Read more about the article FAMLI Freeze: What the Latest Delay Means for Local Governments
County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor / Policy Deep Dive
FAMLI Freeze: What the Latest Delay Means for Local Governments

Maryland’s paid family leave program was delayed once more as counties secured key changes, but the path forward still depends on upcoming actions from the State. Three takeaways The Maryland General Assembly passed a bill in the 2025 legislative session to delay the Time to Care Act / Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. The bill did include a provision requested by MACo and the Collaborative to exclude local government employers from having to…

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May 7, 2025
Read more about the article Family Leave Updates — Webinar May 5, Register Today
County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Family Leave Updates — Webinar May 5, Register Today

As the State delays its Family Leave program, MACo and its partners will host a webinar to discuss the process ahead, both generally and for those counties joining a Collaborative to meet these needs through a joint private alternative option. As reported earlier on Conduit Street, the Maryland Department of Labor (DOL) is delaying the implementation of Maryland’s Time to Care Act (TCA) for 18 months. The General Assembly passed HB 102, which included the delay.…

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April 28, 2025
Read more about the article How Federal Workforce Cuts Threaten Stability in MD’s Communities
Human Resources / Labor / NACo and Federal Issues
How Federal Workforce Cuts Threaten Stability in MD’s Communities

Counties that rely heavily on federal employment are starting to feel the strain of recent workforce reductions and uncertainty about decisions that may lie ahead. When state or federal policymakers make sweeping decisions, the effects often exceed the headlines and partisan talking points. This is evident in Charles and Prince George’s Counties, where recent federal workforce reductions are rattling local economic stability. Charles and Prince George’s counties are widely recognized as pillars of Maryland’s economic…

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April 23, 2025
Read more about the article UBalt Schaefer Center’s List of Resources for Displaced Federal Workers Helps Public Service Changemakers
Labor
UBalt Schaefer Center’s List of Resources for Displaced Federal Workers Helps Public Service Changemakers

A recent Moody's study confirmed that no state faces greater risk from federal worker displacement than Maryland. Various partners and institutions are providing resources for those federal public servants who are recently unemployed or looking for new opportunities. The University of Baltimore Schaefer Center for Public Policy has published a list of job boards, as well as upskilling and training resources, to help the community. From the UBalt resources page: This resource page is designed…

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April 17, 2025
Read more about the article MD Dept of Labor Data Sheds Light on MD’s Federal Workforce
Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor
MD Dept of Labor Data Sheds Light on MD’s Federal Workforce

Two new data tools from the Maryland Department of Labor break down how federal workforce shifts are hitting Maryland. According to the Maryland Department of Labor, Maryland has the second-highest concentration of federal employees in the nation, which means Maryland can be uniquely affected by federal actions. Whether it's government shutdowns, funding disruptions, or federal layoffs, the effects are felt by thousands of workers and their families in every county. To help make sense of…

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April 16, 2025
Read more about the article Davis Martinez Safety Act Reflects County Input and State Commitment
County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor
Davis Martinez Safety Act Reflects County Input and State Commitment

MACo supported SB 26, the Davis Martinez Public Employee Safety and Health Act, with amendments. As amended, MACo submitted a letter of information on SB 26’s cross-file, HB 176, Labor and Employment—Occupational Safety and Health—Revisions (Davis Martinez Public Employee Safety and Health Act). The Maryland General Assembly passed SB 26/HB 176 – Davis Martinez Public Employee Safety and Health Act, a bill MACo supported with amendments to ensure it is operable for local governments. This…

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April 14, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups
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2025 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. Maryland’s 447th legislative session was defined by one of the most challenging budget environments in over a decade — with a $3.3 billion shortfall driving proposals for aggressive cost shifts, spending cuts, and tax changes. Despite these unprecedented fiscal pressures, counties worked together through MACo to protect essential services, limit…

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April 11, 2025
Read more about the article Register Today: Grant Funding for Public Sector Apprenticeship Programs
Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor / News You Can Use
Register Today: Grant Funding for Public Sector Apprenticeship Programs

The Maryland Department of Labor is hosting an informational webinar on April 17, from 12-1 PM, to highlight two major grant programs designed to support public sector employers in developing and expanding apprenticeship programs. This webinar is an opportunity for county governments, municipal agencies, and other public entities to learn how they can secure funding to enhance workforce development and address critical hiring needs. About the Programs: Public Sector Innovation Fund – Provides start-up funding…

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April 3, 2025
Read more about the article MACo Opposes Local Collective Bargaining Mandate That Threatens Local Control
Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor / MACo Testimony
MACo Opposes Local Collective Bargaining Mandate That Threatens Local Control

On February 27, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Senate Finance Committee in opposition to SB 976 – Collective Bargaining – Local Government Employees and Public Employee Relations Act.  This bill mandates collective bargaining rights for local government employees statewide, imposing binding arbitration requirements, and significantly altering local government labor relations MACo supports fair and competitive employment policies, which Maryland jurisdictions have pursued through the years both locally and through State-level authorizing legislation.…

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March 4, 2025
Read more about the article Family Leave: When? How? Who? — Webinar March 7, Register Today
Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Family Leave: When? How? Who? — Webinar March 7, Register Today

As the State seeks an 18-Month delay to its Family Leave program, MACo and its partners will host a webinar to discuss the process ahead, both generally and for those counties joining a Collaborative to meet these needs through a joint private alternative option. As reported earlier on Conduit Street, the Maryland Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced that they are proposing an 18-month delay in implementation of Maryland’s Time to Care Act (TCA). Key…

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February 27, 2025
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