Maryland Jobs Were on the Line — and the Work Continues
During the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers in Annapolis considered a number of proposals that would have significantly increased the cost of doing business in Maryland. These decisions directly impact how businesses hire, invest, and grow — with real consequences for jobs, wages, and affordability across our state.
Thanks to strong advocacy from Maryland’s business community, we made important progress this session — but significant challenges remain, and the road ahead will require continued engagement.
What We Achieved This Session
Through your engagement, we were able to:
- Push back on proposals that would have increased costs and limited employer flexibility
- Elevate the real-world impact of policy decisions on Maryland businesses and workers
- Ensure lawmakers heard directly from employers across industries and regions
Real Maryland Stories of Opportunity
While we secured important wins this session, several proposals — along with broader policy trends — signal continued challenges ahead for Maryland’s business community, including:
- Rising taxes and fees to address ongoing and growing structural budget deficits
- Policies that increase the cost of doing business, including minimum wage mandates and other employer cost pressures
- Proposals that fail to address the root causes of affordability challenges, instead placing additional strain on employers and consumers
- An increasingly stringent regulatory environment that limits flexibility and slows growth
These challenges are not going away. Many will return in future sessions — and addressing them will require sustained, coordinated advocacy from Maryland’s business community.
Why It Matters
Maryland’s economic future depends on maintaining a competitive, business-friendly environment. If we fail to address rising costs and policy barriers, businesses and workers will continue to face increasing pressure — and more will look to other states and regions for opportunity. The time for action is now.
Real Impact: Maryland Businesses in Action
Businesses across our state continue to create jobs, invest in communities, and build career pathways. Their stories helped shape the conversation in Annapolis — and will continue to inform the work ahead.
Pohanka Auto
Salisbury, MD
Pohanka Automotive of Salisbury built a training center to address the shortage of skilled technicians — offering paid training and debt-free career pathways.
Boyd Cru Wines
Savage, MD
Boyd Cru Wines shows how entrepreneurs create opportunity and impact — and why policymakers need to modernize regulations to aid growth.
Holmatro
Glen Burnie, MD
Holmatro employees design and build rescue tools used by first responders across the country. Maryland manufacturers are making positive impact.