A compilation of Issue Papers previews major fiscal and policy issues facing the General Assembly in the year ahead.
This resource is a handy guide to the top issues your legislators will tackle in 2026. It is an excellent preparation document for county officials before meetings with their local Delegations.
Developed by the Department of Legislative Services, the 2026 Issue Papers are an annual staple for the Annapolis policy-inclined population. They are also an excellent resource for county officials tracking specific issues or interested in the state budget and other top-tier topics.
Here are several direct links to hot topics that may be of interest to county governments:
State Aid to Local Governments
Local Revenue Trends and Taxing Authority
Overview of Recent Federal Tax Actions
State Education Aid / Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund
Data Centers/Transmission Line Siting
Environment and Natural Resources
What’s Up Next in Annapolis? There’s a #MACoCon for That
The 2026 legislative session is approaching, and the General Assembly must address several significant fiscal and policy issues in the year ahead.
A staple of the MACo Winter Conference is MACo’s invitation to the leadership of the House and Senate (majority and minority) and the administration to discuss the upcoming legislative session. Conference attendees gain critical insight into need-to-know issues, from fiscal outlooks to pending policy changes.
MACo’s Winter Conference, “Local Leadership, Lasting Impact: Shaping What’s Next,” will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, MD, on December 10-12, 2025.
Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference:
- Attendee Registration Guide – PLEASE READ! (new registration system)
- Attendee Brochure (with full schedule)
- Exhibitor Registration Guide – PLEASE READ! (new registration system)
- 2024 Winter Conference Photos (see what it’s like!)
- Questions? Contact Virginia White
