Sen. McCray: If Federal Relief Fails, Brace For State Cuts
Coronavirus / County Budgets / NACo and Federal Issues / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Sen. McCray: If Federal Relief Fails, Brace For State Cuts

A State fiscal leader warns a failure to pass the still-in-negotiations federal relief bill could trigger severe budget cuts. As the white-hot speculation continues around the political will to reach a compromise on new and extended federal relief from the coronavirus pandemic, Maryland leaders fear that an inability to reach a deal could have dire local consequences. From coverage in the Maryland Reporter: “I do believe strongly that if we don’t get another stimulus injected…

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July 31, 2020
County News / Summer Conference / Summer Series
The MACo Book Club is Back! August 20 Virtual Meeting, “Collapse” By Jared Diamond

MACo is proud to continue its recent tradition - a "Book Club" meeting as part of our summertime offerings. The group has traditionally focused on books dealing with public policy and leadership - this summer's offering is Jared Diamond's "Collapse." MACo is proud to renew a recent tradition, a good-government themed Book Club for county officials and other stakeholders. Recent iterations have brought conference attendees together to discuss leadership, innovative budgeting, customer service, and time…

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July 24, 2020
Hogan to Counties: Bar/Restaurant Compliance Key To Continued MD Re-Opening
Coronavirus / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations / Public Safety and Corrections
Hogan to Counties: Bar/Restaurant Compliance Key To Continued MD Re-Opening

A July 14 letter to county leaders, from Governor Hogan, stressed the importance of keeping bars and restaurants in compliance with safety and distancing orders - connecting this to potential trends in coronavirus caseloads in the state. Governor Hogan is calling on counties - including Local Health Departments, liquor boards, and local law enforcement  - to emphasize compliance with statewide orders for bar and restaurant practices, responding to the continuing coronavirus threat. Read or download…

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July 14, 2020
State & Local Coalition to US Senate: We Need Your Help, Soon
NACo and Federal Issues / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
State & Local Coalition to US Senate: We Need Your Help, Soon

NACo, a "Big 7" Coalition of State and Local Government Groups, and Scores More (including MACo) Make the Case to the US Senate: We Need Help, Get a Major Relief Bill Done The letter, coming as the Congress continues to consider options for fiscal relief to business, governments, and others, outlines the essential case for federal legislation to shield state and local governments. A new fiscal year for most governments dawns tomorrow, with grave uncertainty…

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June 30, 2020
Counties: Hold Off On BPW Cuts, Until Things Are Clearer
Board of Public Works / County Budgets / Finance and Procurement / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Counties: Hold Off On BPW Cuts, Until Things Are Clearer

A letter from multiple county leaders, including MACo President Sharon Green Middleton, calls for the state Board of Public Works to defer action on a number of budget cuts affecting counties - as the weeks ahead are likely to reveal more clarity on the state and county fiscal plight. With word that the Board of Public Works plans to consider a broad wave of budget cuts, including a number affecting county services, county leaders have…

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June 30, 2020
Coronavirus / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations
State to Counties: Ramp Up Testing, Numbers Going Public

A June 18 letter to county leaders urges each jurisdiction to strive to test 10% of its population for COVID-19 - to further promote tracking and data on the coronavirus's spread and effects. The Maryland Department of Health has issued a series of goals for additional testing, seeking to reach... "the goal of testing 10% of the population in each jurisdiction and ensuring that vulnerable populations and areas identified as potential community outbreaks are tested…

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June 18, 2020
June 24 Webinar: Gov’t Liquidity Tools for COVID Times and After
Finance and Procurement
June 24 Webinar: Gov’t Liquidity Tools for COVID Times and After

NACo Webinar: Maximizing Value on Every Public Dollar During & After COVID-19 Description: Public entities are trying to determine how to provide services to their communities amidst the economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 crisis.  In the wake of impeding revenue decreases and rising emergency response costs, counties will face funding challenges and must find new ways to stretch reduced tax receipts. The National Association of Counties, NACo Financial Services Corporation, and Three + One will…

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June 16, 2020
Scott, Mosby, Henry Emerge From City Primary
County News / Elections
Scott, Mosby, Henry Emerge From City Primary

Following a week of vote-counting and speculation, a slate of likely new Baltimore City leadership has emerged: Brandon Scott for Mayor, Nick Mosby for Council President, and Bill Henry for Comptroller. The peculiar nature of the mostly-by-mail election eliminated the standard "election night" news cycle, with all three primary races remaining too close to formally declare for days. Official vote counts are not yet available through the State Board of Elections website, but the margins…

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June 10, 2020
House Committees To Take Up Education Amidst COVID
County News
House Committees To Take Up Education Amidst COVID

Two House of Delegates Committees will host a June 11 virtual meeting, to discuss education plans with a range of stakeholders. The House of Delegates Commmittees on Appropriations, and Ways and Means, have announced a joint briefing at 1pm on June 11 to discuss "Education Issues Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic." The Appropriations Committee has subject matter oversight of spending and some labor issues, while Ways and Means typically oversees education policy, operations, and curriculum.…

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June 5, 2020
MACo President Middleton Wins Re-Election Primary
County News / Elections
MACo President Middleton Wins Re-Election Primary

MACo's 2020 President, Baltimore City Council Member Sharon Green Middleton, has apparently won in her contested primary for the Baltimore City Council District 6 seat. While the 2020 one-of-a-kind election will not be labeled as final for some time, a comfortable margin makes Sharon green Middleton the comfortable winner for Council District 6, which she has represented since 2007. Partial results, including mailed-in ballots received by Tuesday, have Middleton ahead with nearly two-thirds the total…

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June 4, 2020
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