John,

Yesterday, I had the honor of delivering the official State of the State address as your 63rd Governor of Maryland.

For almost three years, I have traveled our state, talking to Marylanders from every region, every race, every creed, in many of your districts, and I listened to what they had to say.

They are worried about our economy, and whether they can keep pace with the cost-of-living. They worry about safety in their communities. Families struggle to find affordable child care and Pre-K. People of all ages get lost in the maze of behavioral health crises and trauma.

Yet, despite the challenges, the Marylanders I talked to were not only fast to offer solutions but expressed a deep desire to be a part of the solution.

They were the first to organize a food drive at their local school. They raised their hands to watch the kids in the neighborhood. They are willing to work in our local government and our state government.

In short, Marylanders are ready to serve.

I am only here right now because people in my life who stepped up even when they were not called. People who served, even if they did not call it that. People who were willing to sacrifice in the moment for the hope of a better tomorrow.

The teachers, who gave me the tools to think for myself. The coaches who pushed me, even when I wanted to stop. The ministers who prayed for me and my family, even when there was no clear path forward. And the school counselors who helped me see a horizon I was not ready to see for myself.

This state is full of those individuals. People who refuse to quit, who lift you up when you are down, and who will spark a light in yourself even if it only glimmers in the dark. This state was built by them. Built by people who stepped up to serve.

Whether you are in Oakland or Ocean City, in Hagerstown or Havre de Grace, one of the things we can all agree on, is that we’ve got work to do. This is a state where the opportunities are boundless, but the challenges are undeniable.

It is also a state where there is no obstacle we cannot address, no challenge we cannot tackle, no hill we cannot climb, if we are intentional, move in partnership, and commit to promoting service as a state ideal.

On day one of my administration, I ordered the creation of the Department of Service and Civic Innovation. This was not a stunt. This was not because it sounded nice. This was because it is a fundamental part of who I am, and it’s in the DNA of this state.

Our order consolidates and elevates the agencies of state government that support service opportunities. We need to follow it with legislation to create a Service Year Option. While our young people give back, they also lay the foundation for their future success through job training and mentorship programs, and create a lifelong habit of service to our state. Something we so desperately need.

Whether they’re preparing our state for climate change, tutoring our students, or caring for the sick, young people should have the option to perform important service today and build a foundation for our shared future. This is the first effort of its kind in the nation, and Maryland will lead the way.

It is time for our state to be bold, but that doesn’t mean we are being reckless. Our administration has put forth a plan to make historic investments in people, AND it spends $1 billion less than the last fiscal year.

We made the largest investment in public education by any governor in our state’s history AND introduced $200 million in targeted tax relief for children in poverty and veterans in retirement.

We put forward a plan to make Maryland the first state to end child poverty, AND we kept 10% in the rainy day fund. Let’s put an end to the belief that we cannot invest in the future today, while also preparing for the uncertainty of tomorrow. It’s Just. Not. True.

Together, we can ensure every child in Maryland receives a high-quality public education, while making sure their teachers and staff are supported with the resources and compensation they deserve. We can make our communities safer while building more trust in law enforcement. We can make this a state where everyone from young people to veterans to small-business owners to retirees want to stay and can thrive.

These are all collective goals, and collective ideas, and the only way we will accomplish them, is collectively.

Thank you for being a part of this movement to create a Maryland that leaves no one behind. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish, together.

Elevate,

Wes

Use of military rank, job titles and photographs in uniform do not imply endorsement from the Department of Defense.

By Authority: Wes Moore for Maryland, Mary Tydings, Treasurer
Wes Moore for Maryland
PO Box 50123
Baltimore, MD 21211
United States
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