Read more about the article The Emergency Connectivity Fund Is Live!
Coronavirus / County News / Education / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
The Emergency Connectivity Fund Is Live!

The Federal Communications Commission today launched the most significant single campaign ever to tackle the Homework Gap and make sure students have access to the broadband and devices they need for school —the Emergency Connectivity Fund. Effective immediately, schools and libraries can apply for support to purchase laptops, tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and broadband connections to facilitate off-campus remote learning. As previously reported on Conduit Street, the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund will reimburse…

Comments Off on The Emergency Connectivity Fund Is Live!
June 30, 2021
Read more about the article New Guidelines for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
County News / Education / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
New Guidelines for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) today announced new Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) for free and reduced-price school meals. The guidelines are set by the federal government and adopted by MSDE. These guidelines are used to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals in child nutrition programs for the period of July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act requires the US Department of…

Comments Off on New Guidelines for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
June 30, 2021
Read more about the article Cecil, Uber Partner to Provide Transportation for Recovery Patients
County News / Health and Human Services / News You Can Use / Transportation and Public Works
Cecil, Uber Partner to Provide Transportation for Recovery Patients

The Cecil County Department of Community Services’ Cecil Transit division today launched its COMPASS (Cecil On-demand Mobility Platform and Service Solution) pilot project, which provides on-demand transportation services to individuals in recovery houses for substance use disorders. The one-year research project -- funded through a $563,000 Integrated Mobility Innovation pilot grant by the Federal Transit Administration -- is powered by customized Uber technology made possible through a partnership with Routematch by Uber.  Cecil Transit’s drivers…

Comments Off on Cecil, Uber Partner to Provide Transportation for Recovery Patients
June 30, 2021
Read more about the article Hogan Names New Lottery & Gaming Director, Appointees to Sports Wagering Commission
Business Affairs / News You Can Use
Hogan Names New Lottery & Gaming Director, Appointees to Sports Wagering Commission

Governor Larry Hogan today named John A. Martin as director of the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. Martin, the agency’s managing director and chief revenue officer, will succeed Gordon Medenica, who announced his retirement in April. Martin's appointment is effective July 1, 2021. “Maryland is proud to have one of the best lottery and gaming systems in the country, and with sports betting coming online, we are poised for even more record growth," said…

Comments Off on Hogan Names New Lottery & Gaming Director, Appointees to Sports Wagering Commission
June 30, 2021
Read more about the article Frederick Names New Director of Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services
M. Shane Darwick (photo courtesy of Frederick County Government).
County News / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections
Frederick Names New Director of Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services

Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner this week named Assistant Chief M. Shane Darwick as director of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services. Darwick succeeds retired Director Kevin Fox. The director of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services supports and coordinates with the County’s volunteer fire and rescue companies. “Shane’s knowledge, work experience, strong communication skills, and work ethic make him ideal for the director position,” Executive Gardner said. “He is well respected by staff and volunteer companies,…

Comments Off on Frederick Names New Director of Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services
June 30, 2021
Read more about the article Comptroller Extends Filing, Payment Deadlines for Pass-Through Entities
Business Affairs / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues
Comptroller Extends Filing, Payment Deadlines for Pass-Through Entities

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot today extended the filing deadline for 2020 income tax returns from Pass-Through Entities (PTEs) to September 15, 2021, due to new laws requiring extensive changes to PTE tax forms, which are now available on the Comptroller’s website. Taxpayers who file PTE returns and pay any outstanding liabilities by September 15 will not be charged interest or pay a penalty. No further action is required for PTEs to receive this waiver; it…

Comments Off on Comptroller Extends Filing, Payment Deadlines for Pass-Through Entities
June 30, 2021
Coronavirus / County News / Education / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
MSDE Seeks Input for ARPA Elementary & Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Plan

Draft Plan Posted for Review; Survey Now Open Through July 9 to Solicit Public Comment. The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is asking for public input for its draft of the State plan for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding. The draft, along with a public comment survey, can be found at: http://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/ARP-ESSER/index.aspx. The survey will be open for input through July 9, and MSDE will…

Comments Off on MSDE Seeks Input for ARPA Elementary & Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Plan
June 29, 2021
Read more about the article Montgomery County’s Minimum Wage Increases July 1
Business Affairs / County News / Labor / News You Can Use
Montgomery County’s Minimum Wage Increases July 1

On July 1, the minimum wage in Montgomery County will increase to $15 for employers with 51 or more employees and $14 for employers with 50 or fewer employees; a small employer, with 10 or fewer employees, is required to pay $13.50 hourly. As previously reported on Conduit Street, Montgomery County will raise the minimum wage incrementally, each July 1, until it reaches $15 per hour in 2022. The number of workers employed by the business will…

Comments Off on Montgomery County’s Minimum Wage Increases July 1
June 29, 2021
Read more about the article Hogan Announces $25 Million Initiative to Revitalize Downtowns, Main Streets
Coronavirus / County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use
Hogan Announces $25 Million Initiative to Revitalize Downtowns, Main Streets

Project Restore to provide financial incentives for taking over vacant retail and commercial space. Rental subsidies of up to $2,500 per month, sales tax rebates of up to $250,000 per year. Governor Larry Hogan yesterday announced the launch of Project Restore, a $25 million economic recovery initiative that will provide financial incentives for small businesses and commercial developers to revitalize vacant retail and commercial space. The governor made the announcement in downtown Berlin during a…

Comments Off on Hogan Announces $25 Million Initiative to Revitalize Downtowns, Main Streets
June 29, 2021
Read more about the article Local Election Officials: Fund New Pollbooks 50/50 State/County
County Budgets / County News / Elections / General Assembly News / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Local Election Officials: Fund New Pollbooks 50/50 State/County

Today, the Maryland Association of Election Officials (MAEO) and the Montgomery County Board of Elections sent letters urging that a pending funding request for new electronic pollbooks follow the same 50/50 state/county funding split as other comparable equipment since 2001. The State Board of Elections plans to replace electronic pollbooks -- which are used to check in voters at polling places across the state -- in time for the 2022 election cycle. While the State…

Comments Off on Local Election Officials: Fund New Pollbooks 50/50 State/County
June 28, 2021
Newer Posts
Older Posts