Read more about the article General Assembly Advances Bill Granting Counties Flexibility To Expand Childcare Access
Education / General Assembly News / Taxes and Revenues
General Assembly Advances Bill Granting Counties Flexibility To Expand Childcare Access

The House and Senate have passed HB 389 / SB 516, expanding local flexibility to support childcare providers through targeted tax incentives. With childcare availability remaining a significant challenge, this bill provides counties with an additional tool to encourage investment in this critical sector. MACo supports HB 389 / SB 516, recognizing the importance of locally driven solutions for workforce needs and economic stability. The bill expands an existing local-option property tax credit, allowing counties…

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March 18, 2025
Read more about the article Howard Latest “Surprising” Proposed School Budget: $107M Over MOE
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Howard Latest “Surprising” Proposed School Budget: $107M Over MOE

Howard County continues the string of jurisdictions where the school system, citing rising costs and the Blueprint mandate, are seeking a large county funding increase well above State-mandated funding levels. The FY 2026 proposed budget includes $107 million more than the county's required "Maintenance of Effort" level. In a demonstrable trend affecting large and small counties, Howard County schools are the latest to request a substantial increase in county funding, as they continue to work…

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March 18, 2025
Read more about the article Gov’s Blueprint “Pause” Gets Reworked as House is First to Advance Plan
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Gov’s Blueprint “Pause” Gets Reworked as House is First to Advance Plan

Governor Moore announced at the MACo Winter Conference his plan to "pause" certain elements of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, and then testified in person in support of the multi-faceted legislation his Administration introduced. The House has passed its version of the bill - removing the central tenet of pausing funding for collaborative time, but retaining other elements. While most of the State's largest fiscal decisions remain on hold, one much-watched bill has received its…

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March 14, 2025
Read more about the article Updated Blueprint Cost Projections, County-by-County
County News / Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Updated Blueprint Cost Projections, County-by-County

The Department of Legislative Services, partially at the request of local leaders, have developed an updated set of county-by-county cost projections for the multi-year Blueprint for Maryland's Future education initiative.  The framework of the Blueprint program was to envision a series of school needs, based on facets of the school population, and apportion the costs of those programs between the State and county budgets as a function of relative local wealth. Since its enactment in…

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March 5, 2025
Read more about the article How Counties Can Benefit From NACo’s AI Leadership Academy
Cyber / Education / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / Leadership / NACo and Federal Issues
How Counties Can Benefit From NACo’s AI Leadership Academy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly changing how governments operate, and counties are no exception to this evolution. Through the National Association of Counties (NACo) AI Leadership Academy, counties can stay ahead of the curve! The NACo AI Leadership Academy is a six-week, fully facilitated online program designed to equip county leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to leverage AI for better governance. County Benefits Increased Efficiency – AI can streamline county operations, automate routine…

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March 5, 2025
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: The Year of the Impossible County Budget
County Budgets / County News / Education / Emergency Management / Finance and Procurement / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Conduit Street Podcast: The Year of the Impossible County Budget

As Maryland counties build their budgets, uncertainty from both Washington and Annapolis creates major challenges. In this episode, Kevin Kinnally, Michael Sanderson, and Sarah Sample break down the key fiscal debates shaping the future of local government funding.   Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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February 27, 2025
Read more about the article St Mary’s Museum Division Launches Creative Childcare Support Program
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education
St Mary’s Museum Division Launches Creative Childcare Support Program

As local governments look for creative ways to serve residents and maximize resources, St. Mary’s County Museum Division is rolling out a program offering educational enrichment, childcare support, and economic benefits. The Junior Historian Program at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum is more than just a fun spring break activity for kids—it’s a win for the community members, local tourism, and the county budget. Designed for children aged 7 to 10, the program provides a structured,…

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February 26, 2025
Read more about the article Counties Back Local Flexibility in Blueprint Implementation
Education / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
Counties Back Local Flexibility in Blueprint Implementation

On February 19, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally testified before the Budget and Taxation Committee, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, Appropriations Committee, and Ways and Means Committee to support SB 429 – Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act with amendments. This bill adjusts Maryland's visionary but optimistic education plan, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint). The proposed legislation's primary goals focus on bolstering recruitment and retention efforts for certified teachers and pausing and scaling back…

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February 26, 2025
Read more about the article Dorchester’s Dilemma: Breaking Down an Impossible Budget
County Budgets / Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Dorchester’s Dilemma: Breaking Down an Impossible Budget

As the State of Maryland faces strong economic headwinds and budget challenges, the counties face immediate pressures of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, atop an already creaky fiscal picture, that can make for a budget-builder's nightmare. Here, we walk through one small, low-wealth rural county...and look at their actual numbers as we ask, "How can they make this work?" Where is Dorchester County? Dorchester County is just below the midpoint of Maryland's Eastern Shore -…

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February 25, 2025
Read more about the article Dorchester Schools Face Tough Choices Amid $10M Budget Shortfall
County Budgets / County News / Education
Dorchester Schools Face Tough Choices Amid $10M Budget Shortfall

Dorchester County Public Schools is facing a $10.19 million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, which will require significant cuts to balance the budget. “I don't mean to stir up a panic, but I do think it's reasonable to ring the alarm,” Dorchester County Vice President Mike Detmer said during the Tuesday, February 4 meeting. “There might be tough choices coming to this table.” Catch the meeting below. Jump to 1:17:14 for the key…

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February 21, 2025
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