2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Environment
Agriculture / Bill Hearing / County News / Energy / Environment / MACo Testimony
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Environment

This post summarizes the status of various environmental bills that MACo took a position on during the 2020 Regular Session. MACo seeks practical solutions to environmental issues that do not impose unreasonable mandates or costs on county governments. This year, for the first time in since the Civil War, the General Assembly closed session early on March 18, due to precautionary social distancing measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19. Consequently, many bills did…

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March 23, 2020
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Taxes and Revenues
Bill Hearing / County Budgets / County News / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Taxes and Revenues

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of tax policy in the 2020 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 often are focused exclusively on the state’s tax structure, but sometimes extend to local revenues as well. In general, MACo stands for local self-determination. Counties, led by their…

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March 23, 2020
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Business Affairs
Bill Hearing / Business Affairs / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Business Affairs

An overview of MACo’s advocacy on business affairs legislation in the 2020 General Assembly. Through business affairs advocacy, MACo seeks to protect local regulatory and licensing authority, enhance citizens’ safety, and improve access to regulated services. This year, for the first time in since the Civil War, the General Assembly closed session early on March 18, due to precautionary social distancing measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19. Consequently, many bills did not have…

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March 23, 2020
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: State Operating Budget
Bill Hearing / County News / MACo Testimony / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
2020 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 2020 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, for the first time…

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March 23, 2020
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: School Construction & Capital Budget
Bill Hearing / County News / Education / MACo Testimony / School Construction and Capital Budgets
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: School Construction & Capital Budget

An overview of MACo’s advocacy on school construction and capital budget legislation in the 2020 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, for the first time since the Civil War, the General Assembly adjourned early on…

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March 23, 2020
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Housing and Community Development
Bill Hearing / General Assembly News / Housing and Community Development / MACo Testimony
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Housing and Community Development

An overview of MACo’s advocacy on housing and community development legislation in the 2020 General Assembly. Under the umbrella of housing and community development, MACo advocates in support of legislation that advances local efforts to address public and affordable housing, blight, foreclosure, and community development. This year, for the first time in since the Civil War, the General Assembly closed session early on March 18, due to precautionary social distancing measures taken to curb the…

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March 23, 2020
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Emergency Services and Intergovernmental Relations
Bill Hearing / County News / Emergency Management / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony
2020 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 2020 General Assembly.  County governments lead the delivery of public safety services in Maryland – with responsibility for county fire, police, and emergency services. MACo’s advocacy in the area of emergency services includes urging needed state support for county public safety services such as 9-1-1 call centers, front-line county services, and natural disaster…

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March 22, 2020
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Elections
Bill Hearing / County News / Elections / MACo Testimony
2020 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 2020 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, for the first time in since the Civil War, the General Assembly closed session early on…

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March 22, 2020
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Pensions
Bill Hearing / County News / MACo Testimony / Pensions & Public Funds
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Pensions

An overview of MACo’s advocacy on pensions issues in the 2020General Assembly.  Half of Maryland’s counties participate in the State’s pension system, and the other half support their employees through local pension systems. MACo’s pension advocacy includes defending local authority to define the elements of county-run pension systems, and protecting the interests of county governments participating in the State’s pension system. This year, for the first time in since the Civil War, the General Assembly…

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March 22, 2020
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Finance and Procurement
Bill Hearing / County Budgets / County News / Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony
2020 End of Session Wrap-Up: Finance and Procurement

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work in the area of finance and procurement policy in the 2020 General Assembly. This year, for the first time in since the Civil War, the General Assembly closed session early on March 18, due to precautionary social distancing measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19. Consequently, many bills did not have hearings or did not move forward due to time constraints to meet the…

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March 22, 2020
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