Read more about the article Wicomico Council Member Baker Resigns
County News
Wicomico Council Member Baker Resigns

Wicomico County Council Member Shane Baker has resigned his seat on the county council, indicating his plans to move his principal residence out of state. Council Member Baker submitted his resignation to Council President John Cannon today, April 17, pursuant to a county charter provision that council members must reside in the district they represent. From coverage on the WBOC website: First elected to represent Wicomico’s District 3 in 2022, Baker also served as the…

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April 17, 2025
Read more about the article Kettl: Feds Have Critical Role in Disaster Response
Emergency Management / NACo and Federal Issues
Kettl: Feds Have Critical Role in Disaster Response

Donald Kettl, a one-time Dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy (and champion of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance), offers views in Governing magazine that a proposed elimination of the Federal Emergency Management Administration would surely backfire as soon as its first true emergency situation. In a column on Governing, Dean Kettl offers his views on the realistic situation around federal response to emergencies, citing numerous incidents where the theoretical…

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April 17, 2025
Read more about the article Free Webinar April 23 — Social Security: The Choice of a Lifetime
Employee Benefits and Relations / NACo and Federal Issues
Free Webinar April 23 — Social Security: The Choice of a Lifetime

Nationwide, a collaborating partner with both the National Association of Counties and MACo, is presenting a series of webinars targeting public workforce issues. The latest free offering, next week, focuses on the post-employment decision to opt into Social Security at different ages. Social Security: The Choice of a Lifetime Webinar Details: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET Register online = = = = = = = = = = = =…

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April 17, 2025
Read more about the article Could Federal Medicaid Cuts Create a New $2 Billion Maryland Problem?
Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Could Federal Medicaid Cuts Create a New $2 Billion Maryland Problem?

With a budget framework advancing through the US Congress, stakeholder groups are analyzing the potential effects once the general targets become actual policy proposals. Among them is a ten-year reduction of $880 billion, in a subject area that is overwhelmingly occupied by Medicaid services to Americans. One analysis suggests that such cuts, if made to Medicaid, could create a $2 billion chasm in the Maryland state budget, atop the already-stressed State fiscal plans. Republican lawmakers…

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April 15, 2025
Read more about the article Forecast: Data Centers Major Drivers of US Energy Needs
Joe Lerch
Energy / Environment / Planning and Zoning
Forecast: Data Centers Major Drivers of US Energy Needs

Following a Maryland legislative session replete with energy policy, studies continue to show that the emerging and expanding demand for data centers remains a central driver for future energy needs across the US. Northern Virginia has been a lead actor in welcoming and developing data center infrastructure to serve the mid-Atlantic region, but the need for power and suitable space for these facilities will likely continue and challenge land use and environmental policies in the…

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April 14, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Pensions and Public Funds
Pensions & Public Funds
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Pensions and Public Funds

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on pensions and public funds policy in the 2025 General Assembly. Several of Maryland’s counties participate in the State’s pension system, and the other half support their employees through local pension systems. MACo’s pension advocacy includes defending local authority to define the elements of county-run pension systems and protecting the interests of county governments participating in the State’s pension system. Maryland’s 447th legislative session convened…

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April 9, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Intergovernmental Relations
Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Intergovernmental Relations

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on intergovernmental relations policy in the 2025 General Assembly session.  Counties serve as the boots-on-the-ground public service providers to nearly all Maryland residents. From fire and EMS response to energy safety to basic structures of government, MACo routinely advocates on issues that keep communities thriving. Maryland’s 447th legislative session convened amidst a substantial concern over the State’s fiscal situation, with weakened revenues and cost increases…

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April 9, 2025
Read more about the article Counties Resist Developers’ “Early Vesting” In Housing Bill
County News / Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony
Counties Resist Developers’ “Early Vesting” In Housing Bill

On April 3, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee with a position of Support with Amendments on HB 503 - Housing Development Act. This bill would drastically change certain provisions of Maryland's housing policy. MACo has worked with the sponsor, the Committee, and the Administration on amendments to fine-tune elements affecting counties, and is grateful for that collaboration. While MACo is not raising objections to other segments…

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April 3, 2025
Read more about the article Housing Bill Moving: Early Vesting Statewide, Housing Targets, Commission
Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning
Housing Bill Moving: Early Vesting Statewide, Housing Targets, Commission

A high profile introduction by the Administration to help advance affordable housing, HB 503 has been voted out of the House Environment & Transportation Committee, in a heavily amended form. The new bill, much streamlined in many respects, creates a new set of early "vested rights" for housing developers, creates a process for new housing targets for each local jurisdiction, and establishing a new state-level Commission on housing issues. The Committee's vote was on a…

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March 28, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 Session Down the Stretch: The County Watch List
General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
2025 Session Down the Stretch: The County Watch List

With the last ten days of the 2025 legislative session, county leaders still are watching for final outcomes on multiple major issues. We recap here, with links, and what we're watching for in the days ahead. Budget and BRFA - The House has moved its full fiscal plan, and the Senate has started its process. We expect a conference committee to resolve their differences, which look relatively minor compared to a more conventional year. Most…

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March 28, 2025
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