Legislative Priorities

State Budget and Revenue

State budget forecasts show our state facing growing fiscal challenges, even as we continue to underinvest in essential services that enable Maryland communities to thrive. Gov. Moore’s proposed budget had to address a nearly $3 billion shortfall. Closing corporate tax loopholes and asking wealthy individuals to pay their fair share would generate the resources we need to support great schools, effective government, and modern transportation networks.     

• Policy priority: Fair Share for Maryland Act (HB 1014/SB 859)
• Learn more: Budget First Look and Budget webinar
• Learn more: Analysis of Gov. Moore’s revenue proposal from ITEP

Protecting Immigrant Marylanders

Immigrants are an integral part of vibrant, thriving communities across Maryland and provide valuable contributions to our economy, taxes, and culture. MDCEP supports CASA’s priority legislation to strengthen protections for immigrant Marylanders.

• Policy priority: Protecting Sensitive Locations Act – No one should hesitate to seek life-saving care or attend school due to fear of immigration enforcement. This act establishes clear guidelines restricting ICE access to sensitive locations, including schools, courthouses, hospitals, places of worship, and other vital spaces. (HB 1006)
• Policy priority: Maryland Data Privacy Act – Immigrant families should be able to access critical government services without worrying that their information will be shared with federal immigration authorities. This act blocks ICE from obtaining warrantless access to state and local agency databases.
• Policy priority: Maryland Values Act- This legislation terminates 287(g) agreements that allow local police to act as ICE agents. These agreements erode public trust in law enforcement and have been shown in the past to be incredibly costly to local governments.

Housing

There is broad recognition that the high cost of housing in Maryland is creating significant challenges for families and communities and is holding back the state’s economic growth. There is opportunity in the 2025 legislative session to continue to make progress in preventing evictions.

• Policy priority: Eviction prevention funding. MDCEP supports restoring $5 million in eviction prevention funds that were cut from the budget.
• Policy priority: Additional tenant protections. MDCEP supports the Renters United Maryland legislative agenda.

Family Income Supports

Some programs that have been providing critical assistance to low-income families and support for people with disabilities are at risk of funding cuts this year. MDCEP also supports strengthening state programs that provide cash to low-income Marylanders, such as expanding working family tax credits.

• Policy priority: MDCEP continues to oppose enacting a waiting list for the child care scholarship program, which would hold back parents from accessing jobs, harming families and our economy.
• Policy priority: MDCEP shares the community’s deep concerns about the $230 million in proposed cuts to services for people with developmental disabilities.
• Policy priority: Tax credits for working families are one of the most effective anti-poverty tools we have. MDCEP supports expanding income caps that keep some young adults, veterans, first-time parents, and other low-income workers from accessing the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit. (HB 708/SB 668)

Health

MDCEP supports policies that expand access health care by removing barriers and making it more affordable.

• Policy priority: Maintaining health insurance subsidies for young Marylanders. (HB 279/SB 5)
• Policy priority: Lowering prescription drug prices by expanding the authority of the state’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board. (HB 424/SB 357)

Worker Protections

We all benefit when more Marylanders have good-paying jobs with protections like paid leave and fair wages. MDCEP continues to support prompt and strong implementation of the state’s paid family and medical leave program and proposals ensuring that tipped workers are paid the same minimum wage as all other workers.

• Policy priority: Oppose delays to implementing the Family and Medical Leave Insurance program. (Oppose SB 355)

A More Just Legal System

People who have had involvement with the criminal legal system deserve a fair chance and support to return to their communities after they have completed their sentence. MDCEP supports improving and adequately funding the state’s reentry programs and removing legal barriers that make it harder for people to access jobs, housing, and other keys to economic stability.

• Policy priority: Funding the new pre-release services center for women who are returning to their communities. This project has been repeatedly delayed.
• Policy priority: End the automatic charging of kids as adults by passing the Youth Equity and Safety Act