MACo Testimony Archives

2026 End of Session Wrap Up: Government Liability & Public Information

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of government liability and public information in the 2026 General Assembly session. Local governments operate at the intersection of transparency, accountability, and legal responsibility. Counties are charged with managing public information, upholding ethical standards, and navigating legal risks across a wide range of functions. From responding to public records requests to defending against liability claims, counties must balance open government requirements with…

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April 15, 2026

Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Finance

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on finance policy in the 2026 General Assembly. In the 2026 session, fiscal policy took center stage as the General Assembly faced slowing revenues, rising costs, and competing priorities across government. Budget constraints drove debates over tax policy, aid formulas, and funding commitments, with a sharper focus on how the State and local governments share costs and responsibilities. Maryland’s 448th legislative session opened with significant…

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April 15, 2026

County News / Elections / MACo Testimony

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Elections

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on election policy in the 2026 General Assembly. Administering elections is a core responsibility of county governments requiring careful coordination of polling locations, election workers, and secure systems to ensure every Marylander can participate in a fair and accessible process. Counties serve on the front lines of election administration, translating state policy into real-world operations every two years. Through its elections advocacy, MACo supports policies…

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April 15, 2026

MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Planning and Zoning

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on planning and zoning policy in the 2026 General Assembly session. Planning and zoning decisions are an integral function of county government, shaping how communities grow, where infrastructure is placed, and how residents and businesses coexist. In its planning & zoning advocacy, MACo seeks to preserve the ability of local governments – those closest to the people and with the most insight into local needs…

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April 15, 2026

Emergency Management / MACo Testimony

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Emergency Services

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s advocacy in emergency services policy in the 2026 General Assembly session. Emergency services are a cornerstone of county government, encompassing fire and rescue operations, emergency medical services, and 9-1-1 call centers that residents rely on in moments of crisis. Counties are on the frontlines of these efforts, coordinating rapid response systems and disaster preparedness across diverse communities. Through its advocacy, MACo works to secure sustainable funding,…

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April 15, 2026

County News / Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Housing and Community Development

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on housing and community development policy in the 2026 General Assembly session. Counties are on the front lines of Maryland’s housing challenges—working to expand affordability, revitalize communities, and respond to persistent issues like vacancy, blight, and displacement. Through its advocacy, MACo supports policies that strengthen local capacity to deliver housing solutions, invest in community development, and address the full continuum of housing needs. In the…

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April 15, 2026

MACo Testimony / Transportation and Public Works

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Transportation and Public Works

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on transportation and public works policy in the 2026 General Assembly session. From maintaining local roadways and bridges to coordinating with state systems, county governments operate within a shared transportation network that depends on strong state partnership. MACo continues to press for sustainable, predictable investment in local transportation and public works systems. During Maryland's 448th session, transportation policy was shaped by broader fiscal pressures and…

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April 15, 2026

MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Public Safety & Corrections

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on public safety and corrections policies in the 2026 General Assembly session. Counties are critical partners in Maryland's public safety and criminal justice systems, overseeing law enforcement, operating local detention centers, and coordinating emergency response services that protect residents every day. Through its public safety and corrections advocacy, MACo works to ensure that state policies support effective operations, adequate resources, and local flexibility in meeting…

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April 14, 2026

Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / MACo Testimony

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Employee Benefits & Relations

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on employee benefits and relations policy in the 2026 General Assembly session. County governments are major public employers, responsible for managing a diverse workforce that delivers critical public services. To this extent, MACo advocates to ensure that state employment laws are fair, balanced, and workable for public sector employers, particularly when proposals uniquely or disproportionately affect government operations or essential personnel. During Maryland's 448th legislative…

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April 14, 2026

Information Technology / MACo Testimony

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s advocacy on IT/cybersecurity issues in the 2026 General Assembly. As counties face an increasingly complex threat landscape targeting public systems and sensitive data, cybersecurity has become a core function of government operations. From ransomware attacks to system disruptions, the risks extend beyond IT departments to the continuity of essential public services. In its information technology advocacy, MACo works to strengthen local cybersecurity capacity, promote coordinated statewide…

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April 14, 2026