Blog – Page 8 of 2463 – Conduit Street

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

Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony

Statewide Collective Bargaining Policy Shift Raises Fiscal, Operational Concerns

On March 3, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to HB 831 - Collective Bargaining - Local Government Employees and Public Employee Relations Act. This bill mandates collective bargaining rights for local government employees statewide and significantly alters local government labor relations. HB 831 raises concerns about a sweeping, state-mandated collective bargaining framework that would apply uniformly to every county, regardless of size, structure, or existing…

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March 5, 2026

MACo Testimony / Transportation and Public Works

Tightening Regulatory Permitting Framework Adds Cost and Complexity To Local Infrastructure Projects

On March 3, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 781 - Environmental Permits - Requirements for Burden Analysis, Issuance and Renewal, and Public Participation (Cumulative Harms for Environmental Restoration for Improving Shared Health - CHERISH Our Communities Act). The bill establishes new, more stringent regulatory standards for county infrastructure that receive certain state permits. In effect, it would impose sweeping new regulatory…

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March 5, 2026

MACo Testimony / Transportation and Public Works

Restrictive Stormwater Management Practices Jeopardize Watershed Restoration Efforts

On March 3, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 688 - Environment - Stream and Floodplain Restoration Projects - Requirements and Limitations. This legislation would sharply restrict the use of stream restoration as a compliance and watershed management tool by effectively prohibiting the core techniques counties rely on for watershed implementation planning, specifically those using heavy equipment to reshape or stabilize stream…

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March 5, 2026