Blog – Page 6 of 2461 – Conduit Street

MACo: State Budget Plan Pressures Counties Toward Higher Taxes or Service Cuts

On March 4, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Budget and Taxation Committee in support of HB 392 - Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2026 with amendments. The BRFA shifts tens of millions of dollars in new, ongoing obligations onto county governments while limiting formula-driven State support. Taken together, these provisions place growing pressure on county budgets amid economic uncertainty, federal funding instability, and limited local revenue flexibility. Speaking on behalf of county…

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March 6, 2026

Bill Hearing / County Budgets / County News / Education / Employee Benefits and Relations / General Assembly News / Housing and Community Development / Pensions & Public Funds / Planning and Zoning / School Construction and Capital Budgets

Session Updates on Housing, Budget Pressure, and the Road to Crossover

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, we check in on the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session as lawmakers approach the critical crossover deadline. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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March 6, 2026

Business Affairs / County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement

Frederick County Names New Leaders for Economic Opportunity and Procurement

Frederick County has announced the appointment of Heather Gramm as director of the Division of Economic Opportunity and Jamille Wilson as director of the Office of Procurement and Contracting. The County Council confirmed both appointments on March 3, 2026. From the press release: “Heather Gramm is a trusted and respected leader who has dedicated her career to economic development in Frederick County, across Maryland, and beyond,” County Executive Fitzwater said. “Her deep knowledge of Frederick…

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March 5, 2026

Education / Higher Education / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use

Celebrating Maryland’s 2025 NACo Leadership Academy Graduates – Join the Next Cohort!

MACo is pleased to congratulate the National Association of Counties (NACo) Leadership Development Academy 2025 cohort of Maryland graduates. They join over 15,000 graduates and current participants from across the country benefitting from the 10-week online program enabling existing and emerging county leaders to achieve their highest potential. Congratulations, again, to the following Maryland graduates: Agnes Adjei, Engineer II, Charles County Aminah Bushrod, Deputy Director of Technical Services, Prince George's County Amy Crooks, Community Health Nurse…

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March 5, 2026

Business Affairs / County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor / News You Can Use

Montgomery County Minimum Wage Set To Increase July 1

On July 1, the minimum hourly wage in Montgomery County will increase to $18.00 for large employers, $16.50 for mid-sized employers, and $15.95 for small employers These adjustments are based on a 2.0 percent increase in the consumer price index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers in the Washington, D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria area in 2025. The annual increase ensures the local minimum wage keeps pace with inflation. “This minimum wage adjustment reflects our commitment to…

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March 5, 2026

County News / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning

Baltimore County Announces Permitting Ombudsman To Help Navigate Development Process

Baltimore County has announced a new resource designed to help residents, businesses, and developers navigate the permitting process more efficiently. The Department of Permits, Approvals, and Inspections (PAI) has established a Permits, Approvals, and Inspections Ombudsman position to assist applicants who may be unsure how to begin the permitting process, need help identifying the correct contacts, or are experiencing challenges moving a project forward. The new role is intended to serve as a neutral resource that…

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March 5, 2026

Economic Development / MACo Testimony

Building Maryland’s Economic Future Through Strategic Investment

On March 3, Executive Director Michael Sanderson delivered in-person testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson to the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 1473 - Economic Development - Maryland's Future Board - Establishment. This bill establishes the Maryland’s Future Board within the Department of Commerce and creates the Maryland’s Future Fund to support implementation of a long-term, visionary economic development strategy. As Maryland continues to compete in an increasingly dynamic federal and global economy,…

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March 5, 2026

Information Technology / MACo Testimony

Sustainable AI Policy Must Balance Consumer Protection With Public Service Innovation

On March 3, Legislative Services Assistant Charlotte Fleckenstein delivered in person testimony on behalf of Karrington Anderson to the Economic Matters Committee in support of HB 1250 - Consumer Protection and Product Liability - Chatbots with amendments. This bill establishes regulations for chatbots including data safety and privacy protections, static and dynamic display warning requirements, monthly published reporting, data portability, and data retention. As artificial intelligence tools rapidly expand into both the private marketplace and…

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March 5, 2026

Fun Fact

Fun Fact: How Many County Associations Exist Across the United States?

If you follow local government issues in Maryland, you're probably familiar with the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) - the statewide organization representing Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City. But did you know that nearly every state in the United States has its own association of counties/local government? Out of the 50 states, 47 states have at least one state association. There is a total of 53 state associations with some states having more than…

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March 5, 2026

Health and Human Services / MACo Testimony

Local Input Necessary To Inform Public Health Infrastructure Modernization

On March 3, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson submitted written testimony to the Health Committee in support of HB 1109 - Public Health Reform Act with amendments. This bill advances key recommendations from the Commission on Public Health's final report and continues the efforts to strengthen Maryland’s public health infrastructure. From granting greater hiring flexibility to establishing a Public Health Workforce Development Fund and improving coordination on electronic health record systems, the bill represents meaningful…

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March 5, 2026