Federal Uncertainty Lingers Over 2026 Emergency Management Grants

Maryland’s fiscal 2026 homeland security and emergency management grants are moving forward, but questions remain over the federal terms and conditions attached to the funding. FEMA has released the fiscal 2026 Emergency Management Performance Grant and Homeland Security Grant Program award packages. MDEM must accept the EMPG award by November 9, and the HSGP award by November 24, and the Office of the Attorney General is reviewing the terms and conditions for both programs. EMPG…

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Baltimore Proposes New Department as Third Branch of Public Safety

Baltimore City officials have introduced legislation to establish a Department of Neighborhood Safety, creating a third branch of the City's public safety system focused on violence prevention and alternative responses to certain nonviolent 911 calls. The proposed Department of Neighborhood Safety (DNS) would operate alongside the Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City Fire Department/Emergency Medical Services. The department would formally incorporate the work of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) into the…

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Deep Dive: Cannabis and the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, Part One

Since Maryland’s adult-use cannabis market launched in July 2023, cannabis tax revenue has become a growing source of funding for state priorities. Among the most significant investments under the state law is the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF), which directs a portion of cannabis revenue to communities disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of past cannabis laws. For counties, the CRRF represents a new and evolving source of State funding channeled through local governments, but…

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This Week: Local Revenue Task Force Reconvenes

Maryland’s Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures will meet again on Friday, October 2, as members continue weighing new local revenue options and prepare recommendations ahead of the 2027 legislative session. The virtual meeting begins at 1:00 pm, and will stream live on the Maryland General Assembly website. The agenda includes presentations on school construction, county revenue structures nationwide, several potential local revenue options, and current local tax rates. The Interagency Commission…

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MACo is Hiring a Legislative Fellow – Apply by October 19 (Paid Internship)

The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) is seeking an intern to serve as Policy Fellow during the 2027 Maryland General Assembly Session. This is a paid, hybrid position, offering an opportunity to explore public policy advocacy and learn more about the legislative process in Annapolis. Candidates should apply via LinkedIn by October 19. MACo is the non-profit, non-partisan voice of all 24 Maryland counties promoting effective, efficient government through advocacy, education, and collaboration. The Association…

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Academy for Excellence Celebrates 2026 Graduates

The Academy for Excellence in Local Governance celebrated its 2026 graduates on Sunday, September 27, at the University of Maryland. The Academy, voluntary certificate program, was co-founded by MACo and the Maryland Municipal League (MML). It is sponsored by the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT) and coordinated through the School of Public Policy and the Institute for Public Leadership of the University of Maryland. Enrolled local government officials are required to take a set of…

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Harford Taps Real-Time Weather Data To Strengthen Emergency Response

Three locations in Harford County have joined the Maryland Mesonet, giving county emergency officials access to more localized, real-time weather data to help prepare for and respond to severe weather. The network's weather stations, known as mesonet towers, measure conditions including temperature, wind speed and direction, rainfall, and soil moisture. Harford County Emergency Services can use the information to monitor changing conditions and make more informed decisions before and during weather-related emergencies. The statewide network…

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Prince George’s Launches GoPGC as New Era for County Transit

Prince George’s County has officially launched GoPGC, a systemwide transformation of its local transit network that brings County-operated transportation services under a unified identity while advancing efforts to modernize the rider experience. Formerly known as TheBus, GoPGC builds on more than 35 years of County transit service. The transition began this summer and will continue across transit fleets, routes, and programs as part of the County’s broader PGC Transit Transformation. Beyond the new name and…

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Webinar to Help Employers Navigate FAMLI Registration

Maryland employers can get answers to common FAMLI registration questions during an upcoming webinar on September 30. The Maryland Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) team will host an “Understanding FAMLI Registration” webinar on Wednesday, September 30, from 1 PM to 2 PM via Zoom. The webinar will provide an overview of the FAMLI registration process and address employer questions and concerns. The session is intended to help stakeholders better understand the registration requirements and make…

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Community Development Conference Heads to Baltimore County This October

Community development professionals from Maryland and across the country will gather in Baltimore County this October for four days of training, networking, and discussions on housing, economic development, homelessness, and community resilience. The National Association for County Community and Economic Development (NACCED) will hold its 51st Annual Educational Conference and Training October 5-8, 2026, at the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel in Towson. Hosted in partnership with Baltimore County, this year’s conference, “Harnessing Momentum, Driving Change,”…

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