Governor Hogan issued a statement after receiving a positive result on his PCR Covid test following this morning’s positive rapid test result.
“Just now, I received a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, following the positive rapid test this morning. I am experiencing some cold-like symptoms, and will continue to quarantine and work from home
throughout the week.
With the Omicron variant becoming increasingly dominant, I want to again urge Marylanders who haven’t yet to go out and get your booster shot as soon as possible.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out today with prayers and well wishes.”
The Maryland Covid Dashboard is also back online after the system was hacked in early December. It can be viewed here.
Numbers as of today can be seen in the image below:
Calls on Biden Administration to Immediately Add Maryland to Texas Redistricting Lawsuit
Urges Legislature to Reverse Course and Take Immediate Action on Emergency Crime Legislation
Provides COVID-19 Update, Warning of Transmissibility of Omicron Variant, Urging Booster Shots
Press release by Larry Hogan:
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today vetoed the antidemocratic, gerrymandered congressional map passed along party lines by the Maryland General Assembly, and called on the Biden administration to immediately add the State of Maryland to its lawsuit against Texas for violations of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The governor also continued urging lawmakers to take action on emergency crime legislation during the special session.
“The congressional map drawn in back rooms by party bosses in Annapolis makes a mockery of our democracy, and it is an embarrassment to all that our state stands for,” said Governor Hogan. “On behalf of all the people of Maryland who value fairness and integrity in our elections and in our political system, I am vetoing these disgracefully gerrymandered, illegal maps, which are a shameful violation of state and federal law.”
Watch today’s press conference.
View the slides from today’s press conference.
Vetoes Legislature’s Antidemocratic, Gerrymandered Congressional Map. The egregiously gerrymandered congressional map, passed by the legislature along party lines, has been universally panned and received an ‘F’ rating’ from the Princeton Gerrymandering Project. The legislature rejected the fair maps, written through an open and transparent process by the independent Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission, which earned an ‘A’ rating from the Princeton Gerrymandering Project.
Read the governor’s veto letter.
Calls on Biden Administration to Add the State of Maryland to Texas Redistricting Lawsuit. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it is suing Texas over its new redistricting plan, alleging violations of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Today, Governor Hogan called on the Biden administration to immediately add the State of Maryland to that lawsuit.
Calls for Immediate Action on Emergency Violent Crime Legislation. Governor Hogan also urged the legislature to reverse course, and take immediate action on emergency crime legislation, including:
- The Violent Firearms Offender Act, which significantly toughens penalties for offenders who use and illegally possess firearms, as well as those who illegally supply firearms to criminals
- The Judicial Transparency Act, which would require the Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy to track and publish detailed information on the sentences that are handed down by judges for violent crimes
“Today, I am once again calling on city leaders and the city delegation to stop working against this legislation, and calling on legislative leaders across the state to finally take action on violent crime,” continued the governor. “The citizens will not be able to take back their streets and their communities without city leaders and legislators doing the jobs they were elected to do.”
The emergency crime legislation was introduced on the first day of the special session, but legislators have failed to take any action.
Governor Hogan announced the introduction of emergency legislation on social media earlier today.
His statement can be seen below:
“People are being shot nearly every single day in Baltimore City, and we have an obligation to do something about it right now. My full statement on the introduction of the “Violent Firearms Offender Act” and “Judicial Transparency Act” as emergency legislation.”
STATEMENT | DECEMBER 6, 2021
People are being shot nearly every single day in Baltimore City, and we have an obligation to
do something about it right now.
Today, our administration has introduced emergency legislation to require tougher sentencing for violent offenders, specifically those who continue to commit violent felonies with guns, and to bring greater transparency to the sentences handed down by judges for all violent crimes.
Passing these desperately-needed reforms has been a multi-year effort by our administration. An overwhelming majority of Baltimore City residernts, and all Marylanders, strongly support these bills. We have all waited long enough. City leaders, the city delegation, and all members of the General Assembly must finally work with us to make our neighborhoods safer and to get these violent shooters off the streets.
People are being shot nearly every single day in Baltimore City, and we have an obligation to do something about it right now. My full statement on the introduction of the “Violent Firearms Offender Act” and “Judicial Transparency Act” as emergency legislation: pic.twitter.com/Jp1MTwB4vR
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) December 6, 2021
Former United States President Donald Trump released a statement today endorsing Dan Cox for Maryland Governor. Cox is a Republican politician who represents district 4 in the Maryland House of Delegates. He made waves earlier this year when he referred to former Vice President Mike Pence a “traitor” during the 2021 United States Capitol Attack. In the statement, Trump goes after current Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Schulz, who currently serves as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Commerce. Schulz announced in April that she would seek the Republican nomination for Governor of Maryland in 2022. Trump’s full statement can be seen below:
“Dan Cox is an America First Patriot who is running for Governor in the Great State of Maryland. A tough lawyer, and smart businessman, Dan has done outstanding work in the Maryland General Assembly. Dan is MAGA all the way-unlike his opponent, Kelly Schultz, who was handpicked by her “boss,” RINO
Larry Hogan, who has been terrible for our Country and is against the America First Movement.
As a State Delegate, Dan stood up to Hogan when he was supporting and meeting with Joe Biden. Dan is for low taxes, school choice, and no more lockdowns.
He supports our Military, our great Vets, our Second Amendment, which is under attack like never before, and importantly, is very strong on Election Inte grity.
He fought against the Rigged Presidential Election every step of the way, and will bring secure Elections back to Maryland. Dan Cox has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
Governor Hogan, who is not eligible to run for re-election and is rumored to be preparing for a presidential campaign in 2024, provided a short response via Twitter:
Personally, I'd prefer endorsements from people who didn’t lose Maryland by 33 points.
— Larry Hogan (@LarryHogan) November 23, 2021
Trump and Hogan previously exchanged Twitter barbs in 2020.
Shulz’ campaign provided Fox 5 with a statement responding to former president Trump’s statement:
“Kelly Schulz’s life experience, credentials, and record of accomplishment make her uniquely qualified to lead this state. She is proud to have stood next to Governor Hogan over the last 8 years as they fought to make Maryland a better, safer, and more affordable place to live and raise a family. Don’t be fooled – Kelly Schulz is the only Republican who can win this race and the only person running who has the strength and ability to prevent the Maryland legislature from passing any law and tax they wish.”
Governor Hogan held a “crime announcement” on Friday, October 15th.
Below you’ll see notes from his press conference, as tweeted by his Deputy Communications Director, Kata Hall:
• @GovLarryHogan is holding a press conference at the State House with @MDSP Superintendent Col. Jerry Jones, MD Capitol Police Chief Mike Wilson, @TheMDTA Police Chief Kevin Anderson, and @MarylandGOCCP Exec. Director Glenn Fueston.
• Governor Hogan announces a new “Re-Fund the Police” initiative: $150 million initiative to increase support for law enforcement, crime control, and victim protection services across the state.
• The governor’s initiative includes:
-$45 million for a 50% increase in state police aid to local jurisdictions
-$50 million to fund salary increases and hiring bonuses to ensure competitive compensation for state police agencies
• Additional support for law enforcement includes:
-$24 million to create an Accountability Resources Fund for body cams, de-escalation training
-$1 million for Maryland Chiefs of Police Association and Maryland Sheriffs’ Association to expand operational training and support
• The governor announces funding for safer neighborhoods, including:
-$10 million in Neighborhood Safety Grants through @MDHousing’s Main Street Maryland Program for hardware upgrades and increased security services for business districts
• Governor Hogan announces a new plan to provide a 100% state-funded match for all Crime Stoppers rewards, in order to incentivize more witnesses to come forward and offer testimony.
• The governor also announces funding for victims services, including:
-$14 million in ARPA funds to restore the drastic cuts by Congress to VOCA funding
• Governor Hogan’s $150 million initiative also includes:
-$6 million to restore cuts by the Maryland General Assembly for critical victims programs and initiatives.
• Governor Hogan will make additional announcements in the coming weeks to:
-Provide further support for law enforcement
-Hold violent criminals accountable
-Increase accountability for prosecutors and judges
Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the state has submitted the first recovery plan performance report required by the Department of the Treasury in accordance with the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which directed $3.7 billion in federal aid to Maryland.
Following ARPA’s enactment on March 11, 2021, Governor Hogan and legislative leaders announced a bipartisan funding agreement, which took the form of Supplemental Budget #5 to the governor’s FY 2022 state budget proposal. The supplemental budget provided the initial outline for how the State’s ARPA funding would be spent; the report submitted today goes into further detail regarding the final $3.7 billion allocation.
“I am pleased to unveil this latest roadmap of Maryland’s investment of the $3.7 billion that the state is receiving from the federal government to help us recover from this unprecedented public health crisis,” said Governor Hogan. “We worked hard to push the White House and Congress to provide relief to the states, and now we are making sure that this relief is going directly to the people, the businesses, and the programs where it will do the most good.”
More than $610 million was spent in FY 2021 across the seven allowable expenditure categories, including efforts to improve public health, ameliorate negative economic impacts, and enhance services to those communities hit most disproportionately by the pandemic.
The bulk of the report focuses on how the remainder of Maryland’s ARPA funds will be allocated across those same seven categories. The summaries of each of these allocations explain, where possible, what state programs will administer the funds, the timeline for the distribution of the funds, planned community engagement actions to inform the public of the availability of the funds, intended outcomes of the investment of the funds, and performance metrics that will measure the success of that investment. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will coordinate with program managers throughout the executive branch to identify specific, measurable, and attainable goals where appropriate.
To read the full initial recovery plan performance report, please visit DBM’s website at http://dbm.maryland.gov.
Notes From Governor Hogan’s 1pm Press Conference
The notes from this afternoon’s press co Terence come from Governor Hogan’s Deputy Communications Director, Kata Hall.
• COVID Vaccine Update:
-92.1% of Marylanders over 65 have been vaccinated
-75.2% of Maryland adults have been vaccinated
• COVID Data Update:
-Seven-day positivity is 0.73% (one of lowest in the country)
-Case rate per 100K is 1.08 (one of lowest in the country)
-Hospitalizations down from peak of 1,952 to 133
• VAXU SCHOLARSHIP PROMOTION. @GovLarryHogan announces partnership between @MDHealthDept and @MDMHEC to provide $1 million in college scholarships for Marylanders age 12 to 17 who get vaccinated.
• Beginning Monday, July 12, a $50,000 scholarship (the equivalent of full tuition and fees at a public, in-state institution of higher education) will be awarded to anyone age 12-17 who is vaccinated in Maryland.
• Two scholarships will be awarded every week for 8 weeks through Labor Day, when we will pick 4 winners.
• Winners will receive a Maryland 529 Prepaid College Trust contract, which locks in today’s tuition rates for the future, or a Maryland 529 College Investment Plan.
If they decide to attend private or out-of-state school, scholarship can be transferred to school of choice.
• ENTRY. If you are a Marylander between the ages of 12 and 17, all you have to do to enter the VaxU Scholarship Promotion is get vaccinated for #COVID19 in Maryland.
Those who have already been vaccinated here at any time will automatically be entered to win.
• @MDHealthDept will work with @MDMHEC to notify all the winners. Scholarship funds are being provided through funding from the American Rescue Plan.
• @GovLarryHogan: “It is clearer than ever that these vaccines are extremely effective, but those who are unvaccinated do remain at risk, especially with the highly transmissible variants.”
• According to state health officials:
-95% of all new COVID cases reported in Maryland last month were people who have not been vaccinated
-93% of all new COVID hospitalizations were unvaccinated Marylanders
-100% of all COVID deaths in June were unvaccinated Marylanders
Maryland Reports Zero COVID-19 Deaths For First Time Since October 2020
State Reports Under 50 New Cases For First Time Since March 23, 2020
Positivity Rate Falls to Record Low 0.72%
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Fall to 150 Statewide
Per the State of Maryland:
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland is reporting zero new COVID-19 deaths for the first time since October 18, 2020. This is another major milestone as the state emerges from the pandemic.
New Cases Under 50 For First Time Since March 23, 2020. The state is reporting 42 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today—the first time under 50 since March 23, 2020
Positivity Rate Falls to Record Low 0.72%. The state is reporting a record-low 7-day positivity rate of 0.72%—down 88% since mid-April.
Case Rate Falls to 1.12 Per 100K. The state’s case rate dropped to 1.12 per 100K—down 95% since mid-April, and the lowest level since March 26, 2020.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Fall to 150 Statewide. COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide dropped to 150–down 88% since mid-April. Hospitalizations are at their lowest level since March 27, 2020.
Vaccinations: 6,632,582, 73.1% of Adults With At Least One Dose. The state is reporting more than 6.6 million vaccinations, and more than 73% of adults have received a COVID-19 vaccine.
Governor Hogan and State Tourism Officials Encourage Travelers to Visit Maryland This Summer
Per the State of Maryland:
Governor Larry Hogan today joined the Maryland Department of Commerce Office of Tourism to encourage Maryland travelers to reconnect and recharge in the State of Maryland. From traveling along one of the state’s 18 scenic byways, to enjoying Maryland’s Outdoor Collection, or navigating the waters of the Chesapeake Bay with a certified Chesapeake Bay Storyteller on a guided water-based tour, travelers will find an abundance of travel products and resources to plan their next visit.
“Summer is the perfect time for a road trip to explore Maryland, and it’s important to continue to support all of the accommodations, attractions, restaurants, and their employees along the way,” said Governor Hogan. “The tourism industry has worked hard over the past year to put the highest health and safety protocols in place, and it is time to welcome visitors back.”
The byways are scenic road trips with numerous points of interest that give travelers the opportunity to customize the pace, geography, and activities. Travel the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway, recently designated as an All-American Road by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. Stretching 419 land miles from Chesapeake City to Crisfield, plus 12 nautical miles to Smith Island, experience the unique beauty of this tidewater region with its pristine waterways and vibrant historic waterfront villages.
For an authentic Chesapeake experience, travel around the Great Chesapeake Bay Loop. Enjoy freshly-caught seafood, welcoming waterfront towns, and a way of life that is simply beyond comparison. Join a Chesapeake Bay Storyteller Tour to sail aboard a historic skipjack, discover mysteries about the Chesapeake’s waters and its seafood industry, take a charter fishing tour, marvel at iconic lighthouses aboard a ferry boat, or kayak through peaceful marshlands to observe a natural ecosystem in action.
Maryland’s Outdoor Collection offers something for everyone from hiking, biking, camping, and exploring a trail system second to none. Get out on the bay on a hot summer day, paddle or tube a local river, head to several birding spots to embrace nature, or hit the links on your favorite Maryland golf course. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the C&O Canal National Historical Park with a stop to the 8th most visited national park in the United States. Plan a trip along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Scenic Byway to explore the wonders of the C&O Canal and the vibrant C&O Canal Experience region around it.
Book a rejuvenating stay at one of Maryland’s resorts or unique accommodations. Escape to the rolling countryside in horse country with Maryland’s Horse Collection. Indulge in Maryland’s culinary delights from Maryland’s Crab and Oyster Trail, to savory treats from Maryland’s Ice Cream Lover’s Guide. Now is the time to visit Maryland with an abundance of travel literature available to help plan your adventure. Pick up a copy of Destination Maryland Magazine and the new Stories of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay guide at one of Maryland’s eight state-operated welcome centers. View and download these materials or order a copy online to be delivered to your home for free.
Travel experiences can be shared on social media using the hashtag #MDinFocus. For more inspiration and deals and discounts to plan your summer adventure in Maryland, go to visitmaryland.org.
Governor Larry Hogan Lifts Mask Mandate, Effective Tomorrow (5/15/21)
Following the surprise announcement by the CDC, the state of Maryland will now also be lifting the mask mandate.
Per Maryland Governor Larry Hogan:
Effective tomorrow, Saturday, May 15th, the indoor mask mandate will be lifted in the state of Maryland.
In line with CDC guidance, the only exceptions will be public transportation, health care settings, and schools.
Businesses will still be able to set their own policies in regards to masking.
Amended order can be see here.
Data update per Governor Hogan’s deputy communications director, Kata D. Hall:
-Case rate per 100K has dropped 68% over the past 4 weeks (lowest since last July)
-Hospitalizations below 700 (680) for first time since November
-Reporting second lowest daily positivity rate on record (1.91%) today
Earlier today, Montgomery County Councilmember Andrew Friedson announced that Montgomery County will enter the final phase of reopening in two weeks.
Governor Hogan Lifts Capacity Limits on Indoor and Outdoor Venues, All Remaining Restrictions on Indoor and Outdoor Dining As of May 15
Statewide Indoor Mask Mandate To Be Lifted After 70% of Adults Receive Vaccine
Following CDC Approval, Vaccinations for Adolescents to Begin Today
Maryland Department of Labor to Begin Process of Reinstating Work Search Requirements
Per the State of Maryland:
As a result of the state’s rapid pace of COVID-19 vaccinations and subsequent declines in key health metrics, Governor Larry Hogan today announced the lifting of all capacity restrictions on outdoor entertainment, art, and sports venues and indoor entertainment venues and conventions, and all remaining restrictions on indoor and outdoor dining, as of Saturday, May 15.
The governor also announced that the state’s indoor mask mandate will be lifted as soon as 70% of adults receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Here in Maryland, our plan is to get everything back to normal by Memorial Day,” said Governor Hogan. “We are making amazing progress toward that goal. But once again, the fastest way to get rid of our damn masks and to put this pandemic behind us once and for all is for every single eligible Marylander to get vaccinated as quickly as possible.”
EFFECTIVE SATURDAY, MAY 15:
- INDOOR AND OUTDOOR VENUES. Indoor and outdoor venues may resume normal operations. All remaining capacity restrictions will be lifted on all indoor entertainment venues and conventions, and all outdoor entertainment, art, and sports venues, including all ticketed events.
- INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING. Restaurants and bars may resume normal operations, as all remaining capacity and distancing restrictions and all other limits will be lifted on indoor and outdoor dining.
- CRUISE TERMINAL. The cruise terminal in Baltimore City will be reopening. The CDC is working directly with cruise ports and industry representatives to prepare for a safe return to business.
Read the updated executive order.
Read the updated Maryland Department of Health guidance for food establishments.
INDOOR MASK MANDATE TO EXPIRE AFTER THE STATE ACHIEVES 70% OF MARYLAND ADULTS VACCINATED. The governor announced that the state’s indoor mask mandate will be lifted as soon as 70% of Maryland adults receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine—the national goal set by President Biden. Yesterday, the state officially surpassed the milestone of vaccinating more than 65% of adults.
WORK SEARCH REQUIREMENTS TO BE REINSTATED NEXT MONTH. To further accelerate the state’s economic recovery and with every business in Maryland fully reopened, Governor Hogan has directed the Maryland Department of Labor to work in collaboration with the federal administration to begin the process of reinstating work search requirements to connect more job seekers with good opportunities. The requirements are scheduled to be reinstated by late June.
VACCINATIONS FOR ADOLESCENTS READY TO BEGIN TODAY. With approval from the FDA and CDC, COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for Marylanders age 12 to 15 is ready to open tomorrow. Eleven of the state’s mass vaccination sites and hundreds of pharmacy locations will be ready to administer the Pfizer vaccine—which was granted FDA approval earlier this week—to adolescents right away. Marylanders will be able to search for providers vaccinating adolescents at covidvax.maryland.gov.
