Read more about the article Anne Arundel Pilots “Bus Badge” Identification Technology for Students
County News / Education / Information Technology / Public Safety and Corrections / Transportation and Public Works
Anne Arundel Pilots “Bus Badge” Identification Technology for Students

Anne Arundel County is testing a new technology to for students boarding and departing public school buses. Starting November 8, Anne Arudent County Public Schools (AACPS) is piloting a new "bus badge" technology program in ten schools to help track student commutes and improve safety. The program will place electronic chips in new student-issued identification cards, which kids will then use when they board and get off county school buses. The badges are expected to…

Comments Off on Anne Arundel Pilots “Bus Badge” Identification Technology for Students
November 9, 2023
Read more about the article Queen Anne’s County Ranked #1 in State as GDP Grew at the Fastest Rate in Maryland
County News / Economic Development / News You Can Use
Queen Anne’s County Ranked #1 in State as GDP Grew at the Fastest Rate in Maryland

Queen Anne’s County has secured a position as a leading hub for economic development by being ranked number 1 in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in Maryland. Queen Anne's County experienced the highest growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) across Maryland, with an increase of 8.25% between 2019 and 2021. GDP is the value of goods and services produced within a county. The county also realized year-over-year growth in GDP of 15.9% in 2021, maintaining…

Comments Off on Queen Anne’s County Ranked #1 in State as GDP Grew at the Fastest Rate in Maryland
November 8, 2023
Read more about the article MD Leaders Make Final Push to Move FBI HQ to Prince George’s County
County News / Economic Development / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections
MD Leaders Make Final Push to Move FBI HQ to Prince George’s County

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore along with other state leaders made a final push for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to move its headquarters to Prince George’s County. Gov. Moore joined Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld to highlight why Prince George’s County is the best location for the new, consolidated FBI Headquarters. Following the press conference, lawmakers will meet with the federal General Services Administration to…

Comments Off on MD Leaders Make Final Push to Move FBI HQ to Prince George’s County
November 8, 2023
Read more about the article Building Blocks: A Guide to Curious Legislative Language About Capital Projects
County News / Policy Deep Dive / School Construction and Capital Budgets
Building Blocks: A Guide to Curious Legislative Language About Capital Projects

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. During the Maryland legislative session, the General Assembly considers dozens of bills about capital projects and how governments fund, procure, and implement projects to build, expand, or repair public facilities. Some bills specifically focus on…

Comments Off on Building Blocks: A Guide to Curious Legislative Language About Capital Projects
November 8, 2023
Read more about the article Pre-K Expansion, Judy Centers, and Patty Centers — Oh My!
County News / Education / Health and Human Services
Pre-K Expansion, Judy Centers, and Patty Centers — Oh My!

One of the pillars of the Blueprint is to expand Maryland's universal pre-K offerings and better support early childhood education. Here, we discuss the differences between Patty Centers and Judy Centers and their role in early education. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (“The Blueprint”) prioritizes early childhood education as its first pillar, including the gradual but eventual universal access to prekindergarten for 3- and 4-year-old children. Doing so is a monumental undertaking, offering both challenges…

Comments Off on Pre-K Expansion, Judy Centers, and Patty Centers — Oh My!
November 8, 2023
Read more about the article Charles County Charter Board to Host Public Hearings
County Government and Structure / County News / News You Can Use
Charles County Charter Board to Host Public Hearings

The Charles County Charter Board will host a series of public meetings in each Commissioner district to inform residents about and hear input on its charge to draft and present voters with a Charter to transition Charles County from a Code Home Rule to a Charter form of government. (Click here for MACo's chart describing differences between code home rule, charter, and commissioner forms of local government. It compares bonding authority, tax caps, and compensation,…

Comments Off on Charles County Charter Board to Host Public Hearings
November 6, 2023
Read more about the article Interagency Commission on School Construction: Nov 9 Meeting Agenda
County News / School Construction and Capital Budgets
Interagency Commission on School Construction: Nov 9 Meeting Agenda

The Interagency Commission on School Construction(IAC) — a nine-member commission that serves as a resource for best practices and as a statewide expert in facilities operations and management that supports Local Education Agencies — reviews and supports the implementation of capital projects relating to the repair and building of school facilities. It typically convenes once a month via videoconference. The meeting is live-streamed for the public on the IAC’s YouTube channel. The Board’s next meeting…

Comments Off on Interagency Commission on School Construction: Nov 9 Meeting Agenda
November 6, 2023
Read more about the article Board of Public Works: Nov 8 Meeting Agenda
Board of Public Works / County News / Economic Development / Parks and Recreation / School Construction and Capital Budgets
Board of Public Works: Nov 8 Meeting Agenda

The Board of Public Works — a three-member panel including Governor Wes Moore, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and State Treasurer Dereck Davis — reviews projects, contracts, and expenditure plans for state agencies, many of which affect county governments. The State Board of Public Works (BPW) typically convenes on alternating Wednesdays in the Governor’s Reception Room on the 2nd floor of the State House in Annapolis, and meetings are open to the public. They are also live-streamed on…

Comments Off on Board of Public Works: Nov 8 Meeting Agenda
November 6, 2023
Read more about the article In This Economy? Forecasting and Funding Maryland’s Future at #MACoCon
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement / Winter Conference
In This Economy? Forecasting and Funding Maryland’s Future at #MACoCon

The MACo Winter Conference general session, “In This Economy? Forecasting and Funding Maryland's Future,” will examine the state of Maryland's economy and how to best prepare for an uncertain future. At the MACo Winter Conference general session, “In This Economy? Forecasting and Funding Maryland’s Future,” leading economist Dr. Daraius Irani will review the trends and expectations for Maryland’s near-term economy and its effects on county governments.  In This Economy? Forecasting and Funding Maryland's Future Leading…

Comments Off on In This Economy? Forecasting and Funding Maryland’s Future at #MACoCon
November 6, 2023
Read more about the article Curbing Car Theft: Jurisdictions Collaborating to Drive Numbers Down
County News / Public Safety and Corrections
Curbing Car Theft: Jurisdictions Collaborating to Drive Numbers Down

Prince George’s Chief of Police, Malik Aziz, discussed how cooperation across jurisdictions and technology is helping local agencies solve car theft cases faster and deter additional offenses. According to a recent podcast by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government, Prince George’s and Montgomery County Police Departments have been getting creative to curb the recent, nationwide surge in carjackings. Prince George’s Police Chief, Malik Aziz, joined the host to discuss what they have been experiencing with…

Comments Off on Curbing Car Theft: Jurisdictions Collaborating to Drive Numbers Down
November 2, 2023
Newer Posts
Older Posts