MD Senate Republicans Announce Caucus Leadership
County News / General Assembly News / News You Can Use
MD Senate Republicans Announce Caucus Leadership

This week, the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus unanimously re-elected Senator Bryan Simonaire as Minority Leader and elected Senator Justin Ready as Minority Whip. Former Minority Whip Senator Michael Hough recently announced that he would not seek re-election in the Senate as he will be running for Frederick County Executive in 2022. As a result, he also decided not to seek re-election as Minority Whip. According to a statement from the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus: “Re-election…

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October 6, 2021
September Casino Gaming Revenue Tops $165M
County News / Education / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
September Casino Gaming Revenue Tops $165M

Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate over $165 million in gaming revenue in September, contributing $69 million to the state. According to Maryland Lottery and Gaming, September casino gaming revenues were up $21.7 million (15 percent) compared to September 2020, when gaming revenue was $144 million. Casinos were limited to 50 percent capacity in September 2020 due to COVID-19. Contributions from last month's casino gaming revenue totaled $69 million, including $50.1 million for the Education…

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October 6, 2021
Treasury Updates ARPA Reporting Requirements
Coronavirus / County Budgets / County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Treasury Updates ARPA Reporting Requirements

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is extending the deadline for counties to submit the first round of Project and Expenditure reports for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Program provides a substantial infusion of resources to communities working to turn the tide on the pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery. Counties that receive funding from the…

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October 4, 2021
Introducing the Maryland Department of Emergency Management
County News / Emergency Management / News You Can Use
Introducing the Maryland Department of Emergency Management

Last week, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency became the Maryland Department of Emergency Management -- a move that will bolster and enhance collaboration, communication, and coordination between the State and county governments in times of crisis. As previously reported on Conduit Street, the Maryland General Assembly this year passed SB 658, which established MDEM as a forward-facing, Cabinet-level entity. The bill also transfers the 9-1-1 Board to the Department. MACo supported the bill, as MDEM…

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October 4, 2021
Feds Narrowly Avert Another Government Shutdown…for Now
County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Feds Narrowly Avert Another Government Shutdown…for Now

With only hours to spare, Congress passed, and President Biden signed, legislation to avoid yet another partial federal government shutdown. The short-term funding measure, known as a continuing resolution, funds government operations through December 3, 2021, but does not raise the debt ceiling, which lawmakers must address separately in the weeks ahead. The House approved the continuing resolution by a 254-175 vote not long after Senate passage in a 65-35 vote. Every year, Congress must…

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October 1, 2021
Board of Revenue Estimates Approves Nearly $1 Billion Write-Up for FY22
County News / General Assembly News / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Board of Revenue Estimates Approves Nearly $1 Billion Write-Up for FY22

Federal relief funds, higher-than-expected tax revenues drive nearly $1 billion revenue write-up for fiscal 2022. The Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates today voted to dramatically increase the revenue projections for fiscal 2022 by 5 percent to $21.1 billion, representing a $995 million increase from the March estimates. Additionally, the Board -- which includes Comptroller Peter Franchot, Treasurer Nancy Kopp, and Budget Secretary David Brinkley -- set the first official revenue forecast for fiscal 2023 at…

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September 30, 2021
Baltimore County Work Group Proposes Framework for Fair Election Fund
County News / Elections / News You Can Use
Baltimore County Work Group Proposes Framework for Fair Election Fund

The Baltimore County Fair Election Fund Work Group's final report proposes a framework for the County's first public financing system for candidates for local offices. As previously reported on Conduit Street, Baltimore County voters in 2020 approved a Charter Amendment to make public funds available to County Executive and County Council candidates. Establishing a Fair Election Fund is a key priority for County Executive Johnny Olszewski, who called for a public financing option for local elections before…

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September 30, 2021
Cecil Refinances Debt, Saves Millions
County Budgets / County News / Finance and Procurement / News You Can Use
Cecil Refinances Debt, Saves Millions

County Executive Danielle Hornberger this week announced that Cecil County successfully refinanced approximately $115 million in bonds at significantly lower interest rates, saving taxpayers up to $28.5 million in debt service payments. According to a County press release: The County’s General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds’ interest rate was reduced from 3.47% to 2.03% and the County’s General Obligation Consolidated Refunding Bonds’ interest rate was reduced from 3.47% to 2.11%. “I am happy to announce that…

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September 29, 2021
State Closes FY21 with $2.5B Fund Balance
County News / Feature / General Assembly News / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
State Closes FY21 with $2.5B Fund Balance

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced that the State of Maryland closed its books on fiscal 2021 with an unassigned balance of the State’s General Fund of $2.5 billion, representing more than five percent of its $48 billion operating budget for fiscal 2021. The massive fund balance results from much larger-than-expected revenue growth, primarily driven by an influx of federal stimulus funding, as well as a significant uptick in personal and business income and consumer…

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September 29, 2021
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