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“We are always looking at ways to innovate and deliver on our commitment to transparency,” said Governor Hogan. “This website upgrade will make it easier, faster and more convenient for Marylanders to engage with government services and resources, and for visitors to learn more about the state.”

Policy Vetoes. The governor also announced 18 policy vetoes of legislative measures in accordance with Article II, Section 17(a) of the Maryland Constitution:

A list of duplicative vetoes is available here.

Under legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2013, the Comptroller announces gas tax increases on or before June 1 of each year that are set to take effect on July 1. The tax increase is calculated by the Comptroller’s Office.

“This tax increase, while hardship-inducing for Marylanders at any time, is simply unconscionable at this moment when gas prices are already at their highest level in recorded history amid a period of prolonged inflation and economic uncertainty,” writes Governor Hogan in a letter to the comptroller. “I know that you agree we should do more to give Marylanders a break from these punishing prices. That is why it is my hope that you will use every legal and regulatory power at your disposal to halt or minimize the impact of the accelerating gas taxes, and that you consider granting an extension for paying the taxes and removing penalties for unpaid tax, including the revocation of business licenses.”

“Through a number of relief programs, our efforts to keep Maryland ‘open for business’ during the pandemic have protected jobs and empowered one of the strongest and sustainable recoveries in the nation,” said Governor Hogan. “We have one of the most aggressive plans in the country to get these resources out the door utilizing our very successful lending and investment programs to help our small businesses, particularly those in underserved communities primed for revitalization.”

Initially established by Congress in 2010 to provide loans and investments to underserved small businesses, SSBCI received a $10 billion allocation as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. The SSBCI funds will be administered by three state agencies, including the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the Maryland Department of Commerce, and the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). The funds from SSBCI will be used to augment existing business lending programs to support businesses with limited opportunities for growth whether due to the pandemic or historic disinvestment. Maryland’s statewide SSBCI initiatives will target communities and areas with a high concentration of small, micro, and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI) businesses to support ongoing state investments in underserved communities.

“Today we are signing dozens of impactful measures that directly affect Marylanders’ daily lives, including a historic capital budget that will help build new schools, modernize our parks, and make homeownership more accessible,” said Governor Hogan. “Together, we have put the people’s priorities first, and we have achieved real, common sense bipartisan solutions to change Maryland for the better.”

The governor was joined for today’s signing ceremony—the sixth of 2022—by House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson.

“Today, we are signing another 105 bipartisan bills into law, including measures that keep important promises we have made—from tackling the opioid epidemic to restoring hundreds of millions of dollars in critical funding for local infrastructure improvements,” said Governor Hogan. “I want to thank legislative leaders and the members of the General Assembly for working with us on these initiatives to keep changing Maryland for the better.”

The governor was joined for today’s signing ceremony by House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson.

“Serving in law enforcement is one of the most dangerous jobs in our nation and we are thankful for all those who put their lives in harm’s way every day to protect us,” said Governor Hogan. “We will continue to honor the memories of those who have fallen in the line of duty and will continue to champion police officers every single day with record funding and support.”

Since 2015, the Hogan administration has directed more than $618 million in grants to support law enforcement. The funding has helped launch important programs like the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network, which has disrupted and dismantled more than 1,400 criminal organizations. The administration also supports initiatives with community partners like Boys and Girls Clubs that build relationships between communities and police officers while providing healthy outlets for children and youth.