#MACoCon Recap: Navigating Federal Shifts in Maryland

When federal priorities shift, the ripple effects can be felt quickly. At this year’s Summer Conference, the session Navigating Federal Shifts: Opportunities and Challenges for Maryland Communities brought together state and county leaders to discuss how national-level changes in funding, regulation, and policy impact everything from infrastructure and workforce development to local economic growth.

The panel, moderated by Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, featured perspectives from Attorney General Anthony Brown, Maryland Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, and Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano. Each offered a unique lens on how counties can adapt to federal changes while still safeguarding local priorities.

Attorney General Anthony Brown spoke to the legal dimension of federal shifts, particularly the pace of rule changes and regulatory adjustments. He highlighted his office’s role in protecting state and local interests within this evolving framework, underscoring the importance of ensuring Maryland’s priorities remain safeguarded even as federal rules continue to shift.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich brought the perspective of Maryland’s largest jurisdiction by population, noting the unique challenges of being so close to DC. With many residents directly affected by federal workforce shifts and layoffs, County Executive Elrich emphasized how local governments often serve as the front lines of implementing federal initiatives. He stressed that counties need stronger investment and support to effectively deliver results for their communities.

County Executive Julie Giordano emphasized the importance of ensuring federal resources truly meet the needs of Maryland communities. “We have to make federal resources work for us,” she noted, stressing that counties still require flexibility in how those dollars are put to use. County Executive Giordano highlighted the need to protect both farmers and local businesses and underscored the importance of building strong relationships with federal partners, regardless of political affiliation. Her call to counties was clear: be proactive and keep local priorities at the center of every federal conversation.

Secretary Harry Coker offered a broader economic perspective, pointing to Maryland’s over-reliance on the federal government for workforce development. While federal support is valuable, he explained, it has left the state vulnerable to shifts in Washington. Secretary Coker urged Marylanders to embrace disruption as an opportunity. “Marylanders need to determine Maryland’s path forward,” he said, encouraging counties and communities to use federal change as a springboard for innovation and growth.

Together, the panelists painted a picture of a dynamic but challenging environment: federal shifts introduce uncertainty. For Maryland’s leaders, the path forward lies in balancing reliance on federal support with cultivating state and local resilience.

Title: Navigating Federal Shifts: Opportunities and Challenges for Maryland Communities

Speakers:

  • The Honorable Anthony Brown, Attorney General, State of Maryland
  • Harry Coker, Secretary, MD Department of Commerce
  • The Honorable Marc Elrich, County Executive, Montgomery County 
  • The Honorable Julie Giordano, County Executive, Wicomico County 

Moderator: The Honorable Kathy Klausmeier, County Executive, Baltimore County

More About MACo’s Summer Conference: