Read more about the article Longtime County HR Leader Kim Frock Joins MACo Team as Research Coordinator
MACo Events
Longtime County HR Leader Kim Frock Joins MACo Team as Research Coordinator

MACo has welcomed Kim Frock to the association's staff, where she will serve counties as Research Coordinator. She previously served as Carroll County's Human Resources Director, and as leader of MACo's professional affiliate group. As Research Coordinator, Ms. Frock will lead MACo's research efforts, including the re-deployment of an annual salary and compensation survey across the county membership, and help support bill and fiscal note tracking during the General Assembly session. Ms. Frock will also…

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March 24, 2023
Read more about the article “Crossover” Day Is Monday…Wait, Why Do We Care Again?
General Assembly News
“Crossover” Day Is Monday…Wait, Why Do We Care Again?

March 20 marks the General Assembly’s “crossover” date – bills that are not passed out of one chamber by the end of the day face higher hurdles for passage. Members of the Maryland General Assembly are rushing to meet a legislative deadline on March 20, which is known as Crossover Day in Annapolis. In short — the crossover deadline is the General Assembly’s way of moving things along toward passage. Bills need to pass both…

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March 17, 2023
Environment / NACo and Federal Issues
Federal EPA Proposes PFAS Standards for Drinking Water Systems

In a much-anticipated move, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued its proposed drinking water standards for PFAS, the so-called "forever chemicals" that may pose long term health concerns. The proposed standards are open for public comment for 60 days. “Communities across this country have suffered far too long from the ever-present threat of PFAS pollution. That’s why President Biden launched a whole-of-government approach to aggressively confront these harmful chemicals, and EPA is leading the way…

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March 17, 2023
Health and Human Services
A Vending Machine Dispensing…Life-Saving Narcan?

Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, has unveiled a novel approach to neighborhood-level harm reduction: vending machined stocked with the anti-opioid medication Naloxone (or Narcan). As State and local governments continue to grapple with the ongoing opioid crisis, broadened use of anti-overdose medications has become one tool to combat the worst outcomes of these medications and narcotics. Creating access to naloxone (or Narcan) without a prescription has widely expanded the use of the life-saving medication, as a "harm…

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March 15, 2023
Read more about the article Counties to Feds: Maryland Spots Best for FBI Relocation
Economic Development / NACo and Federal Issues / Public Safety and Corrections / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Counties to Feds: Maryland Spots Best for FBI Relocation

MACo joined a number of Maryland State and county leaders observing that Maryland's proposed sites for the new site of the FBI Headquarters are string, accessible, equitable, and efficient. This week, Maryland leaders made the strong case for our state to host the new headquarters for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Governor Wes Moore on Twitter: "We are very serious when we say that Maryland is the best possible site for the @FBI https://t.co/U0aUFli0Dt" /…

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March 10, 2023
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Supplemental Budget Proposed: Funds Disparity Grants, Updates Education Funding

Governor Moore has introduced a first Supplemental budget for FY24 - notably recognizing updated information on taxable income by county, which drives multiple funding formulas affecting counties and school systems.  Supplemental Budget #1 was introduced Friday, March 3 - and is the first adjustment to the Governor's proposed budget. Under Maryland law, the Governor may revise the proposed budget through this supplemental process, as many times as desired, but the General Assembly must receive and…

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March 8, 2023
Read more about the article Complete NACo’s Survey on Digital Government – Due March 30
Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues
Complete NACo’s Survey on Digital Government – Due March 30

NACo and its partners have developed a survey on technology-driven government services. Have your county complete the survey today, and look to the NACo Annual Conference in July for award winners, and broader survey findings. The Center for Digital Government (CDG) and NACo have partnered on this survey - a comprehensive look into how counties are using technology to make government services better - for nearly two decades! You may have seen the survey notice…

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March 2, 2023
Read more about the article Comptroller Transition Report Includes Local Government Input, Goals
Board of Public Works / Finance and Procurement / Health and Human Services / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Comptroller Transition Report Includes Local Government Input, Goals

A Transition Team Report for the Office of the Comptroller, assembled by and to guide Comptroller Brooke Lierman, highlights a range of service, outreach, and equity matters. The Team included substantial local government representation, including MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson. From the Comptrollers' website detailing the Transition Report: Transition Team Summary & Report: The Lierman transition was an open and inclusive process that connected individuals from around the state to reimagine how the Comptroller’s office…

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March 1, 2023
Read more about the article Counties Support Boosting “Dollar Homes” Offerings
MACo Testimony
Counties Support Boosting “Dollar Homes” Offerings

On February 21, 2023, MACo submitted testimony before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 0501 - Revitalizing Neighborhoods Through Homeownership Program and Fund - Established. This bill establishes the Revitalizing Neighborhoods Through Homeownership Program to provide financial assistance in the form of loans to local governments, providing them with additional resources that can then be put toward the revitalization of homes purchased under the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development…

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February 23, 2023
County News
Counties Embrace New Tools to Defend Affordable Housing

On February 21, 2023, MACo submitted testimony before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 0474 - Sale of Residential Real Property - Offers to Purchase and Transfer Tax. This bill authorizes those selling single-family residential property to employ a limited duration "preference period" during which they accept only those offers made by individuals, community development organizations, nonprofits, or qualifying real estate enterprises. In conjunction with other tools provided for in HB…

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February 22, 2023
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