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Live Updates: 2026 Eye on Annapolis Summit with Gov. Wes Moore, Joseline Peña‑Melnyk, and Bill Ferguson on Maryland’s Key Issues

Summit Overview

• Date & Time: January 14 2026, 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (ET)
• Location: Maryland State House, Annapolis
• Core Focus: Education, climate resilience, transportation, economic growth, healthcare, and public safety
• Live‑stream platforms: Archyde.com, Maryland Public Television, YouTube Live (embedded player on the summit page)

Key Speakers & Their Priorities

Live‑Update Timeline (All times Eastern)

1. 10:00 a.m. – Opening Remarks – gov. Moore outlines the 2026 budget framework,emphasizing a $3 billion investment in clean energy.
2. 10:15 a.m. – Education Panel – Joseline peña‑Melnyk unveils the “Maryland 2030 Learning Initiative,” targeting a 15 % rise in graduation rates.
3. 11:00 a.m. – Climate & Energy Session – Presentation of the “Chesapeake Resilience Plan,” including offshore wind targets of 7 GW by 2035.
4. 11:45 a.m. – Transportation Breakout – Bill Ferguson details the “Blue Line Extension” funding and a $1.2 billion road‑safety program.
5. 12:30 p.m. – Lunch & Community Forum – Live polling on priority issues; real‑time results displayed on the Archyde dashboard.
6. 1:15 p.m. – Economic Development Forum – Gov. Moore announces a $500 million small‑business grant program focused on underserved counties.
7. 2:00 p.m. – Healthcare Roundtable – Discussion on Maryland’s Medicaid expansion and the rollout of statewide mental‑health tele‑services.
8. 2:45 p.m. – Public Safety Panel – Bill Ferguson outlines reforms to the state’s criminal‑justice data‑collection system.
9. 3:30 p.m. – Q&A with Audience – Attendees submit questions via the summit app; top‑voted topics include affordable housing and broadband access.
10. 4:00 p.m. – closing Summary – Recap of actionable commitments and next steps for each agency.

Education Initiatives Highlighted

• Maryland 2030 Learning Initiative
• Goal: Increase high‑school graduation to 92 % by 2030.
• Funding: $250 million allocated for teacher‑training and curriculum modernization.
• Key programs: Expanded dual‑enrollment with community colleges, statewide SEL (Social‑Emotional Learning) integration.

• Early‑Childhood Literacy Push
• introduction of “Read‑First” kits for pre‑K classrooms in Prince George’s and Baltimore County.
• Partnerships with local libraries to offer free family literacy workshops.

Climate & Energy Action

• Chesapeake Resilience Plan
• Target: Reduce statewide carbon emissions 40 % from 2020 levels by 2035.
• Projects: 7 GW offshore wind, 2 GW solar farms, upgraded flood‑risk mapping for coastal communities.

• Clean‑Transportation Incentives
• $150 million incentive fund for electric‑bus purchases by Maryland Transit Administration.
• New “Charge‑Up” network: 250 fast‑charging stations installed along I‑95 corridor.

Transportation & Infrastructure Updates

• Blue Line Extension – 12‑mile light‑rail stretch connecting Annapolis to Columbia; projected daily ridership 25,000 by 2028.
• Road‑Safety Revamp – Installation of smart‑intersection technology at 45 high‑collision sites; expected 12 % reduction in accidents.
• Broadband Expansion – $200 million grant to bring high‑speed internet to 150 rural Maryland towns.

Economic Development & Workforce

• Small‑Business Grant Program – $500 million pool, $10,000–$100,000 awards for entrepreneurs in designated Prospect Zones.
• tech‑Talent Pipeline – Collaboration with University of Maryland and johns Hopkins to create 3,000 apprenticeship slots in AI, biotech, and cybersecurity.

Healthcare & mental‑Health Priorities

• Medicaid Expansion – Extension of eligibility to adults earning up to 138 % of the federal poverty line, adding an estimated 150,000 new enrollees.
• Tele‑Mental‑Health Network – Statewide platform connecting rural clinics with licensed therapists; pilot launched in Western Maryland.

Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform

• Data‑driven Policing Initiative – Mandated statewide adoption of body‑camera analytics to improve openness.
• Housing First Model Funding – $75 million allocated to reduce recidivism through supportive housing for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Community Engagement & Feedback

• Real‑Time Polls – Participants voted 62 % for “affordable housing” as the top issue after the summit.
• Digital Comment Wall – Over 1,200 user submissions screened by the maryland Office of Legislative Services; key themes summarized in the post‑summit report.

Benefits of Attending the Annapolis Summit

• Direct access to decision‑makers (Governor, Senate leadership, education board).
• Immediate insight into upcoming budget allocations and grant opportunities.
• Networking with industry leaders, nonprofit advocates, and community organizers.

Practical Tips for Participants

1. Register Early – Secure a seat in the live‑stream webinar to receive the downloadable agenda and real‑time Q&A link.
2. Prepare Questions – Use the summit’s mobile app to draft concise queries (max 150 characters) for the afternoon Q&A.
3. Leverage Social Media – Follow @MDGov, @MD_Education, and @MD_Senate on Twitter for live updates and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes photos.
4. Take Notes – The archyde live‑notes feature auto‑transcribes speaker remarks; export as PDF for post‑event reference.

Real‑Time Resources

• Archyde Live Blog: Continuous written updates, timestamped for easy reference.
• Downloadable pdfs: Full transcripts of each panel, budget tables, and policy briefs.
• Post‑Summit Summary Video: 5‑minute highlight reel released at 6:00 p.m. ET, optimized for mobile viewing.

Next steps for Stakeholders

• Review the “Action Items” worksheet provided at the close of each session.
• Submit implementation plans to the relevant Maryland agency within 30 days to qualify for grant eligibility.
• Join the “Annapolis Summit Action Network” on LinkedIn for quarterly progress reports and collaborative opportunities.