County News / Energy / Information Technology / News You Can Use / Summer Conference
Pennsylvania Data Center Order Puts Local Approval First

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has signed an executive order requiring data center developers to secure local approval and make binding commitments regarding energy, infrastructure, and community impacts before the Commonwealth reviews permit applications. The order requires legally binding commitments under Pennsylvania’s GRID standards, which address energy costs, environmental protections, workforce development, transparency, and community engagement. It also removes data centers from the Commonwealth's Fast Track permitting process and prohibits nondisclosure agreements for data center projects.…

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August 20, 2026
Read more about the article Explainer: Two Budget Cycles Shifted $165M in Pension Costs to Counties
County Budgets / Pensions & Public Funds / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Explainer: Two Budget Cycles Shifted $165M in Pension Costs to Counties

Across two consecutive budget cycles, the State has added nearly $165 million in annual costs to county budgets through new pension obligations and the elimination of retirement grants. The total includes $137 million in new annual retirement costs shifted to counties and a $27.7 million loss in annual supplemental retirement grants. The State created those grants as part of the 2012 teacher pension cost shift. How the 2012 Pension Shift Worked Before 2012, the State funded employer…

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August 19, 2026
Read more about the article Maryland Pension System Tops Target With 13.19% Return
County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Pensions & Public Funds
Maryland Pension System Tops Target With 13.19% Return

Maryland’s pension system posted a 13.19% net investment return in fiscal 2026, well above its actuarial target and adding another year of positive long-term performance for the $82.1 billion fund. The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System announced the results this week. The 13.19% return for the fiscal year ending June 30 exceeded the System’s 6.80% actuarial target by 6.39 percentage points. The fund tracked its investment benchmark much more closely, outperforming it by 3…

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August 18, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore City Sues Prediction Markets Over Alleged Illegal Sports Betting
County News / Government Liability and Courts / News You Can Use
Baltimore City Sues Prediction Markets Over Alleged Illegal Sports Betting

Baltimore City has sued prediction market operators Kalshi and Polymarket, alleging the companies illegally offer sports betting while avoiding Maryland’s licensing, taxation, and consumer protection requirements. Last week, Mayor Brandon Scott and the Baltimore City Council filed separate lawsuits against Kalshi, Polymarket, and their affiliated companies in the Baltimore City Circuit Court. The City alleges both companies violated its Consumer Protection Ordinance by offering unlicensed sports wagering and misleading consumers about the legality and regulatory…

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August 18, 2026
Read more about the article DLS Releases 2026 County-By-County Guide to Local Taxing Authority
County News / Taxes and Revenues
DLS Releases 2026 County-By-County Guide to Local Taxing Authority

The Maryland Department of Legislative Services (DLS) has released the 2026 edition of its Guide to Local Government Taxing Authority, a county-by-county reference to the revenue tools available to Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. The guide gives county leaders, budget and finance staff, and advocates a detailed look at the taxes, fees, credits, exemptions, and other revenue authorities available in each jurisdiction. What’s Inside DLS breaks down local taxing authority for every county and…

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August 18, 2026
Read more about the article Local Revenue Task Force Sets Second Meeting for August 31
County Budgets / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Local Revenue Task Force Sets Second Meeting for August 31

The Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures will meet again on August 31 as members continue examining Maryland’s local revenue structure and the fiscal pressures facing local governments. The Task Force will meet virtually on Monday, August 31, at 10:30 am. Members will receive an agenda and additional information ahead of the meeting, and the General Assembly website will stream the meeting live. As previously reported on Conduit Street, the Task Force…

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August 18, 2026
Read more about the article Large County Coalition Confronts Costs, Challenges at #MACoCon
County News / News You Can Use / Summer Conference
Large County Coalition Confronts Costs, Challenges at #MACoCon

At the MACo Summer Conference, the Large County Coalition (LCC) convened county leaders and Comptroller Brooke Lierman for a high-level discussion on Maryland’s economy, its fiscal outlook, and the challenges shaping county budgets. Large County Coalition Chair and Prince George’s County Council Member Wanika Fisher led the session with Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Montgomery County Chief Administrative Officer Rich Madaleno. Comptroller Lierman discussed Maryland’s revenue outlook and the Comptroller’s transition to a new tax administration…

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August 17, 2026
Read more about the article Senator Van Hollen Connects With Counties at #MACoCon
NACo and Federal Issues / Summer Conference
Senator Van Hollen Connects With Counties at #MACoCon

US Senator Chris Van Hollen joined counties at the 2026 MACo Summer Conference for a sweeping discussion on federal decisions affecting county budgets, services, and communities across Maryland. From disaster response and health programs to transportation, broadband, cybersecurity, and elections, the conversation focused on what is happening in Washington and what it means for counties. Senator Van Hollen discussed the federal budget and the pressure federal decisions can place on state and local governments. Changes…

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August 17, 2026
Read more about the article #MACoCon Recap: Making Parks and Recreation Dollars Go Further
Darius Stanton, Director of the M-NCPPC in Prince George's County
Parks and Recreation / Summer Conference
#MACoCon Recap: Making Parks and Recreation Dollars Go Further

Counties rely on parks and recreation funding to build new facilities, expand programs, and maintain the public spaces residents use every day. With limited dollars available, partnerships and long-term planning can help counties make those investments go further. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, The Funding of Fun focused on how counties pay for parks and recreation projects, from building partnerships and finding new resources to covering long-term operating and maintenance costs. Senator Mary Beth…

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August 17, 2026
Read more about the article #MACoCon Tackles Growing Cyber Threats to County Infrastructure
Cyber / Information Technology / Summer Conference
#MACoCon Tackles Growing Cyber Threats to County Infrastructure

At the MACo Summer Conference, cybersecurity leaders discussed how counties can protect the connected systems that support water service, emergency communications, public safety, transportation, and other essential operations. Cyber threats increasingly put the systems counties rely on every day at risk, from emergency communications and public safety networks to water systems, financial operations, and public works. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Protecting County Infrastructure in the Digital Age brought together State, county, and private-sector…

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August 17, 2026
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