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Annapolis, Maryland – Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press that he aims to deliver “the most complete attack on child poverty” during Maryland’s first legislative session. and touched on various topics.
The governor, a Democrat, has voiced concerns about the banking industry after the second and third largest bank failures in U.S. history, his support for President Joe Biden, his thoughts on compensating slavery, increased use of electric vehicles and the election period. We talked about police reform inside. Interviews and other topics.
After two months in office, Moore, Maryland’s first black chief executive officer and the third black governor elected in the United States, acknowledged the historic nature of November’s landslide victory. pointed out. His portrait would look “slightly different” than the white governor’s painting on the wall inside the Maryland State Capitol.
“I won more personal votes for governors on these walls than anyone else,” Moore said. gave me ”
His proposal to expand tax credits for low-income earners is making headway in the Democratic-controlled Congress. His push to accelerate the minimum wage hike to $15 an hour is also progressing, but so far he has not suggested creating automatic pay raises in the future to adjust for inflation.
Here’s what the governor had to say about some of the key issues facing the country and the states he governs.
banking
After the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, Moore, a former investment banker, said there would be no major impact on Maryland. Part of the big reason, he said, is a swift move by the federal government to ensure depositors are not harmed and are compensated.
“We definitely need to support smaller regional banks,” said Moore. “But two, we want our depositors to avoid all this harm.”
President Biden
Moore said he was thrilled with the partnership Maryland is currently in with the White House and Biden.
“We want to continue this partnership,” Moore said. “And I’m not just supporting President Biden’s re-election. I’m going to do all I can to help.”
Compensation for Slavery
As the city of San Francisco considers how to deal with the thorny question of how to atone for centuries of slavery and systemic racism, Moore says people will continue to debate the issue. He said he understood why. Being real in people’s lives now. ”
“We also know that we must act now to help address issues such as housing insecurity, food insecurity, racial wealth inequality, and education inequality. We know we can do it now,” Moore said. I will not continue to see how we continue to be disadvantaged by the policies we continue to implement. ”
abortion
Moore has fully supported Democrats in legislative efforts to enshrine abortion rights in the Maryland Constitution and other measures to protect abortion rights in the state.
“As long as I’m governor, Maryland will be a safe haven for abortion rights,” Moore said.
Electric car
The governor announced this week that Maryland will require all new cars sold in the state to be electric by 2035, as California decided.
“Will it be tough? Yes. Will it be bold? Yes. Will Maryland make it? Absolutely,” Moore said. “This means focusing on things like grid electrification, so we have the infrastructure in place to actually manage that.”
police reform
Moore said he supports expanding the police reform law passed two years ago in Maryland. Some of these reforms require the Maryland Attorney General to investigate police-involved deaths, but leave the decision to prosecute to local prosecutors. An ongoing law in Maryland gives the Attorney General the power to independently prosecute officers.
child sexual abuse
The governor said he supports legislation underway in the state Senate to end the statute of limitations against filing civil lawsuits against public or private entities for child sexual abuse.
“I support the bill because if we really want to be able to work to make it right for the individual and the victim, the law that addresses that fact needs to be put in place.” “Because I believe we have to make sure that there are things that are still hurting,” Moore said.
FBI Headquarters
In a meeting with the General Services Administration last week about fierce competition between Maryland and Virginia for the location of the new FBI headquarters, Moore raised concerns about the evaluation process raised by Moore and members of the state legislative delegation. said he was confident the administration would listen. It was unfair to Maryland. Maryland officials claim the Virginia location will cost more and take longer than either of her two Maryland locations under consideration.
representative democracy
Moore emphasized that he has already appointed the most diverse cabinet of secretaries to head state agencies in Maryland.
“I think Maryland is on America’s mind right now,” Moore said. I think we can show that,” he said. “And that’s what makes it strong.”
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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