Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will deliver his third State of the State speech on Wednesday at a pivotal time for his leadership of the state.

President Donald Trump has sown uncertainty and confusion across Maryland and the nation, canceling government programs and threatening to halt vital funding.

On top of the Trump confusion, Moore has his own challenges close to home. He’s working to convince lawmakers to agree to his plan to close a budget gap with a combination of taxes and spending cuts, while also reworking an ambitious education program.

The Democratic governor will outline his agenda during the speech. Here are some key facts to know.

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What is the State of the State?

Much like the president’s State of the Union addresses, the State of the State is the governor’s opportunity to make a public pitch for his agenda.

He’ll speak before a joint session of the House of Delegates and the state Senate that gavels to order at noon.

The tradition is rooted in the Maryland Constitution, which states that the governor “shall, from time to time, inform the Legislature of the condition of the State and recommend to their consideration such measures as he may judge necessary and expedient.”

What will we hear from Gov. Moore?

In his first two State of the State addresses, Moore combined his broad vision for the state’s future with announcements of specific priorities.

In his first year, 2023, Moore talked about the importance of service and announced his goal to eventually eliminate childhood poverty in the state.

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And last year, he announced plans to improve state government with a “state plan” that measures the performance of agencies.

So far this year, Moore has been busy selling his economic development and budget priorities, and it’s likely he’ll talk more about that on Wednesday.

Moore wants state government to help grow the economy in sectors such as life sciences, information technology and defense technology. Until that pays dividends, Moore is wrestling with a state budget that is fundamentally imbalanced, and his proposed solution relies on some tax increases, mostly for the wealthy, and cuts in planned spending.

Will the governor discuss Trump?

It’s hard to say whether Moore will name-check the 47th president or not.

It’s undeniable, though, that Trump factors into so many decisions being made in Annapolis and the governor has to account for the president’s potential actions.

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Moore has been measured so far in his response to Trump, and last month said he’s not “the leader of the resistance.”

One week ago, when Trump made an on-again, off-again attempt to suspend most federal grants, Moore said the move was “completely irrational.”

It bears watching whether Moore ramps up his criticism of the president.

What should I listen for?

Governors often say in this speech that “the state of the state is strong.” Moore used the word in 2024, offering no such description the year prior.

What will Moore’s 2025 assessment be?

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Some governors have deviated from describing the state as “strong.” They include Republican-Gov. Larry Hogan, who declared in 2021 as Marylanders were beginning to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, ”The state of our state is more resilient than it ever has been.”

Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich Jr. also never used the term “strong” during his tenure from 2003 through 2007, according to transcripts.

You can also listen for some of Moore’s preferred phrases, such as his vow to “work in partnership” and be “data-driven and heart-led” when making decisions.

Another likely phrase you’ll hear is his motto: “Leave No One Behind.”

How can I watch?

The speech will be aired live on Maryland Public Television, both on the actual TV station and online at mpt.org/stateofthestate and on MPT’s YouTube channel. The broadcast will run from noon until approximately 1 p.m.

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Other TV and radio stations typically carry the speech and it will be streamed on the governor’s social media channels.

Viewers can also watch a livestream from the House of Delegates chamber on the General Assembly’s home page.

Watching in person in Annapolis is possible, but not advisable. The public galleries overlooking the House of Delegates chamber are likely to be filled with invited guests.