Education

Ferguson supports the Kirwan Commission recommendations, also known as the Blueprint for Maryland's Future,^[16] and served on the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education before becoming President of the Maryland Senate.^[17]

Ferguson opposed legislation introduced during the 2015 legislative session that would have armed school resource officers while they patrolled schools, calling it a "counterproductive strategy" and saying that counseling and other services would be more useful in enhancing school safety.^[18]

In 2018, Ferguson blamed Governor Larry Hogan after Baltimore schools closed early amid facilities problems, saying that the governor did not provide adequate funding for public schools.^[19]

Environment

In 2019, Ferguson voted in favor of an amendment to make the Wheelabrator Incinerator ineligible to receive renewable energy subsidies, which passed in a 34-12 vote.^[20]

Gun policy

During the 2013 legislative session, Ferguson voted for the Firearm Safety Act, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles. In November 2023, he criticized a Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that struck down a provision of the state's Firearm Safety Act that required handgun owners to obtain a "handgun qualification license" to buy a handgun.^[21]

Marijuana

Ferguson supports the legalization of recreational marijuana, saying he'd support legalizing it by passing a law during the General Assembly session.^[22][23] In 2021, he co-sponsored legislation to legalize marijuana.^[24] In 2022, Ferguson said that a voter referendum to legalize marijuana "wouldn't be his first choice",^[25] but stressed that it would be unfair to put the question before the voters without letting them know the details of the state's marijuana program.^[26][27]

Policing

During the 2018 legislative session, Ferguson introduced legislation that would establish a Commission to Restore Trust in Policing to investigate the Baltimore Police Department's Gun Trace Task Force, whose members' abuse of power over several years resulted in federal convictions of eight of the unit's nine officers on racketeering charges related to a robbery and extortion scheme.^[28][29] The bill passed both chambers unanimously and was signed into law by Governor Hogan on May 15, 2018.^[30] The Commission published its final report on December 2, 2020.^[31] In February 2021, Ferguson said that he would support repealing and replacing the state's Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights.^[32]

In March 2021, Ferguson said that he would support giving Baltimore full local control of its police department, supporting a bill to include a city charter amendment to do so on the ballots of Baltimore voters as soon as 2022.^[33] The bill passed both chambers and became law on May 8, 2021.^[34][35]

In October 2021, Ferguson spoke out against Governor Hogan's proposal to increase funding for local law enforcement, saying in a statement that "divisive rhetoric does not make us safer" and that "improving public safety isn't about just writing a bigger check", but said that lawmakers "support investments that enhance trust and safety".^[36]

Social issues

Ferguson was a co-sponsor of the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland.^[37]

In June 2021, Ferguson spoke out against Governor Hogan's decision to opt out of federal unemployment insurance programs provided under the American Rescue Plan Act, writing a letter to the governor urging him to rethink the decision.^[38]

During the 2022 legislative session, Ferguson introduced legislation that would require companies on The Block in Baltimore to close at 10 p.m. nightly.^[39] Following a compromise made between city politicians and venues on The Block, the bill was amended to require clubs to hire off-duty Baltimore police officers to patrol the nightlife district three nights a week and implement new security rules.^[40] The bill unanimously passed both chambers and became law on April 9, 2022.^[41]

In October 2023, Ferguson said he supported reforms to the process for filling vacancies in the Maryland General Assembly. He also endorsed ranked-choice voting in Maryland elections, but conceded that it was unlikely to pass the legislature anytime soon.^[42]

Taxes

In 2020, Ferguson stated that he would be opposed to an across-the-board increase in taxes to pay for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a sweeping education reform bill.^[43][44] During that year's legislative session, he introduced legislation that would levy a tax on digital advertising to pay for the Commission's reforms,^[45] which passed but was vetoed by Governor Hogan on May 7, 2020.^[46] The General Assembly voted to override the governor's veto on February 12, 2021.^[47]

In May 2022, Ferguson rejected calls for an extension to Maryland's fuel tax holiday, claiming it would have "long-term consequences" for critical infrastructure in the state.^[48]

Transportation

In 2013, Ferguson called for a "rethink" of the Red Line,^[49] backing a proposal by the Right Rail Coalition to replace the eastern leg of the Red Line with a streetcar network.^[50][51]

In 2015, Ferguson sponsored legislation that would regulate and tax ridesharing companies in Maryland, but also allow such companies to operate under less regulations than traditional taxi companies. The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Hogan on April 14, 2015.^[52]

Following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in March 2024, Ferguson introduced an emergency bill to provide income replacement for workers impacted by the disaster.^[53]