The legislative session opened Wednesday with pomp and circumstance, with Moore addressing both chambers and members publicly praising their parties’ leaders. Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne Jones were reinstalled as Senate majority leader and House speaker,

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has warned that massive budget cuts are on the way as state lawmakers try to solve a $3 billion budget gap. He told Maryland residents Wednesday to brace themselves for $2 billion worth of cuts in his soon-to-be-released budget.

As the General Assembly starts its new legislative session, one big thing is on the mind of Maryland lawmakers: fixing a massive budget deficit that may call for tax hikes