2025 MACo Issue Previews Archives

2025 Issue Preview: Navigating Economic Development Incentives

As the 2025 Legislative Session approaches, MACo is profiling some of the most pressing issues likely to shape policy debates in the General Assembly. Among them, the future of economic development tax credits looms large. Local governments, just like the State, have a vested interest in economic development. Local economic growth creates jobs and increases salaries, expanding the local and statewide tax base. Therefore, the State and local governments must partner to implement these efforts.…

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December 31, 2024

2025 MACo Issue Previews / County News / Health and Human Services

2025 Issue Preview: Opioids

With the 2025 Legislative Session approaching, MACo is profiling major issues, including the opioid crisis, that stand to gather significant attention. The Maryland Department of Legislative Services is forecasting additional legislative measures to address the opioid crisis across the state. The opioid epidemic remains one of Maryland’s most urgent public health crises, making it a key issue for the 2025 legislative session. Although overdose deaths have decreased slightly—by 2.4% in Maryland from April 2023 to…

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December 30, 2024

2025 MACo Issue Previews / County News / Cyber / Information Technology

2025 Issue Preview: Artificial Intelligence

With the 2025 Legislative Session approaching, MACo is profiling major issues, including artificial intelligence, that stand to gather significant attention. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how societies function, from automating industries to reshaping how governments serve their constituents. However, as AI grows, so does the need for thoughtful regulation to ensure it benefits everyone without infringing on rights or creating unintended harms. Maryland took significant steps in 2024 to address AI through legislation, setting…

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December 27, 2024

2025 MACo Issue Previews / Courts / Public Safety and Corrections

2025 Issue Preview: Public Safety

Public safety issues, particularly around firearms, juvenile justice, police accountability, and court procedures, will continue to be a priority for stakeholders during the 2025 legislative session. Gun Laws With a little over two years having passed since the landmark Bruen ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022, the Maryland legislature has slightly more to go on in terms of the types of gun laws that will be able to stand up to the new…

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December 27, 2024

2025 MACo Issue Previews / County News / Health and Human Services

2025 Issue Preview: Behavioral Health Workforce

With the 2025 Legislative Session approaching, MACo is profiling major issues, including behavioral health, that stand to gather attention. The Maryland Department of Legislative Services is forecasting additional legislative measures to address behavioral health workforce issues across the state. Maryland faces a severe behavioral health workforce shortage, with almost all counties designated as mental health professional shortage areas. Labor challenges significantly impact the delivery of behavioral health care in Maryland, with shortages observed across the health…

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December 26, 2024

2025 MACo Issue Previews / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning

2025 Issue Preview: Affordable Housing

With the 2025 Legislative Session approaching, MACo is profiling major issues, including affordable housing, that stand to gather significant attention. The 2024 legislative session earned the title "Session of Housing," as the General Assembly tackled an unprecedented wave of pro-growth legislation. At the forefront was the Governor’s housing package, which introduced transformative measures like state density bonuses and other sweeping reforms. MACo also played a pivotal role, championing a historic slate of housing initiatives, including…

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December 26, 2024

2025 MACo Issue Previews / Education

2025 Issue Preview: Education Policy and the Blueprint

Legislative changes to education policy in Maryland will likely focus on adjustments to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future (Blueprint), with a number of stakeholders interested in a broad range of issues. The major public education reform initiative that has been underway in Maryland will undergo some tweaking during the 2025 legislative session. After three years of implementation, local and state education experts are planning to come to the table with an array of options. A…

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December 24, 2024

2025 MACo Issue Previews / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

2025 Issue Preview: Capital Projects and School Construction

This issue preview dives into the State capital budget outlook leading into the 2025 legislative session and considers the potential impact on counties. The 2025 General Assembly session will focus heavily on how to manage the State's looming $2.9 billion structural deficit. Passing a balanced budget plan will require difficult decisions including where to reduce spending. While the main focus will be the State's General Fund in the operating budget, these deliberations will also affect…

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December 23, 2024

2025 MACo Issue Previews / Energy

2025 Issue Preview: Energy & Electrification

With the 2025 Legislative Session approaching, MACo is profiling major issues, including energy, that stand to gather significant attention. The 2025 legislative session is shaping up to be the "Session of Energy." As the General Assembly reconvenes, the top priority will be expanding Maryland’s domestic energy production and building out transmission infrastructure. So far, Maryland has struggled to meet its ambitious renewable energy targets, even as electrification and economic policies drive up demand. Adding to…

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December 23, 2024

2025 MACo Issue Previews / County Budgets / General Assembly News / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues

2025 Issue Preview: Maryland’s Budget Crossroads

As the 2025 Legislative Session approaches, MACo is profiling some issues expected to draw significant attention in the General Assembly. Counties are preparing for potential fiscal impacts as the State grapples with budget challenges and rising costs. Maryland faces a $2.9 billion deficit in fiscal 2026, and structural shortfalls are projected to reach $6.3 billion by fiscal 2030. Lawmakers must confront difficult decisions to align revenues with rising costs tied to the Blueprint for Maryland’s…

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December 23, 2024