A Day in the Life at MACo: Legislative Session Edition

In this episode of the Conduit Street podcast, Michael Sanderson is joined by Karrington Anderson and Charlotte Fleckenstein (making her podcast debut), as they walk through what advocacy looks like in real time. From testifying on complex labor policy to weighing in on unexpected issues like statewide “dogs at large” laws, there's never a dull moment.     Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit…

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Queen Anne’s Announces County-Wide Public Safety Peer Support Team

Queen Anne’s County recently announced the launch of the County-Wide Public Safety Peer Support Team, an initiative designed to strengthen the emotional well-being and resilience of public safety peers across the county. “As First Responders, we’re trained to step into chaos and bring calm — but no one teaches us what to do with everything we carry afterward. This peer support team is our way of saying that the people behind the uniforms deserve the…

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Washington County Central Committee Recommends Parrott To Fill Commissioner Vacancy

The Washington County Republican Central Committee has recommended Neil Parrott to fill a vacant seat on the Washington County Board of Commissioners, following the recent resignation of Commissioner Derek Harvey. Harvey, a retired U.S. Army colonel, stepped down from the Board of Commissioners earlier this month. The vacancy triggered the formal replacement process outlined in Maryland law, which applies when a county commissioner leaves office before completing their term. Under that process, the local central…

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Maryland Considers New Voting System for 2028; Public Demonstrations Scheduled

The Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) is considering the purchase of a new voting system to be used beginning with the 2028 Presidential Election cycle, and is inviting the public to see the technology firsthand. As part of the state’s procurement and certification process, SBE will host three days of in-person public demonstrations of a proposed voting system developed by Election Systems & Software (ES&S). The demonstrations will showcase both the ballot marking device…

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Senate Advances Budget: Blocks Some Cost Shifts, But Fiscal Pressures Remain for Counties

The Maryland Senate has passed the Budget Bill (SB 282) and the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (SB 284), advancing both measures to the House of Delegates. The Senate plan largely mirrors Governor Moore's overall spending level, maintaining a roughly $70.8 billion budget while closing a projected $1.5 billion structural gap through fund transfers, targeted reductions, and financing adjustments. The plan leaves approximately $2.2 billion in the Rainy Day Fund, about 8% of general fund…

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Meet MACo’s New Member Services & Events Coordinator!

MACo is very pleased to announce that Abbey Duncan has joined our team in the role of Member Services & Events Coordinator! Abigail "Abbey" Duncan joins the MACo team this week, bringing her experience in event planning and guest relations to support MACo's members in our Member Services & Events Coordinator role. In that role, she will focus on member engagement and education, coordinating MACo's affiliate conferences, symposium, and other meetings and events. Abbey is…

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Countdown to Compliance: What Counties Need To Know About New ADA Digital Accessibility Standards

In April 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a clarifying decision finalizing updated regulations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This ruling requires state and local governments to ensure digital content meets certain accessibility requirements. With the first compliance deadline, April 24, 2026, rapidly approaching, here is what local governments need to know.  Overview: This regulation mandates Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA as the mandatory technical standard…

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Baltimore County Maintains Triple-A Bond Rating for 31st Consecutive Year

Baltimore County has announced that it has maintained triple-A bond ratings from all three major credit rating agencies for the 31st consecutive year, allowing the county to continue issuing bonds at the lowest possible interest rates and saving millions of dollars for taxpayers. From the county release: “Baltimore County is proud to maintain a strong financial foundation that supports our top bond ratings and allows us to invest in our residents, communities, and future,” said Baltimore…

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Baltimore City Appoints New Chief Information Officer

Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced a new appointment to city leadership. Beginning March 16, 2026, T.J. Mayotte will assume the position of Chief Information Officer. From the press release: "I’m excited to have T.J. join my administration at such an important time for our city, as we continue to invest in digital equity and explore cutting-edge technology solutions to improve service delivery for our residents,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “T.J. is an innovator and a cybersecurity…

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State Revenue Forecast Improves for Now, Softens Ahead

Maryland’s latest revenue forecast boosts revenues for the current fiscal year by $355.7 million but lowers projections for fiscal 2027 by $108.0 million as budget pressures continue to build. The Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates (BRE) released its March update today, revising the State’s revenue projections as lawmakers continue to navigate a challenging fiscal environment. The latest forecast increases expected revenues for the current fiscal year by $355.7 million, while projections for fiscal 2027 decline…

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