Maryland Political & Policy Updates: Health Alliance, Police Guidance, and Election Developments

What is the main topic of this content?

This content covers several recent political and policy developments in Maryland, including the state joining a multi-state public health alliance, new attorney general guidance for police working with federal agencies, and early polling data for the 2026 gubernatorial race.

Why did Maryland join the Governors Public Health Alliance?

Maryland joined 13 other states and Guam in forming the alliance to counter recent federal health policy decisions under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that have alarmed medical and public health experts, including federal funding cuts for health services and changes to vaccine guidance.

What guidance did Attorney General Anthony Brown issue to police departments?

Brown issued an 11-page document reminding local police departments that they are still bound by state law when working with federal agencies, listing what police ‘must do, may do and must not do’ in interactions ranging from simple backup to formal joint task force agreements.

How does Wes Moore compare to Larry Hogan in early polling for the 2026 governor’s race?

In a survey of over 900 registered voters, 45% said they would vote for current Governor Wes Moore while 37% said they would vote for former Governor Larry Hogan, with 14% undecided and a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points.

What did the federal judge block regarding government shutdown layoffs?

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from moving forward with thousands of layoffs initiated after the government shutdown began on October 1, as well as any other layoffs officials might want to carry out.

Who announced their candidacy for Howard County Executive and what are their priorities?

Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary, chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, announced her candidacy for Howard County Executive, promising to continue her fight for school funding, affordable housing, police reform and gun control, highlighting her work on police accountability reform, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and gun violence prevention.

When were these various announcements and developments made?

Most of these developments were announced on Wednesday, including the health alliance formation, attorney general’s police guidance, the judge’s restraining order on shutdown layoffs, and Delegate Atterbeary’s campaign announcement.

Why is the formation of the Governors Public Health Alliance significant?

It represents the largest move by states to diverge from recent federal health policy decisions under Kennedy that have concerned medical experts, marking a significant state-level pushback against federal health guidance and funding changes.

What are the practical implications of the attorney general’s police guidance?

The guidance clarifies the legal boundaries for local police when cooperating with federal authorities, ensuring they remain compliant with state laws and limiting their actions in federal partnerships, which could affect how joint law enforcement operations are conducted in Maryland.