Read more about the article Baltimore City Council Launches Charter Review to Modernize City Governance
County News / News You Can Use
Baltimore City Council Launches Charter Review to Modernize City Governance

The Baltimore City Council launched a new charter review process this week, signaling a push to modernize government and enhance how public institutions serve residents. With national political dysfunction grinding federal progress to a halt, local leaders say cities must take a more proactive role in shaping responsive, accountable government. “Baltimore deserves a government that is transparent, effective, and accountable to the people it serves,” said Council President Zeke Cohen. “This Charter review is an…

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November 5, 2025
Read more about the article Maryland Sues To Block New FEMA Grant Restrictions
Courts / Emergency Management / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Winter Conference
Maryland Sues To Block New FEMA Grant Restrictions

Maryland moved to protect emergency management funding and continuity this week as Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a lawsuit challenging new federal restrictions on FEMA preparedness grants that counties rely on to plan, respond to, and recover from disasters. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed suit this week, joining a coalition of states pushing back on new conditions tied to FEMA’s core preparedness and homeland security grants. State attorneys general argue the federal government cannot…

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November 5, 2025
Read more about the article Preparedness in Peril: Rethinking Readiness as Federal Stability Falters
Emergency Management / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Winter Conference
Preparedness in Peril: Rethinking Readiness as Federal Stability Falters

At this year’s MACo Winter Conference, counties will confront a harsh reality: federal disaster support no longer feels predictable, and preparedness planning now requires new strategies beyond Washington’s stability. Federal preparedness and disaster recovery support sit on unstable ground. Shutdown threats, frozen funds, legal battles, and shifting federal priorities have created fundamental planning uncertainty for counties responsible for public safety and emergency response. As national debate continues over disaster funding and FEMA’s future direction, counties…

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November 4, 2025
Read more about the article Governor Moore Moves Forward with Redistricting Advisory Commission
Elections / General Assembly News / News You Can Use / Winter Conference
Governor Moore Moves Forward with Redistricting Advisory Commission

Maryland will formally study mid-cycle redistricting, with Governor Wes Moore announcing a new advisory commission to review the current congressional map, gather public input, and recommend next steps as other states redraw their lines ahead of the 2026 elections. Governor Wes Moore announced a new Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission to review Maryland’s congressional map and recommend potential changes. The panel will conduct public hearings, gather input from residents across the state, and deliver recommendations to…

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November 4, 2025
Read more about the article Governor Moore Deploys $62M to Prevent Food Assistance Shortfall
County News / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Governor Moore Deploys $62M to Prevent Food Assistance Shortfall

Maryland will cover the federal shortfall and fund full November SNAP benefits, with Governor Moore authorizing $62 million after the federal government committed only partial support. Maryland will step in once again to protect food assistance for residents caught in the federal shutdown fallout. After two federal courts ruled on Friday that the Trump Administration must unlock contingency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Administration responded today, stating that it will only cover…

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November 3, 2025
Read more about the article Farm Bureau Pushes to Scrap Controversial Transmission Line After Developer Says It Can’t Meet Deadline
Energy / Intergovernmental Relations / News You Can Use / Winter Conference
Farm Bureau Pushes to Scrap Controversial Transmission Line After Developer Says It Can’t Meet Deadline

The Maryland Farm Bureau moved to shut down the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project after the developer acknowledged it cannot meet the June 2027 deadline, arguing that there is no reason to spend more time and money on a project that has already failed its own timeline. The Maryland Farm Bureau,  joined by local county Farm Bureaus, filed a motion asking the Public Service Commission to dismiss the application for the MPRP, a 500,000-volt transmission line…

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November 3, 2025
Read more about the article Governor Moore Declares Emergency, Deploys $10M to Confront Shutdown Fallout and SNAP Funding Freeze
County News
Governor Moore Declares Emergency, Deploys $10M to Confront Shutdown Fallout and SNAP Funding Freeze

Governor Wes Moore issued a State of Emergency today to address the economic impact of the ongoing federal shutdown. The order also directs $10 million to food security partners as Maryland prepares for a potential lapse in nutrition assistance for more than 680,000 residents and continued job losses resulting from federal disruptions. State Steps In as Shutdown Deepens As previously reported on Conduit Street, MACo has offered a deeper look at the ripple effects of federal…

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October 30, 2025
Read more about the article Fed Cuts Rates Again as Shutdown Clouds Economic Outlook
County News / Finance and Procurement / News You Can Use
Fed Cuts Rates Again as Shutdown Clouds Economic Outlook

The Federal Reserve this week lowered interest rates for the second time this year. Officials moved the benchmark federal funds rate to a range of 3.75% to 4%, aiming to support hiring and steady growth as inflation sits above target and federal data remains limited due to the federal government shutdown. The Fed’s Decision The Federal Open Market Committee reduced rates by a quarter point, continuing its gradual shift toward easier monetary policy. Committee members…

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October 30, 2025
Read more about the article CBO: Shutdown Slows Growth, Costs Economy Billions
County Budgets / County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
CBO: Shutdown Slows Growth, Costs Economy Billions

The ongoing federal government shutdown could wipe out up to $14 billion in economic output and drag fourth-quarter growth down by as much as two percentage points, according to new estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. According to a new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the ongoing federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, could shave up to two percentage points from real GDP growth this quarter and permanently erase as much…

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October 29, 2025
Read more about the article Charles County Earns Fitch’s Top AAA Rating with Stable Outlook
County News / Finance and Procurement
Charles County Earns Fitch’s Top AAA Rating with Stable Outlook

Fitch Ratings has assigned an "AAA" rating to Charles County’s $69.2 million Consolidated Public Improvement Bonds, Series 2025, and affirmed the County’s Issuer Default Rating (IDR) and outstanding general obligation bonds at the same level. The outlook remains "Stable." The bonds, expected to sell competitively on November 18, will fund a wide range of County projects — from school construction and government facilities to park improvements and water management systems. Fitch’s report highlights Charles County’s…

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October 29, 2025
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