Gov. Wes Moore is running for reelection this year as Maryland continues to face challenges, such as federal funding cuts, immigration enforcement and a looming $1.4 billion budget deficit.

Wednesday marked the start of the final legislative session of Moore’s first term.

The Maryland General Assembly is expected to focus on a number of key issues during its 90-day session, including the state’s debt, actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, public safety initiatives and education.

In an interview with WTOP anchors Anne Kramer and Shawn Anderson, Moore said the budget deficit will impact decisions.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks with WTOP about his last legislative session during his first term as governor

“I’m going to introduce a balanced budget that is actually going to be, the general fund is going to be smaller than the year before, so we are actually going to decrease the size of our spending,” Moore said, noting that it will not include tax or fee increases.

He noted that manufacturing and private sector investments, from corporations such as Samsung Biologics and AstraZeneca, will support jobs and the state economy.

“We’re going to diversify our economy off of Washington, D.C. We are going to make sure we’re spending smartly and wisely, and not spending on things that are either not effective or not sustainable,” he said.

Moore gave WTOP no clues into which programs may see reduced funding when he rolls out the budget next week, but hinted at some “very real investments in public education” and public safety.

“You will see where my priorities are laid out, and you’ll also be able to see the things that we just believe, either because of efficacy or sustainability, did not make the cut,” he said.

In regards to the contract buyouts for hundreds of state employees last year, Moore said those were necessary to have the “most efficient and effective government possible.”

Some Republican members of the General Assembly have said they intend to watch what Moore does with one word in mind — affordability. At a news briefing Tuesday, minority leaders in the House and Senate announced a planned proposal to introduce an oversight panel to investigate findings from audits into state agencies where the mishandling of funds may have occurred.

GOP leaders also pointed to rising utility bills and financial concerns they’ve heard from constituents.

“One of the bills that I’m introducing is actually helping to address the rising costs of energy bills,” Moore told WTOP. “So if they want to have a serious conversation about energy prices, then I’m ready to have a serious conversation about including things like solar, wind, nuclear technologies and nuclear energy, because these are things that are going to, not just effectively, efficiently, but also in a very speedy and affordable way, be able to increase the supply that we have on energy.”

He touted the lowered teacher vacancy rate, investments into local law enforcement and the subsequent drop in violent crimes as examples of these “smart investments.”

“Eighteen of the last 21 budgets in the state of Maryland have required cuts in order to balance. And so, we’ve got to get away from this idea that we invest based on formulas and start investing based on results,” Moore said.

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A man who allegedly stole seven puppies in a Maryland county had pretended to purchase them before returning for the theft, according to charging documents obtained by WJZ.

Charging documents say 28-year-old Kahili Hines stole the puppies from a Harford County apartment before selling them outside of Arundel Mills Mall.

“In my experience, we have not had a theft involving a litter of puppies, so this was definitely unique,” said Aberdeen Police Captain Will Reiber.

Hines is facing charges of burglary and theft.  

Reiber told WJZ this theft is unlike any case he’s seen before.

“Our detectives, through the course of the investigation, were able to narrow down a suspect, and through that it was determined that the dogs were potentially sold in the area of Arundel Mills Mall in Anne Arundel County,” Reiber said.

The alleged puppy theft

On Nov. 14, the alleged victim, who was selling the puppies for his sister, got a call from an acquaintance about her nephew wanting to purchase one of the puppies, according to charging documents.

The two came over to see the animals, and the nephew, identified as Hines, said he had to leave to get money to pay for the puppy.

According to the documents, the victim then fell asleep, and when he woke up hours later, “he observed all seven puppies, along with the mother dog, missing from his apartment.”

“The relationships between animals and humans, it’s a very strong bond,” Reiber said. “And I can only imagine as a dog owner myself what it would feel like to go through that separation from your puppy, something you’ve just brought into the world and want to sell and do the best for.”

On Nov. 30, the victim, the victim’s sister, and the acquaintance all FaceTimed, and the acquaintance told them her nephew had the puppies, according to charging documents.

Weeks later, the victim identified Hines as the man who came to his apartment showing interest in the puppies on Nov. 14.

Puppies sold outside of Maryland mall

Hines was arrested and told investigators he sold the puppies from a wagon outside of Arundel Mills Mall.

“We believe those puppies are still out there,” Reiber said. “We are not trying to recover the dogs and take them from the new relationships that have been formed. The owner of the puppies just wants to make sure the puppies have found a safe home and also we would love to get the details form anyone that purchased a puppy to find out where the animal was purchased, and more details into how they came into possession of the dog.”

Anyone with information should call the Aberdeen Police Department.