Stronger Wages, Stronger Economy? What the Data Means for Maryland Businesses

Key Insights from the Gonzales Maryland Poll (January 2026)
Commissioned by One Fair Wage

Overview
A statewide January 2026 poll conducted by Gonzales Research & Media Services surveyed 808 likely Maryland voters to gauge public opinion on raising Maryland’s minimum wage to $25 per hour over several years, including tipped workers. The results reveal strong public support, deep political divides, and significant implications for Maryland’s business environment.

Key Findings

• 65% of Maryland voters support raising the minimum wage to $25/hour
• 49% strongly support
• 16% somewhat support
• 34% oppose the proposal

        
​Support for higher wages is broad and crosses demographic lines, but political and economic concerns—particularly among business owners and Republicans—remain substantial.
 
Why This Matters to Maryland Businesses
Maryland employers are already operating in a challenging environment marked by:

• High operating costs
• Workforce shortages
• Slower business formation and survival rates
• Residents and employers relocating to more business-friendly states

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The strong public support for wage increases reflects real cost-of-living pressures, but it also highlights a growing tension:

• Workers seek livable wages
• Businesses fear higher labor costs, reduced hiring, price increases, and closures—especially for small businesses and restaurants

 
The Business Community’s Challenge
This poll reinforces that Maryland’s economic issues are complex and interconnected:

• Wage policy cannot be addressed in isolation
• Businesses need predictability, affordability, and support, not one-size-fits-all mandates
• Policy decisions must balance worker needs with business sustainability

Why Regional Chambers of Commerce Are Engaged
Regional Chambers of Commerce are committed to:

• Advocating for balanced, data-driven policy
• Ensuring lawmakers understand real-world impacts on employers
• Supporting solutions that strengthen:
  1. Business creation
  2. Long-term job growth
  3. Worker opportunity
  4. Regional economic competitiveness

Chambers serve as the bridge between public sentiment, business realities, and smart economic policy.

Bottom Line
The Gonzales Poll shows Marylanders want an economy where work pays—but it also underscores the urgency of addressing the broader business climate. Sustainable growth requires policies that support workers without pushing employers out of the state.
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Strong businesses and strong wages must move forward together.
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