Friday Five
Oct. 30, 2026 | This week's latest on Maryland business and government
1 — Senate President Ferguson announces leadership, committee changes ahead of 2027 session
Senate President Bill Ferguson announced several leadership and committee changes ahead of the 2027 legislative session, including naming Sen. Brian Feldman majority leader and chief of policy. Sen. Antonio Hayes will chair the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees business regulation, economic development, labor and insurance and will take primary jurisdiction over artificial intelligence legislation. Other changes include Sen. Dawn Gile taking over the Education, Energy and the Environment Committee and Sen. Cory McCray becoming vice chair of Budget and Taxation. The restructured Senate Rules and Operations Committee will also receive expanded authority over late-filed legislation and issues involving state government operations.
Policy Forum 22026: With Senate leadership and committee assignments shifting ahead of the 2027 legislative session, now is the time to get in the room with Maryland’s policymakers and business leaders — secure your tickets to the Maryland Chamber’s Policy Forum 2026 on Nov. 19 and help shape the conversations that will help define the state’s business climate.
2 — Most General Assembly contests not likely to be competitive, again, experts say
Most Maryland General Assembly races are expected to lack significant competition this year, reflecting the state’s longstanding Democratic dominance, geographic political divisions and increasing polarization. Republicans do not have candidates in 19 of the 47 Senate races, while Democrats are running candidates in every legislative race for the first time since 1974. Only a handful of contests are currently considered competitive, including select races in Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties.
The issues: Key campaign issues this fall include affordability, taxes, energy costs, data center development, education funding and congressional redistricting. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
3 — Governor Moore launches maritime task force to boost Maryland’s economy
Last week, Governor Moore established the Maryland Maritime Task Force to attract federal and commercial investment, expand shipbuilding and strengthen the state’s maritime economy. Maryland’s maritime industries currently contribute more than $10.2 billion annually and support approximately 115,000 jobs across shipping, logistics, shipbuilding, national defense and tourism. The task force will coordinate state agencies and private-sector partners, identify barriers to industry growth, explore workforce development and business incentives, and pursue a potential federal Maritime Prosperity Zone designation.
Why it matters: Strengthening Maryland’s maritime industry can attract new investment, create jobs, expand opportunities for local businesses and reinforce the state’s competitiveness in shipping, manufacturing, logistics and defense.
4 — With 52 businesses waiting, Charles County weighs expanding LaunchPad
Charles County’s LaunchPad entrepreneurship program has 52 aspiring and early-stage businesses on its waitlist after receiving 64 applications for a pilot program that can accommodate only 10 to 12 participants per cohort. County commissioners are considering funding additional sessions as demand grows and previous federal pandemic relief funding for small-business programs runs out. Economic development officials are evaluating costs and potential ways to expand the program through local business mentorships and one-time county funding.
On competitiveness: Expanding programs like LaunchPad strengthens Maryland’s competitiveness by helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into businesses, supporting job creation, diversifying local economies and building a stronger pipeline of homegrown employers.
5 — Maryland one of nine states and D.C. to shed jobs in past year
Maryland was one of nine states and Washington, D.C., to lose jobs in the 12 months ending September 2026, shedding approximately 13,900 nonfarm jobs, or 0.5% of its workforce. Federal workforce reductions appear to have contributed to losses across Maryland, Virginia and D.C., while states such as South Carolina, Louisiana and Nevada recorded job growth during the same period.
A 10-year pattern: According to BLS and Seidman Research Institute data, Maryland has lagged national job growth in nine of the past 10 years. Recent federal workforce reductions have further compounded the challenge, given the state’s significant reliance on federal employment, but the underlying trend predates those cuts and has persisted for years.
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