Governor Larry Hogan took the oath of office to become Maryland's 62nd Chief Executive and vowed to make the state's economy more attractive to business.
While he faces state legislature dominated by a Democratic majority, the Republican emphasized bipartisan.
He said, "Today is not the beginning of an era of divided government. Today is the beginning of a new spirit of cooperation in Annapolis."
Among his goals, Hogan said, was fiscal responsibility as the state faces a $750 million budget deficit in the next fiscal year.
However, the Republican who has never held political office before, told the inaugural crowd, that it was time for government to "get off our backs and out of our pockets."
Hogan won the office in an upset victory against former Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown in last year's November elections.
And he is the second Republican since Spiro Agnew to hold the office. Former Republican Governor Robert Ehrlich was in attendance along with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who is chair of the Republican Governor Association and is considering a president bid next year.
Budget
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gov. Larry Hogan will be talking about his budget plan today.
Hogan is scheduled Thursday to discuss the budget proposal he is submitting to Maryland lawmakers this week.
Hogan and advisers have been working on budget issues for weeks. The new governor has been bracing lawmakers for strong medicine.
Maryland is facing a projected shortfall of roughly $750 million for the next fiscal year. Maryland lawmakers will be working on the budget for most of the rest of the legislative session, which began last week in Annapolis.
Hogan campaigned mostly on tackling state economic problems and cutting taxes.
