Read more about the article Fitch Affirms Calvert’s AAA Rating, Assigns Top Rating to New Bonds
County News / Finance and Procurement / News You Can Use
Fitch Affirms Calvert’s AAA Rating, Assigns Top Rating to New Bonds

Fitch Ratings has again affirmed Calvert County’s AAA credit rating with a stable outlook and assigned the same top rating to nearly $76 million in new general obligation bonds. Fitch assigned a AAA rating to $75.955 million in Consolidated Public Improvement Bonds, which Calvert County plans to sell competitively on or around September 29. The County will use the proceeds to finance public improvements. The agency also affirmed Calvert County’s Issuer Default Rating and outstanding…

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September 17, 2026
Read more about the article US Supreme Court Blocks New Mail-In Voting Rules for Midterms
County News / Elections / News You Can Use
US Supreme Court Blocks New Mail-In Voting Rules for Midterms

The US Supreme Court this week rejected the Trump administration’s request to allow new US Postal Service requirements for mail-in ballots to take effect ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, leaving a lower court injunction in place while litigation continues. The September 14 order marks the latest turn in a months-long legal fight over federal efforts to change how states administer mail-in voting. For the upcoming election, USPS will continue handling ballot mail without enforcing…

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September 15, 2026
Read more about the article County Leaders Push for Revenue Flexibility, Guard Against Cost Shifts
County Budgets / Feature / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
County Leaders Push for Revenue Flexibility, Guard Against Cost Shifts

County leaders across Maryland called for more local revenue options while delivering an equally clear message: a new authority cannot become another way to shift state costs onto county budgets. The Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures held a public hearing on September 14, giving county executives, council members, commissioners, and fiscal leaders a chance to weigh in as the panel develops recommendations ahead of the 2027 legislative session. The General Assembly…

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September 14, 2026
Read more about the article New $50M Homebuyer Program Supports First Responders and Teachers
Education / Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections
New $50M Homebuyer Program Supports First Responders and Teachers

Maryland has launched a new mortgage program offering lower interest rates and down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers who work as first responders or teachers. Applications for the new program are now open. The First Homes for First Responders and Teachers program offers eligible buyers a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with an interest rate 0.5 percentage points below the standard Maryland Mortgage Program First Time Advantage 5% loan. Buyers can also receive assistance equal to 5%…

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September 9, 2026
Read more about the article Congress Averts Government Shutdown, Delays New Federal Grant Rules
County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Congress Averts Government Shutdown, Delays New Federal Grant Rules

Last week, Congress approved a short-term spending bill that keeps the federal government funded through December 11 while delaying a sweeping rewrite of federal grant rules. The delay gives counties additional time before the proposed changes to federal grant administration can take effect. The US House passed the Senate version of the continuing resolution on September 1 by a 370-48 vote, following the Senate’s 90-6 vote in August. President Trump signed the measure into law,…

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September 9, 2026
Read more about the article MD Supreme Court Clears Redistricting Question for November Ballot
Elections / General Assembly News / News You Can Use
MD Supreme Court Clears Redistricting Question for November Ballot

The Supreme Court of Maryland has cleared a proposed congressional redistricting amendment for the November ballot, overturning two circuit court rulings that would have blocked the measure. The Court found the ballot language approved by the General Assembly misleading but ordered revised language, ending weeks of uncertainty as State and local election administrators move deeper into preparations for the November 3 general election. The divided Court issued its order Thursday evening after hearing arguments earlier…

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September 4, 2026
Read more about the article Local Revenue Task Force Sets Public Hearing: Here’s How To Testify
County Budgets / County News / Feature / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Local Revenue Task Force Sets Public Hearing: Here’s How To Testify

County governments, local leaders, residents, and other stakeholders have a chance to weigh in directly as Maryland considers the future of local revenue flexibility. The Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures will hold a virtual public hearing on September 14, with registration and written testimony due September 10. The hearing comes as the Task Force examines whether Maryland’s local revenue structure still works for local governments. Counties face growing responsibilities and rising…

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September 2, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick Secures $110M Community Benefits Agreement for Data Center Campus
County Budgets / County News / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning
Frederick Secures $110M Community Benefits Agreement for Data Center Campus

Frederick County has negotiated more than $110 million in developer-funded community investments tied to the Frederick Digital Campus, along with changes aimed at reducing the impact of the already-approved data center development on surrounding communities. County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced the agreement September 1 with Catellus, the campus’s master developer. Catellus will reduce planned data center development by nearly 20%, cut potable water use by 80% once its reclaimed water system comes online, and preserve…

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September 2, 2026
Read more about the article MDOT Unveils $22B Transportation Plan as Local Road Funding Cliff Looms
County Budgets / County News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Transportation and Public Works
MDOT Unveils $22B Transportation Plan as Local Road Funding Cliff Looms

Maryland’s draft six-year transportation plan approaches $22 billion, with significant investments across the transportation network. But for counties and municipalities, the plan also confirms a looming funding cliff, with Highway User Revenues dropping by nearly $100 million in fiscal 2028. The Maryland Department of Transportation's draft fiscal 2027-2032 Consolidated Transportation Program lays out $21.93 billion in capital spending over six years. The CTP serves as Maryland's capital budget for transportation projects and local transportation funding.…

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September 2, 2026
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