Read more about the article Deep Dive: Cannabis and the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, Part Two
Cannabis / County News / Health and Human Services / Policy Deep Dive
Deep Dive: Cannabis and the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, Part Two

In July, 2026, the Department of Social and Economic Mobility (DoSEM), through its Office of Social Equity, released emergency regulations for the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF). The regulations establish additional requirements for counties administering and distributing CRRF funding. In part one of MACo's Cannabis and the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF) deep dive, the article explained what the Fund is and its history. Part one walked through the passage of the Cannabis…

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October 23, 2026
Read more about the article FAMLI Check-In: What Counties Need to Know
Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor
FAMLI Check-In: What Counties Need to Know

Maryland's Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program is nearing implementation, and counties face key decisions about how they'll participate. On this week's Conduit Street Podcast, MACo's Dominic Butchko and Karrington Anderson break down the latest FAMLI developments, including changes in the private insurance market, new coverage options for counties, and the financial and administrative considerations shaping local government preparations.   Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe…

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October 23, 2026
Read more about the article County IT Leaders Gather for MACo’s Second Annual IT Conference
Cyber / Information Technology / MACo Events
County IT Leaders Gather for MACo’s Second Annual IT Conference

County IT professionals met at Turf Valley Resort in Howard County on October 22 for MACo's second annual IT Conference. The conference brought together county and state technology leaders, national experts, and industry representatives to discuss the challenges and opportunities local governments face. The day opened with Scott Winslow, Principal Research Director at Info-Tech, who discussed how IT departments can prepare for incoming county leaders. As new elected officials bring their own priorities and questions,…

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October 23, 2026
Read more about the article Carroll Maintains Triple AAA Bond Ratings for Ninth Consecutive Year
County News / Finance and Procurement / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Carroll Maintains Triple AAA Bond Ratings for Ninth Consecutive Year

Carroll County has maintained the highest possible credit ratings from all three major rating agencies for the ninth consecutive year, supporting favorable borrowing costs for county infrastructure and capital projects. Carroll County announced that Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings, and Moody's have reaffirmed its AAA/AAA/Aaa bond ratings, respectively, marking the ninth consecutive year the County has received the highest possible ratings from all three agencies. The ratings reflect the County's financial position and creditworthiness, helping…

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October 22, 2026
Read more about the article Calvert County Parks & Recreation Earns National Reaccreditation
County News / News You Can Use / Parks and Recreation
Calvert County Parks & Recreation Earns National Reaccreditation

Calvert County's Department of Parks & Recreation has earned national reaccreditation after demonstrating compliance with 154 standards for park and recreation agency operations, management, and service delivery. The Calvert County Department of Parks & Recreation has earned reaccreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), recognizing the department's continued adherence to national standards for parks and recreation services. CAPRA is the only national…

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October 22, 2026
Read more about the article Anne Arundel County Cuts Permit Review Times by Up to 50%
County News / Housing and Community Development
Anne Arundel County Cuts Permit Review Times by Up to 50%

Anne Arundel County reports significant reductions in permit review times following improvements to its digital permitting system, with online applications now accounting for nearly 94% of submissions. Anne Arundel County has reduced permit review times by 34% to 50% across standard project categories over the past several years, according to an October 15 announcement from County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Department of Inspections and Permits. The improvements come as the County continues to modernize…

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October 22, 2026
Read more about the article Fun Fact: Historic Hotel Has Some Guests Who Never Checked Out
Fun Fact
Fun Fact: Historic Hotel Has Some Guests Who Never Checked Out

If you’re looking for a place in Maryland where history and Halloween collide, check into Baltimore’s Lord Baltimore Hotel...but don’t be surprised if you run into a few guests who never checked out. In Baltimore City, the Lord Baltimore Hotel has been a fixture since it opened its doors in 1928. Built in the French Renaissance style, the hotel originally boasted 700 rooms and was once among Maryland's tallest buildings. Over the decades, it has…

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October 22, 2026
Read more about the article Early Voting Underway in Maryland
County News / Elections / News You Can Use
Early Voting Underway in Maryland

In-person early voting for Maryland’s 2026 Gubernatorial General Election begins today, Thursday, October 22, giving voters eight days to cast a ballot before Election Day. Early voting runs through Thursday, October 29, with voting centers open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm each day, including Saturday and Sunday. Voters can cast a ballot at any early voting center in the county where they live. Anyone in line by 8:00 pm will be allowed to vote.…

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October 22, 2026
Read more about the article Federal Appeals Court Blocks California Law Requiring Identification for ICE Officers
Courts / Public Safety and Corrections
Federal Appeals Court Blocks California Law Requiring Identification for ICE Officers

In a recent ruling, following an appeal by the US Department of Justice, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down a California law requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to wear identification.  A federal appeals court has dealt another setback to state efforts to restrict how federal immigration officers conduct enforcement operations, permanently blocking a California law requiring officers, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, to visibly display identification while on duty.…

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October 22, 2026
Read more about the article State Officials Celebrate Decrease in Teacher Vacancies
Education
State Officials Celebrate Decrease in Teacher Vacancies

According to a recent press release from the Maryland State Department of Education, teacher vacancies for the 2026 - 2027 school year have dropped significantly.  Maryland public schools have made progress in addressing teacher shortages, with vacancies declining 73 percent over the past four years, according to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). The state reported 572 teacher vacancies at the start of the 2026-27 school year, down from 2,145 in 2022-23. The largest…

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October 22, 2026
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