Lawmakers are back in Annapolis for the annual 90-day legislative session, where they’ll take on a budget shortfall, a hostile administration in the White House and more.

Here’s what we’re watching on day 6 of 90:

• 💵 Gov. Wes Moore introduces his budget proposal this week. On Wednesday, we’ll learn how Moore plans to address a $1.4 billion budget hole without new taxes or fee hikes. Moore has pledged to address the deficit by finding savings, rather than raising revenues, and it seems that legislative leaders agree. Read more.
• 🗣️ Bill hearings start in earnest: The first few days of the session are for greeting colleagues and brushing off the cobwebs. This week, legislative committees will start holding bill hearings, which take up much of the session and can last for hours, depending on how many bills need to be heard. They’re an opportunity for advocates and members of the public to speak directly to lawmakers about the issues.
• 🧊 ICE bills coming up Thursday: A pair of bills designed to limit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents’ power in Maryland are being heard in the Senate’s Judicial Proceedings Committee later this week. The measures would ban the use of face coverings by law enforcement and prohibit local enforcement agreements with ICE. Expect to hear opposition from law enforcement, including at least one Maryland sheriff, and lots of support from immigrant advocacy groups.

Check back here for live updates on what’s happening in the General Assembly, context and explainers from The Banner’s team of journalists covering Maryland politics.

— Madeleine O’Neill

6:14 p.m.: Honoring Dr. King

The Maryland General Assembly will hold their Monday night floor sessions.

In recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, both the House of Delegates and state Senate will have speeches reflecting the civil rights leader’s teachings.

Sen. Cory McCray, a Baltimore Democrat, has the responsibility in the Senate. The House of Delegates won’t reveal its speaker until the 8 p.m. session.

Also this evening, lawmakers and Gov. Wes Moore plan to lay a wreath and hold a brief ceremony at a tree dedicated to King on the State House grounds. The northern red oak was planted in 1984.

5:05 p.m.: Moore’s got a full war chest for reelection

Maryland Republicans might have 8 million reasons to worry about this year’s gubernatorial election.

That’s how much cash Democratic Gov. Wes Moore says he has on hand — $8 million — for this year’s re-election bid. And while he’s prohibited from raising money during the 90-day General Assembly session, it’s a safe bet to assume the money faucet will turn right back on after Sine Die.

Campaign finance reports are due just before midnight Wednesday, and we’ll see then how potential Republican candidates stack up.

Read more.

— Pamela Wood

4:10 p.m.: The ‘A’ word takes over Annapolis

Maryland lawmakers kicked off the 2026 General Assembly playing tug-o-war over a word: Affordability.

The otherwise benign term is having a moment. President Donald Trump campaigned and got elected in 2024 because he said he’d lower the cost of groceries. And Dems who tapped into the “A-word” with their own plans won big in 2025 races.

In Annapolis, leaders from both parties have been taking notes, saying they want to make Marylanders’ everyday lives less expensive. But the parties split on how they’ll tackle the problem and blame each other for the pain in voters’ pocketbooks.

Here’s how that’s playing out.

— Brenda Wintrode