County News Archives

Governor Moore’s Fiscal 2027 Budget: Navigating County Effects

This week, Governor Wes Moore introduced a $70.8 billion fiscal 2027 spending plan that, according to the administration, expands funding for housing, education, and public safety while closing a projected $1.5 billion shortfall without increasing taxes or fees. The governor's budget increases aid flowing through county governments, but it does not resolve the underlying pressures counties face or meaningfully realign State funding with county responsibilities. Education funding continues to grow, and transportation aid remains temporarily…

Comments Off

January 22, 2026

County News / Housing and Community Development

Howard Unveils LIVE Initiative To Improve Rental Housing Accountability

Howard County has announced the new LIVE (Landlord accountability, Investment in quality, Victim protection, and Eviction prevention) initiative to address and reduce landlord-tenant issues. Under LIVE, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will submit legislation to the Howard County Council regarding the eviction process and has signed an Executive Order addressing habitability concerns experienced by tenants. From the county press release: In Howard County, approximately 30 percent of households live in rental properties. Unfortunately, too many of our…

Comments Off

January 22, 2026

County Budgets / County News / General Assembly News / Housing and Community Development

MACo’s Michael Sanderson Joins the “I Hate Politics Podcast” To Talk Housing

As the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session begins, housing policy is once again front and center in Annapolis. In this episode of the I Hate Politics Podcast, host Sunil Dasgupta speaks with MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson about where counties stand following last year’s housing debates, how local governments balance housing growth with infrastructure and fiscal realities, and whether a path toward compromise is emerging this session. The conversation explores the evolving state–local dynamic on…

Comments Off

January 22, 2026

Corporate Partners / County News / Feature / NACo and Federal Issues

Counties Gain Access to New P-Card Procurement Contract

Counties now have a new opportunity to streamline purchasing operations through a cooperative procurement vehicle backed by county leadership and national partners. Fairfax County, Virginia has launched a new solicitation for P-Card and Payables Solutions, which, once awarded, will be made available to counties nationwide through Public Promise Procurement (PPP). As an endorsing partner of PPP, the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) is helping ensure Maryland counties are aware of this opportunity and can take…

Comments Off

January 21, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Emergency Management / Risk Management

Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants Awarded To 55 Local Responder Agencies

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service is providing Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to 55 volunteer fire departments in 17 counties across the state. The funded projects help volunteer fire companies enhance wildland fire protection in rural communities. For the 2025 grant cycle, finalized in December, the Maryland Forest Service is providing $167,314 in match funding to complete $370,376 in total project cost. The grants match up to 50 percent of project cost with…

Comments Off

January 19, 2026

County News / Economic Development / Feature

MACo Highlights County Role in MD’s Economic Future at MEDA Winter Conference

On January 15, MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson joined state and regional economic leaders as a panelist at the Maryland Economic Development Association’s (MEDA) 2026 Winter Conference for a session titled “2026 Legislative Outlook for Economic Development.” The conference provided a timely forum for public- and private-sector leaders to examine Maryland’s economic competitiveness and discuss policy priorities likely to shape the 2026 legislative session, particularly as the State confronts a looming budget deficit and slowing…

Comments Off

January 15, 2026

County News / Health and Human Services

Montgomery County Expands Food Recovery Network To Reduce Waste and Address Hunger

Montgomery County’s Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR) has announced the next phase of its Food Recovery Network strategy to expand coordination, infrastructure, and direct funding for community partners that rescue surplus food and redirect it to neighbors in need. Food recovery, also known as food rescue, collects safe, unsellable food and redistributes it through community partners to reduce waste and address hunger. It supports County climate goals and helps feed the estimated 300,000 residents at risk of hunger.…

Comments Off

January 15, 2026

County News / Energy / Environment / News You Can Use

Registration Open for Montgomery County’s 2026 Energy Summit

The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that registration is open for the 13th annual Montgomery County Energy Summit. The 2026 summit will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, April 28-29, at the Silver Spring Civic Building located at Veterans Plaza. Early-bird registration rates are available through Tuesday, Jan. 27. The summit’s theme, “Elevating Building Performance,” highlights tools, strategies, and real-world guidance to boost building efficiency and navigate building energy performance standards. “Every day, Montgomery County government and the private sector work together to meet building performance…

Comments Off

January 15, 2026

Read more about the article Fun Fact: This Maryland County Will Get A Visit From The World’s Largest Rubber Duck

World's Largest Rubber Duck with USS Iowa. Photo by: Craig Samborski

County News / Fun Fact

Fun Fact: This Maryland County Will Get A Visit From The World’s Largest Rubber Duck

The world’s largest rubber duck is making its way to Sandy Point State Park in Anne Arundel County. It will appear at the Maryland Seafood Festival this September. The annual festival is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and organizers are marking the milestone in a big way—with a 60-foot-tall rubber duck. First held in 1966, the Maryland Seafood Festival is expecting its biggest turnout yet, featuring a wide variety of Maryland seafood vendors, beer, and live…

Comments Off

January 15, 2026

County News / Health and Human Services

Queen Anne’s Expands Community Education to Address Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Queen Anne’s County Area Agency on Aging, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, has announced a Dementia Lunch & Learn Series beginning in February 2026. The free educational series will be held across Queen Anne’s County and is designed to provide residents with information, resources, and practical tools related to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Each session offers a brief overview of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, including the impact of the disease, risk factors,…

Comments Off

January 15, 2026