County Budgets / County News / General Assembly News / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Governor’s 2021 Budget Proposal – What It Means for Counties

Governor Larry Hogan yesterday unveiled his FY 2021 budget proposal. Overall, the $47.9 billion budget proposal -- a 1.5 percent increase from the current fiscal year -- increases aid to local governments by $310.9 million over FY 2020, most of which is in the form of education, aid, which increases by $212.8 million. SDAT Cost Shift The Governor’s Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) (HB 152) revives an attempt (unsuccessful in previous years) to shift…

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January 16, 2020
County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues
New Jersey Enacts SALT Cap Workaround for Small Businesses

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation Monday giving small businesses in the Garden State a workaround for the cap on state and local tax deductions (SALT) under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) -- the 2017 federal tax overhaul that capped SALT deductions at $10,000 – a move of particular import in states like Maryland. This bill permits pass-through businesses, including S corporations, limited liability corporations, and other business partnerships, to shift the…

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January 16, 2020
County News
It’s Back! Governor Revives SDAT Cost Shift To Counties

The Governor’s Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) (HB 152) revives an attempt (unsuccessful in previous years) to shift costs of the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) onto county governments. The BRFA is typically introduced to implement a variety of actions such as raising revenues, altering statutory formulas and mandates, and transferring various monies in special funds to the general fund to allow their use for other purposes, such as balancing the budget.…

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January 15, 2020
Washington County Approves Firefighter Staffing Plan
County Budgets / County News / Emergency Management / Public Safety and Corrections
Washington County Approves Firefighter Staffing Plan

The Washington Board of County Commissioners today voted to authorize the final planning and implementation for the Division of Emergency Services' regional staffing plan. This plan will deploy firefighters in four strategic locations across Washington County. "Today, more than ever, supporting our emergency responders is a top priority. Perhaps, on the worst day of your life, our emergency responders are there to answer your calls. Providing the mechanisms and necessary funding is paramount to provide…

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January 14, 2020
MDE Hosting Public Engagement Meetings on Draft Climate Change Plan
County News / Economic Development / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
MDE Hosting Public Engagement Meetings on Draft Climate Change Plan

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is hosting a series of public engagement meetings and webinars to provide residents with the opportunity to learn about and provide input on its draft climate change plan. The draft plan outlines what the State and local governments will need to do to reduce in-state greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from their 2006 levels by 2030 and prepare for further reductions in the future. Counties or other interested…

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January 14, 2020
Board of Public Works Approves $18.8 Million in Rural Legacy Program Grants
Board of Public Works / County Budgets / County News / Environment / Planning and Zoning / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Board of Public Works Approves $18.8 Million in Rural Legacy Program Grants

The Board of Public Works yesterday unanimously approved more than $18.8 million in Rural Legacy Program grants for conservation easements in 18 counties. Funding from these grants will permanently protect more than 4,500 acres of working farms, forests, open space, shorelines, and wetlands — plus cultural and historic resources — throughout the state. According to a press release: The projects were recommended by the Rural Legacy Board, which consists of the Secretaries of the Maryland Department of Natural…

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January 9, 2020
When Do State Tax Changes Spill Over Into County Budgets?
County Budgets / County News / Taxes and Revenues
When Do State Tax Changes Spill Over Into County Budgets?

As the 2020 session ramps up, talk of state tax changes have filled the headlines. A level deeper, though – what state tax decisions might have direct or carryover effects on county budgets? A quick primer: PERSONAL INCOME TAXES The state income tax is the top source of general revenue, and the biggest overall target for policy changes. Since county tax rates are independent of the state rates – counties are affected by some state…

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January 9, 2020
Anne Arundel Public Library Eliminates Fines for Children and Teen Materials
County Budgets / County News / Education / News You Can Use
Anne Arundel Public Library Eliminates Fines for Children and Teen Materials

The Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) this week announced that it will no longer charge overdue fees on children and teen books, movies, and music. The library also waived $754,637 in outstanding fines and fees for customers under the age of 18 and outstanding late charges on children and teen materials for adult accounts. Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Anne Arundel County Council approved supplemental funding to enable the library system…

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January 8, 2020
Port of Baltimore Announces $1.8 Million Grant to Reduce Diesel Emissions
Environment / Finance and Procurement / News You Can Use
Port of Baltimore Announces $1.8 Million Grant to Reduce Diesel Emissions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore $1.8 million in Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funds to replace older diesel-powered equipment with newer, cleaner machinery. The grant will cover about 44 dray trucks, commonly used for transporting shipping containers to and from the Port, and four pieces of cargo-handling equipment such as forklifts, yard tractors, and other heavy cargo machinery. “This EPA grant will help us continue…

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January 7, 2020
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