Read more about the article MACo Supports Flexible Business Tax Incentives
Bill Hearing / Coronavirus / County News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
MACo Supports Flexible Business Tax Incentives

MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally today testified in support of HB 1137 - Property Tax Credit - Business Entities - State of Emergency before the House Ways and Means Committee. This bill authorizes local governments to grant optional property tax credits to businesses affected by a state of emergency. 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 and…

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February 23, 2021
Read more about the article MACo Requests Reasonable Flexibility for Short-Term Lease Notice Requirements
Bill Hearing / Finance and Procurement / Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony
MACo Requests Reasonable Flexibility for Short-Term Lease Notice Requirements

MACo Policy Associate Drew Jabin testified in support of SB 544 Charter and Code Home Rule Counties - County Property Leases - Notice Exemptions before the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee. This bill enables charter and code home rule counties to enter into leases without giving notice if the lease is not renewable and has a term of five years or less. From the MACo Testimony: The central tenet of the bill is sound…

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February 23, 2021
Read more about the article MACo: Don’t Let Enterprise Zones “Die On The Vine”
Bill Hearing / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
MACo: Don’t Let Enterprise Zones “Die On The Vine”

On Febraury 18th, 2021 MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in opposition to HB 805 Economic Development - Enterprise Zone Program - Alterations. This bill creates alterations to the Enterprise Zone Program, which restrict its implementation and hinder its effectiveness. Mr. Sanderson cited the funding caps and moratorium on new site designations as "going too far," but indicated that the additional effectiveness and performance measures are all reasonable.…

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February 18, 2021
Read more about the article Tax Credits an Alternative to Depleting County Coffers
Bill Hearing / Coronavirus / County News / MACo Testimony / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues
Tax Credits an Alternative to Depleting County Coffers

MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally today submitted testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee in opposition of HB 864 Income Tax - Subtraction Modification - Military Retirement Income. This bill expands an existing subtraction modification for military retirement income. MACo opposes state-mandated reductions in local revenue sources, but welcomes tools to grant counties options and flexibility to pursue their own parallel tax incentives, or to develop others to suit their local needs. From the…

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February 18, 2021
Read more about the article Program Open Space Popular Among Marylanders
Agriculture / County News / Environment / News You Can Use / Parks and Recreation / Planning and Zoning
Program Open Space Popular Among Marylanders

Last week, the Partners for Open Space released the results of a recently conducted poll which found that Program Open Space was exceedingly popular among Maryland residents. The poll questioned Maryland voters who are likely to participate in the November 2022 election. Results indicate that 90 percent of participants approve of Program Open Space, and prefer the State maintain its current funding. Program Open Space has been a historically successful program, providing an immense public benefit…

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February 18, 2021
Read more about the article Commercial Property Bill: Troubling Tax Effects Likely To Be Withdrawn
Bill Hearing / County News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
Commercial Property Bill: Troubling Tax Effects Likely To Be Withdrawn

MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the House Judiciary Committee in opposition to HB 1102 Commercial Tenants - Personal Liability Calluses - Enforcementability and Landlord Relief. This bill would require counties to refund commercial landlords for any county property taxes collected from the fiscal year 2020. During the hearing, the bill sponsor noted his interest in remedying the tax concerns, and the Committee Chair advised of that intention following MACo's testimony. From the MACo…

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February 18, 2021
Read more about the article Health Officers Fight for Increased Support, Flexibility
Bill Hearing / Coronavirus / County News / Health and Human Services / MACo Testimony
Health Officers Fight for Increased Support, Flexibility

MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson today testified before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee to support SB 563 Local Health Departments - Funding. This bill is a MACo initiative, which strengthens support for local health departments that play a crucial role in combating the Covid-19 pandemic. Howard County Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman and Prince George's County Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter both presented their experience leading public health work in recent years, including the current…

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February 18, 2021
Read more about the article MACo: Streamline Emergency Management, Support for NG911
Bill Hearing / Coronavirus / County News / Emergency Management / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections
MACo: Streamline Emergency Management, Support for NG911

MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally yesterday testified in support of SB 658 Maryland Department of Emergency Management - Establishment and Transfer of Maryland 9-1-1 Board before the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee. This bill elevates the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to the Governor's cabinet and transfers the Maryland 9-1-1 Board to MEMA. From the MACo Testimony: As a Cabinet-level entity, MEMA will be in a strong position to work directly with county…

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February 18, 2021
Read more about the article MACo: Remove Administrative Burden in Property Tax Collection
Bill Hearing / County News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
MACo: Remove Administrative Burden in Property Tax Collection

MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally yesterday submitted testimony to the House Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 647 Corporations and Associations - Fees for Processing Articles of Dissolution, Certificates of Cancellation, and Other Documents - Repeal. This bill repeals the state processing fee for filing articles of dissolution and certificates of cancellation. From the MACo Testimony: Under current law, business entities that file articles of dissolution and certificates of cancellation with SDAT must pay…

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February 18, 2021
Read more about the article Eviction Bill Could Further Burden Sheriffs
Bill Hearing / Coronavirus / Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections
Eviction Bill Could Further Burden Sheriffs

MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson today testified before the House Judiciary Committee to support HB 1312 COVID-19  Eviction and Housing Relief Act of 2021 with amendments. This bill's goal is to prevent large groups of tenants from being evicted during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. From the MACo Testimony: MACo’s position on this bill is in two parts – recognizing its far reach. Components of the bill supporting local efforts to stem the effects of eviction…

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February 18, 2021
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