Friday Five
May 8, 2026 | This week's latest on Maryland business and government
1 — Comptroller report reveals steep challenges facing Maryland’s healthcare industry
A new report from Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman’s office found that healthcare remains Maryland’s largest industry and top job creator, but the sector faces mounting pressures from workforce shortages, an aging population and potential federal Medicaid funding cuts. The report warns that rising healthcare costs could crowd out spending on other essentials like housing and childcare, while state leaders emphasized the need to strengthen preventive care, primary care access and long-term workforce stability to manage future demand.
Healthcare costs top of mind: New polling shows healthcare affordability remains one of voters’ top concerns heading into the 2026 midterms.
2 — Electric grid manager PJM says developers are proposing 800+ new power projects
PJM Interconnection says developers have submitted more than 800 new power generation projects totaling roughly 220 gigawatts of potential capacity under its revamped approval process, signaling strong demand for new energy infrastructure as electricity needs surge across the region. The proposed projects span natural gas, battery storage, nuclear, solar and other energy sources, with officials and analysts viewing the influx as a critical step toward improving grid reliability and easing long-term pressure on rising electricity costs.
Looking ahead: PJM forecasts electricity use will grow by nearly 70 percent over the next two decades. Most of the new demand will come from data centers to develop artificial intelligence.
3 — Maryland PFAS bill withdrawn: Why companies should still be paying attention
Maryland lawmakers withdrew a sweeping PFAS regulation bill that would have imposed broad product bans, manufacturer registration requirements and new compliance obligations on companies using so-called “forever chemicals” in consumer products. Despite the bill’s failure this session, legal and industry experts say businesses should still prepare for future regulation, as Maryland’s proposal reflected a growing national trend toward stricter PFAS oversight and supply chain reporting requirements.
Supply chain impacts: PFAS are not confined to a narrow set of products, rather they are woven throughout modern manufacturing and supply chains. For many businesses, a complete ban could mean tracing materials several layers deep, renegotiating contracts, reformulating products, or pulling items from shelves. These requirements could drive operational shifts, cost increases and product disruptions across Maryland’s economy.
4 — Moore and Ferguson had a deal, then the Supreme Court made its ruling
Tensions between Governor Moore and Senate President Bill Ferguson intensified after a planned mutual endorsement agreement collapsed over disagreements surrounding congressional redistricting following the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act. The dispute highlights growing divisions within Maryland Democratic leadership as Moore pushes for more aggressive redistricting efforts to target the state’s lone Republican congressional seat, while Ferguson has warned of the legal and political risks associated with redrawing the maps.
Upcoming elections: Members of the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate are preparing for the June 23 primary elections.
5 — Maryland gains 3.2K jobs in March, officials estimate
Maryland added 3,200 jobs in March, with strong gains in construction, healthcare and manufacturing helping offset continued federal job losses and weakness in several professional service sectors. State officials said Maryland’s employment growth has outpaced national trends so far in 2026, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent, matching the national average.
On competitivness: Maryland’s recent job growth is a positive signal, particularly in sectors like construction and healthcare, but the mixed performance across high-skill industries highlights the need for a stronger competitiveness agenda. Sustaining and expanding this momentum will depend on creating a more predictable business climate that supports investment, encourages private-sector job creation, and ensures Maryland can compete for talent and employers.
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The Maryland Chamber of Commerce is the state’s leading business advocacy organization — committed to working with our alliance of partners on critical public policy issues. With a focus on economic development and grassroots advocacy, we impact policies that directly affect Maryland business.
