Now Available: Spring 2023 IAC Newsletter

The 2023 Spring Newsletter from the Interagency Commission on School Construction includes information on Net Zero Energy add-on funding and budget and legislative updates. The Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) has published its Spring 2023 Newsletter. In this edition of the quarterly publication, readers will find details on the agency's Net Zero Energy add-on incentive funding and legislative updates from the 2023 legislative session. The 2023 Spring Newsletter also includes updates on a series…

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After the 2023 Legislative Session, What’s Next for School Funding?

This article is part of MACo’s Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top county policy issues of the day. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Policy Deep Dives. How Maryland funds its public schools is one of the more nuanced and complicated policy responsibilities of the State, counties, and policymakers. The 2023 legislative session challenged some of the long-established educational funding protocols, to the…

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2023 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2023 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. In addition to the swearing-in of a new governor, comptroller, attorney general, and legislators alike, the 445th legislative session kicked off with more relaxed health and safety measures compared to the turbulence of the last few years. With the 2023 session in the books, it's time to take stock. As…

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2023 End of Session Wrap-Up: Parks and Recreation

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of parks and recreation 2023 General Assembly.  County government parks and recreation departments provide a range of public recreation programs for all segments of the population and maintain a large network of open spaces throughout Maryland. MACo’s advocacy seeks to support the efforts of county parks and recreations by urging state and federal funding support and defending local determination of priorities in…

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2023 Session Wrap-Up: Intergovernmental Relations

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of intergovernmental relations in the 2023 General Assembly.  In addition to the swearing-in of a new governor, the 445th legislative session kicked off with more relaxed health and safety measures compared to the turbulence of the last few years. This enabled MACo's policy team to dynamically engage with private-sector stakeholders, legislators, and representatives from all divisions of government. Under these more conventional…

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2023 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 2023 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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2023 End of Session Wrap-Up: School Construction and Capital Budget

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of school construction in the 2023 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. In addition to the swearing-in of a new governor, the 445th legislative…

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2023 End of Session Wrap-Up: Employee Benefits and Relations

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of employee benefits and relations in the 2023 General Assembly.  MACo advocates for fair state laws governing employment practices, labor representation, and employer-employee relationships. MACo becomes particularly engaged when a proposal has a disproportionate or unique effect on public sector employees – frequently those affecting public safety employees or other public workers who engage in sensitive and essential functions. In addition to…

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2023 End of Session Wrap-Up: Business Affairs

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of business affairs in the 2023 General Assembly.  Through business affairs advocacy, MACo seeks to protect local regulatory and licensing authority, enhance citizens’ safety, and improve access to regulated services. In addition to the swearing-in of a new governor, the 445th legislative session kicked off with more relaxed health and safety measures compared to the turbulence of the last few years. This…

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2023 End of Session Wrap-Up: Environment

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of environment policy in the 2023 General Assembly.  MACo seeks sensible solutions to environmental issues that provide flexibility and do not place unreasonable burdens on county governments. In addition to the swearing-in of a new governor, the 445th legislative session kicked off with more relaxed health and safety measures compared to the turbulence of the last few years. This enabled MACo's policy…

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