June 16, 2025

On Saturday, I attended the ‘No Kings’ protest in Patterson Park. It was an inspiration to see well-over a thousand Baltimore neighbors gather alongside millions of Americans over the weekend to support our nation’s founding democratic principles. The fundamental rights of free speech and lawful assembly are guaranteed in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, but the recent and escalating actions by the Trump Administration are an attempt to chill the exercise of those rights.

I am immensely concerned by the federalizing of the California National Guard and deployment of hundreds of active duty U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, supposedly justified by unlawful or destructive acts of a few protestors. Any illegal behavior must be condemned and prosecuted according to the law. But, President Trump usurping a state’s constitutional authority by deploying federal military on American soil is dangerous overreach, especially when local law enforcement is fully capable of addressing the incidents.

U.S. District Court Judge Breyer ruled in California’s favor, determining that President Trump’s deployment of federal military to Los Angeles is illegal. In questioning the federal government’s attorneys during the hearing on Thursday, Judge Breyer noted “That’s the difference between a constitutional government and King George. It’s not that a leader can simply say something and then it becomes it.” That district court decision was temporarily paused so the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals can review it this week.

What’s unfolding in California won’t be isolated to the West Coast, as indicated by President Trump’s message last night that he is directing Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials to target Democrat-run cities in direct retribution to the protests this weekend. By blurring the line between peaceful dissent and insurrection, President Trump is opening the door for the use of force against Americans who are lawfully exercising their constitutional rights. We are facing an exceedingly dangerous time for our democracy — one in which the President is openly embracing the tactics and language of dictators, without any regard for legality or truth. The 9th Circuit must act swiftly.

On Saturday morning, we learned that a dedicated public servant and her spouse in Minnesota—former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband—were brutally assassinated in their home. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also seriously wounded in a coordinated, politically motivated ambush.

This wasn’t just a crime against individuals—it was an attack on our democratic core. We live in a time when public service is often met not with applause, but with malice—when civil discourse gives way to violent intent.

To the Hortman and Hoffman families, our hearts are broken alongside yours. To Senator Hoffman and his wife, we wish for a swift, full recovery.

And to every elected official and resident across America: take note. This is not protest—it is poison. It is not disagreement—it is depravity. We must call it what it is: a sickness born of hate.

We demand justice. We demand unity. And we refuse to let the contagious tide of political violence swallow the freedoms we must hold dear.

On Wednesday, I joined State and legislative leaders to announce $96 million in grants to expand student mental health services across Maryland. These awards — made possible through the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future — will reach every one of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions, supporting programs that are projected to serve over 165,000 students statewide.

We know our children cannot thrive in the classroom if they are struggling silently. That is why we’ve made behavioral health a central part of Maryland’s education strategy. As a former classroom educator, I know how powerful mental health care can be when it is embedded directly into the school environment. This investment affirms that commitment and continues the Maryland General Assembly’s work to meet the moment with urgency, equity, and care.

Last week, Secretary Vincent Schiraldi stepped down after two years leading the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). I’m grateful for his service and the commitment he brought to advancing reforms aimed at better supporting youth across our State. I wish him the very best in his next chapter.

This moment also marks a pivotal transition for an agency that sits at the center of public safety, accountability, and rehabilitation. I want to congratulate Betsy Tolentino on her appointment as Acting Secretary. She brings deep experience from within DJS and a clear understanding of how to run complex systems while keeping children’s needs at the forefront. I look forward to meeting with her soon to discuss how she plans to continue strengthening transparency, building partnerships, and improving outcomes for young people and families in every corner of Maryland.

The recent 5,000-gallon diesel spill into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor serves as a stark reminder of how quickly infrastructure failures can impact public spaces, ecosystems, and public confidence. The fuel, traced to an overfill at Johns Hopkins’ emergency generator tanks, moved through the stormwater system before turning the harbor a deep red. Thankfully, cleanup teams from City, State, and federal agencies mobilized quickly. 

The Inner Harbor sits in the heart of the 46th Legislative District and is a central part of Baltimore’s identity and economy. Protecting it means putting the right systems in place before the next crisis arrives. I’m grateful to the emergency responders and agency partners who acted swiftly to contain the damage to this critical ecosystem.

Thousands of Marylanders are feeling the impact of the abrupt federal workforce reductions ordered by the Trump Administration. These are our neighbors, veterans, and civil servants who spent their careers in service to the public, and are now bearing the brunt of decisions aimed at shrinking government without regard for potential impact. In response, the General Assembly passed the Protect Our Federal Workers Act to provide immediate support and safeguard working families.

Under the new law, laid-off federal employees in Maryland can now apply for a $700 interest-free loan to help bridge urgent financial gaps. The program is designed to offer immediate relief while families regain their footings. Eligible residents can apply through the Maryland Department of Labor, with flexible repayment terms based on their circumstances. This is part of a broader strategy to shield our residents from economic harm and connect them with new career pathways. We are not standing by while federal decisions upend lives.

To apply for the loan program, click here.

Beyond the alarming deployment of federal troops on American soil, it is nearly impossible to keep up with the pace at which news is being made at the national level.

A federal judge blocked the Trump Administration’s attempt to dismantle AmeriCorps in 24 states, including Maryland. This preserves over $21 million in critical services that help feed families, support students, and strengthen nonprofit organizations. The State of Maryland helped lead the legal challenge, and I applaud Attorney General Anthony Brown’s ongoing fight to protect these programs.

A federal appeals court also upheld an order requiring the U.S. Education Department to reverse mass firings and pause efforts to dismantle the agency. This ruling protects key services like student loans and special education. The court found the Administration’s actions to be both abrupt and unlawful, lacking the authority to unilaterally dismantle a cabinet-level department. 

In Maryland, residents are now facing the possibility of health insurance rate hikes, with proposed increases averaging 17% for individuals on the state exchange. These increases stem from federal subsidy cuts that put affordable coverage out of reach for working families. The General Assembly is exploring every option to protect access and prevent a backslide in care. Without intervention, up to 70,000 Marylanders could lose coverage entirely.

Immigration crackdowns are tearing through communities. A new travel ban is threatening international students, and two Marylanders, Kilmar Abrego Garcia and Melissa Tran, have become symbols of what happens when due process is ignored. Their stories are not isolated and reflect a broader erosion of rights happening in real time. 

Though the Maryland General Assembly has only so many levers at our disposal to counter these federal actions, we will never stop fighting to ensure Maryland remains a place where fairness, accountability, and the rule of law still hold.

It was a pleasure to join the Ridgely’s Delight Association to offer a brief recap of the 2025 Legislative Session. We discussed the serious fiscal challenges facing Maryland, the impact of recent federal actions, and the continued work required to support families and communities across the State.

I also attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for CRAVE, formerly known as Waffle-Licious, in Little Italy. With bubble waffles, crepes, and handmade ice cream on the menu, CRAVE brings new energy to a neighborhood already known for its warmth and hospitality. Congratulations to the team behind this sweet addition to the community.

I will continue joining neighborhood association meetings in the coming weeks and months throughout the 46th Legislative District. I appreciate these gatherings as a vital opportunity to stay connected to community concerns. They are a clear reflection of how deeply neighbors care about one another and the future of our City.

Maryland’s beloved Orange Crush became “official” on June 1, thanks to legislation passed by the General Assembly this April. The in-demand beverage beloved by O’s fans and anyone celebrating a summer night was said to be invented at Harborside Bar and Grille in Ocean City in 1995.

The Moore Administration announced a series of actions aimed at reducing spending in the State by nearly $400 million in the coming years. The cuts are part of a pledge to find $50 million in savings to offset the State’s structural  budget deficit. Almost $326 million could be saved over the next 25 years as part of an effort to shift employees out of State-owned buildings and into commercial office space. This data-driven approach will ultimately save taxpayers money and modernize government in a targeted way

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will fund a program to ensure Marylanders on the Eastern Shore have access to high-speed, affordable internet. The effort is part of an expansion of broadband funding throughout the State intended to close the “digital divide” in rural areas. Awards through the Home Stretch for Public Housing Broadband Grant Program provide funding to fix or upgrade internal wiring and provide common area Wi-Fi for municipally owned and nonprofit, low-income multi-dwelling units. 

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear an appeal of Maryland’s decade-old ban on assault weapons passed after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. The 4th Circuit ruled that the ban was constitutional because weapons such as the AK-47, AR-15, and Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle, “fall outside the ambit of protection offered by the Second Amendment because…they are military-style weapons designed for sustained combat operations that are ill-suited and disproportionate to the need for self-defense.” The Court’s refusal to hear the case means the 4th Circuit ruling stands, although multiple challenges are expected over the next few years.

Maryland joined a coalition of states suing the Trump Administration over its plan to allow the sale of  forced-reset triggers which enable semiautomatic rifles to fire more rapidly, and to return devices previously seized to their owners. The lawsuit asserts that returning the devices would violate federal law, pose a threat to residents and law enforcement, and worsen gun violence. Legal battles are ongoing over the devices, which replace the typical trigger on an AR-15-style rifle, essentially creating an illegal machine gun.

Baltimore celebrated '50 Shades of Pride' this weekend. Thousands filled the streets of Charles Village on Saturday for the 50th annual Baltimore Pride parade. At a time when LGBTQA+ members, particularly transgender people, face attacks that threaten their basic human rights, Marylanders came out to joyfully demonstrate their  commitment to inclusion, diversity, and advocacy. Last Session, the General Assembly strengthened measures to protect gay and transgender Marylanders by ensuring the State’s shield laws prohibit physicians from turning over patient information regarding sensitive health services.

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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