Committee places transportation secretary nominee on hold after regional investment concerns
February 23, 2026 | Executive Nominations Committee, SENATE, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Maryland
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Katherine Thompson, Gov. Moore’s nominee to lead the Maryland Department of Transportation, faced extensive questioning on state transit plans and funding on Tuesday and was placed on hold after regional senators said her answers fell short.
Thompson, introduced by Sen. Shanika Henson, detailed a 30-year career in transportation public and private sectors and said the administration views transit as “about connections, opportunity, and prosperity for all.” She told the committee Maryland has a “down payment” toward the Be More Bus plan and that the administration will pursue further discussions and funding to expand service.
Several lawmakers from the Baltimore region pressed Thompson for more specifics. Sen. McCray asked about the Be More Bus rollout and E‑ZPass “unused trips”; Thompson said she requested a briefing from the Maryland Transportation Authority and expected to follow up. Sen. Reedy questioned long-range plans for roads and fairness in how Transportation Trust Fund dollars are allocated; Thompson acknowledged funding constraints and urged collaborative long-term planning with the General Assembly and the governor’s office.
Senate President Bill Ferguson said the Baltimore City and regional delegation had submitted a letter in advance seeking a fuller plan and that “we were expecting a more robust response than was provided today, which was not a response at all.” He asked that the committee put the nominee on hold to allow additional conversations.
The committee agreed to the hold on nominee number 2 and proceeded with a voice vote on the remainder of the slate. The motion to recommend most nominees favorably passed by voice vote; the record shows the committee signified “aye.”
What’s next: The committee did not set a new date for Thompson’s confirmation vote in the hearing record; senators said they want follow-up briefings and additional exchanges about regional investment priorities before proceeding.
Thompson, introduced by Sen. Shanika Henson, detailed a 30-year career in transportation public and private sectors and said the administration views transit as “about connections, opportunity, and prosperity for all.” She told the committee Maryland has a “down payment” toward the Be More Bus plan and that the administration will pursue further discussions and funding to expand service.
Several lawmakers from the Baltimore region pressed Thompson for more specifics. Sen. McCray asked about the Be More Bus rollout and E‑ZPass “unused trips”; Thompson said she requested a briefing from the Maryland Transportation Authority and expected to follow up. Sen. Reedy questioned long-range plans for roads and fairness in how Transportation Trust Fund dollars are allocated; Thompson acknowledged funding constraints and urged collaborative long-term planning with the General Assembly and the governor’s office.
Senate President Bill Ferguson said the Baltimore City and regional delegation had submitted a letter in advance seeking a fuller plan and that “we were expecting a more robust response than was provided today, which was not a response at all.” He asked that the committee put the nominee on hold to allow additional conversations.
The committee agreed to the hold on nominee number 2 and proceeded with a voice vote on the remainder of the slate. The motion to recommend most nominees favorably passed by voice vote; the record shows the committee signified “aye.”
What’s next: The committee did not set a new date for Thompson’s confirmation vote in the hearing record; senators said they want follow-up briefings and additional exchanges about regional investment priorities before proceeding.
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