Governor Larry Hogan delivered his second State of the State Address today in Annapolis.

 

Crews have put extra chairs in the House of Delegates  Chamber, because members of the Senate and other invited guests will join delegates in hearing Hogan’s speech.

The speech is expected to focus on Hogan's legislative agenda including tax and fee cuts. Released excerpts strike an optimistic tone.

“None of us could have foreseen just how much we would be asked to overcome: the riots and lawlessness that threatened to tear Baltimore City apart; for me personally, a life-altering diagnosis requiring me to publicly wage what is normally a very private battle; and last week an historic winter storm that left a season’s worth of snowfall in just two days," read the released remarks. "Together, we have been tested. But in the face of adversity, we were not Democrats or Republicans looking backward. We were Marylanders with our eyes fixed forward, working together for a better tomorrow.”

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Little policy is discussed in the excerpts, but the speech will touch at least briefly on criminal justice reform.

“We look forward to working closely with the General Assembly on the recommendations from the Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council," reads the excerpt. "These reforms can help us break the cycle of incarceration, and create an environment of economic opportunity for every Marylander. We cannot afford to leave anyone behind. Instead, we must commit to recognizing the fundamental human potential of all of our citizens.”

“Governor Hogan greatly looks forward to addressing his friends and partners in the General Assembly, and all Marylanders... in his second State of the State address," said Douglass Mayer, deputy communications director for the governor.

"His remarks will focus on the state’s shared accomplishments of the past year and how together we can successfully find solutions to the issues and challenges facing us today with bipartisan, common sense ideas. The overarching theme is one of unity and progress and how Maryland is always stronger when we work together as we have over the past year.”

Hogan delivers this speech as a Gonzales Poll issued last month showed Hogan with a 67% approval rating.

Last year, Senate President Mike Miller criticized the speech saying Hogan tried to blame Democrats for all of the state’s problems. 

Miller told reporters Tuesday that he hoped the governor will take a more positive tone in the speech.

The speech is scheduled for noon.

WBAL NewsRadio 1090 will bring you live coverage.

At 11 a.m., Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker and Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett will hold a news conference that they say will discuss issues prior to the governor's speech.