September 18, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PRESS RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Miller, Communications Director
megan.miller@mlis.state.md.us
410-881-3203

Senate Republican Leaders Call for Accountability

After Series of Damaging Audits Under Moore Administration

Annapolis, Md – Maryland Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey and Minority Whip Justin Ready today called out what they described as an alarming trend of mismanagement and failure under the leadership of Governor Wes Moore, following three damaging state audits that have come to light in the past two weeks.

“These are not isolated mistakes – they are colossal failures that point to a Governor who either doesn’t know what’s happening in his own agencies, or worse, doesn’t care to find out,” said Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey. “Normally it would speak volumes that we haven’t heard from the Governor about the failure of his agencies being outlined in these audits however, we know once we do, we are assured it will be just his blaming of these findings on the prior administration. Governor Moore should spend less time focused on the politics of Washington, D.C., and more time on the inter-operations of his government agencies. Maryland families deserve a government that can perform its basic functions and protect its most vulnerable citizens.”

Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready added, “Taxpayers have a right to expect their dollars will be spent responsibly, but even more importantly, Marylanders must be able to trust that their government will safeguard children and those who cannot protect themselves. These audits show a disturbing lack of oversight and leadership at the highest levels of the Moore Administration. This is not about partisanship – this is about whether the Moore Administration is doing its job for the people of Maryland. Right now, the answer is clearly no.”

Senate Republicans said they are exploring legislative remedies to hold the executive branch more accountable and strengthen oversight of state agencies. With Maryland facing a massive budget deficit, they emphasized that Democrats in Annapolis cannot ask for one more dime from taxpayers until the Moore Administration demonstrates it can manage the money it already has and protect the children entrusted to its care.

James Senate Office Building • 11 Bladen Street, Room 422 • Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone 410-841-3561 • 301-858-3561 • 800-492-7122 Ext. 3561