Preview the 2020 Session “Big Picture”
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Preview the 2020 Session “Big Picture”

A compilation of Issue Papers previews major fiscal and policy issues facing the General Assembly in the year ahead. This resource is a handy guide to the top issues that your legislators will be tackling in 2020 – a great preparation document for county officials in advance of meetings with their local Delegations. Developed by the Department of Legislative Services (DLS), the 2020 Issue Papers are an annual staple for the Annapolis policy-inclined population. They are also…

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December 6, 2019
Study: Kirwan Plan Connects to Wages, Revenues Over Time
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Winter Conference
Study: Kirwan Plan Connects to Wages, Revenues Over Time

A study on the fiscal effects of the proposed Kirwan Commission plan for education funding, commissioned by plan supporters, suggests the presumed educational improvements may begin to "pay for themselves" by 2034. Strong Schools Maryland, an advocacy group supporting the proposed plan for advancing Maryland public school funding over the next decade, has commissioned a report claiming the plan would have significant positive fiscal effects. The report, prepared by the Sage Policy Group, suggests the…

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December 3, 2019
Millions of Gifted Children Overlooked in the U.S.
Education
Millions of Gifted Children Overlooked in the U.S.

A report out of Purdue University's Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute (GER2I), as many as 3.6 million gifted children are being overlooked in U.S. public schools. Researchers found this number by applying the 10 percent average (of classified gifted students) to the roughly 4 of 10 schools that had identified no gifted students at all. GER2I adjusted the number for the many Latinx, African American, Native American/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students who…

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November 29, 2019
Rural Counties Coalition Will Look Ahead at Conference
Education / Planning and Zoning / Winter Conference
Rural Counties Coalition Will Look Ahead at Conference

MACo's Chapter Organization for rural counties will meet during the MACo Winter Conference, with updates and information for county leaders from rural areas, including solar siting and the Forest Conservation Act. The Maryland Rural County Coalition was formed by the governing bodies of Allegany, Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties on December, 12, 2011. Working in conjunction with MACo, the Coalition provides a voice for Maryland's rural counties, allowing them to offer their unique perspective on…

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November 27, 2019
Sun: It Wasn’t Kirwan’s Job To Say How To Pay For Its Plan
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues / Winter Conference
Sun: It Wasn’t Kirwan’s Job To Say How To Pay For Its Plan

The Baltimore Sun Editorial Board continues its missives on the proposed education plan by refuting the argument that the Kirwan Commission "failed" to develop a financing plan for its recommendations - something that was never in its charge. By now, every stakeholder (and Conduit Street reader) knows the basics:  Maryland is about to fully debate an ambitious and expensive plan to bring our public schools to "world class" status. The plan is the product of…

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November 26, 2019
Kirwan Commission Wraps, Passes Formulas and Timetables
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Kirwan Commission Wraps, Passes Formulas and Timetables

The Kirwan Commission completed its work on November 21, taking its final vote on funding formulas and phase-ins, and will now send its full recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly for consideration as legislation in 2020. Commissioner, and Montgomery County Council Member, Craig Rice, engages in discussion during the final meeting of the three-year school funding commission. The Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, regularly convening for day-long sessions since 2016, completed its…

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November 22, 2019
Send in Questions for #MACoCon Kirwan Panel
County News / Education / MACo Events / Winter Conference
Send in Questions for #MACoCon Kirwan Panel

The general session of #MACoCon will be answering your questions on school funding and the Kirwan Commission. Let MACo know if you have a topic you want directly addressed at the meeting (see instructions near the end of this post.) Breaking Down the Blueprint: School Funding in Focus Description: As the generational debate about school funding continues, join our panel for a hearty discussion on Kirwan – its goals, steps, accountability, and costs. Panelists will…

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November 21, 2019
Economic Development / General Assembly News / Labor / News You Can Use
Maryland Adds 10,700 Jobs, Unemployment Rate Ticks Down

Maryland added 10,700 jobs in October --  the second-most of any state, according to preliminary survey data released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Maryland’s unemployment rate fell to 3.6% -- the lowest unemployment rate in over 11 years, according to the data. According to a press release: “Just over five years ago, our administration pledged to put more people back to work, grow the private sector, and turn…

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November 20, 2019
15 Maryland High Schools on Best STEM High School List
County News / Education
15 Maryland High Schools on Best STEM High School List

Newsweek released a list of the best 500 high schools in America for STEM and 15 of them are located in Maryland. STEM refers to the grouping of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics courses. From Maryland Matters: “Children are natural STEM students. They love to explore,” Newsweek Global Editor in Chief Nancy Cooper said in a statement with the rankings. “We need to make sure that innate drive, curiosity and creativity aren’t lost along the way.” Among…

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November 19, 2019
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