Read more about the article Increased Funding for Libraries Is a Long Overdue Investment
Education / MACo Testimony
Increased Funding for Libraries Is a Long Overdue Investment

On February 11, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 378 – Education - Regional Resource Centers and County Libraries - Funding.  This bill would update the minimum required state and local funding for libraries and would better align the State’s financial support to recognize the expanded role libraries play. Libraries are an essential resource for local communities that provide unique means of community engagement and enrichment.…

Comments Off on Increased Funding for Libraries Is a Long Overdue Investment
February 16, 2026
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: Educating the Next Generation of Public Leaders
Education / Higher Education / Intergovernmental Relations
Conduit Street Podcast: Educating the Next Generation of Public Leaders

On this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson sits down with Dr. Roger E. Hartley of the University of Baltimore’s College of Public Affairs for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of public service in Maryland. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

Comments Off on Conduit Street Podcast: Educating the Next Generation of Public Leaders
February 13, 2026
Read more about the article Counties Resist Costly Overhaul of Unemployment Insurance Benefits Calculation
Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / MACo Testimony
Counties Resist Costly Overhaul of Unemployment Insurance Benefits Calculation

On February 11, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Economic Matters Committee in opposition to HB 188 – Unemployment Insurance Modernization Act of 2026.  This bill fundamentally restructures how minimum and maximum weekly unemployment insurance (“Unemployment”) benefits are calculated by tying them to the state average weekly wage, rather than the fixed statutory schedule used under current law. Because counties reimburse the State for unemployment benefits, the bill would impose immediate and substantial…

Comments Off on Counties Resist Costly Overhaul of Unemployment Insurance Benefits Calculation
February 12, 2026
Read more about the article Howard Earns Highest AAA Credit Rating From All Three Rating Agencies
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education
Howard Earns Highest AAA Credit Rating From All Three Rating Agencies

Howard County has, once again, earned the highest possible credit rating, AAA, from all three bond rating agencies – Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investor Services, and Standard & Poor’s.  Howard County ranks among the top 2% of counties nationwide to earn this vote of confidence based on a stable outlook from experts. Being one of roughly 130 counties with this distinction among approximately 3,100 in the U.S. demonstrates that the County's financial management is fiscally strong,…

Comments Off on Howard Earns Highest AAA Credit Rating From All Three Rating Agencies
February 12, 2026
Read more about the article Scholarship Opportunity Supports the Next Generation of County Leaders
Education / Higher Education / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Scholarship Opportunity Supports the Next Generation of County Leaders

The National Association of Counties (NACo), in partnership with Nationwide, is investing in the futures of county families through its annual Deferred Compensation Program scholarship opportunity. Now in its 26th consecutive year, the NACo Deferred Compensation Program will award four $2,500 college scholarships to high school seniors who are the children or grandchildren of county employees participating in the program. The initiative reflects NACo and Nationwide’s ongoing commitment to supporting county employees not only in…

Comments Off on Scholarship Opportunity Supports the Next Generation of County Leaders
February 10, 2026
Read more about the article Counties Defend Training Repayment Tools
Employee Benefits and Relations / MACo Testimony
Counties Defend Training Repayment Tools

On February 5, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to HB 203 – Labor and Employment - Training Repayment Agreements - Prohibition.  This bill would broadly prohibit employers, including county governments, from entering into training repayment agreements with employees. Mr. Sanderson emphasized that these agreements, signed openly by both parties, are often an essential tool in recruiting and retaining public sector staff, notably in public service professions.…

Comments Off on Counties Defend Training Repayment Tools
February 6, 2026
Read more about the article Harford Leverages AAA Rating To Finance Major Projects at 3.3%
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Emergency Management / Finance and Procurement / Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use
Harford Leverages AAA Rating To Finance Major Projects at 3.3%

Harford County held its annual bond sale on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, borrowing funds for essential public infrastructure at a low 3.3% interest rate, thanks to the county’s AAA bond rating. Harford sold $110 million in AAA-rated consolidated public improvement bonds to the winner among 11 bidders. The bonds will be paid back over 20 years. The county also refunded $44.6 million in existing 2015 bonds at a lower rate of 2.3%, saving $1.5M over…

Comments Off on Harford Leverages AAA Rating To Finance Major Projects at 3.3%
February 5, 2026
Read more about the article MACo Offers Local Insights on Interjurisdictional Safe Pathways Commission
Education / MACo Testimony
MACo Offers Local Insights on Interjurisdictional Safe Pathways Commission

On February 4, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample submitted a letter of information to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee on SB 71 – Education - Interjurisdictional Safe Pathways Commission - Establishment.  This bill establishes the Interjurisdictional Safe Pathways Commission to identify, coordinate, and secure funding for safe pathways for students traveling to and from school. MACo's letter of information explores the potential impact of the Commission, the risks of unfunded mandates, and the…

Comments Off on MACo Offers Local Insights on Interjurisdictional Safe Pathways Commission
February 5, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick County’s Collaborative Approach Drives Major Overdose Reductions
County News / Education / Health and Human Services / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections
Frederick County’s Collaborative Approach Drives Major Overdose Reductions

Frederick County has announced a significant reduction in overdose rates, thanks to concentrated efforts by community organizations, health professionals, and local officials.  From the County Press Release: “Since 2020, Frederick County has made significant progress in reducing drug overdoses,” said County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. “This progress did not happen by accident. It happened because Frederick County embraced a model of collaboration – government agencies, health providers, law enforcement, and community partners working side by side.…

Comments Off on Frederick County’s Collaborative Approach Drives Major Overdose Reductions
February 5, 2026
Read more about the article MACo to MGA: Maintain Collaborative Approach to Public Official Salaries
Employee Benefits and Relations / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections
MACo to MGA: Maintain Collaborative Approach to Public Official Salaries

On February 4, Executive Director Michael Sanderson submitted written testimony to the Judiciary Committee in opposition to HB 165 – Courts - Sheriffs' Salaries - Alterations.  The bill alters the annual salary of Sheriffs in many counties to equal that of the county's State's Attorney. This legislation would replace a locally-driven legislative collaboration to properly set salaries for most county sheriffs with a uniform process pinning that salary to that of the county’s state’s attorney.…

Comments Off on MACo to MGA: Maintain Collaborative Approach to Public Official Salaries
February 5, 2026
Newer Posts
Older Posts