Maryland governor announces hiring freeze to mitigate budget cuts 

By Elijah Qualls 
AFRO Intern

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is facing criticism from citizens and the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus following his June 24 announcement that the state government will enact a hiring freeze starting on July 1 and carrying through the 2026 fiscal year.

The AFRO spoke with Moore’s Chief of Staff Fagan Harris, who explained that this decision was in response to alterations made by the General Assembly to the governor’s proposed budget. The revisions called for a $121 million reduction, and Harris said the policies the Governor’s Office then enacted were done with an eye toward reducing the deficit. 

“The hiring freeze does not mean that all hiring in the state government stops,” Harris said. “What it does mean is that we raise the bar of what qualifies as a priority hire and that we slow our hiring down to accrue savings so that the state is tightening its belt and being fiscally responsible.”

The hiring freeze was not the only budget-mending tactic mentioned in Moore’s email to state employees. The Maryland executive branch also stated they plan to implement “Voluntary Separation agreement,” elimination of vacant positions, and adjustment of various facilities to save on general costs. 

Republican Sen. J.B Jennings (District 7) echoed some lawmakers’ criticism of the budget, saying in a recent press release, “Back in February, I questioned the wisdom of expanding state government while facing a $2.8 billion deficit. I said then, and I repeat now: when you’re in a hole, you need to stop digging.”

The rollout of these budgetary measures seem contradictory to Moore’s Federal Workers Hiring Initiative announced on April 18. The initiative was created to assist federal workers who lost jobs as a result of the Trump administration’s abrupt and widespread firing of federal workers.

In response to Republican backlash, Harris said, “The governor cut more than $2 billion out of state government and is realizing these savings as responsibly as possible to minimize its impact on Maryland workers and to preserve the excellent level of service that Marylanders have come to expect from this administration and all programs and services.”

Moore has declined any presidential aspirations, but will likely be seeking reelection in the 2026 gubernatorial race. 

As the news circulates more on social media, comments seem to reflect a rising disgruntlement with the hiring freeze. Harris encourages Marylanders to learn more into the inner workings of the state government and the annual budget process before passing judgment. He also accused GOP lawmakers of capitalizing on residents’ ignorance to gain political ground.

“They know that folks don’t know how the process works, and they think this is an opportunity to score cheap political points,” Harris said. “This budget has been long introduced, long debated, and has been long put out in the public square. We’re just now implementing the budget. And to act like these are new decisions is just disingenuous.”