Maryland Lawmakers Petition Governor to Halt Energy Bill Taxes and Fees

Republican state delegates call on Gov. Wes Moore to provide relief for rising energy costs in the state.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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A group of Republican state delegates in Maryland have started a petition calling on Governor Wes Moore to take action to lower energy costs by halting all taxes and fees on energy bills. The petition was announced by the Maryland Freedom Caucus and includes seven GOP state delegates. They argue that Marylanders are struggling to pay their gas and electric bills, especially seniors on fixed incomes, and that the governor is more focused on "political theatre" than solving the energy crisis.

Why it matters

Energy costs have been a major issue for many Maryland residents and businesses in recent years, with utility rates rising significantly since the acquisition of major providers by Exelon. This petition highlights the political divide over how to address the problem, with Republican lawmakers pushing for immediate tax and fee relief while the Democratic governor has proposed a bill to modernize the power grid and provide bill rebates.

The details

The petition calls on Governor Moore to take emergency action to halt all taxes and fees on energy bills, similar to how former Governor Larry Hogan and the state legislature paused the gas tax when prices at the pump were high. The lawmakers argue that Marylanders are having to choose between necessities like food and heating their homes due to the skyrocketing costs. They say Moore did not adequately address the energy crisis during a recent town hall event.

  • The petition was announced by the Maryland Freedom Caucus on Monday, February 16, 2026.
  • The petition comes a day after Governor Moore appeared for a CBS News town hall, where he discussed several topics including the high cost of living in Maryland.

The players

Wes Moore

The current Democratic governor of Maryland who has proposed legislation to address rising energy costs in the state.

Maryland Freedom Caucus

A group of Republican state delegates in Maryland who started the petition calling on Governor Moore to halt taxes and fees on energy bills.

Kathy Szeliga

Vice Chair of the Maryland Freedom Caucus and one of the state delegates behind the petition.

Brian Chisholm

A state delegate sponsoring an energy reform measure in response to the rising costs.

Larry Hogan

The former Republican governor of Maryland who paused the gas tax when prices were high.

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What they’re saying

“Marylanders are worried about how to pay for their gas and electric bills. Seniors on a fixed income are having to choose between food and heat.”

— Kathy Szeliga, Vice Chair, Maryland Freedom Caucus (cbsnews.com)

“Just like [former Maryland] Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland General Assembly paused the gas tax when prices at the pump were out of control, we are demanding that we do the same for the taxes and fees on energy bills.”

— Brian Chisholm, State Delegate (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This petition highlights the political divide over how to address the rising energy costs impacting Maryland residents, with Republican lawmakers pushing for immediate tax relief while the Democratic governor has proposed longer-term grid modernization efforts. The outcome could have significant implications for household budgets across the state.