Greek-based company Hellenic Cables, will create 120 new jobs at a site in Wagner’s Point. The factory will manufacture specialized undersea cables essential for offshore wind energy, positioning Baltimore as a key player in this growing industry. 

Delegates Luke Clippinger, Robbyn Lewis, Mark Edelson, and I worked closely with Hellenic Cables with this project from the outset. We are proud of our efforts to secure federal funding and an agreement with U.S. Wind, the developer of Maryland’s first offshore wind project, to bring this vision to life.

Offshore wind has the potential to be transformative for Baltimore’s economy, with planned developments throughout the eastern seaboard relying on the cables produced at this new site. While challenges remain, including community concerns and federal policy uncertainties, this facility signals Baltimore’s ability to attract cutting-edge industries. It also demonstrates the importance of collaboration—between business, government, and local stakeholders—in building a more sustainable and prosperous future for our State.

Thanks to community driven efforts and the incredible work of the Baltimore Police Department, the 46th Legislative District made significant progress in reducing crime over the past year, with notable declines across several categories. Homicides dropped by 50% and shootings decreased by nearly 45%. Other major categories, including robberies, aggravated assaults, and auto thefts, also saw substantial declines. 

As you have likely heard me say countless times in recent years, nothing else matters if Baltimoreans and Marylanders don’t feel safe. I am proud of the work the legislature has played in recent years to increase funding and mandate greater collaboration between executive agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. Initiatives to reduce violence and broader crime are bearing fruit, though there’s much work still to be done.

As we celebrate this progress, those of us in positions of public trust must recommit our efforts to ensuring these gains are sustained and improved on in the years ahead. Despite this progress, too many residents do not feel safer when conducting daily tasks in our neighborhoods. We will tirelessly continue to advance efforts that make our communities safer and more vibrant for every family in the 46th Legislative District and all of Baltimore City.

Baltimore’s Metro system will see improvements with the introduction of 78 new railcars, a $557 million investment aiming to address long standing issues with delays and mechanical failures on the aging system. The Maryland Transit Administration also plans to develop areas around Metro stations to improve accessibility and attract new riders. These changes are expected to improve reliability and efficiency for the system’s users.

Maryland remains a resource for individuals throughout the region following Roe v. Wade being overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Women’s Health Center in Cresaptown opened in September 2023 and quickly saw an influx of residents from neighboring states like West Virginia, where abortion access is limited. The clinic provides reproductive health care, including abortion services, as well as other medical services. 

Gwynns Falls Park is set to become Baltimore’s first State park through a partnership involving the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, and the Scott administration. As one of the largest urban woodland parks in the country, Gwynns Falls will benefit from shared management and enhanced resources to improve access and amenities for residents and visitors. This initiative builds on the legacy of former Senator Jill P. Carter, whose leadership helped lay the groundwork for this transformative project. Planning efforts for the park are underway, with a Stakeholder Advisory Committee guiding priorities and recommendations expected by late-2025.

The Highway to Nowhere in West Baltimore will receive $85 million in federal funding from the Reconnecting Communities Program for redevelopment. Built in the 1970s, the highway displaced thousands of residents and divided neighborhoods. Redevelopment plans include removing ramps, constructing a cap over a section of the highway, and improving neighborhood access and safety.

Mayor Brandon Scott recently proposed eliminating Baltimore’s Board of Estimates, a five-member body that oversees the city’s spending decisions. This proposal follows decades of discussions about restructuring the board to align Baltimore’s financial governance with other major cities in an effort to streamline decision-making processes.

Baltimore-based Constellation Energy secured more than $1 billion in federal contracts to supply electricity to 13 government agencies over the next decade. The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded Constellation an $840 million contract, the largest energy procurement in GSA history. The contracts will provide more than one million megawatt hours annually and support the expansion of carbon-free nuclear energy capacity. Additional agreements include a $172 million contract for energy conservation measures at facilities in Washington and College Park.

If there is anything we can do to help, please do not hesitate to contact my office via email, bill.ferguson@senate.state.md.us, or by phone, 410-841-3600.

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