ANNAPOLIS, MD(AP) – Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is emphasizing his commitment to service in his first State of the State speech. He highlighted his proposal to create a service year program for high school graduates that he says will be the first of its kind in the nation. Moore is proposing to create a new Department of Service and Civic Innovation to run a voluntary service year program for high school graduates to better prepare them for college and careers. The governor has set aside $18 million in his budget plan for the initiative. Moore says he wants to promote service as “a state ideal.”

GOV. WES MOORE