Study: Kirwan Plan Connects to Wages, Revenues Over Time
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Winter Conference
Study: Kirwan Plan Connects to Wages, Revenues Over Time

A study on the fiscal effects of the proposed Kirwan Commission plan for education funding, commissioned by plan supporters, suggests the presumed educational improvements may begin to "pay for themselves" by 2034. Strong Schools Maryland, an advocacy group supporting the proposed plan for advancing Maryland public school funding over the next decade, has commissioned a report claiming the plan would have significant positive fiscal effects. The report, prepared by the Sage Policy Group, suggests the…

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December 3, 2019
Clean and Green: Charting Maryland’s Energy Future
Business Affairs / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
Clean and Green: Charting Maryland’s Energy Future

A general session at MACo's upcoming Winter Conference will focus on clean energy, and all the opportunities and challenges that come with our commitment to embrace and harness it. Title: Clean and Green: Charting Maryland’s Energy Future Time: Wednesday, December 5, 9:00 - 10:15 am Description: Maryland’s energy paradigm is shifting away from reliance on fossil fuels and towards renewable (solar and wind) and zero-carbon (nuclear and hydro) power sources. This transformation will require changes…

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November 27, 2019
Rural Counties Coalition Will Look Ahead at Conference
Education / Planning and Zoning / Winter Conference
Rural Counties Coalition Will Look Ahead at Conference

MACo's Chapter Organization for rural counties will meet during the MACo Winter Conference, with updates and information for county leaders from rural areas, including solar siting and the Forest Conservation Act. The Maryland Rural County Coalition was formed by the governing bodies of Allegany, Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties on December, 12, 2011. Working in conjunction with MACo, the Coalition provides a voice for Maryland's rural counties, allowing them to offer their unique perspective on…

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November 27, 2019
Sun: It Wasn’t Kirwan’s Job To Say How To Pay For Its Plan
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues / Winter Conference
Sun: It Wasn’t Kirwan’s Job To Say How To Pay For Its Plan

The Baltimore Sun Editorial Board continues its missives on the proposed education plan by refuting the argument that the Kirwan Commission "failed" to develop a financing plan for its recommendations - something that was never in its charge. By now, every stakeholder (and Conduit Street reader) knows the basics:  Maryland is about to fully debate an ambitious and expensive plan to bring our public schools to "world class" status. The plan is the product of…

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November 26, 2019
MACo’s Hiring: Research Associate Position Available
County News / News You Can Use
MACo’s Hiring: Research Associate Position Available

MACo is seeking a Research Associate. The full time (or possibly part time) contractual position will primarily work remotely, and will help coordinate county surveys, fiscal notes, summary information, and county appointments to policy-making bodies. The Research Associate manages the Association’s research efforts within and outside its membership, helping MACo and its member counties provide timely information to policymakers at the state and county level. Surveys of county officials, a dynamic website and news blog,…

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November 22, 2019
Kirwan Commission Wraps, Passes Formulas and Timetables
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Kirwan Commission Wraps, Passes Formulas and Timetables

The Kirwan Commission completed its work on November 21, taking its final vote on funding formulas and phase-ins, and will now send its full recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly for consideration as legislation in 2020. Commissioner, and Montgomery County Council Member, Craig Rice, engages in discussion during the final meeting of the three-year school funding commission. The Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, regularly convening for day-long sessions since 2016, completed its…

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November 22, 2019
Digging Into “Poor County” Testimony Before the Kirwan Commission
County News / Winter Conference
Digging Into “Poor County” Testimony Before the Kirwan Commission

One element raised during the Kirwan Commission's November 12 public hearings, by one of Maryland's lowest wealth counties raises an interstate comparison: is Maryland losing out to Delaware when it comes to a central principle of the Commission's goals, funding equity? By one measure, yes we are. The Kirwan Commission held public hearings on November 12, with dozens of stakeholders and multiple counties presenting their views on the Commission recommendations. See Conduit Street coverage. From…

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November 19, 2019
“Funding Our Future” Effort Puts A Finer Point on Kirwan Costs, Means
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
“Funding Our Future” Effort Puts A Finer Point on Kirwan Costs, Means

Stakeholder groups supporting the Kirwan education plan have developed a coalition to support tax reforms to help support its substantial costs, including a slate of revenue proposals in a report, "Funding our Future" The policy debate over school funding, and the goals and costs of the Kirwan Commission plan, has been gaining steam for months leading up to its expected peak during the 2020 legislative session. Now, a coalition supporting the effort is offering specifics…

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November 19, 2019
Can a Governing Body’s Conflicts Be… Constructive?
County Government and Structure / County News
Can a Governing Body’s Conflicts Be… Constructive?

A recent study on local governments looked at conflict among elected officials - and found, perhaps surprisingly, that certain "healthy" policy or priority conflicts may actually add to the effectiveness of a governing body. An academic study on public governing bodies (in Illinois) indicates that conflict among members of decision-making bodies can actually be healthy - but the nature of the conflict matters in this respect. Coverage on Route Fifty, a website with news about…

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November 18, 2019
Kirwan-Curious? The Sun Tackles The Questions You’re Afraid To Ask
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Kirwan-Curious? The Sun Tackles The Questions You’re Afraid To Ask

Sun reporter Pamela Wood offers a "Kirwan 101" Summary of the major policies and politics of the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education. So... you've been trying to keep up with Kirwan and the school funding debate, but you have a day job and can't dial in for 6 hours of meetings every two weeks for over three years. So, you've been left a bit behind... trying to sort out...just what is this really…

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November 14, 2019
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