The Maryland County Officials Diversity Caucus (Diversity Caucus) held its annual reception at the Winter MACo Conference. The topic of the evening was the importance of the 2020 census and accurately counting hard to reach populations. Prince George's Council Member Deni Taveras talked to attendees about how inaccurate counts -- under or over -- can have significant impacts on funding and investments of county programs for the next decade. She also discussed the steps being…
County jails house 18x more inmates a year than state and federal prisons. At the 2019 MACo Winter Conference session, “Inmate Healthcare: Sorting Fact from Fiction," attendees learned about the complex web of inmate healthcare and how improving the inmate health care system can decrease short- and long-term costs, reduce recidivism, and improve public safety. Tom Weber, Esquire, Chief Executive Officer for PrimeCare Medical, Inc, provided a breakdown of the top 10 myths and realities…
Public policy concerns and public health impacts of electronic cigarette use was one of the biggest health news topics this year. The emergence of deadly vaping-related illnesses and the push to improve regulation had many on edge for what's next. At the 2019 MACo Winter Conference session, "Clearing the Air: A Closer Look at Vaping," panelists shared the latest on vaping, its public health impacts, and what is being done about it both nationally and…
At the 2019 MACo Winter Conference session, “Foundation of the Future: The County Role in Combatting the Opioid Crisis”, Steve Schuh, Executive Director of the Opioid Operational Command Center, shared updates on the opioid crisis and engaged in roundtable Q&A discussions on what counties are doing to tackle the crisis and help their communities. The roundtable was moderated by Senator Addie Eckardt and held on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. The 2019 MACo Winter Conference, “Building for…
At the 2019 MACo Winter Conference session, “It Takes a Village: Building Resilience and Treating Trauma,” attendees learned about how traumatic events, especially those experienced early in life, can have long-lasting detrimental effects well into adulthood as well as the ways local governments are working to treat such trauma. Dr. Helene Felman from Kaiser Permanente provided an overview of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how chronic stress caused by such childhood trauma leads to long-term health…
Lodging is evolving through technology, as many tourists and visitors now seek to stay in shared spaces and other short-term lodging alternatives. While short-term vacation rentals can help diversify tourism by promoting areas that need visitors the most and reducing overcrowding in tourist hotspots, significant challenges remain regarding the regulation and fair and equitable taxation of short-term rental properties. At the MACo Winter Conference session, “Short-Term Rental Revolution: What’s Your Game Plan?” an expert panel…
A storm is brewing. Rising costs, sluggish growth, unfunded mandates, and greater demand for services all signal turbulent times ahead for county government budgets. Economic instability, shifting demographics, and the ambitious, multi-billion-dollar overhaul of Maryland’s education system only exacerbate the growing pressure on county budgets. At this year’s MACo Winter Conference, MACo’s Budget and Finance Affiliate hosted a panel discussion on the economy, best practices for planning, budgeting, forecasting, and strategies for how counties can…
Baltimore City Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young today announced Tamika C. Gauvin as the new director for the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), effective December 17, 2019. The MOCJ advises the Mayor on all crime reduction and criminal justice matters. MOCJ strives to reduce crime in Baltimore and enhance the perception of public safety by developing and implementing crime reduction strategies and programs. “Reducing violent crime in Baltimore City is a top priority of…
A compilation of Issue Papers previews major fiscal and policy issues facing the General Assembly in the year ahead. This resource is a handy guide to the top issues that your legislators will be tackling in 2020 – a great preparation document for county officials in advance of meetings with their local Delegations. Developed by the Department of Legislative Services (DLS), the 2020 Issue Papers are an annual staple for the Annapolis policy-inclined population. They are also…
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