Maryland Joins Multi-State Health Alliance, Attorney General Issues Police Guidance Amid Political Shifts

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has joined 14 other Democratic governors and Guam in forming a Governors Public Health Alliance that represents a significant break from federal health policy under the Trump administration and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This coalition marks the largest state-level divergence from recent federal health decisions that have concerned medical experts, including funding cuts for health services and changes to vaccine guidance. The alliance signals a coordinated state-level response to federal policies that Democratic governors view as potentially harmful to public health infrastructure.

Concurrently, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown issued comprehensive guidance to local police departments clarifying their obligations under state law when collaborating with federal agencies. The 11-page document, available at https://www.marylandmatters.org, outlines specific protocols for what local law enforcement "must do, may do and must not do" in various interactions with federal authorities, from providing backup to participating in formal joint task forces. This guidance reinforces state sovereignty in law enforcement matters and establishes clear boundaries for federal-local partnerships.

Political dynamics in Maryland show Governor Moore maintaining an early advantage in speculative 2026 gubernatorial polling, leading former Governor Larry Hogan 45% to 37% among registered voters according to a survey with a 3.2 percentage point margin of error. Both politicians have fueled speculation about a potential rematch, though Hogan has not formally declared candidacy. The polling results suggest Moore maintains significant political capital despite economic concerns among Maryland residents.

A statewide poll reveals concerning economic sentiment, with approximately 84% of Marylanders reporting they worry about money sometimes or daily, representing the worst financial anxiety levels recorded in the state over the past two decades. This economic disillusionment coincides with President Donald Trump's return to the White House, an administration that Maryland residents generally regard poorly according to the same polling data conducted by Steve Raabe.

Higher education institutions in Maryland are experiencing both challenges and opportunities. Morgan State University received the largest donation in its 158-year history - $63 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott as unrestricted funds that can be directed toward any institutional needs. Similarly, McDaniel College announced a nearly $15 million bequest from alumnus Jonas Eshelman, representing the largest gift in that institution's history. However, these positive developments contrast with broader funding challenges as federal research dollars shrink across Maryland universities, creating what University System of Maryland representative Patrick O'Shea described as a "lack of diversity in funding" that has left institutions vulnerable.

Local governance issues are also evolving, with Baltimore City Councilman Mark Conway launching a congressional campaign challenging longtime Representative Kweisi Mfume. Conway, who chairs the council's public safety committee, announced his candidacy at a location symbolic of both the city's opioid crisis and the 2015 unrest following Freddie Gray's death. In Howard County, Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary formally declared her intention to run for county executive, emphasizing her legislative work on police accountability reform, the Blueprint for Maryland's Future education plan, and gun violence prevention.

Economic impacts of federal policy are being felt at the municipal level, with Perryville Commissioner Robert Taylor reporting that tariffs have added $48,000 to the town's water treatment facility upgrade costs, completely depleting contingency funds that were drawn from ARPA resources. Meanwhile, developer Scott Plank's War Horse Cities firm, which already builds data centers in Virginia, is considering similar projects in Maryland following Governor Moore's signature on legislation accelerating data center development last year.

These developments collectively illustrate Maryland's positioning within broader national political and policy debates, with state leadership asserting independence from federal directions while navigating complex economic and educational challenges. The coordinated health alliance and law enforcement guidance represent substantive policy responses to federal initiatives, while political and economic indicators suggest ongoing transitions in the state's governance landscape.