The Calvert County Commissioners met recently with its County delegation in Annapolis to discuss its 2012 legislative package.  While a few local ordinance and resolution changes were discussed, they also discussed MACo’s 2012 legislative initiatives.  As reported by TheBAYNET.COM:

A proposal by the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) regarding “county budget security” is part of the jurisdictions’ effort to stave off a shift of funding responsibilities for teachers’ pensions. A proponent of a proposal to require jurisdictions to shoulder some of the financial responsibility of teachers’ pensions, Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. [D-District 27], indicated there was a reason the issue is lingering.

“The reason I push for pension reform is not to push this off on the counties but nobody can run a business like this,” said Miller. “It’s truth in budgeting that we’re seeking.”

House Minority Leader Anthony J. O’Donnell reminded the commissioners that Maryland still has a $1 billion budget deficit.

“Somebody needs to get counties to rein in their spending,” he said, adding that “bare-bones spending” ought to be a policy for local governments in 2012. O’Donnell warned that state and local officials need to brace for “federal retrenchments” of funding. He also suggested it might be wise for the county to delay even more capital projects.