Maryland
Moore announces focus on AI, updating state computer systems – Maryland Matters
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is calling for comprehensive upgrades to aging and antiquated government computer systems that can be paired with artificial intelligence to improve government services.
Moore (D), in an announcement Monday, signed an executive order laying out guiding principles for integrating AI technology in state government as well as efforts to upgrade aging systems and make government services more accessible online for people with disabilities. The governor likened his initiative to a software update for state government.
“Think about it this way: My iPhone asks me to update it like every eight weeks. But we have not updated the way that government works in the past eight years. How can we win the next decade if the tools that we have to win the decade are the tools for last decade?” said Moore.
“So today, the state of Maryland is getting a software update,” he said.
The executive order signed by Moore, the 24th issued by the governor since taking office, establishes “guard rails” for the use of AI technology in state government. The order also creates a sub-cabinet focused on the technology and promoting its use within state agencies.
Maryland Department of Information Technology Secretary Katie Savage. Photo by Bryan P. Sears.
“Maryland state government is at the starting line of its AI journey,” said Department of Information Technology Secretary Katie Savage. “We must ensure that our approach to the set of technologies is responsible and productive and cohesive across all our agencies. The executive order establishes a set of principles and values we will adhere to, along with the governing body and an accountability plan.”
Moore also announced the creation of the Maryland Digital Service and a state cybersecurity task force.
The Maryland Digital Service within the Department of Information and Technology will focus efforts on website and application design.
The cybersecurity task force will work to create an overall approach to cybersecurity issues for state agencies. Included on the panel will be representatives of the Department of Information Technology, the Maryland Military Department, and the Maryland Department of Emergency Management in coordination with the state Office of Homeland Security.
Moore also announced efforts to upgrade state agency systems and websites will ensure equal access to people with disabilities.
“The goal of these initiatives is to make Maryland more competitive through automation while ensuring our technology is secure and accessible, so we leave no one behind,” said Savage.
The announcement was met with praise from lawmakers who have already been working on AI and cybersecurity issues and modernizing the state’s computer systems.
“The governor seems focused on this,” said Del Anne Kaiser, (D-Montgomery) House co-chair of the Joint Committee Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Biotechnology. “We need people to ensure that he and the administration stay focused on it.”
Sen. Katie Fry Hester (D-Howard and Montgomery) Senate co-chair of the Joint Committee Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Biotechnology, called the executive order and related announcement “vision setting.”
“It sets the tone,” she said. “It says that the technology is here. It’s an opportunity. If we don’t jump on the bandwagon, we’re going to be left behind. It sets out the six principles, which I think are pretty good.”
But, she added: “I always find that things with timelines and budgets move more quickly around here.”
Still, there are unanswered questions. State officials will need to iron out details on what data might be collected from users through AI technology, how users will be informed of that data collection and what the state will do to protect any information it does collect.
Also, not immediately addressed are concerns for how the technology could be used by law enforcement.
Modernizing state computer systems so they are compatible with artificial intelligence is not an inexpensive proposition.
Sen. Katie Fry Hester (D-Howard). Photo by Danielle E. Gaines.
The effort may also face tough sledding as the governor and legislature address budget shortfalls in five-year fiscal forecast. Also, there is a need to shore up funding for transportation projects and many other expensive programs including a plan to improve the state’s K-12 education system.
Savage, when asked about the costs, said agencies “already have a budget in place for major IT development projects across the state.”
Some estimates place the total cost of modernization in the billions of dollars.
Five years ago, then Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced a modernization of computer systems within the state’s social services agencies. The move away from antiquated to cloud-based systems was estimated to cost $200 million in the first year.
Hester said the state has spent $800 million on those MD Think upgrades over five years. She estimated that roughly 40% of the state’s remaining computer systems will need upgrades.
“Modernizing our legacy systems will cost billions over the next 10 years,” said Fry Hester.
That price tag outpaces the state’s current budgeting for such projects. Between fiscal 2015 and 2024, the state budgeted an average of $65.3 million. That money paid only for system modernization, and nothing related to artificial intelligence, said Hester.
“It adds up,” she said.
Maryland
Gas prices surge in Maryland, provoking debate on what to do about it
Author Stephanie Fowler talks about her new book, ‘Into the Night’
Author Stephanie Fowler has released her third book “Into the Night”. It’s a true crime work on the 1968 double homicide at the Wicomico County jail.
Gas prices are surging in Maryland, and state officials are beginning to weigh in on a potential gas tax suspension.
The price jump occured after the United States and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran beginning on Feb. 28, 2026.
Average gasoline prices in Maryland have risen 25.2 cents per gallon within the last week, now averaging $3.86/g, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 2,167 stations in the state.
Prices in Maryland are 87.7 cents per gallon higher than one month ago, and stand 85.1 cents per gallon higher than one year ago, GasBuddy shared.
As of March 25, gas prices in Salisbury are between $3.73/g and $3.99/g. The current lowest reported cost, $3.73/g, was found at Sam’s Club at 2700 North Salisbury Boulevard.
“Gas prices continued to rise nationwide over the last week as seasonal factors, combined with ongoing supply concerns tied to the continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, pushed both gasoline and diesel prices sharply higher,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said.
“It now appears increasingly likely that the national average price of gasoline will reach the $4-per-gallon mark — potentially as early as this week — for the first time since 2022, while diesel prices are surging to multi-year highs, with some markets nearing record territory,” De Haan continued.
Gas price averages in Maryland over the last five years
Here’s a closer look at the historical gasoline prices in Maryland and the national average within the last five years, according to GasBuddy:
- March 23, 2025: $3.00/g (U.S. Average: $3.08/g)
- March 23, 2024: $3.56/g (U.S. Average: $3.53/g)
- March 23, 2023: $3.26/g (U.S. Average: $3.42/g)
- March 23, 2022: $3.79/g (U.S. Average: $4.23/g)
- March 23, 2021: $2.84/g (U.S. Average: $2.86/g)
Will Maryland suspend its gas tax? Officials weigh in
Ammar Moussa, a spokesperson for Maryland Govenor Wes Moore, weighed in on the state’s potential gas tax suspension:
“Marylanders need real relief, not a 30-day gas tax suspension that would blow a $100 million hole in our transportation budget at the same time we’re working to close Maryland’s budget shortfall. If Maryland Republicans are serious about lowering costs, they should pick up the phone and call Donald Trump and tell him to end this missionless war — instead of asking Maryland taxpayers to help pay for it.
“This war is costing more than a billion dollars a day and driving up the price of oil, fuel, and everyday goods. The best way to bring prices down is to address the source of the pain, not shift the cost of Donald Trump’s war onto Maryland families.”
Nicole Beus Harris, Chairwoman of the Maryland Republican Party, shared her thoughts next with Delmarva Now:
“We know Wes Moore thinks about the White House 24/7, but his responsibility, just like Republicans in the General Assembly, is to make state policy. A temporary pause of the state gas tax is a commonsense solution to this temporary crisis, but we’ll never see meaningful tax relief under this Governor.”
Are other states suspending their gas tax to cut prices?
As of March 2026, Georgia has become the first and only state to temporarily suspend its gas tax.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, suspended the state’s motor fuel tax for 60 days on March 20. The excise tax on gasoline is currently 33.3 cents per gallon, and a few cents higher on diesel, USA Today reported.
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.
Maryland
Rachel Morin’s mother criticizes Gov. Moore for opposing ICE detention center in Maryland
MARYLAND (WBFF) — A legal fight is underway in Washington County over plans to convert a warehouse into an immigration detention center, with Gov. Wes Moore opposing the project and securing a temporary pause in construction.
The Trump administration wants to convert the warehouse into an immigration detention center. Moore has taken the issue to court and obtained a temporary halt. In a public service announcement, Moore called the center “concerning.”
“This is being done without transparency, without public input or accountability. And it’s raising serious concerns from Marylanders, all across our state,” Moore said.
ALSO READ | What’s next for the planned immigration detention center near Hagerstown?
Not all Marylanders agree. Patty Morin criticized Moore on social media and said he is out of touch, also speaking with FOX45 News about her concerns.
“First off, I was just really angry because he is misrepresenting the people of Maryland,” Morin said.
“Last time I looked, statistics said 1.3 million immigrants in Maryland. And you know that some of those are here illegally,” Morin said.
Morin’s daughter, Rachel Morin, a mother of five, was killed by an illegal immigrant in Harford County in August of 2023.
Moore said his administration is prioritizing residents’ concerns as the federal government moves forward.
“While the Trump administration is moving forward without any consideration for Marylanders, we’re putting your concerns front and center,” Moore said.
ALSO READ | Emergency order seeks to stop Washington County ICE detention facility construction
Morin said Moore is not listening to residents and argued the detention center is about enforcing the law, not targeting a specific group.
“He is totally politics over people. He genuinely does not care about the people of Maryland or the constituents that he represents. I all the time, Marylanders are like, what is the matter with this governor? Why is he doing this? It’s ludicrous,” Morin said.
“The very word itself, illegal means against the law or not lawful. And they have broken a federal law. Federal law supersedes state law,” Morin said.
It’s not rocket science.”
Morin also said Moore should consider all Marylanders when making decisions about the proposed facility.
“Marylanders that are here want ICE, want law enforcement to protect us. That’s what we’re paying our taxpayer dollars for. Not for a Governor Moore to go to the courts and fight this imaginary battle because he’s trying to, I don’t know, maybe make points with the Democrat party or something. He’s completely out of touch with Marylanders and it’s just, it’s very upsetting,” Morin said.
The court-ordered pause remains in effect until mid-April. Federal officials will announce next steps after the pause is lifted.
Maryland
‘Mattresses all over the place’: Maryland begins yearly operation to clean state highways – WTOP News
In 2025, Maryland spent $16.5 million on litter pickup and debris removal, Charlie Gischlar of the Maryland State Highway Administration said, calling the trash problem “an immense problem.”
This week, the Maryland State Highway Administration is rolling out its yearly “Operation Clean Sweep,” a weeklong program aimed at cleaning up state highways.
The program runs through Friday.
Charlie Gischlar, the deputy director of communications for MDOT SHA, told WTOP, “It’s all hands on deck.”
“It’s going to be SHA crews, contractors and the Department of Corrections folks as well,” Gischlar said. “We do this before the start of the mowing season.”
Gischlar said the program was started a couple of years ago in an effort to deal with “the immense litter problem that we have in the state on the state highway system.”
“We spent last year, in calendar year 2025, more than $16.5 million on litter pickup and debris removal,” Gischlar said. “We’ve gotten about five million pounds of litter and debris last year.”
Crews are picking up more than just fast food bags and water bottles; Gischlar said they found 32 tires and a wooden kitchen table in Howard County.
Along with toys, dolls and sofas, Gischlar pointed out another item that might surprise you: “Bedroom mattresses all over the place.”
“So, you can see that’s an immense problem,” he added.
The state also cleans the state’s highways before big holiday weekends, including Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving.
“We bring everybody together to beautify the roadsides,” Gischlar said.
If you are driving and see the work crews, Gischlar asks you to “move over when (you) see our crews and slow down.”
“Every year when we see our folks out there picking litter from the side of the road, somebody’s not paying attention or they’re going too fast, and one of our attenuator trucks always gets hit,” he said.
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