Speech presents a way forward, reflecting on public trust in government and demonstrating Anne Arundel’s ability to engage residents and drive progress
Annapolis, MD – County Executive Steuart Pittman today released his 2025 State of the County Address, titled "A Way Forward," which reflects on residents across the country losing faith in government, and offers a path for local government to engage residents.
The address showcases the County’s recent progress—driven by fiscal strength, efficiency, and community engagement—and outlines a vision for safe, educated, healthy communities, and strategies to protect our residents from federal threats.
County Executive Pittman is committed to "finishing what we started" in his final year in office, solidifying progress on housing, land preservation, infrastructure, and government services to ensure that Anne Arundel County is set up for success for years to come.
“Local governments exist to protect our people, to improve the health and wellness of our communities, and to ensure that opportunity is available to all,” said County Executive Pittman. “This year’s address offers a way forward for local government to persist in these challenging times.”
Key themes from the address include:
Public Trust: County Executive Pittman reaffirms the importance of transparency, efficiency, and community engagement in strengthening public trust in government.
Fiscal Responsibility: Anne Arundel County maintains a strong financial position after wisely investing in our county’s future, establishing a progressive income tax to target increases to higher earners, and securing three Triple-A bond ratings for the first time in county history.
Public Safety: Anne Arundel County has increased the overall budget for public safety agencies by 69% during the Pittman Administration, resulting in improved facilities, more personnel, better compensation, and new technologies that keep residents safe. The County has also prioritized addressing the social determinants of violence through targeted violence interruption, reentry, and health and human services programs.
Education: County Executive Pittman has worked with the County Council and Board of Education to improve student outcomes by investing in new school construction, career coaching, increasing teacher salaries, and implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
Quality of Life: Anne Arundel County has made substantial quality of life improvements for residents. As part of County Executive Pittman’s goal to finish the work he’s started, the County will continue work on initiatives to increase the supply of affordable housing, expand our transportation network, accelerate land preservation and park improvement projects, build more resilient communities, and create the Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park.
Protecting Our People: Anne Arundel County has launched a Federal Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Workgroup, an interagency effort to monitor impacts and protect residents. That effort has $10 million to invest this year, and its first funds were released to supplement food distribution during the suspension of SNAP benefits. As unemployment, foreclosure, eviction, hunger, deportation, and denial of health services are on the rise, the County anticipates receiving more requests for assistance at our upcoming Budget Town Halls.
The full State of the County Address is available to watch and read online at aacounty.org/state-of-the-county and to listen to on the Pittman and Friends Podcast at aacounty.org/PittmanAndFriends.
