For Maryland State Senator Guy Guzzone ’86, MPM ’88, the path from his humble beginnings to overseeing Maryland’s $63 billion state budget has been anything but straightforward. As the chair of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, Guzzone holds one of the most impactful positions in the state legislature, where he shapes the future of Maryland’s fiscal policy and steers critical budget decisions that affect millions of residents.
During his visit to the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, Guzzone reflected on his personal and professional journey, highlighting how his father's experiences of being homeless at times shaped his approach to public service. He emphasized the impact of his father's history, noting that despite starting from poverty and living on the streets of Baltimore, his family’s circumstances changed significantly. This shift allowed Guzzone to attend college and study public policy, ultimately leading him to rise to the position of chair of the Budget and Tax Committee in the Senate, overseeing a budget of $63 billion.
Guzzone shared that his career has been shaped by a commitment to helping marginalized communities, particularly those facing poverty, mental illness and disability. He noted that his work in public policy revolves around improving conditions for people who often don’t have a strong voice in government decisions. "We can't solve every problem, but I certainly believe that we have opportunities to try to set the world in a way that most people succeed or at least can succeed at their highest levels," he explained.
While discussing his role in overseeing Maryland's state budget, Guzzone emphasized the weight of his responsibilities. He shared that each morning, he reflects on the importance of managing a budget of $63 billion, which serves as a constant reminder to make sound decisions. He also described the complex interplay between policy and budget, and how each decision, no matter how small, can have lasting implications for the state’s finances and its citizens.
Guzzone, who has been a member of the Maryland General Assembly since 2007—first serving in the House of Delegates and then in the Senate since 2014—spoke candidly about some of the essential aspects of government work. “The best government is a boring government,” he said. “It’s not the fancy words on TV or social media. It’s the daily grind of getting the work done, using evidence-based practices to improve lives and the environment.”
He reflected on the importance of fiscal accountability, drawing from his experience as chair of the audit committee. He emphasized that accountability is vital to democracy and highlighted the necessity of being open to examining successes and failures.
As a long-serving public official, Guzzone acknowledged the increasing complexity of budgeting in Maryland, particularly with the state’s ambitious education reform initiatives. He pointed to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a multi-billion-dollar plan aimed at providing equitable early education opportunities for all children. While the plan’s cost has contributed to current budget challenges, Guzzone defended the legislature’s decision to move forward. “We knew that would put us in a tricky financial situation … but if we're really going to lift up every single child, that's what it's going to cost. … At the end of the day, all of us, as citizens, have a responsibility to talk about these things, with our families, our friends, and beyond. That's the nature of democracy. Who are we? And who do we want to be?”
Guzzone encouraged students to see policymaking as an opportunity to create a better world. “We have an opportunity to build the world we want and use the tools of government and the things we learn in a professional way.”
