How Should Counties Handle Cyberattacks?
County News / Information Technology / MACo Events / Winter Conference
How Should Counties Handle Cyberattacks?

When hackers demanded $51,000 from the city of Atlanta, Atlanta refused to pay. City officials did not want to encourage attacks like this in the future and ultimately paid a higher price than the ransom. While costs associated with the attack were high, it also brought about a realization on how unprepared the City was and what steps were needed to build a better future. Since joining the team, Atlanta's Chief Information Officer Gary Brantley…

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October 31, 2019
Introduction to 2019-2020 MABE President
County News
Introduction to 2019-2020 MABE President

During the Maryland Association of Boards of Education's Annual Conference, a new President was inducted for the 2019-2020 year. From Martha James-Hassan's post-conference introduction: It is a privilege and a pleasure to introduce myself as the newly installed president of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE). For the past four and a half years, I have been fortunate to serve the students, staff and families of Baltimore City Public Schools on the Board of…

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October 31, 2019
Full Kirwan Commission Gets Updated, Back on Track to Finish Work
Education / MACo Events / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Winter Conference
Full Kirwan Commission Gets Updated, Back on Track to Finish Work

The Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education (Kirwan Commission) met for the first time on October 30, after receiving final recommendations from the Funding Formula Workgroup. Chairman William E. (Brit) Kirwan introduced new members to the Commission including Senator Mary Beth Carozza, Delegate Eric Luedtke, former Senator Gail Bates now representing the Maryland State Board of Education, and MACo "rural county"  representative, Queen Anne's County Commissioner Jack Wilson. Before getting started, members took time…

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October 31, 2019
Bay Bridge Project Accelerated
In 2018, MES scanned more than 700 bridges providing detailed analysis and reporting for the MDOT State Highway Administration. (Photo: coastalpics)
County News / News You Can Use / Transportation and Public Works
Bay Bridge Project Accelerated

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) announced a series of steps to shorten the time frame of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge rehabilitation project and improve traffic for all drivers. MDTA is replacing the bridge deck surface in the right lane of the westbound span of the Bridge. Actions that MDTA are taking include the following: Extra Crews to Work Around the Clock. Work on the Bridge will now be done seven days a week in both…

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October 30, 2019
EducationSuperHighway Declares Mission Accomplished on School Broadband
County News / Education / Intergovernmental Relations
EducationSuperHighway Declares Mission Accomplished on School Broadband

EducationSuperHighway, an organization founded with the mission of upgrading the Internet assess in every public school classroom in America, has declared the mission completed and will sunset August 2020. Nationwide, EducationSuperHighway declared that only 743 schools still need to be connected to the infrastructure needed for digital learning, meaning over 99% of the nation's schools have affordable and reliable broadband connections at a minimum speed of 100 kbps and with a clear way to scale…

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October 29, 2019
New Poll Finds Small Majority Support for Bay Bridge and I-270 Expansions
County News / MACo Events / Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference
New Poll Finds Small Majority Support for Bay Bridge and I-270 Expansions

A Washington Post-University of Maryland poll recent found that 55% of state residents favor the idea of adding a third span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and 51% back Governor Hogan's plan to add express toll lanes to I-270 and the Maryland part of the Capital Beltway. The poll was conducted by phone Oct. 9-14 among a random sample of 860 Maryland residents. The overall results have a margin of sampling error of plus or…

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October 29, 2019
Check Out MGA’s New Website Before Final Launch
General Assembly News / News You Can Use
Check Out MGA’s New Website Before Final Launch

When opening the General Assembly of Maryland's website, there is a link on the right-hand side of the website to 'New MGA Website' with a notice: The Maryland General Assembly will be launching a new website for the 2020 session. For the next few weeks both websites will be available.                 The New MGA Website comes with a tutorial video to guides users through the seemingly more user-friendly…

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October 28, 2019
County News / Elections / Now Hear This
Hogan Announces Special Election to Fill Congressional Seat

Today, Governor Larry Hogan announced a special primary election to fill the late U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings seat. The special primary election will take place February 4, with a special general election on April 28. Hogan had 10 days from the death of Rep. Cummings on October 17 to issue a proclamation setting the dates of both the special primary and general elections for Cummings replacement. Candidates who want to run for the seat can…

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October 28, 2019
Are You Prepared? Keeping Your Workplace Safe and Secure
County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / MACo Events / Winter Conference
Are You Prepared? Keeping Your Workplace Safe and Secure

As defined by The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) a “workplace violence” incident is a verbal, written, or physically aggressive threat or attack intended to intimidate, cause injury or death to others in a place of employment. Every workplace is in danger of experience occupational violence, but what can be done to mitigate the risks and reduce hazards? In December, join MACo for a panel session hosted by the Human Resources Affiliate for an in…

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October 24, 2019
Capital Debt Affordability Committee Recommends Bond Authorization of $1,095 Million For FY 21
County News / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Capital Debt Affordability Committee Recommends Bond Authorization of $1,095 Million For FY 21

The State’s Capital Debt Affordability Committee (CDAC) chaired by State Treasurer Nancy Kopp, approved a recommendation during its meeting on October 17th to set the State’s bond authorization at $1,095 million as the maximum amount of general obligation bonds to be authorized for fiscal year 2021, and for planning purposes, $10 million annual increases (roughly 1% per year) in future fiscal years. The vote to approve the recommendation was 3-2, with Treasurer Kopp and Comptroller…

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October 24, 2019
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