Governor Wes Moore

There has to be, for people who choose to get into this business, you have to be very clear about why you're doing this in the first place. And you have to be very clear that you are are the person who at the end of the day needs to believe in what you are saying.

Because if you do not believe in what you are saying, if you're just willing to take and swallow what other people tell you what to say and not say the things that people are telling you to stay away from, then you will very quickly find yourself just being a vessel. And no one wants that sitting in any position of real authority or power.

Because if you do not believe in what you are saying, if you're just willing to take and swallow what other people tell you what to say and not say the things that people are telling you to stay away from, then you will very quickly find yourself just being a vessel. And no one wants that sitting in any position of real authority or power.

I think it's the number one issue ever.

I think it's the number one issue ever.

You have to make sure that people see how this actually can tie directly back to their lives. So, you know, for example, when I'm talking about what we're doing around expungement, right? And people are like, well, you know, why does that matter? Or the work we did around pardons.

You have to make sure that people see how this actually can tie directly back to their lives. So, you know, for example, when I'm talking about what we're doing around expungement, right? And people are like, well, you know, why does that matter? Or the work we did around pardons.

Expunging people's records. The reason that we talk about expungement is, do you know how challenging it is for anybody? Once they have served a debt to society to be able to come back and get a home loan, to get a job, to get a student loan or get accepted to a school? And what happens to us if that person, if we are basically making every sentence a life sentence?

Expunging people's records. The reason that we talk about expungement is, do you know how challenging it is for anybody? Once they have served a debt to society to be able to come back and get a home loan, to get a job, to get a student loan or get accepted to a school? And what happens to us if that person, if we are basically making every sentence a life sentence?

that that person no longer has the ability to contribute. That person no longer has an ability to be able to participate in our economy.

that that person no longer has the ability to contribute. That person no longer has an ability to be able to participate in our economy.

And the thing that I say, and one of the big reasons that we're continuing to push on things like we've got to do a better job of supporting our men and boys, is if you show me a young man who does not care about their own future, you're also showing me a young man who doesn't care about yours either.

And the thing that I say, and one of the big reasons that we're continuing to push on things like we've got to do a better job of supporting our men and boys, is if you show me a young man who does not care about their own future, you're also showing me a young man who doesn't care about yours either.

So there is a distinct reason why we want to make sure there are more people engaged and involved. When we talk about making it, when we talk about raising a minimum wage and making sure that people have a chance that no one who is working a full-time job should be living in poverty.

So there is a distinct reason why we want to make sure there are more people engaged and involved. When we talk about making it, when we talk about raising a minimum wage and making sure that people have a chance that no one who is working a full-time job should be living in poverty.

Or when we talk about things like childcare and why we've made historic investments in childcare is because I don't want any parents to have to choose between, is my child going to be okay? Or can I go back to the workforce? So you got to really make it personal and you got to be able to break it down for people.

Or when we talk about things like childcare and why we've made historic investments in childcare is because I don't want any parents to have to choose between, is my child going to be okay? Or can I go back to the workforce? So you got to really make it personal and you got to be able to break it down for people.

So they really see how are these policy issues, how these politicians, how is that going to impact my life? And how is this something that I should really rally behind? And I think it's why it's working in our state, because I think people see that the things that we are pushing for a tax reform, that's going to give the vast majority of Marylanders a tax cut. and ability to create more housing.

So they really see how are these policy issues, how these politicians, how is that going to impact my life? And how is this something that I should really rally behind? And I think it's why it's working in our state, because I think people see that the things that we are pushing for a tax reform, that's going to give the vast majority of Marylanders a tax cut. and ability to create more housing.

We just passed the most aggressive housing package of any Maryland governor in recent history. And we're coming back for more again in this year's session. It's because people are seeing in their everyday lives that these decisions that are being made actually will have an impact on what they want for themselves and their families.