As Maryland navigates post-pandemic recovery and fiscal uncertainty, Eric Luedtke, senior policy advisor to Governor Wes Moore and lecturer at the School of Public Policy, is drawing on his public service experience to guide the state through the challenges ahead. A former majority leader in the Maryland House of Delegates, Luedtke has long championed education, health policy and economic development.
In his current role, he is focused on addressing some of the state’s most urgent issues, particularly managing the fallout from the pandemic’s fiscal impact. “Maryland is at a real crossroads,” he said, pointing to the ongoing budgetary strain and the end of federal stimulus funds. He emphasized the need for leaders to make tough choices about priorities and highlighted budgeting as a critical skill for anyone working in government, nonprofits or philanthropy.
Luedtke’s commitment to public service is deeply personal. Raised by a single mother, he was instilled with the belief that giving back to the community is a responsibility. He feels that public service, in all its forms, is one of the highest callings. His view of governance has evolved, shifting from a focus on federal policymaking to recognizing the power of state and local governments as drivers of change. “The real action is at the state and local level because the gears of government at the federal level are broken or jammed,” he explained. Luedtke now sees state governments as hubs for innovation, where policies often inspire federal action. “The vast majority of federal policy really copies the work of the states,” he said.
The real action is at the state and local level because the gears of government at the federal level are broken or jammed.Eric Luedtke
In addition to his role with the Moore administration, Luedtke brings real-world experience to his teaching at the School of Public Policy. He focuses on fostering practical skills and encouraging discussion-based learning. He shares stories of his real-world policy work and encourages students to share their own experiences, creating a dynamic classroom environment where learning is enriched through collaboration and reflection. “The stories of those experiences bring public policy work alive like nothing you can read in a textbook,” he said.
Luedtke highlighted the teacher shortage as one of the most pressing issues in education today. “Education is a people business,” he shared. “Everything we do in schools depends on getting high-quality teachers in front of the classroom.” He stressed that confronting this, along with the pandemic’s impact on learning and behavioral health, is essential for initiatives like the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which aims to transform the state’s education system and ensure long-term economic and social prosperity. Luedtke emphasized that solutions must be addressed at the school level, not the system level, and that the state must ensure adequate funding and develop a robust pipeline of teachers and administrators to effectively tackle these challenges.
His approach to public policy is grounded in inclusivity. “All ideas should be on the table and everyone should have a seat,” he said, a mindset that has helped him build consensus and foster innovation. While acknowledging the mistrust that often surrounds policy discussions, he believes it fades quickly when people see that their opinions are genuinely valued.
As Luedtke continues to shape Maryland’s future and inspire the next generation of policymakers, his dedication to public service remains at the core of his work. He emphasized that understanding the financial foundations of governance is essential for long-term success. “No matter what kind of work you do in our space, you rely on having the money to do it,” he concluded, underscoring the importance of financial literacy and budget management for those entering public service. This perspective, grounded in real-world experience, ensures that the next generation of leaders is equipped to face the complex challenges ahead.