Labor 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

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 / Labor

FAMLI Regulations Finalized, Marking Major Step Toward Launch

Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program continues to take shape with final regulations that include several key updates for employers and stakeholders. Chapters 1–5 of FAMLI’s regulations are now officially in effect and published in the Code of Maryland Regulations. Click here to read the regulations. The application window for public and private employers interested in offering a private plan will run from September 1 through November 15, 2026. Employers choosing this option…

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April 3, 2026

Business Affairs / County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor / News You Can Use

Montgomery County Minimum Wage Set To Increase July 1

On July 1, the minimum hourly wage in Montgomery County will increase to $18.00 for large employers, $16.50 for mid-sized employers, and $15.95 for small employers These adjustments are based on a 2.0 percent increase in the consumer price index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers in the Washington, D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria area in 2025. The annual increase ensures the local minimum wage keeps pace with inflation. “This minimum wage adjustment reflects our commitment to…

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March 5, 2026

Education / Labor

Career-Connected Learning Vital for High School Graduates Entering Job Market

A growing trend across the nation shows schools making significant efforts to connect students to potential career pathways. Recent studies show it soon might be the primary way to address the needs of an evolving job market and work force as fractures in candidate-company alignment continue to develop. Maryland, along with many other states, have invested millions to implement more robust programing to get students career-ready during high school. But a growing wave of misalignment…

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January 8, 2026

2026 MACo Issue Previews / Business Affairs / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor

2026 Issue Preview: Unemployment Insurance

With the 2026 Legislative Session approaching, MACo is profiling major issues, including unemployment insurance, that stand to garner significant attention. Maryland’s Unemployment Insurance system remains solvent for now, but projections show that stability may be short-lived. As previously covered in a MACo deep dive, the federal-state unemployment insurance (UI) system offers temporary financial support to individuals who have lost their jobs, helping to replace a portion of their income while they search for new employment.…

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December 26, 2025

Business Affairs / County News / Labor / NACo and Federal Issues / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: The State of Maryland’s Economy

Maryland’s economy is growing slightly, but mounting uncertainty around affordability, labor, and federal policy is reshaping what that growth really means for counties and communities. At MACo’s Winter Conference, economist Dr. Daraius Irani delivered a sobering but practical economic outlook during “Troubling Trends: The State of Maryland’s Economy,” offering county leaders a clear-eyed assessment of the forces shaping budgets and long-term planning decisions across the state. Amid growing uncertainty, Dr. Irani opened with a national…

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December 17, 2025