Read more about the article Counties Praise Additional Tool to Support Pre-K Expansion
Education / MACo Testimony
Counties Praise Additional Tool to Support Pre-K Expansion

On February 28, 2024, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the House Appropriations Committee in support of HB 902- Prekindergarten- Ulysses Currie Head Start Program- Eligibility for State Funds. This bill extends funding to providers in the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program to support the expansion of public pre-K. In doing so, the bill will help address several local concerns about pre-K expansion, including workforce, facility  capacity, and private provider participation. From MACo Testimony: By…

Comments Off on Counties Praise Additional Tool to Support Pre-K Expansion
February 29, 2024
Read more about the article MACo: One-Size-Fits-All Employment Standards Detrimentally Impact Local Emergency Response
Emergency Management / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / MACo Testimony
MACo: One-Size-Fits-All Employment Standards Detrimentally Impact Local Emergency Response

On February 28, 2024, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the House Appropriations Committee in opposition to HB 900- Employment Standards- Firefighters- Payment of Overtime and Payroll Information. This bill would remove an issue that is currently subject to local bargaining and instead establish a statewide mandate for a uniform schedule and overtime policy for all professional firefighters statewide. Counties are concerned not only with the fiscal impact of HB 900, which is estimated to…

Comments Off on MACo: One-Size-Fits-All Employment Standards Detrimentally Impact Local Emergency Response
February 29, 2024
Read more about the article Counties Ask State to Fund Additional Workers’ Compensation Claims
Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / MACo Testimony
Counties Ask State to Fund Additional Workers’ Compensation Claims

On February 27, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 584- Workers' Compensation- Occupational Disease Presumptions- First Responders (Caring for Public Employees in the Safety Professions- CAPES Act) with amendments. This bill adds thyroid, ovarian, and colon cancer as presumptions for firefighters for the purpose of workers' compensation. Counties understand the bill's intent but are concerned about the fiscal impact of expanding presumptions. As such,…

Comments Off on Counties Ask State to Fund Additional Workers’ Compensation Claims
February 29, 2024
Read more about the article New Workers’ Compensation Standards Will Place Significant Financial Burdens on Counties
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
New Workers’ Compensation Standards Will Place Significant Financial Burdens on Counties

On February 28, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 190- Workers' Compensation- Occupational Disease Presumptions- First Responders. This bill would categorize Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a presumed occupational disease eligible for workers’ compensation for a lengthy list of public sector workers. From MACo Testimony:  Counties honor and support our first responders, who, without question, experience challenging work requirements. However, HB 190 creates an unreasonable…

Comments Off on New Workers’ Compensation Standards Will Place Significant Financial Burdens on Counties
February 29, 2024
Read more about the article Feb 28 Board of Public Works Meeting: Here’s What Counties Need to Know
Board of Public Works / Economic Development / Parks and Recreation / School Construction and Capital Budgets
Feb 28 Board of Public Works Meeting: Here’s What Counties Need to Know

The Board of Public Works (BPW) — 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 BPW considered and approved the following requests and recommendations at its meeting on February 28, 2024: Allegany County A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $200,000 grant to the Board of Directors of…

Comments Off on Feb 28 Board of Public Works Meeting: Here’s What Counties Need to Know
February 28, 2024
Read more about the article Counties Support Tweaks to Teacher Certification to Help Ease Educator Shortages
Education / MACo Testimony
Counties Support Tweaks to Teacher Certification to Help Ease Educator Shortages

On February 23, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted written testimony to the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 771- Education- Initial Teacher Certification- Requirements. By adjusting initial certification requirements for public educators, this bill allows prospective teachers to work in Maryland classrooms while they pursue a full certification. From MACo Testimony: Counties, as critical stakeholders in Maryland’s public education system and partners in supporting Maryland’s schools, strongly support…

Comments Off on Counties Support Tweaks to Teacher Certification to Help Ease Educator Shortages
February 27, 2024
Read more about the article Pre-K Adjustments Bill Features Several County Recommendations
Education / MACo Testimony
Pre-K Adjustments Bill Features Several County Recommendations

On February 26, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 1441- Early Childhood Education- Publicly Funded Prekindergarten Programs- Alterations. This bill alters credential requirements and allows prospective staff to work in the pre-K field while pursuing appropriate certifications. This bill also allows local education agencies (LEAs) to lease space from a county government to use as pre-K facilities. Early childhood education is a core…

Comments Off on Pre-K Adjustments Bill Features Several County Recommendations
February 27, 2024
Read more about the article Sponsor Amendments Address Most County Concerns to Proposed School Bus Rules
Education / MACo Testimony / School Construction and Capital Budgets
Sponsor Amendments Address Most County Concerns to Proposed School Bus Rules

On February 22, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted testimony the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in opposition to the original text and intent of SB 724- Motor Vehicles- School Buses- Seat Belts. SB 724 requires every school bus purchased after October 1, 2024, to have seat belts, and every school bus purchased prior to that date to be retrofitted with seat belts by October 1, 2026. While counties appreciate the safety concerns raised by…

Comments Off on Sponsor Amendments Address Most County Concerns to Proposed School Bus Rules
February 23, 2024
Read more about the article Board of Public Works: Feb 28 Meeting Agenda
Board of Public Works / Economic Development / Parks and Recreation / School Construction and Capital Budgets
Board of Public Works: Feb 28 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…

Comments Off on Board of Public Works: Feb 28 Meeting Agenda
February 23, 2024
Read more about the article MACo Supports the Permanent Establishment of the Growing Family Childcare Opportunities Pilot Program
Education / MACo Testimony
MACo Supports the Permanent Establishment of the Growing Family Childcare Opportunities Pilot Program

On February 21, 2024, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support HB 1139- Growing Family Childcare Opportunities Pilot Program- Permanent Establishment. This bill turns the Growing Family Childcare Opportunities Pilot Program (GOFCC) into a permanent program. HB 1139 would convert the Growing Family Child Care Opportunities Pilot Program (GOFCC) into a permanent program to provide technical assistance, mentorship, and professional development to Maryland residents interested in starting their…

Comments Off on MACo Supports the Permanent Establishment of the Growing Family Childcare Opportunities Pilot Program
February 22, 2024
Newer Posts
Older Posts