2021 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups
Bill Hearing / County News / Feature / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony
2021 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

This year the Maryland General Assembly conducted a legislative session unlike any other due to the enduring COVID-19 pandemic. The unique circumstances surrounding the 442nd legislative session, including necessary health and safety measures, posed a challenge for lawmakers and advocates alike. Despite the unusual circumstances, MACo’s advocacy still led to more positive outcomes for its members. Bills that we supported had a greater likelihood of passage, while bills we opposed had a larger tendency to…

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April 15, 2021
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Health and Human Services
Bill Hearing / County News / General Assembly News / Health and Human Services / MACo Testimony
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Health and Human Services

An overview of MACo's advocacy on health and human services legislation in the 2021 General Assembly.  Each county in Maryland has a local health department that plays a role in providing essential public health services to residents, even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are also county agencies that provide human or citizen services for children, families ad persons with special needs. MACo advocates actively for policies that continue to confront the opioid crisis…

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April 14, 2021
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology
Bill Hearing / County Budgets / County News / General Assembly News / Information Technology / MACo Testimony
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology

An overview of MACo's advocacy on information technology issues in the 2021 General Assembly.  Information technology is a growing area of importance for MACo as county governments rely on computer systems of increasing sophistication for a widening scope of operations - including public safety applications, open government portals, billing functions, and emergency alert systems used during major natural and man-made emergencies. As county use of information technology evolves, cybersecurity and protection of resident data rise…

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April 14, 2021
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: School Construction & Capital Budget
Bill Hearing / County Budgets / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / School Construction and Capital Budgets
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: School Construction & Capital Budget

An overview of MACo's advocacy on school construction and capital budget legislation in the 2021 General Assembly.  County Governments partner with the State of Maryland to fund school construction projects throughout Maryland. K-12 school renovation and construction projects make up a substantial portion of any county's capital budget, and the needs of Maryland students are consistently a high priority. This year the Maryland General Assembly conducted a legislative session unlike any other due to the…

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April 14, 2021
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Elections
Bill Hearing / County News / Elections / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Elections

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo's work in the area of elections policy in the 2021 General Assembly.  Counties administer and fund elections at the local level, overseeing polling places and coordinating poll workers every two years. MACo routinely advocates against state policies that result in costly or burdensome implementation for local election officials. This year the Maryland General Assembly conducted a legislative session unlike any other due to the enduring COVID-19…

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April 13, 2021
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Transportation and Public Works
Bill Hearing / County News / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / Transportation and Public Works
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Transportation and Public Works

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo's work in the area of transportation policy in the 2021 General Assembly.  MACo generally advocates for the appropriate state assistance with roadways and bridges across our local communities. Transportation is a shared function in Maryland, with state-maintained roadways (mainly numbered roads) and locally-maintained roadways interlocking throughout most areas. This year the Maryland General Assembly conducted a legislative session unlike any other due to the enduring COVID-19…

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April 13, 2021
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: State Operating Budget
Bill Hearing / County News / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: State Operating Budget

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo's work in the area of State budget policy in the 2021 General Assembly.  County governments receive support through multiple state operating budget programs, and shifts in the State's budget can affect county governments in various ways. MACo seeks county budget security through maintenance of current state funding levels, and new funding programs, and enhancements in areas of growth and need. This year the Maryland General Assembly…

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April 13, 2021
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Emergency Services and Intergovernmental Relations
Bill Hearing / County News / Emergency Management / General Assembly News / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Emergency Services and Intergovernmental Relations

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo's work in the policy areas of emergency services and intergovernmental relations in the 2021 General Assembly.  County governments lead the delivery of public safety services in Maryland - responsible for county fire, police, and emergency services. MACo's advocacy in the area of emergency services includes urging for much-needed state support for local public services such as 9-1-1 call centers, front-line county services, and natural disaster response.…

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April 13, 2021
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Education
Bill Hearing / Coronavirus / County News / Education / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Education

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo's work in the area of education policy in the 2021 General Assembly. Counties support education as the largest component of their budgets, with operating and capital support for schools typically representing a larger share of a county budget than all other functions combined. Statutory formulas drive most state-level funding, which requires constant attention to the state-county balance in funding responsibilities. The burden of costly mandates can…

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April 13, 2021
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Public Information & Ethics
Bill Hearing / County News / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / Public Information and Ethics
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Public Information & Ethics

This post summarizes the status of various public information & ethics bills that MACo took a position on during the 2021 Regular Session.  County governments gather and maintain public information as part of their various functions. Compliance with the Maryland Public Information Act and maintenance of a high level of ethics in all government practices are priorities throughout the administrative agencies and legislative bodies of Maryland's county governments. Through its advocacy and professional education in…

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April 13, 2021
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