Read more about the article 2021 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups
Bill Hearing / County News / Feature / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony
2021 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

This year the Maryland General Assembly conducted a legislative session unlike any other due to the enduring COVID-19 pandemic. The unique circumstances surrounding the 442nd legislative session, including necessary health and safety measures, posed a challenge for lawmakers and advocates alike. Despite the unusual circumstances, MACo’s advocacy still led to more positive outcomes for its members. Bills that we supported had a greater likelihood of passage, while bills we opposed had a larger tendency to…

Comments Off on 2021 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups
April 15, 2021
Read more about the article 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Housing and Community Development
Housing and Community Development
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Housing and Community Development

An overview of MACo's advocacy on housing and community development legislation in the 2021 General Assembly.  When advocating for the housing and community development needs of counties MACo supports legislation that bolsters the efforts of local governments to address public and affordable housing, bight, foreclosure, and community development. This year the Maryland General Assembly conducted a legislative session unlike any other due to the enduring COVID-19 pandemic. The unique circumstances surrounding the 442nd legislative session,…

Comments Off on 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Housing and Community Development
April 15, 2021
Read more about the article 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Business Affairs
Business Affairs
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Business Affairs

An overview of MACo's advocacy on business affairs legislation in the 2021 General Assembly. Through business affairs advocacy, MACo seeks to protect local regulatory and licensing authority, enhance citizens' safety and improve access to regulated services. This year the Maryland General Assembly conducted a legislative session unlike any other due to the enduring COVID-19 pandemic. The unique circumstances surrounding the 442nd legislative session, including necessary health and safety measures, posed a challenge for lawmakers and…

Comments Off on 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Business Affairs
April 15, 2021
Read more about the article 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Health and Human Services
Bill Hearing / County News / General Assembly News / Health and Human Services / MACo Testimony
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Health and Human Services

An overview of MACo's advocacy on health and human services legislation in the 2021 General Assembly.  Each county in Maryland has a local health department that plays a role in providing essential public health services to residents, even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are also county agencies that provide human or citizen services for children, families ad persons with special needs. MACo advocates actively for policies that continue to confront the opioid crisis…

Comments Off on 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Health and Human Services
April 14, 2021
Read more about the article 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Public Safety & Corrections
Coronavirus / Housing and Community Development / Public Safety and Corrections
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Public Safety & Corrections

An overview of MACo's advocacy on public safety & corrections legislation in the 2021 General Assembly.  Counties are the primary provider of public safety services in the state. Each county is required to have an elected sheriff and some also have a county police force. Additionally, each county operates a local jail that holds inmates awaiting trial and those sentenced to 18 months or less. This year the Maryland General Assembly conducted a legislative session…

Comments Off on 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Public Safety & Corrections
April 14, 2021
Read more about the article 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Government Liability & Courts
Employee Benefits and Relations / Government Liability and Courts / Public Safety and Corrections
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Government Liability & Courts

This post summarizes the status of various government liability & courts legislation that MACo took a position on during the 2021 Regular session.  County governments enforce laws, employ county residents, and maintain facilities throughout Maryland. Therefore county governments may be subject to acting as defendants in court, litigating cases involving employment benefits, injuries sustained on county properties, and various other subjects. MACo advocates on behalf of county governments to clarify the unique role that they…

Comments Off on 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Government Liability & Courts
April 14, 2021
Read more about the article 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology
Bill Hearing / County Budgets / County News / General Assembly News / Information Technology / MACo Testimony
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology

An overview of MACo's advocacy on information technology issues in the 2021 General Assembly.  Information technology is a growing area of importance for MACo as county governments rely on computer systems of increasing sophistication for a widening scope of operations - including public safety applications, open government portals, billing functions, and emergency alert systems used during major natural and man-made emergencies. As county use of information technology evolves, cybersecurity and protection of resident data rise…

Comments Off on 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology
April 14, 2021
Read more about the article 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: School Construction & Capital Budget
Bill Hearing / County Budgets / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / School Construction and Capital Budgets
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: School Construction & Capital Budget

An overview of MACo's advocacy on school construction and capital budget legislation in the 2021 General Assembly.  County Governments partner with the State of Maryland to fund school construction projects throughout Maryland. K-12 school renovation and construction projects make up a substantial portion of any county's capital budget, and the needs of Maryland students are consistently a high priority. This year the Maryland General Assembly conducted a legislative session unlike any other due to the…

Comments Off on 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: School Construction & Capital Budget
April 14, 2021
Read more about the article 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Elections
Bill Hearing / County News / Elections / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Elections

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo's work in the area of elections policy in the 2021 General Assembly.  Counties administer and fund elections at the local level, overseeing polling places and coordinating poll workers every two years. MACo routinely advocates against state policies that result in costly or burdensome implementation for local election officials. This year the Maryland General Assembly conducted a legislative session unlike any other due to the enduring COVID-19…

Comments Off on 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Elections
April 13, 2021
Read more about the article 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Transportation and Public Works
Bill Hearing / County News / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / Transportation and Public Works
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Transportation and Public Works

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo's work in the area of transportation policy in the 2021 General Assembly.  MACo generally advocates for the appropriate state assistance with roadways and bridges across our local communities. Transportation is a shared function in Maryland, with state-maintained roadways (mainly numbered roads) and locally-maintained roadways interlocking throughout most areas. This year the Maryland General Assembly conducted a legislative session unlike any other due to the enduring COVID-19…

Comments Off on 2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Transportation and Public Works
April 13, 2021
Older Posts