Recently, Governor Wes Moore put forward legislation to stop price gouging at grocery stores, he introduced a bill to lower utility bills, he proposed a budget that focuses on ‘safety, education and affordability,’ a former Baltimore City Police Lieutenant said he is ‘doubling down on public safety,’ and he announced Maryland overdose deaths have fallen to a 10 year low.
Governor Wes Moore Wants To Stop Price Gouging
Dynamic pricing is already changing the way that you pay for ride share, flights, even sports tickets. But now, there’s a fear that it could come for your groceries next.
We’re talking about price gouging at the grocery store, and that’s exactly what Maryland Governor Wes Moore says he wants to stop with some new legislation.
These electronic shelf labels are already in some stores. Retailers are using algorithms to map and respond to consumer behavior–meaning food prices could change by the hour, based on demand and by the product, even on the weather.
Governor Moore wants to ban dynamic pricing and block stores from using surveillance data to track shoppers and raise prices. Now, he would also require grocery store prices to remain fixed for at least one business day.
“The same algorithms that can predict what we need can also be weaponized to exploit. This is not a fair market–this is a stacked deck. This is about profit squeezing.”
Violations would be treated as an unfair or deceptive trade practice, and the Maryland State Attorney General’s Office would be enforcing it.
Gov. Moore Introduced Legislation To Lower Utility Bills
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WBFF) — Governor Wes Moore has announced the Lower Bills and Local Power Act, a key component of the administration’s 2026 legislative agenda to combat rising utility costs and promote affordable local energy in Maryland.
The administration says the legislation helps secure funding for local clean energy projects, modernize the electric grid, and provide additional energy bill rebates for Maryland families.
“Energy policy is about more than megawatts and transmission corridors—it is about whether Maryland families can afford to live in their homes,” said Gov. Moore. The governor emphasized the administration’s commitment to delivering real relief by reducing utility bills and investing in local projects to make energy more reliable and affordable.
The Lower Bills and Local Power Act uses nearly $200 million to help lower energy costs, including $100 million for new utility bill rebates this fall, in addition to rebates already delivered through the Next Generation Energy Act.
To modernize Maryland’s transmission grid, the act requires utility companies to prioritize advanced technologies. The legislation also allocates $10 million for the Maryland Department of Transportation to identify opportunities for high-voltage transmission lines and battery storage projects along state and interstate highways.
“The Maryland Department of Transportation is a proud partner and supporter of the Moore-Miller Administration’s efforts to modernize the state’s energy grid and lower energy costs,” said Acting Secretary Katie Thomson.
To support local energy generation, the legislation creates a $70 million Solar and Energy Storage Gap Financing Program to fund clean energy projects and offset recent federal tax credit cuts.
“The Moore-Miller Administration is committed to moving as quickly as possible to a more affordable, reliable, clean energy system,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Kelly Speakes-Backman.
The act also eliminates the current 0.5% incentive that allows utilities to collect additional profits and mandates that utility companies join Maryland’s regional transmission organization, PJM Interconnection. This mandate is expected to save Maryland families tens of millions of dollars annually.
“In the face of rapidly rising utility bills, our state leaders need to scrutinize every cost that is being charged to ratepayers,” said Maryland Public Interest Research Group Senior Advisor Emily Scarr.
The legislation builds upon previous actions by the Moore-Miller Administration to lower energy costs, including the Building an Affordable and Reliable Energy Future executive order and the delivery of $200 million in energy rebates.
Gov. Moore Proposed A Budget Focused On ‘Safety, Education And Affordability
As Maryland looks to address a $1.4 billion budget shortfall, Governor Wes Moore announced Tuesday he wants to increase spending on public safety and education as he unveiled his proposed FY 2027 budget.
Blaming the cuts by the Trump administration on the federal workforce for the budget gap, Moore said he will not raise taxes and fees on Marylanders.
“We know the realities of what this means. We know the numbers. And Maryland is going to be forced to do more with less,” Moore said. “Being fiscally responsible and being fiscally disciplined does not mean we stop investing in what matters most to the people of the state of Maryland. But it does mean that we are going to be more targeted, we’re going to be more data-driven about how we invest.”
Instead his proposal balances the budget with targeted cuts and transfers from other state funds into the general fund. Moore said it will maintain the Rainy Day Fund at 8 percent and cut operating expenses by $154 million.
As the budget now goes into the hands of the General Assembly, Moore called on state lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to work together to address the state’s budget woes.
“They’re counting on us to tackle everyday problems with discipline, with persistence, with bold and tangible solutions, not just today, but for our tomorrow,” Moore said. “They’re counting on us to make sure that from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore, everybody is seen inside the budget that we are laying out. That this is a time to prove that we are not going to do politics as usual here.”
…
Key Highlights
Public Safety
- Record $124.1 million for law enforcement through the State Aid for Police Protection Program.
- $10.6 million to expand community-based programs for justice-involved youth.
- $30 million to support aging correctional facilities statewide.
Lowering Costs
- $306 million for clean and renewable energy programs to help lower utility bills.
- $414 million to sustain the Child Care Scholarship Program and $32 million to combat child poverty through the ENOUGH initiative.
- Major investments in affordable housing, including funding for vacant property redevelopment, rental housing, and homeownership assistance.
Community Revitalization
- $73.7 million for 252 revitalization projects across Maryland, with nearly two-thirds directed to historically underserved “Just Communities.”
Economic Competitiveness
Continued investment in making Maryland the “Capital of Quantum,” including funding for IonQ’s new headquarters, quantum research facilities, and workforce development.
More than $100 million in targeted business tax cuts and investments to diversify the state’s economy.
Funding for major projects expected to create thousands of jobs, including Sphere at National Harbor and expansions by AstraZeneca, which the governor says will bring 2,500 jobs during the construction phase, 4,750 jobs once operational, and is expected to generate $1 billion in economic impact annually.
Education
A historic $10.2 billion investment in K-12 education, a $373.8 million increase over FY 2026.
Increased funding for school construction, literacy and math coaching, community schools, and efforts to reduce teacher vacancies.
The administration says it will continue working with the General Assembly to finalize a balanced budget that delivers results for Maryland families while investing in long-term growth.
Retired Baltimore City Police Lieutenant Highlights Gov. Moore’s Public Safety Record
I served in the Baltimore City Police Department for 25 years and proudly retired as a lieutenant at the end of my career. I’ve seen many leaders in the state, but it’s clear to me that Gov. Wes Moore’s approach to public safety is one that’s finally working.
Our officers care about our community as much as anyone. They, just like everyone else, want nothing more than for people to feel safe in their homes — Gov. Moore is giving them the tools to get it done.
The governor has led the charge three years in a row to deliver record funding to our local law enforcement — with over $50 million toward Baltimore alone, as well as $10.8 million to the state attorney’s office. And, now we’ve learned that he’s proposing to do it again for the fourth year in a row with a record $124.1 million in funding in his proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget.
This funding has led to results. Since Moore has been in office, homicides are down 44% statewide, 58% in Baltimore City and 39% in Prince George’s County. Non-fatal shootings have declined 40% statewide since he took office. And robberies went down more than 25% statewide in 2025.
But this isn’t just because we are funding our local law enforcement, it’s because the state is uplifting our communities and the organizations that support them.
The governor’s ENOUGH Initiative continues to support community-driven action to address poverty at its root causes by providing grants to over 28 communities. He has strengthened access to mental and behavioral health supports while also maintaining support for nonprofit and faith-based organizations to help protect against hate crimes. He has signed legislation like Eric’s ID Law, which allows individuals with hidden disabilities like autism to voluntarily add a symbol on their license that will help first responders and the public understand their needs for safer, more informed interactions.
Our communities are safer and stronger under Gov. Wes Moore, but he knows that while we’ve made historic results, the work is not done yet — that’s why this year he’s doubling down to ensure we continue seeing these results all across our state.
Tiffany Brown is a retired Baltimore Police Department lieutenant.
Gov. Moore Announces Maryland Overdose Deaths Falling for Fourth Straight Year, Reaching 10-Year Low
ANNAPOLIS — Gov. Wes Moore has announced the latest provisional data from Maryland’s Overdose Data Dashboard, which show that drug overdose deaths decreased by 26 percent last year—marking the fourth consecutive year of reported decreases in the state. There were 1,315 overdose deaths in the state in 2025, representing the lowest level seen in the last 10 years and a 53 percent decrease from the state’s historic high of 2,800 in 2021.
“Maryland continues to show that our partnerships with local communities are invaluable in our efforts to reduce overdoses across the state,” said Moore. “We have more work to do—but by working together, we will continue to fight for those seeking recovery.”
Decreases were seen broadly across all major drug categories and all demographic groups. The number of fentanyl-related overdose deaths decreased by 31 percent, falling from 1,314 in 2024 to 906 last year. Fatal overdoses also decreased by 31 percent among non-Hispanic Black Marylanders, falling from 812 in 2024 to 563; and by 22 percent among non-Hispanic whites, falling from 789 to 618.
“While we continue to lose too many of our loved ones, our progress to reduce overdoses and save lives is significant, and we owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who shows up every day to meet people where they are and make connections to substance use care,” said Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. “This work starts at the ground level, with dedicated partners continuing their efforts to foster relationships and make connections to services that protect the health and well-being of those with substance use disorders.”
Overdose deaths among non-Hispanic Black men aged 55 and over—the most impacted demographic group in terms of population size—fell to 98.6 per 100,000 individuals from 138.1 in 2024. Despite last year’s decline, overdose rates for this group were three times higher than the rate among white men in the same age group.
To ensure that all Maryland communities are connected to care, the Maryland Overdose Response Advisory Council is continuing to prioritize community engagement to inform strategies that reduce overdoses while driving down disparities.
“Everyone deserves access to substance use recovery, and Maryland is working to ensure that our constituents have multiple pathways to care,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. “From our crisis services that give Marylanders a no-wrong-door way to access help to efforts that make treatment and recovery services easier to find, we are continuing to enhance our support structures so that anyone seeking help has the opportunity to access care whenever they are ready to take the first step toward lasting recovery.”
Data from the dashboard also showed that Overdose Response Programs in Maryland distributed a record number of doses of naloxone, a medication used to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. More than 440,000 doses of naloxone were distributed in 2025. Maryland also distributed over 272,000 drug test strips, another annual record for the state.
Marylanders who are struggling with substance use or are experiencing a behavioral health crisis are encouraged to call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to speak with someone who can help. Individuals can find a variety of treatment options in their areas using the 988 locator tool at search.988.mdinfonet.org.
“Every Marylander can be an important part of our efforts to reduce overdoses,” said Maryland Special Secretary of Overdose Response Emily Keller. “Every year, hundreds of lives are saved by everyday people who thankfully know what to do in a crisis. I encourage everyone to learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose and how to administer the overdose reversal medication, naloxone. We can all save a life, and we can all make a difference.”
The data on the Overdose Data Dashboard is preliminary. Counts may increase pending the outcome of outstanding death investigations.
Information about how to respond to an overdose and how to find and use naloxone can be found at StopOverdose.maryland.gov/naloxone.
Contact: Carter Elliott, IV [email protected]