‘Maryland is going to be all right’: Full coverage from the 2026 Eye on Annapolis Summit

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On the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 14, this page was updated with minute-to-minute dispatches from The Daily Record’s 2026 Eye on Annapolis Summit. The summit featured live conversations with Gov. Wes Moore, House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk and Senate President Bill Ferguson, discussing the most prominent issues facing the state, just before the start of the session.

RELATED: MD leaders outline 2026 priorities, signal disagreement on redistricting

Updates from the summit were shared here in real time Wednesday morning:

Wes Moore has joined Daily Record government affairs reporter Hannah Gaskill on the stage, quickly touting a historic decline in violent crime in Baltimore and raising the loss in federal jobs in Maryland. “We’re going to show the entire country what right looks like.” pic.twitter.com/oXE1hGdyHH

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

On the topic of potential congressional redistricting, Moore said he will not stop fighting for democracy. He said President Trump has initiated midcycle redistricting only for certain states. “I don’t take my instructions from Donald Trump.”

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

Moore said Maryland is going through a transparent, bipartisan process with the redistricting commission. He advocated for sending it to the General Assembly and said it’s not too late.

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

Moore acknowledged the necessity of data centers to support the AI industry, but advocated for also increasing energy supply in part through clean energy like wind and solar. “It’s time to have a mature conversation about this.”

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

Moore said the state shouldn’t be satisfied with its status as a net energy importer. He said we need to get away from the idea that everything needs a 14-year analysis. “Come to a conclusion and move.”

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

People are frustrated by the slow-moving nature of politics compared with the need for addressing affordability and other issues, he said. When asked if that is a mandate for the legislature, he said, “I’ve been pretty clear.”

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

“This year has rocked a lot of Maryland families,” Moore said in closing. He spoke of challenges from flooding, SNAP funding, the longest federal government shutdown in history, rising prices for consumers and industry. But, he said, “Maryland is going to be all right.”

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

Peña-Melnyk opened by speaking on affordability, sharing that her daughter is keeping her thermostat at 60 degrees to save costs. “The needs are those bread-and-butter issues,” she said. “The home I purchased in 2001 I would not be able to afford today,” she added.

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

Ferguson expressed excitement at working with the new speaker and spoke of some top priorities: focusing on growth where possible outside of the federal government and creating an environment where people and businesses can thrive, despite threats from the federal administration.

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

Both chamber leaders said they look forward to closely collaborating. “At the end of the day, our chambers work together,” Ferguson said.

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

“We can’t anticipate what’s around the corner,” Ferguson said, using the Key Bridge collapse as an example. Peña-Melnyk said there will be a joint committee to wok on the budget because “it’s best not to have surprises.” She said this is “a session to find relief and give help.”

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

Ferguson expressed desire to protect the most vulnerable, the environment and health care access, as well as preventing violence before it occurs by investing in people so they don’t go down a path to violence.

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

Ferguson speak of an erosion of trust in law enforcement. He said the approach ICE has taken in the past year is the “antithesis” of progress made in recent years. That will be an area of focus, he said.

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

On the topic of midcycle redistricting, Ferguson said the Senate Democratic caucus determined that risks outweigh the potential benefit. He spoke of the previous unsuccessful effort to redraw lines and said time is better spent on addressing different high-priority issues.

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

Peña-Melnyk said no one wants really wants midcycle redistricting, but these are “horrible” times. She described Trump as “seriously a dictator who does not respect the different branches of government,” and so
“it is very difficult to not want to do something.”

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

She did not make a firm commitment about specific action on redistricting and said her chamber would assess based on the findings of the commission.

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

Many seniors can’t afford meals and co-pays, but they deserve respect and support, Peña-Melnyk said. Ferguson raised concerns about the future of Medicare Advantage and a desire to sustain those “critical” plans in Maryland.

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

An audience member asked what will be done to support manufacturing. Ferguson said there has not been streamlining of the regulatory system to encourage growth. He promised a look at permitting reform to facilitate an open business climate.

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

And that concludes the 2026 Eye on Annapolis Summit! Thank you to our sponsors, who make this tradition possible, and to the state leaders who joined us.
Follow us for more coverage throughout the opening day of the 2026 session. https://t.co/czfx1K1MHY#TDRevents pic.twitter.com/HrSI4JnRHX

— The Daily Record (@MDDailyRecord) January 14, 2026

More from Eye on Annapolis: The Daily Record is publishing a series of stories previewing key topics, including the following, that are expected to be tackled by the General Assembly in the weeks leading up to the 2026 session. Energy DJS abuse lawsuits Juvenile Justice Attorney General’s Office Health Care Immigration Budget State Leadership