On February 24, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the Appropriations Committee in opposition to HB 562 – Primary and Secondary Education – Maintenance of Effort – Inflation Adjustment (Maintenance of Effort Modernization Act).

This bill alters the method for calculating the maintenance of effort (MOE) amount county governing bodies are required to appropriate to the school operating budget by requiring an annual inflation adjustment.

Counties have served as steadfast funding partners in implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, often contributing tens of millions of dollars beyond required local shares to sustain school system operations amid post-pandemic cost pressures.

MACo argues that the proposed change wrongly suggests counties are benefiting from lenient funding standards, when in reality many jurisdictions are exceeding expectations to fill gaps created by outdated State funding assumptions. Rather than layering on new local mandates, counties urge lawmakers to address structural challenges within the State’s own funding commitments.

From MACo Testimony: 

Significant reforms, as those prescribed by the Blueprint, hold great promise but must be built to last. Broad course corrections in the face of significant obstacles will serve students, educators, and communities better in the long run, rather than piecemeal efforts to address perceived shortcomings that do not exist.

More on MACo’s Advocacy: 

• Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2026 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database
• Learn more about MACo’s 2026 Legislative Initiatives
• Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog