Read more about the article MACo to State: Help Close the Digital Divide, Dig Once is Common Sense
Bill Hearing / Coronavirus / County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Information Technology / MACo Testimony / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
MACo to State: Help Close the Digital Divide, Dig Once is Common Sense

On March 4, MACo Policy Associate Drew Jabin testified before the House Economic Matters Committee to support HB 1328 -  Economic Development - Broadband Providers - Joint Trenching and Fee (Building Out Broadband Act of 2021). This bill is a MACo initiative, helping to close the digital divide in Maryland by enhancing incentives and creating opportunities to build out broadband across the State. From the MACo Testimony: This bill would help to close Maryland’s persistent…

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March 4, 2021
Read more about the article MACo Urges County Input on Broad Tax Relief
Bill Hearing / Coronavirus / County News / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
MACo Urges County Input on Broad Tax Relief

MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally yesterday submitted testimony to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee in opposition to SB 870 Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - COVID-19 - Related Distribution of Retirement Income. This emergency bill creates a subtraction modification against the State and local income tax for an individual who makes a qualified COVID-19 related distribution from a retirement account. According to the bill's fiscal note, local revenues will decrease by $70.2 million in…

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March 4, 2021
Read more about the article MACo: Election Laws Deserve Much-Needed Reboot
Bill Hearing / County News / Elections / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony
MACo: Election Laws Deserve Much-Needed Reboot

MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally yesterday testified in support of SB 747 - State Board of Elections - Membership, Contract Management, Ballot Drop Boxes, and Voting System Financing. This bill, sponsored by Senator Cheryl Kagan, is a MACo Legislative initiative to clarify and update election laws with an emphasis on fairness, transparency, and accountability. By clarifying and codifying the 20-year precedent that governs the funding responsibility between the State and counties for voting machines and…

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March 4, 2021
Read more about the article Counties Back Emergency Property Tax Relief
Bill Hearing / Business Affairs / Coronavirus / County News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
Counties Back Emergency Property Tax Relief

MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson yesterday testified in support of SB 887 Property Tax Credit - Business Entities - State of Emergency before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. This bill enables local governments to grant property tax credits for businesses affected by a state of emergency. From the MACo Testimony: The swift and unprecedented shock of the COVID-19 public health crisis has wreaked havoc on the economy. As the focus shifts to restoring our state…

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March 4, 2021
Read more about the article MACo: Proposed Procurement Regulations To Prove Onerous
Bill Hearing / County News / Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony
MACo: Proposed Procurement Regulations To Prove Onerous

On March 3rd, 2021 MACo Policy Associate Alex Butler testified before the House Health and Government Operations Committee in opposition to HB 1214 Procurement- Transparency and Application to County Contracts. This bill requires all procurement contracts that use state funds be subject to a variety of additional state procurement regulations. From the MACo Testimony: HB 1214 redefines the term “unit” in state procurement law to include county government entities. This would subject county procurement contracts…

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March 3, 2021
Read more about the article MACo: Streamline Awareness for Property Tax Relief
Bill Hearing / County News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
MACo: Streamline Awareness for Property Tax Relief

MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally yesterday testified in support of HB 1255 Homestead and Homeowners' Property Tax Credits with amendments. This bill generally expands eligibility awareness for the Homestead Property Tax Credit and alters the calculation and eligibility of the Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit. MACo supports the principle of notifying taxpayers of opportunities for them to take advantage of homeowner tax benefits. Several counties grant a local supplement to the Homeowners' Property Tax Credit program,…

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March 3, 2021
Read more about the article MACo to State: Grant Child Care Exemption for County Programs
Bill Hearing / Coronavirus / County News / Education / MACo Testimony
MACo to State: Grant Child Care Exemption for County Programs

On March 3rd, 2021 MACo Policy Associate Drew Jabin testified before the House Ways and Means Committee to support HB 1307 Education - Child Care Centers and Youth Development Organizations and Programs (Support Youth Development for School-Age Children Act). This bill exempts certain youth development organizations and programs from current regulations in order to provide out-of-school services as the COVID-19 pandemic endures. From the MACo Testimony: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact families in…

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March 3, 2021
Read more about the article Locals Warn Of Costly Burden Of Educational Digital Tools Bill
Bill Hearing / County News / Education / MACo Testimony
Locals Warn Of Costly Burden Of Educational Digital Tools Bill

On March 3, MACo Policy Associate Drew Jabin submitted testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 1181 - County Boards of Education - Accessibility Standards - Digital Tools (Nonvisual Access Accountability Act for Grades K-12 Education). This bill requires county boards of education to provide all students with digital tools accessible by students with disabilities. From the MACo Testimony: MACo recognizes the desire to create accommodations for all students, and…

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March 3, 2021
Read more about the article Broader View Matters on Municipal Incorporation Process
Bill Hearing / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues
Broader View Matters on Municipal Incorporation Process

MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified on March 2 before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 1226 Municipal Incorporation - County Commissioners or County Council - Required Approval of Referendum Request. This bill changes how a municipality is incorporated, taking away input and oversight from county governments. From the MACo Testimony: Under current and longstanding Maryland law, in order to incorporate, residents of an area must first petition the county governing…

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March 3, 2021
Read more about the article MACo Raises Concerns Over Diversion Of School Safety Funding
Bill Hearing / County News / Education / MACo Testimony
MACo Raises Concerns Over Diversion Of School Safety Funding

On March 3, MACo Policy Associate Drew Jabin submitted testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 1089 - Primary and Secondary Education - Expansion of Mental Health Services and Prohibition of School Resource Officers (Police-Free Schools Act). This bill would redirect state funds that are used to provide law enforcement coverage in schools. From the MACo Testimony: This bill would divert the state funding currently supporting the costly mandate of…

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March 3, 2021
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