2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Business Affairs
Business Affairs
2021 End of Session Wrap-Up: Business Affairs

An overview of MACo's advocacy on business affairs legislation in the 2021 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 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…

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April 15, 2021
General Assembly Passes MACo Broadband Initiative
Business Affairs / Coronavirus / County News / Economic Development / Feature / General Assembly News / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / News You Can Use
General Assembly Passes MACo Broadband Initiative

The Maryland General Assembly today passed SB 824 / HB 1328 – Economic Development – Broadband Providers – Joint Trenching and Fee (Building Out Broadband Act of 2021), MACo's Legislative Initiative that will help close the digital divide by enhancing incentives and orchestrating opportunities for broadband deployment across the state. Weaknesses in current broadband internet service occur in every jurisdiction, due to both geography and demography – too many Marylanders have been left on the…

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April 8, 2021
Maryland Casino Revenues Hit Record High
Business Affairs / Coronavirus / County News / Education / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Maryland Casino Revenues Hit Record High

With most operating at full capacity for the first time since the onset of the pandemic, Maryland’s six casinos generated a single-month record of $169,179,016 in gaming revenue during the month of March, according to the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. The total represents an increase of $5,916,168 (3.6%) compared to March of 2019, when the casinos produced the previous single-month record of $163,262,848. In 2020, all six casinos were closed from March 16…

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April 6, 2021
Mayor Scott Committed to ‘Total Reimagining’ of Downtown Baltimore
Brandon Scott
Business Affairs / Coronavirus / Corporate Partners / County News / Economic Development
Mayor Scott Committed to ‘Total Reimagining’ of Downtown Baltimore

Mayor Brandon Scott cast his vision for reinventing Baltimore's downtown - it includes working with private and public partners to create a more vibrant and modern city in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As reported by the Baltimore Business Journal, Mayor Scott stressed the critical timing of invigorating downtown Baltimore, following the economic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Scott spoke to T. Rowe Price and Bank of America, stressing to them the…

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April 2, 2021
Bill to Remove Administrative Burden in Property Tax Collection Moving in Senate
Business Affairs / County Budgets / County News / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues
Bill to Remove Administrative Burden in Property Tax Collection Moving in Senate

A bill to repeal the state processing fee for filing articles of dissolution and certificates of cancellation has passed the House of Delegates and looks to be on track to advance from the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. MACo supports HB 647 Corporations and Associations – Fees for Processing Articles of Dissolution, Certificates of Cancellation, and Other Documents – Repeal., as county governments expend significant time and resources on fruitless and administratively burdensome attempts to collect…

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March 26, 2021
Locals Say Grant Program Will Help Small Businesses Bounce Back
Bill Hearing / Business Affairs / Coronavirus / County News / MACo Testimony
Locals Say Grant Program Will Help Small Businesses Bounce Back

On March 16, MACo Policy Associate Drew Jabin testified before the Senate Finance Committee to support SB 740 - Economic Development - COVID-19 - Small Business Grant Program (COVID-19 Crisis Small Business Survival Program Act of 2021). This bill establishes a new grant program to support small businesses combat the economic hardships they face due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From the MACo Testimony: Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, both the State and counties have recognized the…

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March 19, 2021
Governor Rescinds State Authority For Greater Local COVID Restrictions … So, Now What?
Business Affairs / Coronavirus / Government Liability and Courts / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations
Governor Rescinds State Authority For Greater Local COVID Restrictions … So, Now What?

During the Governor's press conference on March 9, he noted new Executive Orders, relaxing many of the statewide capacity and activity limitations in response to the coronavirus pandemic. A provision in one Order explicitly withdraws State authority for counties to retain stronger restrictions, apparently leaving counties to rely on their own local processes... though the Governor urged county leaders to "get in line."  The legal effects are... unclear. From a release sent to county leaders…

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March 9, 2021
Harford Announces Partnership for Rural Broadband
Business Affairs / Coronavirus / County News / Economic Development / Information Technology / News You Can Use
Harford Announces Partnership for Rural Broadband

Harford County yesterday announced a partnership with ThinkBig Networks, a private sector internet service provider, to bring broadband service to the County’s rural northern region over the next several years. The project timeline will depend on infrastructure construction and grant funding, which both parties are aggressively pursuing. This public/private partnership aims to bring affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service to the most unserved and underserved areas of the County. Approximately 2,500 homes in northern Harford County…

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March 4, 2021
Counties Back Emergency Property Tax Relief
Bill Hearing / Business Affairs / Coronavirus / County News / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
Counties Back Emergency Property Tax Relief

MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson yesterday testified in support of SB 887 Property Tax Credit - Business Entities - State of Emergency before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. This bill enables local governments to grant property tax credits for businesses affected by a state of emergency. From the MACo Testimony: The swift and unprecedented shock of the COVID-19 public health crisis has wreaked havoc on the economy. As the focus shifts to restoring our state…

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March 4, 2021
Counties Support Small Business Relief, Request Local Input on Broad Tax Break
Bill Hearing / Business Affairs / Coronavirus / County News / Economic Development / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
Counties Support Small Business Relief, Request Local Input on Broad Tax Break

MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally yesterday submitted testimony to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 722 Small Business COVID-19 Relief Act of 2021 with amendments. Counties support SB 772's strong commitment to delivering meaningful relief to small businesses hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic but are concerned about the bill's carryover fiscal effects, which would undermine county revenues and support for schools, public health, public safety, and other essential community services –…

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February 25, 2021
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