Read more about the article MACo Backs Updates to Dual Enrollment via Education Bill on the Move
Education / Higher Education / MACo Testimony
MACo Backs Updates to Dual Enrollment via Education Bill on the Move

On March 27, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted written testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee in support of SB 1102- Education – Blueprint for Maryland’s Future – Alterations. As amended, this bill makes several technical and operational adjustments to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (“the Blueprint”). SB 1102’s adjustments to college and career readiness (CCR) and the Blueprint’s envisioning of dual enrollment programs are of particular interest to county governments. Specifically,…

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March 28, 2024
Read more about the article Counties Support Flexibility for SRO Grant Uses, Requests Permanent Funding
Education / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections
Counties Support Flexibility for SRO Grant Uses, Requests Permanent Funding

On March 27, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted written testimony to the House Appropriations Committee in support of SB 1077- Public Schools - Appropriations for School Safety Expenditures - School Security Employees with amendments. As amended, this bill authorizes increased funding for the School Resource Officer (SRO) Grant Program beginning in FY 2026. It also authorizes the grant funds to be used for personnel costs for school security employees (SSEs) in addition to…

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March 28, 2024
Read more about the article Counties Support Authorizing Construction Contingency Fund to Cover Construction Materials
MACo Testimony / School Construction and Capital Budgets
Counties Support Authorizing Construction Contingency Fund to Cover Construction Materials

On March 27, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted written testimony to the House Appropriations Committee in support of SB 556- Procurement – Construction Contingency Fund. As amended, this bill authorizes expenditure from the Construction Contingency Fund (CCF) to consider price adjustments for material price fluctuations of identified eligible project-specific materials. While local government projects are not eligible for the CCF, school construction projects are, which counties help fund. From MACo Testimony: SB 556,…

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March 28, 2024
Read more about the article Apply by April 3: NACo Conference on Early Childhood — Funding Available
County News / Education / Feature
Apply by April 3: NACo Conference on Early Childhood — Funding Available

Next month (April 30-May 2), the National Association of Counties (NACo) is holding the PN-3 County Leaders Academy in Maricopa County, Ariz. The PN-3 County Leaders Academy will bring together a cohort of elected and appointed county leaders to explore potential policy levers for expanding and improving services for young children and their families. Attendees will have a chance to learn from their peers and national experts, share successes and challenges, and leave with a…

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March 28, 2024
Read more about the article MACo Seeks Local Representation in Workgroup on School Facilities
County News / MACo Testimony / School Construction and Capital Budgets
MACo Seeks Local Representation in Workgroup on School Facilities

On March 26, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted written testimony to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee in support of HB 1390- Public Schools- Public Schools Construction- Funding and Administration with amendments. As amended, this bill alters the purpose of the Nancy K. Kopp Public School Facilities Priority Fun and establishes the Workgroup on the Assessment and Funding of School Facilities, among other operational changes related to school construction. MACo seeks an amendment…

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March 27, 2024
Read more about the article Second Supplemental Budget Increases State Funding for Schools
County Budgets / County News / Education / Feature / Finance and Procurement / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Second Supplemental Budget Increases State Funding for Schools

Governor Moore submitted a second supplemental budget with over $23 million more in State aid for education. Updated data should trigger a re-do of each county's local funding obligations for FY 2025.  On March 26, Governor Wes Moore introduced Supplemental Budget No. 2, affecting the previously estimated funds available for State budget operations. Of consequence for county governments is more than $23 million in additional state funding for various aspects of public education, as detailed…

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March 26, 2024
Read more about the article Board of Public Works: April 3 Meeting Agenda
Board of Public Works / Economic Development / Parks and Recreation / School Construction and Capital Budgets
Board of Public Works: April 3 Meeting Agenda

The Board of Public Works — a three-member panel including Governor Wes Moore, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and State Treasurer Dereck Davis — reviews projects, contracts, and expenditure plans for state agencies, many of which affect county governments. The State Board of Public Works (BPW) typically convenes on alternating Wednesdays in the Governor’s Reception Room on the 2nd floor of the State House in Annapolis, and meetings are open to the public. They are also live-streamed on…

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March 25, 2024
Read more about the article Narrowed Hearing Loss Workers’ Comp Bill On the Move
County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Feature / General Assembly News / Human Resources
Narrowed Hearing Loss Workers’ Comp Bill On the Move

A bill to update how Maryland calculates hearing loss for workers' compensation benefits has passed both chambers, amended and narrowed. HB 669/SB 843 - Workers’ Compensation- Benefits- Hearing Loss, as introduced, sought to expand existing eligibility for workers’ compensation related to hearing loss to include tinnitus as a presumption eligible for workers' compensation benefits and to reform the current calculations of severity of hearing loss for the purpose of benefits calculations. The current calculations include…

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March 19, 2024
Read more about the article Chambers Pass Different Versions of Counties’ Transparency in Education Spending Initiative
Education / General Assembly News
Chambers Pass Different Versions of Counties’ Transparency in Education Spending Initiative

Different versions of MACo's 2024 legislative initiative to increase public transparency on education spending has passed the House and Senate. MACo encourages the legislature to adopt the bill's Senate version (SB 1026) and reject the House's amendment to HB 1115 to weaken the bill's transparency and accountability. The implementation of The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, coupled with an influx of federal relief and rescue funding, has compounded the concern of “black box” spending in public…

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March 19, 2024
Read more about the article Due April 1: Blueprint Technical Assistance Phase II Grant Applications
the word of GRANTS on building blocks concept.
County News / Education / Feature
Due April 1: Blueprint Technical Assistance Phase II Grant Applications

The Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board has opened grant applications for Phase II of the Technical Assistance Grant Program, due April 1. The Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) is seeking Strategic Partners who will work with local education agencies (LEAs) to advance the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Areas of expertise the AIB is seeking include: Resource Allocation and Strategic Budgeting Career Ladder for Educators College and Career Readiness Pathways Prekindergarten Expansion…

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March 18, 2024
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