Bill Hearing / County News / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony
We Need Accurate Census Data to Effectively Use Resources

MACo Associate Director Barbara Zektick testified in support of Senate Bill 855, “2020 Census Grant Program – Establishment and Funding”, before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on March 7, 2018. This bill would allow local governments to seek matching grant funds to help conduct a fair and accurate census. Governments at every level use data from the census to allocate appropriate funding and resources. An accurate count affects the local economy and the ability…

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March 7, 2018
Bill Hearing / County News / Education / MACo Testimony
Early Kirwan Legislation is a Push in the Right Direction

With some of the early findings coming from the Kirwan Commission, there is a proposed bill that would implement several of its early policy recommendations. Some of the highlights include establishing a teacher outreach and recruitment program to address subject areas where resources are lacking, while looking to recruit a stronger and diverse array of educators. Additionally, the bill would also establish the Maryland Early Literacy Initiative, the Learning in Extended Academic Programs (LEAP) grant…

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March 7, 2018
Bill Hearing / County News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
Proposed Addition to Homestead Tax Credit Would Negate the Program

MACo Associate Director Barbara Zektick testified in opposition to House Bill 1445, "Homestead Property Tax Credit - Calculation of Credit for Dwelling Purchased by First-Time Homeowner", before the House Ways and Means Committee on March 6, 2018. This bill would add first-time homebuyers to property tax savings under the Homestead credit and phase out the savings over five years. The Homestead credit acts essentially as a cap on assessments of an owner-occupied space to manage…

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March 6, 2018
Bill Hearing / County News / MACo Testimony / Pensions & Public Funds
Broad Unfunded Disability Allowance Would Disrupt County Systems

MACo Research Director Robin Eilenberg testified in opposition to House Bill 971, Local Pension Systems - Special Disability Retirement Allowance", before the House Appropriations Committee on March 6, 2018. The bill would mandate and establish a new structure of pension benefits in county and local governments for special classes of public safety employees. Counties that already negotiate benefits for these special classes would potentially have current systems undermined. Additionally, participating counties generally already engage in…

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March 6, 2018
Bill Hearing / County News / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections
Proper Alarm System Registration Helps Counties Marshal Resources

Senate Bill 927 would allow counties to impose penalties onto alarm system contractors that fail to register or have failed to renew an alarm system. As introduced, the bill contained a provision that forces counties to wait 10 days before penalizing a contractor, which could significantly affect a jurisdiction's ability to combat false alarms and allocate police resources effectively. MACo Legislative Director Natasha Mehu testified in support of SB 927, "Alarm Systems – Registration and…

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March 6, 2018
Bill Hearing / County News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
Extra Grant Funding Will Help Counties Catch Up

MACo Research Director Robin Eilenberg testified in support of House Bill 1624, "Local Governments - Income Tax Disparity Grants - Amounts", before the House Appropriations Committee on March 6, 2018. This bill would add a two-year enhancement of grant funding to four counties: Caroline, Prince George’s, Somerset, and Wicomico. This funding helps counties who do not yield as much income tax revenue as other counties and require additional funding to maintain essential services in their respective…

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March 6, 2018
Bill Hearing / County News / Education / MACo Testimony
Salary Mandate is a Massive Fiscal Hit to Counties

MACo submitted written testimony in opposition to House Bill 1061, "Education - Salaries of Noncertificated Public School Employees - Minimum Living Salaries", to the House Ways and Means Committee on March 1, 2018. This bill would impose a huge fiscal impact on counties by mandating local jurisdictions to provide a minimum salary to noncertificated public school employees. Local school boards take many factors into consideration when deciding compensation for public school employees, and HB 1061…

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March 2, 2018
Bill Hearing / County News / Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony
One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Counties Should Choose Their Own Health Care Plans

MACo Associate Director Barbara Zektick testified in opposition to House Bill 1131, "State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program - Expansion of Participating Units", before the House Appropriations Committee on March 1, 2018. The bill would force counties to enter into the State's health care plan. While it is possible for counties to currently opt-in to the State health care program (Caroline County currently does), mandating all counties to do it removes local…

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March 2, 2018
Bill Hearing / County News / Health and Human Services / MACo Testimony
EMS Should be Reimbursed for On-Site Services

Senate Bill 682, Medical Assistance Program and Health Insurance – Emergency Medical Service Providers – Coverage and Reimbursement of Services", requires the Maryland Department of Health or an insurance carrier to reimburse EMS providers who deliver mobile health services and non-emergency transports. This could reduce the number of non-emergency 911 transports and allow EMS providers to recoup costs for every 911 call they respond to. They currently do not receive any reimbursement for calls in which…

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March 1, 2018
Bill Hearing / Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony
Task Force Brings All Parties to the Table

MACo Associate Director Barbara Zektick testified in support with amendments of House Bill 1400, "State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program - Employees of Qualifying Organizations", before the House Appropriations Committee on March 1, 2018. This bill creates a Task Force to Study Cooperative Purchasing for Health Insurance, which will study models of cooperative purchasing of health insurance and recommend ways to transition county, municipality, and school board employees into the State’s health…

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March 1, 2018
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