Gov. Wes Moore recently released the Moore-Miller administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal, in which he says he aims to grow the economy and make education, housing, health care and child care more affordable for Marylanders.
Moore says he will accomplish these goals with the $67.3 billion plan without raising Maryland’s sales or property tax and provide a tax cut to about two-thirds of Marylanders, according to a press release.
“We are guided by a single, clear principle: build an economy that grows the middle class and gives everyone a pathway to work, wages, and wealth,” Moore says in the press release. “We did not create this fiscal crisis, but we are determined to fix it.”
Moore says increasing funding for Maryland schools and job skills training will strengthen the state’s labor force.
Moore proposes allocating $9.7 billion to Maryland’s public schools, a record $401 million in funding for Maryland’s community colleges and more than $400 million to child care scholarships that will serve nearly 43,000 children this year, up from 16,000 children in 2022.
He wants to provide a $5 million increase for Maryland’s Employment Advancement Right Now grant program funding to address workforce skill gaps and employee shortages, which could support working parents. EARN Maryland provides jobseekers with job readiness training; in addition to GED preparation, literacy advancement and occupational skills development, it also includes transportation and child care.
Moore proposes expanding the child tax credit, which aims to provide financial relief for low-income parents and their children. The funds are primarily used for child care, food, housing and other essentials. Currently, Maryland’s child tax credit is reserved for the lowest-income families — those earning $6,000 or less per year — with restricted eligibility to families with children with disabilities.
Moore plans to give a tax cut to two-thirds of Marylanders, specifically middle-class and low-income families.
He also suggests allocating $122 million in local aid to protect police officers and increase funding for the Department of Juvenile Services, which aims to “provide pathways to success for youth and families” through various partnerships.
