Gov. Wes Moore’s sweeping State of the State address covered expansive ground — from his budget plan to public transit, from tax reforms to economic boosts and from education funding to Washington, D.C., chaos.

Governors typically use their annual dispatch to brag on their accomplishments and cast bright ambitions on a public stage. But this year is unlike any other.

The Democrat’s third take on capturing the pulse of state government told a true story of an uncertain time. This year’s sober and careful message named fewer aspirations and warned of tough roads ahead. More digging in, bracing and holding tight.

Surely, one speech can’t possibly capture every pressing matter. And as Moore laid out his road map for the journey ahead, there were some notable, salient topics that didn’t make the cut.

In recent weeks, Maryland, like all states, has faced extraordinary threats from the country’s own federal government, while also navigating a significant budget gap, an energy crisis and ambitious but expensive public school reforms.

All waited to hear what Moore would say. Would he speak to the federal turmoil? Would he justify his budget cuts? Would they hear their story in his words? Was he thinking of them in this fearful and uncertain moment?

Though he stood at the podium alone, the shadows of what he didn’t say stood right there with him.

Missing: President Trump’s name

Absent from Moore’s speech was a mention of the president by name, instead referencing President Donald Trump as “a new administration in Washington,” and “the White House.”

The governor, however, didn’t shy away from broaching the ongoing chaos caused by Trump’s administration — the federal funding freeze, threats of a trade war with North American allies and invitations sent to thousands of federal workers for them to resign their posts — and how it will ultimately squeeze Marylanders.

Despite these moves that Moore said will hurt middle-class families and reverse longstanding government partnerships, he’s hopeful his administration can find ways to work with their new D.C. neighbors.

“But if the policy decisions of these last few weeks are any preview,” he said. “I fear that our most charitable expectations will be met with harsh realities.”

Mention of groups targeted by Trump

Moore bypassed mentions of undocumented immigrant communities and LGBTQIA+ people. Moore frequently champions the civil rights of both groups with policy choices and in public comments.

The governor broadly referenced the need for “courage to move in partnership and build a state where our economy is growing, where our people are protected, ... ” and urged against “complacency” when Marylanders human rights are questioned, but did not single out any one group.

Trump signed executive orders on his first day in office ramping up deportation enforcement efforts and leveling threats toward state and local officials that declined to help. Other orders have specifically targeted transgender people, for example, to keep them from enlisting in the military and from transitioning if they’re already enlisted.

These historically marginalized groups are scared and want leaders to defend them, said Del. Kris Fair, a Democrat from Frederick County.

“They are looking towards our governor to really be that voice of reason,” he said.

Fair, who chairs the legislature’s LGBTQ+ Caucus, said he didn’t want to overstate the governor’s lack of comment, “but you also want to acknowledge that it has happened.”

“We need to do more to be visible and vocal — that in Maryland — we’re doing everything we can to protect them,” he said.

Long-term budget solutions

The governor spent significant time in his speech on the immediate financial pressures facing the state, touting his proposals to increase taxes on the wealthy and work to grow the economy.

Republicans spotted that Moore left another part of the budget picture unaddressed: The projected long-term budget gap.

”We need to be addressing the $5 billion or $6 billion deficit that we’re going to see in the next couple of years. I think that’s just as important as balancing this year’s budget,” said Sen. Stephen Hershey, the Senate minority leader.

The mismatch between revenue coming into the state and planned spending would continue to grow to several billion dollars in future years if unaddressed.

One driver of the long-term budget gap, known as a “structural deficit,” is the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan.

The state has enough money in a Blueprint fund to pay for the education programs for the next two budget years. But after that, the Blueprint fund falls short and would help drive an overall state deficit.

The governor has made a start with his plan to pause some elements of the Blueprint program, Hershey noted, “but I think you’re going to need to see more changes.”

Budget cuts and curbed spending

Moore’s budget plans include $2 billion in spending reductions, including cuts to key programs for developmentally and intellectually disabled adults and programs in the Blueprint that would benefit students experiencing poverty and English language learners.

The governor didn’t use the platform to justify those cuts, which were immediately unpopular with some lawmakers and advocates, in his speech.

Advocates for people with developmental disabilities, their caregivers and providers watched Moore’s address closely.

”In his address, Gov. Moore urged against complacency when the rights and humanity of Marylanders are at risk,” said Ande Kolp, executive director of The Arc Maryland, in a statement after the speech.

Kolp said the cuts to the state Developmental Disabilities Administration would “weaken and destabilize” supports for Marylanders with disabilities, and that they’ll keep fighting to restore the funding.

”We agree with the governor’s words: ‘We need to invest in our greatest strength, and that is our people,’” Kolp said.

Del. Vanessa Atterbeary, who chairs the House committee that oversees education, said she disagrees “100%” with the governor’s proposed changes to the Blueprint.

“As far as we stand right now, we are not changing the Blueprint,” said Atterbeary, a Howard County Democrat.

The state’s energy crisis

Sen. Justin Ready represents Carroll and Frederick counties. The Republican said he noticed the governor did not mention the state’s energy crisis, “which I found shocking, to be honest.”

Marylanders are facing higher energy distribution costs, and an energy supply problem is looming. Democratic and Republican lawmakers have flagged energy as one of their biggest issues to solve this session, though they differ in their approaches.

House and Senate leaders introduced a joint energy cost reduction package this week, which they’re hoping will begin to address energy challenges.

Though Moore didn’t mention energy or electricity in his speech, the issues are on his radar. Moore introduced a 44-page bill to the General Assembly that he’s dubbed the “ENERGIZE Maryland Act,” which stands for “Empowering New Energy Resources and Green Initiatives Toward a Zero-Emission Maryland.”

The State of the State is _________

Governors often say in this ceremonial speech that “the state of the state is strong” or use some other adjective to frame their remarks. Moore used that word in 2024 but offered no such descriptor this year.

He skipped the expected line in 2023, too.

This keyword framing, also heard in State of the Union addresses given by U.S. presidents, can reflect the speech’s overarching theme.

And there are other options besides “strong” to use in unchartered waters.

Republican Gov. Larry Hogan declared in 2021, as Marylanders were beginning to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, that “The state of our state is more resilient than it ever has been.” Fellow Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich Jr. also never used the term “strong” during his tenure from 2003 through 2007, according to transcripts.

Baltimore Banner reporter Madeleine O’Neill contributed to this story.