Education Archives

MACo on iGaming: Protect Community Grants, Ensure Fair Revenue Sharing

On January 29, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 340 - Internet Gaming - Authorization and Implementation with amendments. This bill authorizes the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission (SLGCC) to license video lottery operators to conduct and operate internet gaming in the state, contingent upon approval through a referendum by voters in the 2024 general election. In addition to advocating for a more equitable share…

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January 31, 2025

County News / Education

Howard, Prince George’s and Montgomery Educators Top in Math and Science

Four educators from Howard, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties were among the most recent recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the nation’s highest award for teaching in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The science teaching honorees are: Modupe Olafunmiloye, Prince George's County Public Schools, a Kenmoor Middle School science teacher, has also taught science and special education to students with cognitive disabilities at Buck Lodge Middle School for…

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January 30, 2025

County News / Education / Emergency Management / News You Can Use

Anne Arundel Fosters the Next Generation of Women in EMS

The Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is hosting a free EMS summer camp program called HERoes on the HERizon. The camp is a free week-long program designed to encourage young women in high school and college to explore careers in emergency management and public safety (EMS). The camp will occur July 14-18, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Anne Arundel County OEM located at 7480 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd Glen Burnie, MD…

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January 30, 2025

Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor / MACo Testimony

Counties Request Workplace Safety Communication Revisions

On January 29, Associate Director of Policy Karrington Anderson testified before the Finance Committee in support of SB 26 - Labor and Employment - Occupational Safety and Health - Revisions (Davis Martinez Public Employee Safety and Health Act) with amendments. This bill establishes the Public Employees' Safety and Health Unit in Division of Labor and Industry to administer and enforce certain duties regarding the oversight of certain public bodies, including local governments. Counties are concerned…

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January 30, 2025

County Budgets / Education / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works

MACo Supports Local Tax Flexibility to Fund Schools, Infrastructure

On January 28, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Ways and Means Committee in support of HB 23 - Property Taxes - Authority of Counties to Establish a Subclass and Set a Special Rate for Commercial and Industrial Property. This bill advances MACo’s Legislative Initiative to broaden local revenue options. It empowers counties to respond to unique fiscal conditions and community-driven priorities. Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, and Montgomery…

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January 29, 2025

Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor / MACo Testimony

Continued Local Autonomy Over Collective Bargaining A Priority for Counties

On January 28, Associate Director of Policy Karrington Anderson testified before the Appropriations Committee in opposition to HB 37 - Declaration of Rights - Right to Organize. This starkly-worded proposed constitutional amendment would establish a fundamental right for all employees in the state to organize and bargain collectively concerning compensation, hours, and other conditions of employment. Counties vary greatly in size, workforce composition, and budgetary capacity, and the current system enables counties to determine whether…

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January 29, 2025

Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor / MACo Testimony

Counties in Opposition to Statewide Overreach on Career Firefighter Policies

On January 28, Associate Director of Policy Karrington Anderson testified before the Appropriations Committee in opposition to HB 205 Employment Standards - Firefighters - Payment of Wages and Payroll Information. This bill would eliminate local bargaining authority over firefighter schedules and overtime policies and instead establish a statewide mandate for uniform schedules and overtime policies. By mandating uniform policies across the state, HB 205 would negate existing collective bargaining agreements to the detriment of county…

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January 29, 2025

Agriculture / Courts / Economic Development / Education / Elections / Emergency Management / Environment / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues / Public Safety and Corrections / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Transportation and Public Works

Federal Funding Freeze – NACo Webinar Tomorrow (Jan 29)

President Trump has announced a "freeze" on a very wide range of federal grant and loan funding. This has potentially major effects on the operation of county-level facilities and services nationwide. Specifics are not yet clear. However, the National Association of Counties (NACo) will take up this topic and other federal-relations matters on tomorrow's "First 100 Days" Zoom Webinar. The President's order, nominally effective at close-of-business today (January 28), has cast a stunning pause on…

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January 28, 2025

Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

Q&A: How Does the “Collaborative Time” Proposal Alter School Funding?

The Governor's legislative plan includes an adjustment to an element of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, "collaborative time" - non-classroom time for teachers. Citing current teacher shortages and the likely difficulty in hiring the thousands of new teachers needed to effect the desired outcome, the plan would defer this requirement of the Blueprint. Here, Conduit Street digs in and explains what that would translate to in state and local funding for this year and beyond.…

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January 24, 2025

Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony

Counties Oppose Limitations on Pharmacy Benefits Managers

On January 23, Associate Director of Policy Karrington Anderson testified before the Health and Government Operations Committee in opposition of HB 321 - Pharmacy Benefits Managers - Definition of Purchaser and Alteration of Application of Law. This bill seeks to limit the tools Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBMs) can use to negotiate pharmaceutical prices on behalf of their clients, including county governments. These limitations would disrupt counties’ ability to provide comprehensive, affordable health benefits to employees,…

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January 24, 2025