Robin Clark, MACo Policy Analyst, testified to the House Appropriations Committee on March 10, 2015, in opposition to HB 966, Education- Community Colleges- Collective Bargaining. This bill would establish a uniform statewide collection bargaining process for community college employees.

The written testimony explains:

Counties oppose the one-size-fits-all approach of HB 966, which limits local decision-making. The move to collective bargaining outlined in this bill could create potentially unsustainable costs for counties, who necessarily provide substantial funding for community colleges throughout Maryland. In addition, despite counties’ role in supporting community colleges, this legislation would not provide any opportunity for county governments to participate in collective bargaining negotiations. The combination of these effects – State-imposed system and costs, no county participation in bargaining, and no additional State funding – results in a potentially substantial unfunded mandate on county governments.

For more on MACo’s 2015 legislation, visit the Legislative Database.