Read more about the article MABE Names New Executive Director
County News / Education / Leadership
MABE Names New Executive Director

The Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) has selected Joseph “Joe” Goetz as its next Executive Director, bringing a former local school board president and longtime education advocate into a key statewide leadership role. Goetz will begin on April 27, leading the association that represents all 24 Maryland public school systems. For counties and school systems alike, the role carries significance. MABE plays a central role in school board governance, public education advocacy, and…

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April 7, 2026
Read more about the article FAMLI Regulations Finalized, Marking Major Step Toward Launch
Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor
FAMLI Regulations Finalized, Marking Major Step Toward Launch

Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program continues to take shape with final regulations that include several key updates for employers and stakeholders. Chapters 1–5 of FAMLI’s regulations are now officially in effect and published in the Code of Maryland Regulations. Click here to read the regulations. The application window for public and private employers interested in offering a private plan will run from September 1 through November 15, 2026. Employers choosing this option…

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April 3, 2026
Read more about the article Harford County Fills Board of Education Vacancy
County News / Education
Harford County Fills Board of Education Vacancy

Harford County is moving to fill a vacancy on its Board of Education following the resignation of board member Mark Korn, who stepped down for health reasons. County Executive Bob Cassilly has appointed Jonathan T. Streett to serve the remainder of Korn’s term, which runs through 2028, pending confirmation by the Harford County Council. The appointment ensures continuity on the school board at a time when local education governance continues to carry major weight for counties,…

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April 2, 2026
Read more about the article How Allegany County Is Building Skills and Small Businesses
County News / Economic Development / Education / Higher Education
How Allegany County Is Building Skills and Small Businesses

In Allegany County, workforce development is taking shape in a hands-on way. At Western Maryland Works (WMW), residents can earn certifications, train on industry-relevant equipment, prototype products, and build practical skills that translate into jobs, side businesses, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Operating through Allegany College of Maryland, WMW is designed to support both workforce needs and local business growth, particularly in a rural region where access to specialized tools and training can be limited. That combination…

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April 2, 2026
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: Puzzle Pieces of the Balanced Budget
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Emergency Management / General Assembly News / Intergovernmental Relations
Conduit Street Podcast: Puzzle Pieces of the Balanced Budget

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson break down where Maryland’s budget and “Big BRFA” stand as the General Assembly enters its final weeks. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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March 27, 2026
Read more about the article Training Tomorrow’s First Responders Today
County News / Education / Emergency Management / News You Can Use
Training Tomorrow’s First Responders Today

Counties across the country are struggling to recruit the next generation of firefighters, dispatchers, and law enforcement officers. One Florida county is taking a different approach, building that pipeline before students even graduate high school. In Okeechobee County, public safety career programs are giving students hands-on training and early exposure to careers in fire rescue, 911 dispatch, and law enforcement. The programs are embedded directly into the school day through career and technical education (CTE)…

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March 24, 2026
Read more about the article State Takes Increased Share of School Construction Costs via Regulation Change
County Budgets / Education / School Construction and Capital Budgets
State Takes Increased Share of School Construction Costs via Regulation Change

In a meeting last Thursday, the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) adopted new regulations, effectively increasing the state share of costs for qualifying school construction projects in nine of the most resource scarce counties.  During a regularly scheduled meeting of the IAC, Executive Director Alex Donahue proposed a change in the existing regulations that set forth the state-local cost share for qualifying school construction projects in smaller jurisdictions with limited tax capacity. The proposed…

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March 16, 2026
Read more about the article Streamlining Employee Heat Protection Standards To Ensure Practical Implementation
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
Streamlining Employee Heat Protection Standards To Ensure Practical Implementation

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson submitted written testimony to the Finance Committee in support of SB 804 – Labor and Employment - Occupational Safety and Health - Revisions to Heat Stress Standards with amendments.  This bill codifies and clarifies requirements governing workplace heat stress protections that were previously adopted through Maryland Occupational Safety and Health regulations. SB 804 requires employers, including counties, to develop heat stress prevention plans, acclimatization plans, high-heat procedures,…

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March 16, 2026
Read more about the article Exclusive Remedy Rule Is a Fundamental Principle of the Workers’ Compensation System
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
Exclusive Remedy Rule Is a Fundamental Principle of the Workers’ Compensation System

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 366 – Workers' Compensation - Exemption From Exclusivity of Remedy - Action for Wrongful Death by Nondependent Child.  This bill would allow non-dependent children of an employee, including adult children, to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against an employer in court outside of the workers’ compensation system. As such, it would allow claims for damages not available…

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March 16, 2026
Read more about the article MACo Resists Adjustments to Workers’ Compensation “Gap Period”
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
MACo Resists Adjustments to Workers’ Compensation “Gap Period”

On March 11, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 346 – Workers' Compensation - Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Retroactive Compensation.  This bill requires an employer or insurer to continue paying temporary total disability (TTD) benefits for up to 60 days after an injured worker reaches maximum medical improvement (MMI) if there is a delay before vocational rehabilitation services begin. Known as the “gap period,” this timeframe…

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March 16, 2026
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