Read more about the article Revenue Task Force Convenes: Counties Shoulder 96% of Local Spending, But Revenue Tools Haven’t Kept Pace
County-level entities accounted for 95.5 percent of Maryland local government spending in fiscal 2024. Source: Department of Legislative Services.
County Budgets / Feature / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Revenue Task Force Convenes: Counties Shoulder 96% of Local Spending, But Revenue Tools Haven’t Kept Pace

Counties face growing costs for education, transportation, infrastructure, and other core services, but State law offers relatively few ways to generate additional local revenue. For most local governments, the property tax remains the only practical tool capable of addressing a significant budget need. That reality framed Friday's first meeting of the Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures. The Department of Legislative Services began with an overview of local government finance before representatives…

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July 31, 2026
Read more about the article Special Session Preview: Bill Language, Testimony Details, and What’s Ahead
Elections / General Assembly News
Special Session Preview: Bill Language, Testimony Details, and What’s Ahead

As previously reported on Conduit Street, Maryland lawmakers will return to Annapolis August 3-5 for a special legislative session focused exclusively on congressional redistricting. HB 2100 / SB 2100 would place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot asking voters to change how Maryland handles future congressional redistricting. The General Assembly has scheduled a joint hearing of the House Government, Labor, and Elections Committee and the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee for Monday,…

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July 30, 2026
Read more about the article Prince George’s Designates National Harbor Extraordinary Development District
County News / Taxes and Revenues
Prince George’s Designates National Harbor Extraordinary Development District

The Prince George's County Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday establishing the National Harbor Extraordinary Development District, opening the door for the County to use tax increment financing (TIF) to help fund future public infrastructure and redevelopment projects within a portion of National Harbor. The newly designated district covers part of the existing National Harbor Development District in Oxon Hill. The resolution establishes a special fund that will receive certain property tax revenues generated within…

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July 29, 2026
Read more about the article Deep Dive: When Is a Bet Not a Bet?
Courts / Elections / Feature / NACo and Federal Issues / Policy Deep Dive
Deep Dive: When Is a Bet Not a Bet?

This article is part of MACo’s Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top policy issues of the day. Prediction markets have quickly moved from a niche forecasting tool into the mainstream, with users trading on elections, sports, government decisions, and world events. Their growth has opened a difficult legal fight over whether states may regulate them as gambling or whether federal commodities law leaves that authority almost entirely with…

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July 28, 2026
Read more about the article State Awards $1.2M for Local Parks and Recreation
Board of Public Works / Parks and Recreation / Summer Conference
State Awards $1.2M for Local Parks and Recreation

Earlier this month, the Board of Public Works approved more than $1.18 million in grants to support parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, and recreational facilities in six counties through three Maryland Department of Natural Resources programs. The July 1 approvals include funding through Program Open Space - Local, the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Program, and the Community Parks and Playgrounds Program, helping counties and municipalities improve recreational amenities and expand outdoor opportunities for residents. Approximately…

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July 28, 2026
Read more about the article From Broadband to Economic Opportunity: Building Maryland’s Digital Future
Broadband / Summer Conference
From Broadband to Economic Opportunity: Building Maryland’s Digital Future

At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, county leaders will explore how broadband is moving beyond basic internet access to become a foundation for economic development, workforce growth, healthcare, education, and community resilience. With historic investments bringing high-speed internet to more Maryland communities, counties are increasingly focused on how to maximize those investments and ensure broadband expansion delivers lasting economic and community benefits. From Broadband to Economic Opportunity: Building Maryland's Digital Future Broadband has become essential…

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July 28, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick Expands Tax Relief for Older Residents, Uniformed Service Members
County Budgets / County News / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues
Frederick Expands Tax Relief for Older Residents, Uniformed Service Members

Frederick County is expanding property tax relief for older residents and qualifying uniformed service members after the County Council unanimously approved legislation increasing the local property tax credit and broadening eligibility. Bill 26-07 increases the county property tax credit from 20% to 30% while raising both the household income and home value limits for eligible homeowners. According to the County's fiscal analysis, the expanded credit is expected to reduce county property tax revenues by approximately…

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July 23, 2026
Read more about the article MD Approves New Statewide Voting System for 2028 Election Cycle
Board of Public Works / Elections
MD Approves New Statewide Voting System for 2028 Election Cycle

Maryland will replace its statewide voting system after the Board of Public Works approved a new contract with Election Systems & Software (ES&S) to modernize election technology ahead of the 2028 presidential election. The procurement authorizes a five-year base contract valued at approximately $84.9 million, with two optional two-year renewals that could bring the total value to $109.4 million through 2031. The project includes acquisition, deployment, implementation, and ongoing support for a new statewide voting…

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July 23, 2026
Read more about the article Presiding Officers: Special Session Limited to Redistricting
County News / Feature / General Assembly News
Presiding Officers: Special Session Limited to Redistricting

Maryland legislative leaders have directed the Department of Legislative Services (DLS) to accept bill drafting requests for the August 3-5 Special Session only if they relate directly to congressional redistricting. In a letter to members of the General Assembly, Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk said the Special Session is being reconvened for the limited purpose of considering legislation related to congressional redistricting standards. To keep the session focused on that purpose,…

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July 21, 2026
Read more about the article MD Defends Voter Roll Maintenance After DOJ Inquiry
Elections / Summer Conference
MD Defends Voter Roll Maintenance After DOJ Inquiry

Maryland State Administrator of Elections Jared DeMarinis has responded to a recent US Department of Justice (DOJ) inquiry regarding Maryland's voter registration list maintenance procedures, outlining the State's compliance with federal and State law and detailing the processes used to maintain accurate voter rolls. The response follows a July 7 letter from DOJ's Civil Rights Division requesting information on how Maryland complies with federal laws governing voter registration list maintenance. Similar requests were sent to…

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July 20, 2026
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