Read more about the article California Eases Environmental Laws To Advance Housing
County News
California Eases Environmental Laws To Advance Housing

State legislation signed this week in California seeks to promote affordable housing, by finding avenues to reduce timing and financial burdens arising from the state's many environmental protections and approvals. A statement from the Governor's office frames the pro-housing outcomes sought by the broad legislation: Governor Gavin Newsom today signed historic legislation as part of the 2025-2026 state budget, enacting new laws that deliver the most consequential housing and infrastructure reform in recent state history. These…

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July 2, 2025
Read more about the article Clock Ticking on “Big Beautiful Bill”
NACo and Federal Issues / Policy Deep Dive / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Clock Ticking on “Big Beautiful Bill”

Congressional leaders and the White House continue to negotiate around a multi-faceted "reconciliation" bill with policy implications for tax structures, energy policy, border security, federal program funding, Medicaid, and "food stamps" eligibility, and state/local autonomy. The oft-stated goal is a bill signed by July 4, but negotiations have been fragile. Here's a roundup of the latest. Tracking federal legislation is often more complex than state-level legislation - where Maryland's General Assembly has a relatively easy…

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June 25, 2025
Read more about the article Summer #MACoCon Book Club to Reveal “Who Is Government?”
Summer Conference
Summer #MACoCon Book Club to Reveal “Who Is Government?”

MACo’s “good government” Book Club will renew in August – with a book called Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service. Join us for the conference and this discussion, with a free advance copy of the book. At the MACo Summer Conference, county officials and other guests can join a discussion on a book affecting public service and best practices as officials, employees, and colleagues. The selection for August 2025 is Who Is Government?:…

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June 18, 2025
Read more about the article Maryland Bond Sale: 3.55% Interest Rate on $900M of New Borrowing
State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Maryland Bond Sale: 3.55% Interest Rate on $900M of New Borrowing

The State of Maryland's annual general obligation bond sale, on June 11, yielded a total of $1.6 billion in financing, including $900 million in new issuances, at an overall interest rate of 3.55%. In the wake of one bond rating analyst's downgrade of the State as an issuer, the change in interest rate is seen as fairly minor. Maryland's annual bond sale underpins the State's effort to use capital financing to attach costs of long…

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June 17, 2025
Read more about the article The Accountability and Implementation Board Nominating Committee is Accepting Applications for Vacancies
Education
The Accountability and Implementation Board Nominating Committee is Accepting Applications for Vacancies

The Accountability and Implementation Board, the body charged with oversight of the decade-long program roll-out, has announced its process for nominations to fill Board vacancies. Applications are due by June 12. From an announcement posted on the Maryland General Assembly website: Background: The Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) is a seven-member board appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, charged with holding State and local governments, including county boards of…

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May 28, 2025
Read more about the article Feds Pushing “Science of Reading,” But MD Already On Track
Education / NACo and Federal Issues
Feds Pushing “Science of Reading,” But MD Already On Track

The US Department of Education has announced "Evidence-based literacy instruction" among its priorities for education grant funding. Maryland's own variation of these concepts are already embedded in its Blueprint for Maryland's Future plan. Last week, the US Department of Education published a series of "Proposed Priorities" into the Federal Register for public comment prior to enactment. Among them is a focus on specific reading education approaches, collectively known as "Evidence Based Literacy." Read the complete…

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May 28, 2025
Read more about the article Medicaid Reform Calling: What’s on the Line for Maryland?
Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Medicaid Reform Calling: What’s on the Line for Maryland?

Under the still-developing federal fiscal plan, which congressional leaders are targeting for final passage by July, Medicaid and related health care programs are expected to face reductions. Here, we assess ways that these budget cuts could affect Maryland's State budget and its vulnerable residents. Medicaid is a broad program that ensures low-income residents receive health care through a nationwide network, with costs split between the federal and state governments. Maryland's Medicaid budget for the coming…

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May 14, 2025
Read more about the article Sanderson Joins “I Hate Politics” Session Wrap-up Podcast
Business Affairs / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Summer Conference
Sanderson Joins “I Hate Politics” Session Wrap-up Podcast

MACo Director Michael Sanderson joined House of Delegates Majority leader David Moon as guests on the "I Hate Politics" podcast, discussing a wide range of topics from the State budget woes and solution to the future of regulatory approaches in Maryland. Will Tight Budgets Bring Deregulation or Impasse? (2025-04-18) Following the end of the Maryland General Assembly 2025 session, House of Delegates Majority Leader David Moon and Maryland Association of Counties Executive Director Michael Sanderson…

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April 24, 2025
Read more about the article State Archives To Offer Government Free Land Records Access
County News / Courts / Finance and Procurement / Planning and Zoning
State Archives To Offer Government Free Land Records Access

The Maryland State Archives, manager of the central land records database, has confirmed their plan to offer a governmental exemption from their planned user fee system to start this spring.  In correspondence with MACo, the State Archives have indicated: Those who access mdlandrec.net regularly for government business purposes will be asked to fill out a request form when logging into the site. With this information, we will ensure that those users will not have to pay for access. This form…

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April 23, 2025
Read more about the article SCOTUS Takes Up Maryland Storybook Case, Arguments Today
Courts / Education
SCOTUS Takes Up Maryland Storybook Case, Arguments Today

The case of Mahmoud v. Taylor, arising from Montgomery County Public Schools, presents issues on first amendment rights for both content presented in public schools, and a family's ability to opt out of specific materials. The Supreme Court will hear argument today on the major case, with potentially broad consequences. Mahmoud v. Taylor includes a series of plaintiffs from Montgomery County Maryland, seeking to restore their ability to have their children in the public schools…

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April 22, 2025
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