This past week, Governor Moore and Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller officially filed for reelection. Governor Moore also reaffirmed his commitment to fiscal responsibility in an opinion piece in the Baltimore Sun and attended the National Governors Association Winter Meeting.
Gov. Moore and Lt. Gov. Miller File For Reelection
On Monday, Governor Moore and Lieutenant Governor Miller “filled out their paperwork and were greeted by cheering supporters outside” of the Maryland State Board of Elections Office in Annapolis. The Baltimore Banner noted the Moore-Miller campaign’s unparalleled strength stating that Gov. Moore “has high name identification, solid approval ratings, the ability to get media coverage and more than $8 million in campaign funds.”
Gov. Moore Reaffirmed His Commitment To Fiscal Responsibility
Since day one, I have made responsible fiscal stewardship a defining principle of our work to deliver for Marylanders. At a time when the Trump-Vance administration has slashed 25,000 federal jobs from our state alone and squeezed both state budgets through thoughtless cuts and families’ budgets by hiking the cost of nearly everything — from groceries to energy — Marylanders deserve to know their state is as diligent with money as they are.
Over the past three years, we have made substantial progress in tightening Maryland’s fiscal management, but there is more work to be done.
Recent findings from the Office of Legislative Audits (OLA) have highlighted challenges within Maryland’s fiscal systems that are longstanding and rooted in outdated practices across multiple administrations. This context matters, but I do understand that while our administration didn’t create these challenges, it is our job to fix them. And if anything, it strengthens our resolve for moving faster.
My administration is already working in partnership with the House of Delegates and the Senate on shared solutions to resolve audit findings, improve financial compliance infrastructure and strengthen fiscal and operational oversight across state government. Through regular engagement with OLA and the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, state agencies are working to clarify expectations, improve oversight and implement lasting corrective actions. We are also working with our legislative partners on their proposed legislation to strengthen fiscal staff and improve existing financial compliance infrastructure.
The task is challenging yet clear: translate findings into fixes — and fix the systems that created the problems in the first place.
It is also important to understand what an audit is — and what it is not. OLA, which works for the General Assembly, regularly reviews every state agency on a set schedule — typically every three to four years — to ensure public dollars are managed appropriately and to determine whether an agency has complied with applicable laws and regulations. When audits uncover wrongdoing, fraud, waste or abuse, the state should — and does — move quickly to respond.
Just as important, audit reports do not always indicate wrongdoing or mismanagement. Oftentimes, it may simply point to outdated or misinterpreted laws or policy, unclear procedures or ways agencies can improve operations and better follow best practices. In essence, audits help us identify where we can strengthen, modernize and improve operations and fiscal practices.
Since taking office, my administration has taken urgent action to address hundreds of audit findings. Agencies have added staff in key roles, tightened oversight and improved processes and systems to better comply with state statutes, regulations and policies. The state has also built stronger coordination among audit and compliance leaders across agencies to share best practices and lessons learned.
These efforts are already showing results. For example, a 2025 OLA report found that the Maryland State Department of Education had no repeat findings for the first time in 10 years.
And in fact, this month, I directed my cabinet to review and enhance audit resolution procedures across state agencies to strengthen fiscal oversight and responsibility. My directive laid out a course of action: review unresolved audits, streamline how issues are fixed and analyze root problems so the state can use resources more wisely.
This directive reinforces the investments in my proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027. The proposal includes $24 million to resolve audit findings, expand fiscal leadership across agencies and replace the state’s outdated fiscal management system. Within that, $5 million is dedicated to staffing and support for agencies working to resolve findings going forward.
Prior to being elected governor, I ran not just one of the largest, but also the most effective poverty-fighting organizations in this country. I came to Annapolis with a focus on bringing that level of transparency and accountability to state government that has not always been present historically. And every year I have been in office, our state has passed balanced budgets and maintained strong bond ratings by focusing on discipline and long-term planning.
I know that sound budgets require strong systems — modern systems that help prevent mistakes, catch problems earlier and make accountability real. I remain committed to building a government that can tackle complex problems and deliver for our people. Marylanders rightfully expect and deserve nothing less.
Gov. Moore Attended The National Governors Association Winter Meeting
NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore in a showing of bipartisanship met at The Economic Club of Washington to highlight their economic development work and discuss bringing commonsense solutions to states across the country.
“The American Dream, to me, is this idea that it doesn’t matter who your parents are. We live in the greatest country in the world. You can accomplish anything you set your mind to.” – Governor Kevin Stitt, NGA Chair
“The priorities in Maryland might be different than the priorities in Oklahoma, and that’s OK. We all want to do right by the people of our states.” – Governor Wes Moore, NGA Vice Chair