Employee Benefits and Relations Archives

Deep Dive: Navigating Maryland’s FAMLI Private Plan Option

As Maryland moves toward implementation of the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, counties considering participation in a private plan through the MACo, MABE, MML Time to Care Act (TCA) Collaborative should be aware of several important updates to the private-plan process and upcoming deadlines. As previously covered by MACo, in 2023, MACo joined with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) and the Maryland Municipal League (MML) to develop a collaborative joint…

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September 2, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor

MD Paid Leave Program: Key Updates and Deadlines for Counties

As counties prepare for Maryland’s new paid family and medical leave program, a recent webinar hosted by Bolton is updating local governments on private-plan coverage and helping public employers navigate upcoming decisions. The MACo, MABE, MML Time to Care Act (TCA) Collaborative recently provided an update on its private-plan process, including changes in the insurance market and upcoming deadlines for local governments. As previously covered by MACo, in 2023, MACo joined with the Maryland Association…

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August 27, 2026

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Pensions & Public Funds

Maryland Pension System Tops Target With 13.19% Return

Maryland’s pension system posted a 13.19% net investment return in fiscal 2026, well above its actuarial target and adding another year of positive long-term performance for the $82.1 billion fund. The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System announced the results this week. The 13.19% return for the fiscal year ending June 30 exceeded the System’s 6.80% actuarial target by 6.39 percentage points. The fund tracked its investment benchmark much more closely, outperforming it by 3…

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August 18, 2026

Economic Development / Labor / Summer Conference

From Pipeline to Paycheck: Aligning Workforce and Economic Growth at #MACoCon

As industries change, counties are adapting workforce strategies to better meet the needs of both residents and employers. A strong workforce is one of a county's greatest economic assets, but building it requires more than attracting new employers. It depends on ensuring residents have clear, accessible pathways to quality careers while employers have access to the skilled talent they need to grow. As industries evolve and labor market demands shift, counties are increasingly working with…

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August 3, 2026

Information Technology / Labor

Research Finds AI Is Changing Jobs More Than Eliminating Them

Artificial intelligence has become an easy target as hiring slows and job seekers face a more competitive market, but new research suggests the technology is not the primary reason for today's employment challenges. As covered in a Baltimore Banner article, a collaborative study led by researchers at the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business analyzed 155 million US job postings between 2018 and 2025 and found no evidence that AI is reducing…

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July 8, 2026

Economic Development / Energy / Labor / Summer Conference

Research Examines Data Center Job Creation

Data centers can bring significant investment to a community, but permanent job creation may depend on the type of facility being built. A Governing article encourages local governments to take a close look at projected employment benefits before approving projects or negotiating incentive agreements. From the article: The large facilities most often pitched to communities under financial pressure are colocation centers — essentially landlord operations that rent space, power and cooling to multiple tenants who bring…

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July 2, 2026

Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Policy Deep Dive

Beyond the Original Grand Bargain: Maryland’s Evolving Workers’ Comp System

Workers’ compensation systems were designed around the idea that employees injured on the job would receive guaranteed benefits without having to prove employer fault, while employers would receive protection from unpredictable lawsuits and liability. This framework is often referred to as the “grand bargain” concept and has shaped workers’ compensation law across the country for more than a century. Workers’ compensation emerged as a compromise between labor and industry during the late nineteenth and early…

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May 27, 2026

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services

MD Sets Payment Limits on Ozempic Amid Rising Prescription Costs

Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board has taken another step to rein in prescription costs. The Board voted to cap payments for Ozempic in state and local government health plans, a move projected to save public employers millions each year. Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) determined Ozempic is unaffordable for people living in the state. The Board voted to place upper payment limits on the diabetes and weight-loss drug for state and local government health…

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May 21, 2026

Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources

County HR Professionals Convene for MACo’s 2026 HR Affiliate Conference

County human resources professionals came together this week at MACo's 2026 Human Resources Affiliate Conference, held at the Claggett Center in Frederick County. The two-day event blended networking and timely policy discussions, equipping local HR leaders with tools and insights to navigate an increasingly complex workforce landscape. The conference opened on May 6 with a welcoming reception and dinner, offering attendees the opportunity to connect with peers from across jurisdictions before a full day of…

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May 8, 2026

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2026 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. Maryland’s 448th legislative session unfolded under significant fiscal pressure. Lawmakers closed the fiscal 2027 gap, preserved reserves, and fully funded principal commitments, such as the Blueprint, but did not resolve the larger structural deficits projected for the years ahead. That budget pressure shaped debates across nearly every policy area, from…

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April 17, 2026