Read more about the article Past 12 Months Were the Hottest Recorded in Human History
Energy / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations
Past 12 Months Were the Hottest Recorded in Human History

November 2022 to October 2023 has been the hottest twelve-month stretch in recorded human history.  A recent report from Climate Central, an independent group of scientists who research and report the facts about our changing climate, shows that the period between November 2022 and October 2023 was the hottest 12-month stretch in recorded human history. Over this period, nearly half of people living in the US experienced at least 10 days of temperatures very strongly…

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November 15, 2023
Read more about the article NYC Looks to Develop “Blue Highway”, Fighting Congestion & Climate Change
Energy / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
NYC Looks to Develop “Blue Highway”, Fighting Congestion & Climate Change

New York City is looking to develop its extensive coastline as an alternative transit route for cargo & freight.  With one of the most extensive coastlines of any major jurisdiction nationally, New York City officials recently started seeking input from the private sector on how to reactive waterways for safer and greener freight deliveries. Through the Blue Highways initiative, the City is exploring ways to modernize existing marine infrastructure, expanding access to the waterfront, and…

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November 15, 2023
Read more about the article Irvine, CA Banned AirBnBs, Two Years Later Rents Dropped
Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Winter Conference
Irvine, CA Banned AirBnBs, Two Years Later Rents Dropped

A study in Real Estate Economics looks at how a short-term rental ban in Irvine, CA, contributed to a three percent reduction in long-term rents over two years.  Housing is set to be one of the hottest topics in the upcoming 2024 legislative session. Unlike any other policy area, the barriers to affordable and attainable housing are overlapping and numerous. One little-discussed challenge has been the increase in short-term rentals (STRs) such as Airbnb's. Most…

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November 14, 2023
Read more about the article Recreational ROI: Beyond Fun and Games at #MACoCon
Parks and Recreation / Winter Conference
Recreational ROI: Beyond Fun and Games at #MACoCon

During the MACo Winter Conference panel, Recreational ROI: Beyond Fun and Games, panelists will delve into the parks' return on investments.   Parks provide more than just venues for recreation. They are the connective tissues of the community and help foster local culture and identity. Jurisdictions that invest in robust parks departments often have healthier residents, safer communities, cleaner environments, and high home values. Parks are a strategic asset of all communities, beyond more than just…

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November 14, 2023
Read more about the article EPA Launches Lead Out Initiative, Accelerates Removal of Lead Service Lines
Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
EPA Launches Lead Out Initiative, Accelerates Removal of Lead Service Lines

The EPA launched a new Lead Out Initiative, a move designed to accelerate the removal of lead service lines nationally.  Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Get the Lead Out (GLO) Initiative that will help ensure safer drinking water for communities. Through the GLO initiative, the EPA will partner with 200 underserved communities nationwide to provide the technical assistance they need to identify and remove lead service lines. As part of…

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November 14, 2023
Read more about the article Maryland Slated to Receive Nearly $7B in Federal Rail Investment
Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
Maryland Slated to Receive Nearly $7B in Federal Rail Investment

USDOT's Federal Railroad Administration recently announced $16 billion in investment in the Northeast Corridor, nearly $7 billion of which is slated for Maryland.  The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently announced it has awarded $16.4 billion for 25 passenger rail projects along the Northeast Corridor (NEC), a railroad line running between Boston and Washington, D.C. This particular line is one of the highest volume passenger rail corridors in the world and the…

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November 13, 2023
Read more about the article Anne Arundel Unveils Bus System Upgrades & Modernization
Transportation and Public Works
Anne Arundel Unveils Bus System Upgrades & Modernization

Anne Arundel recently unveiled bus system upgrades, including solar-powered bus shelters, real-time bus updates, and free wifi.  Earlier this month, County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Anne Arundel County Office of Transportation unveiled upgrades to the County bus system, including real-time bus tracking using the free Passio GO app, free Wi-Fi on all county buses, and state-of-the-art shelters with accessible seating, solar panels, and device charging ports. According to the press release:  “These improvements make…

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November 13, 2023
Read more about the article Engineering for the Environment: Collaborating with the Nonprofit Sector #MACoCon
Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference
Engineering for the Environment: Collaborating with the Nonprofit Sector #MACoCon

During the MACo Winter Conference panel, Engineering for the Environment, panelists will highlight nonprofit partners and examine the benefits of collaborating on certain projects.   As counties take advantage of the historic federal investment in infrastructure, engaging with local stakeholders and NGOs will become increasingly important. Engagement with local groups can provide two major benefits: first, NGOs can offer technical and capacity support that can help some counties currently lack, and second, NGOs may offer…

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November 7, 2023
Read more about the article Chesapeake Bay Marks 9.1 Million Acres of Protected Land
Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference
Chesapeake Bay Marks 9.1 Million Acres of Protected Land

Chesapeake Bay Program data shows 9.1 million acres of land in the Chesapeake Bay watershed is permanently protected from development.  As of 2022, data collected by the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) shows that 9.1 million acres of land in the Chesapeake Bay watershed—roughly 22% of the total land in the region—are permanently protected from development. The CBP works to extend the acres of protected lands through its Protected Lands Workgroup, which is led primarily by the…

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November 7, 2023
Read more about the article White House Offering Resources, Tips for Office-to-Residential Conversions
Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning
White House Offering Resources, Tips for Office-to-Residential Conversions

The White House recently unveiled a fact sheet aimed at helping spur commercial-to-residential conversions.  As the affordable housing crisis continues to take center stage both nationally and in Maryland, the White House recently unveiled a fact sheet aimed at helping spur commercial-to-residential conversions. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of commercial office spaces dramatically plummeted, and the demand for residential units exploded. This dramatic market change has remained persistent, even as society…

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November 7, 2023
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