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The three Republicans — who represent Talbot and parts of neighboring counties — spoke to residents and officials at a Talbot County Chamber of Commerce event hosted at Easton VFW Post 5118 Wednesday. They emphasized their objections to the state’s budget.

Adams and Hutchinson said the legislature didn’t address key areas hindering the state’s financial outlook, such as high spending in Medicaid and education. Well over $1 billion in tax and fee increases did not please the Republican legislators.

“The amount of fees and increases is going to affect every single one of us here in this room,� Hutchinson said.

During the event, Mautz delivered the news that Maryland lost its triple-A bond rating from Moody’s, an agency which had offered its highest rating to Maryland since 1973.

Mautz said this year’s budget, which he voted against along with Adams and Hutchinson, “didn’t help.�

“It’s not a partisan issue,� Mautz said. “It’s either fiscally in control or it’s fiscally questionable. And the experts are now saying what we’re doing in Maryland is fiscally questionable.�

Gov. Wes Moore (D) and Democratic state officials blamed the Moody’s downgrade on Republican President Donald Trump.

“To put it bluntly, this is a Trump downgrade,� they wrote in a . “Over the last one hundred days, the federal administration’s decisions have wreaked havoc on the entire region, including Maryland. Washington, D.C. received a credit downgrade. Thousands of federal workers are losing their jobs. Actual and proposed cuts to everything from health care to education will continue to exact an incalculable toll on Maryland and states across the country.�

Friday, Fitch Ratings, one of the three main credit rating agencies, retained its triple-A assessment for Maryland. S&P Global Ratings had not released its rating as of Friday.

WINS

While the local legislators came away unsatisfied with budget and energy bills largely passed by the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, they did touch on what they view as important victories.

Hutchinson said multiple bills to address health care workforce shortage issues were passed. One of those was , which requires the State Board of Nursing to pursue reciprocal agreements with neighboring states for advanced practice nurses.

The delegate added that the failure of some bills can be deemed as a success.

He noted bills on surgary drink taxes, bottle taxes, unhoused individuals and police traffic stops all failed, among others.

Hutchinson emphasized the importance of in-person testimony by local leaders, officials and advocates during bill hearings this past session in Annapolis.

“Those voices are really heard,� he said. “They make a difference. They can really change the outcome or just change the dynamics of a bill incredibly.�