Dear Marylander,
The Legislative Session concluded with the majority party and Governor Moore passing the largest tax hike in State history. While the Cecil Delegation fought and stopped some of the more extreme tax increases, the House of Delegates voted 94-46 for an omnibus bill containing $1.7 billion in new taxes and fees that will inevitably impact all Marylanders. Our State’s financial outlook still requires drastic changes to correct the underlying structural deficit. Your Delegation was able to protect public investments in Cecil County despite all these circumstances, and the Minority Caucus offered real alternatives to the tax-and-spend agenda.
2025 House Ways & Means Committee
As a senior member and Deputy Whip of Ways & Means, I reviewed a variety of issues impacting education, election, gaming, and tax law in Committee. My Minority Caucus colleagues and I successfully stopped HB-387 Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act and HB-937 Sales and Use Tax – Firearms, Firearm Accessories, and Ammunition – Rate Alteration, both of which would have raised taxes on ammunition, firearms, and related accessories.
Maryland spends more than it takes in, and often loses to neighboring states when trying to retain a strong base of taxpayers. I voted against HB-352, the “Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025” (BRFA). This bill was the vehicle to raise fees and taxes on every facet of our daily lives. I offered an amendment on the House floor to the BRFA to resist passing the buck for SDAT assessment costs onto the counties by an unprecedented ratio. This will be a new $438,000 expense for the Cecil County government next year alone.
Unfortunately, this is just one instance of the State passing costs down to counties as a gimmick to close the annual deficit. For FY26, $1.9 million in costs will be shifted from the State to Cecil County, with $1.2 million of that funding teacher retirements. Direct State aid to Cecil County increased by 5.3% over last year ($173,924,000 for FY-26), with this money going to schools, libraries, fire/EMS, and other essential services. The Cecil County Delegation was successful at preserving pre-existing capital funding for racing at Fair Hill despite efforts to trade this line-item for something else outside of Cecil County.
Capital Budget Highlights
North East Middle/High School – $4,669,998
Aging Schools Program – $96,024
Elkton Library – Renovation and Expansion – $1,550,000
Cecil College Campuswide Facilities Renewal – $376,375
Park Acquisition and Development – $358,223
Helen Titter Park Playground – $293,425
Rolling Mill Water Treatment Plant – $2,122,000
Tome School – Site Assessment – $100,000
Fair Hill Condominium Association – $1,000,000
Principio Rail Spur – $1,500,000
NorthBay Environmental Education Center – $375,000
Plumpton Park Zoological Garden – $100,000
The 90 Day Report
More details on the 2025 budget, along with the final outcomes of all other legislation before the Maryland General Assembly this year, is detailed in this comprehensive publication by the Maryland Department of Legislative Services.
Working with mutually interested stakeholders, I am pleased to report that Phase II at the Perry Point Veteran’s Village will soon be underway, which will bring 77 new housing units for local veterans. Thank you to HELP USA and our partners in local & State government in ensuring the continued success of this effort.
After discussions with local hunters and outdoorsmen, I was pleased to sponsor and pass HB-857 Natural Resources – Pursuing Wounded Deer After Legal Hunting Hours and Using a Light – Authorization; with my colleagues on the Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. This bill allows lawful pursuit of an already wounded dear after sunset using artificial light.
For a number of years, we have pursued right to repair for both agricultural equipment and automobiles. Together with Delegate Aaron Kaufman, we successfully passed a narrowly-tailored right-to-repair bill for wheelchairs, HB-31 Consumer Protection – Right to Repair – Powered Wheelchairs. This consumer protection measure will help reduce backlog for specialized wheelchair repairs when the user needs work done in a timely manner.
I offered an amendment on the House floor to protect the successful 287G Program, permitting cooperation with local law enforcement and ICE, currently utilized in Cecil County and elsewhere in Maryland. In Cecil County, our 287G Program has helped to apprehend folks actively involved with MS-13 and the Jalisico Cartel. One such arrest yielded 2,300 grams of fentanyl, and another removed a child sexual predator with convictions for burglaries, assaults, and thefts in over ten states. This individual was eventually apprehended in Cecil County and subsequently turned over to federal custody thanks to the diligent and dutiful work of the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office. The bill itself, HB-1222 Public Safety – Immigration Enforcement (Maryland Values Act), passed the House of Delegates 101-38. I voted no. However, I am pleased to report that our efforts were ultimately successful in protecting the 287G program despite the bill’s passage.
HB-853 Maryland Second Look Act would have given an undue opportunity for early release of violent offenders who committed crimes between the ages of 19 and 25. I offered an amendment on the House floor to exclude murder of an on-duty law enforcement officer. This is an act so heinous and reckless it should not be afforded the same privileges that other crimes would receive under this bill (many of which I also believe should be excluded). Police carry a service weapon are the community caretakers and the uniquely extreme nature of attacking and killing a law enforcement officer is a truly heinous crime. I was encouraged to see a few of my colleagues from the majority party willing to cross the aisle to vote for the amendment. Ultimately The bill itself passed the House of Delegates 89-47. I voted no. Our amendment went on to be offered in the Senate by Senator Jack Bailey and was adopted by a one vote margin.
I was pleased we were able to pass HB-809 Out-of-Home Placement Providers – Individuals Enrolled in Higher Education and Vocational Training Programs, sponsored by Delegate Mike Griffith, to enable a foster care child to remain in a stable home life while attending a multi-year trade school or college. The bill closes a continuity loophole currently in law.
It has been a privilege to serve as your Delegate this session. More information on all the activities of the Maryland General Assembly can be found at https://mgaleg.maryland.gov. Our District 35 Team consists of Senator Jason Gallion, Delegate Mike Griffith, Delegate Teresa Reilly, and myself. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of our offices in the future should you need assistance. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Delegate Kevin Hornberger
District 35B, Cecil County