Read more about the article 2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: School Construction & Capital Budget
Bill Hearing / County News / Education / MACo Testimony / School Construction and Capital Budgets
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: School Construction & Capital Budget

An overview of MACo’s advocacy on school construction and capital budget legislation in the 2020 General Assembly.  County governments partner with the State of Maryland to fund school construction projects throughout Maryland. K-12 school renovation and construction projects make up a substantial portion of any county’s capital budget, and the needs of Maryland students are consistently a high priority. This year, for the first time since the Civil War, the General Assembly adjourned early on…

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March 23, 2020
Read more about the article 2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Housing and Community Development
Bill Hearing / General Assembly News / Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Housing and Community Development

An overview of MACo’s advocacy on housing and community development legislation in the 2020 General Assembly. Under the umbrella of housing and community development, MACo advocates in support of legislation that advances local efforts to address public and affordable housing, blight, foreclosure, and community development. This year, for the first time in since the Civil War, the General Assembly closed session early on March 18, due to precautionary social distancing measures taken to curb the…

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March 23, 2020
Read more about the article 2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Emergency Services and Intergovernmental Relations
Bill Hearing / County News / Emergency Management / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Emergency Services and Intergovernmental Relations

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the policy areas of emergency services and intergovernmental relations in the 2020 General Assembly.  County governments lead the delivery of public safety services in Maryland – with responsibility for county fire, police, and emergency services. MACo’s advocacy in the area of emergency services includes urging needed state support for county public safety services such as 9-1-1 call centers, front-line county services, and natural disaster…

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March 22, 2020
Read more about the article 2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Elections
Bill Hearing / County News / Elections / MACo Testimony
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Elections

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of elections policy in the 2020 General Assembly.  Counties administer and fund elections at the local level, overseeing polling places and coordinating poll workers every two years. MACo routinely advocates against state policies that result in costly or burdensome implementation for local election officials. This year, for the first time in since the Civil War, the General Assembly closed session early on…

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March 22, 2020
Read more about the article 2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Pensions
Bill Hearing / County News / MACo Testimony / Pensions & Public Funds
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Pensions

An overview of MACo’s advocacy on pensions issues in the 2020General Assembly.  Half 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. This year, for the first time in since the Civil War, the General Assembly…

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March 22, 2020
Read more about the article 2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Finance and Procurement
Bill Hearing / County Budgets / County News / Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Finance and Procurement

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of finance and procurement policy in the 2020 General Assembly. This year, for the first time in since the Civil War, the General Assembly closed session early on March 18, due to precautionary social distancing measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19. Consequently, many bills did not have hearings or did not move forward due to time constraints to meet the…

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March 22, 2020
Read more about the article 2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology
Bill Hearing / County News / Information Technology / MACo Testimony
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology

An overview of MACo’s advocacy on information technology issues in the 2020 General Assembly.  Information technology is a growing area of importance for MACo as county governments rely on computer systems of increasing sophistication for a widening scope of operations — including public safety applications, open government portals, billing functions, and emergency alerts systems used during major natural and man-made emergencies. As county use of information technology evolves, cybersecurity and protection of resident data rise…

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March 22, 2020
Read more about the article 2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Education
Bill Hearing / County News / Education / MACo Testimony
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Education

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of education policy in the 2020 General Assembly.  Counties support education as the largest component of their budgets, with operating and capital support for schools typically representing a larger share of a county budget than all other function combined. Statutory formulas drive most state-level funding – meaning constant attention to the state-county balance inf funding responsibilities. Costly mandates on school functions can, effectively,…

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March 20, 2020
Read more about the article 2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Transportation and Public Works
Bill Hearing / County News / MACo Testimony / Transportation and Public Works
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Transportation and Public Works

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of transportation policy in the 2020 General Assembly.  MACo generally advocates for appropriate state assistance with roadways and bridges across our communities. Transportation is a shared function in Maryland, with state-maintained roadways (mainly numbered roads) and locally-maintained roadways interlocking throughout most areas. This year, for the first time since the Civil War, the General Assembly closed session early on March 18, due…

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March 20, 2020
Read more about the article 2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Employee Benefits and Relations
Bill Hearing / County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor / MACo Testimony
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Employee Benefits and Relations

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of employee benefits and employee relations in the 2020 General Assembly.  MACo advocates for fair state laws governing employment practices, labor representation, and employer-employee relationships. MACo becomes particularly engaged when a proposal has a disproportionate or unique effect on public sector employees – frequently those affecting public safety employees or other public workers who engage in sensitive functions. This year, for the…

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March 20, 2020
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