Read more about the article Your Go-To Guide for Submitting Testimony to the 2026 General Assembly
County News / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony
Your Go-To Guide for Submitting Testimony to the 2026 General Assembly

The House and the Senate are using a hybrid system this session, accepting virtual and in-person oral testimony. Still, both houses have stressed that witnesses are strongly encouraged to be in person as not all virtual witnesses will be called for testimony. This post is an easy index for everything you need to submit testimony in 2026. Of Note: The sign-up window for both the House and Senate is two (2) business days before hearings.…

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January 8, 2026
Read more about the article 2025 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups
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2025 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. Maryland’s 447th legislative session was defined by one of the most challenging budget environments in over a decade — with a $3.3 billion shortfall driving proposals for aggressive cost shifts, spending cuts, and tax changes. Despite these unprecedented fiscal pressures, counties worked together through MACo to protect essential services, limit…

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April 11, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: State Budget and Fiscal Issues
MACo Testimony / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: State Budget and Fiscal Issues

The segments below provide an overview of MACo’s work on State budget policy in the 2025 General Assembly session.  County governments depend on a wide range of State-funded programs to deliver essential services. Changes in the State budget — whether in funding formulas, cost sharing, or program structure — can have broad and immediate impacts on county budgets. MACo advocates for predictable funding, protects against unfunded mandates, and supports targeted enhancements that align with local…

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April 11, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Education
Education / MACo Testimony
2025 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 2025 General Assembly session.  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…

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April 10, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Employee Benefits and Relations
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Employee Benefits and Relations

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on employee benefits and relations policy in the 2025 General Assembly session.  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 employers or employees – frequently those affecting public safety employees or other public workers who engage in sensitive and essential functions. Maryland’s 447th…

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April 10, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Business Affairs
Business Affairs / MACo Testimony
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Business Affairs

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on business affairs policy in the 2025 General Assembly session. Through business affairs advocacy, MACo seeks to protect local regulatory and licensing authority, enhance citizens’ safety, and improve access to regulated services. Maryland’s 447th legislative session convened amidst a substantial concern over the State’s fiscal situation, with weakened revenues and cost increases for many services at every level of government. Despite the fiscal limitations, a…

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April 10, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Taxes and Revenues
MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Taxes and Revenues

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on tax policy in the 2025 General Assembly.  The General Assembly routinely considers proposals to change tax structures, often seeking to stimulate economic growth, encourage beneficial activities, or attract and retain residents. These proposals sometimes focus exclusively on the State’s tax structure but sometimes extend to local revenues. In general, MACo stands for local self-determination. Counties, led by their elected leaders who are directly accountable…

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April 10, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services / MACo Testimony
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Health and Human Services

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on health and human services policy during the 2025 General Assembly session.  Each county in Maryland has a local health department that plays a role in providing essential public health services to residents. They are also county agencies that provide citizen services for children, families, and persons with special needs. MACo advocates actively for policies that continue to confront the opioid crisis and to support…

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April 10, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Emergency Services
Emergency Management / MACo Testimony
2025 End of Session Wrap-Up: Emergency Services

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s advocacy in emergency services policy in the 2025 General Assembly session. County governments lead the delivery of public safety services in Maryland and are responsible for county fire, police, and emergency services. MACo’s advocacy in emergency services includes urging for much-needed state support for local public services such as 9-1-1 call centers, frontline county services, and natural disaster response. Maryland’s 447th legislative session convened amidst a…

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April 9, 2025
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