Read more about the article MACo Supports Local Tax Flexibility to Fund Schools, Infrastructure
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…

Comments Off on MACo Supports Local Tax Flexibility to Fund Schools, Infrastructure
January 29, 2025
Read more about the article Federal Funding Freeze – NACo Webinar Tomorrow (Jan 29)
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…

Comments Off on Federal Funding Freeze – NACo Webinar Tomorrow (Jan 29)
January 28, 2025
Read more about the article Q&A: How Does the “Collaborative Time” Proposal Alter School Funding?
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.…

Comments Off on Q&A: How Does the “Collaborative Time” Proposal Alter School Funding?
January 24, 2025
Read more about the article Worcester Breaks Ground on New County Library
County News / Education / News You Can Use
Worcester Breaks Ground on New County Library

On Tuesday, Jan 21, Worcester Commissioners and library officials broke ground on the new Pocomoke branch of the Worcester County Library. Plans for the new 12,500-square-foot library were developed through the cooperative efforts of the Worcester County Commissioners and Library officials. Construction will be completed by Keller Brothers. Funding of $3.99 million from the County Library Capital Grant program, Maryland State Library Agency, and $4 million from the County, as well as the Worcester County…

Comments Off on Worcester Breaks Ground on New County Library
January 23, 2025
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: Breaking Down the Budget
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Feature / Housing and Community Development
Conduit Street Podcast: Breaking Down the Budget

The Governor's FY26 budget has arrived, bringing with it a $3 billion gap, $2 billion in proposed cuts, and a host of decisions that directly affect Maryland’s counties. 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: Breaking Down the Budget
January 17, 2025
Read more about the article Legislative Black Caucus Sets 2025 Priorities
County News / Economic Development / Education / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Public Safety and Corrections
Legislative Black Caucus Sets 2025 Priorities

The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland has announced its 2025 Priorities for the 447th Legislative Session. The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland has announced its agenda for the 2025 legislative session, strongly focusing on advancing equity and addressing systemic challenges impacting Black communities across the state. This year’s priorities span health, education, public safety, housing, and economic opportunity, all critical to fostering long-term prosperity and justice. The caucus is committed to tackling systemic challenges, such…

Comments Off on Legislative Black Caucus Sets 2025 Priorities
January 16, 2025
Read more about the article Blueprint Oversight Board Holds Special Meeting This Friday
Education
Blueprint Oversight Board Holds Special Meeting This Friday

The Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) will hold a special meeting this Friday, January 10, 2025 at 1:30PM. The next joint meeting with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) will be held on January 28, 2025 at 9AM.  In an announcement earlier today, the AIB shared that a special meeting will be held this Friday to discuss potential legislative and policy recommendations for the Blueprint. The next joint meeting with the Maryland State…

Comments Off on Blueprint Oversight Board Holds Special Meeting This Friday
January 7, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 Issue Preview: Education Policy and the Blueprint
2025 MACo Issue Previews / Education
2025 Issue Preview: Education Policy and the Blueprint

Legislative changes to education policy in Maryland will likely focus on adjustments to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future (Blueprint), with a number of stakeholders interested in a broad range of issues.  The major public education reform initiative that has been underway in Maryland will undergo some tweaking during the 2025 legislative session. After three years of implementation, local and state education experts are planning to come to the table with an array of options. A…

Comments Off on 2025 Issue Preview: Education Policy and the Blueprint
December 24, 2024
Read more about the article Blueprint for Success: Dr. Carey Wright’s Vision for Maryland Education
County Budgets / Economic Development / Education / Higher Education / Winter Conference
Blueprint for Success: Dr. Carey Wright’s Vision for Maryland Education

In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, we bring you an engaging conversation on education with Dr. Carey Wright, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools, recorded live at the 2024 MACo Winter Conference.   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 Blueprint for Success: Dr. Carey Wright’s Vision for Maryland Education
December 20, 2024
Read more about the article Superintendent of Schools Shares Leadership Philosophy and Vision at #MACoCon
Education / Winter Conference
Superintendent of Schools Shares Leadership Philosophy and Vision at #MACoCon

Dr. Carey Wright, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools joined MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson for a "fireside" chat about education, the Blueprint, and the priorities of the State Department of Education going into the 2025 legislative session. A 45-minute discussion followed by a robust "Question and Answer" session on the future of education in Maryland rounded out the final morning of the 2024 MACo Winter Conference. The State Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Carey Wright, has…

Comments Off on Superintendent of Schools Shares Leadership Philosophy and Vision at #MACoCon
December 19, 2024
Newer Posts
Older Posts