Employee Benefits and Relations Archives

Health Care Costs Keep Climbing for Public Employers

Public employers face rapidly rising health care costs, straining already-tight local budgets. While there are a few immediate fixes, long-term solutions are possible through coordinated action. In a Governing article, health care premiums for 2026 are set to rise far faster than inflation or tax revenues, leaving public employers and employees alike bracing for another expensive year. With costs driven by new treatments, high-priced drugs, and aging workforces, local governments are likely to face increased…

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October 16, 2025

County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Education / Emergency Management / Employee Benefits and Relations / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning

A Seat at the Table: MACo’s 24-County Tour Hits St. Mary’s

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson...goes solo? Just kidding! He does set the stage, however, for a special recording from St. Mary’s County, where MACo President and Queen Anne’s County Commissioner Jack Wilson joins Michael for a briefing with St. Mary’s County leaders to talk all things local governance. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the…

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October 10, 2025

Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor / NACo and Federal Issues

Prince George’s County Moves to Support Federal Workers During Shutdown

Federal workers play a major role in Maryland’s economy, but they’re often the first to face uncertainty during shutdowns. A new proposal in Prince George’s County aims to provide a local safety net. On October 7, the Prince George’s County Council held a public hearing and final vote on CB-24-2025, the Federal Worker Emergency Assistance Act, proposed by Council Member Wala Blegay. The resolution and bill aims to provide local relief and stability for the…

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October 9, 2025

Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor / NACo and Federal Issues

Maryland Leads in Federal Job Losses

Maryland continues to bear the brunt of federal workforce cuts, having lost thousands of jobs since January. With federal employment a cornerstone of Maryland’s economy, local effects are expected to deepen as additional reductions take effect this fall. In a recent Maryland Matters article, Maryland lost 2,500 federal jobs in August, marking the second straight month the state has led the nation in federal workforce cuts. Since January, Maryland has lost 15,100 federal jobs, nearly…

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October 2, 2025

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

Prescription Drug Affordability Board Discusses Policies to Address High-Cost Medications

Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board is discussing recommendations to address the rising costs of high-priced medications. The discussion highlights both the drivers of affordability challenges and potential solutions, including upper payment limits that could ease strain on residents and county budgets alike. Maryland was the first state in the nation to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board in 2019. Maryland’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB) convened to review policy recommendations and discuss strategies for making…

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October 2, 2025

Business Affairs / County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Higher Education / Human Resources / Labor

Apprenticeships Gain Ground as Key Pathway in Higher Education

Apprenticeships are increasingly seen as a vital complement to traditional higher education. They can be a powerful tool to strengthen local workforce pipelines and expand opportunity. As higher education evolves, leaders are rethinking how best to prepare students for the workforce. A recent Baltimore Sun commentary highlighted the growing importance of apprenticeships as part of the future. State Senator Cory McCray’s new memoir, The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life, illustrates the value of this approach.…

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October 1, 2025

Business Affairs / County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Higher Education / Human Resources / Labor

Community Colleges Streamline Pathways to Skilled Jobs

As employers struggle to fill critical jobs, community colleges are responding with flexible training that connects students to careers more quickly. In a recent article from Governing, a growing shortage of skilled workers is slowing economic growth nationwide, with 71 percent of employers saying they cannot find the talent they need. Community colleges are stepping up to address this challenge by offering faster, more flexible training models that better match the realities of today’s students…

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September 24, 2025

Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources

Webinar: Big Changes Ahead in MD’s Hospital Payment Model

Maryland’s long-standing hospital rate-setting system is entering a new phase. A two-part webinar series will help counties and health plan sponsors understand what’s changing and how it may affect healthcare costs. Maryland’s long-standing Total Cost of Care (TCOC) waiver is set to expire, and the next phase of federal policy, the AHEAD Model, could bring sweeping changes to hospital payments and healthcare costs. These shifts will have major implications for counties as employers and public…

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September 22, 2025

Health and Human Services / Labor / News You Can Use

MD Launches New Rural Program to Support Recovery Workforce

Rural communities across Maryland face unique challenges in the fight against substance use, often with fewer resources and limited access to care. A new state initiative aims to close that gap by investing in the peer recovery workforce and expanding support where it’s needed most. In a recent press release, Governor Wes Moore has announced the launch of Rural Advancement for Maryland Peers (RAMP), a $1.6 million grant initiative to strengthen substance use recovery support…

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September 3, 2025

County News / Health and Human Services / Labor

Pew Report: Rising Poverty and Longer Work Lives Among Older Adults

As the population ages, an increasing number of older residents are working well past retirement age, often out of financial necessity rather than choice. A recent analysis from The Pew Charitable Trusts shows that the number of US households ages 65 and older grew by nearly 33 percent from 2013 to 2023, compared with just 6 percent growth in the overall population. This dramatic increase has implications for local governments, particularly as more older residents…

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August 27, 2025