Read more about the article Halloween Sets Stage for Community Building Initiatives with Public Safety Teams
Public Safety and Corrections
Halloween Sets Stage for Community Building Initiatives with Public Safety Teams

Knowing and trusting public safety officials in the local community is the fabric of public service delivery. Trunk of Treat events statewide are setting the stage for those connections all week and next.  Community initiatives like Trunk or Treat offer county public safety departments and sheriff’s offices a valuable opportunity to build relationships with residents outside of traditional interactions. By creating welcoming, family-friendly spaces where children and parents can meet officers, firefighters, and sheriffs, explore…

Comments Off on Halloween Sets Stage for Community Building Initiatives with Public Safety Teams
October 21, 2026
Read more about the article Deep Dive: What Would Blueprint Adjustments Mean for County Governments?
County Budgets / Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Deep Dive: What Would Blueprint Adjustments Mean for County Governments?

As the state works to balance a $3B general fund structural deficit, $1.8B of which is education funding, cost-containment measures could affect corresponding county funding requirements.  Part one of this policy deep dive discussed some of the major challenges facing the state for funding education over the next five years, primarily the continued implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint). In part two, we examine how State-level funding changes could affect counties moving into FY28.…

Comments Off on Deep Dive: What Would Blueprint Adjustments Mean for County Governments?
October 14, 2026
Read more about the article Capital Debt Affordability Committee Recommends $1.75B Bond Authorization
State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Capital Debt Affordability Committee Recommends $1.75B Bond Authorization

For FY28, the Maryland Capital Debt Affordability Committee voted unanimously to stick with the prior year general obligation bond authorization limit of $1.75B. In the third and final meeting of the Maryland Capital Debt Affordability Committee (CDAC) last Friday, October 9, 2026, state leaders voted to keep capital borrowing at the current limit that was established in 2023. Prior to the vote staff from the Maryland Treasurer's Office outlined affordability limits based on maintaining the…

Comments Off on Capital Debt Affordability Committee Recommends $1.75B Bond Authorization
October 13, 2026
Read more about the article $22M Goes to Counties This Week from the Board of Public Works
Board of Public Works
$22M Goes to Counties This Week from the Board of Public Works

The Board of Public Works approved a total of $22M in state funding for Maryland counties and Baltimore City at its latest meeting with the largest share being a $17M loan to Baltimore City from the Maryland Department of the Environment. The Board of Public Works (BPW) approved a total of $22M in state funding for Maryland counties and Baltimore City at its latest meeting, based on the projects listed. The largest share came through…

Comments Off on $22M Goes to Counties This Week from the Board of Public Works
October 8, 2026
Read more about the article Credit Warnings Continue as MD Capital Debt Committee Prepares Recommendation
Education / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Credit Warnings Continue as MD Capital Debt Committee Prepares Recommendation

Staff from the Maryland State Treasurer's Office shared credit rating agency concerns with the Maryland Capital Debt Affordability Committee ahead of vote on final debt recommendations this Friday. Warnings stem from weak economic growth, projected structural deficits, and low reserves relative to peer states.   During the second meeting of the Maryland Capital Debt Affordability Committee (CDAC) members were briefed on current general fund revenue estimates, the taxable property base, capital needs, the state credit ratings,…

Comments Off on Credit Warnings Continue as MD Capital Debt Committee Prepares Recommendation
October 6, 2026
Read more about the article MD Capital Debt Affordability Committee Recommendations Coming Soon
School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
MD Capital Debt Affordability Committee Recommendations Coming Soon

The Maryland Capital Debt Affordability Committee has begun their annual series of meetings to assess the condition of the state debt programs and make recommendations for FY28 standards.  The Maryland Capital Debt Affordability Committee (CDAC) held their first of three meetings last week to discuss the condition of state borrowing and debt in order to make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly regarding the amount of new state debt that may be prudently authorized…

Comments Off on MD Capital Debt Affordability Committee Recommendations Coming Soon
October 1, 2026
Read more about the article Blueprint Interim Evaluation Team to Provide Multiple Presentations This Fall
Education
Blueprint Interim Evaluation Team to Provide Multiple Presentations This Fall

NORC, the organization contracted to produce the independent interim evaluation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, is in the process of finalizing findings. Researchers will provide up to seven presentations this Fall as well as a final report on December 1, 2026.  The Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future (Blueprint) received an update during a recent meeting regarding the interim evaluation of the Blueprint. Researchers from NORC gave an update…

Comments Off on Blueprint Interim Evaluation Team to Provide Multiple Presentations This Fall
September 30, 2026
Read more about the article Attorney General Releases New Guidance for Maryland Values Act
Courts / Education / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections
Attorney General Releases New Guidance for Maryland Values Act

In accordance with Maryland law, the Office of the Attorney General has released updated guidance for interactions with immigration enforcement officials at sensitive locations operated by state and local entities.  During the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session, lawmakers expanded the provisions of the Maryland Values Act that was originally passed in 2025. This was a piece of legislation that established standards for how state and local officials were to interact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement…

Comments Off on Attorney General Releases New Guidance for Maryland Values Act
September 30, 2026
Read more about the article Deep Dive: The Looming Blueprint Funding Shortfall
Education / Policy Deep Dive
Deep Dive: The Looming Blueprint Funding Shortfall

With an interim Blueprint evaluation due in December, state lawmakers will grapple with a $1.8B education funding shortfall during the 2027 legislative session. This policy deep dive will analyze where funding pressure exists at the state and local level, as well as what steps state leaders might consider to close the gap.  Governor Moore and the General Assembly are heading into a 2027 legislative session this January, facing a general fund shortfall of almost $3B.…

Comments Off on Deep Dive: The Looming Blueprint Funding Shortfall
September 23, 2026
Read more about the article In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Students Remains in Jeopardy
Courts / Higher Education
In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Students Remains in Jeopardy

The US Department of Justice is continuing its effort to dismantle the Maryland DREAM Act, which provides in-state college tuition rates to undocumented students. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is asking a federal judge to resolve its challenge to Maryland’s in-state tuition policy for undocumented students without a trial. In a filing last week, DOJ opposed Maryland’s effort to dismiss the case and asked the court to grant judgment in its favor. The lawsuit,…

Comments Off on In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Students Remains in Jeopardy
September 23, 2026
Older Posts