Feature Archives

It’s Time To Register for Summer #MACoCon

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference, “Build What’s Next,” will be held on August 12-15 in Ocean City, MD. Attendee registration is now open! MACo’s Summer Conference brings together approximately 3,000 leaders from all levels of government and the private sector. With four days of educational sessions, along with 2 exhibit shows (over 350 vendors!), and numerous briefings, meetings, and opportunities to connect with counties, this conference is a can’t-miss event for anyone involved in Maryland’s local…

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April 23, 2026

Major Issues & More – 90 Day Report Reviews the 2026 Legislative Session

The Maryland Department of Legislative Services’ annual synopsis of the General Assembly’s time in Annapolis provides an update on taxes, education, energy, transportation, public safety, environmental, and health issues addressed in bills that passed – and didn’t pass – in the 2026 Session. As the Maryland Department of Legislative Services describes, the 90 Day Report is divided into 12 parts, each discussing a significant policy area. Each part contains a discussion of the majority of bills…

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April 22, 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

County News / Elections / Feature / NACo and Federal Issues

Federal Election Actions Draw Attention, But Maryland Law Remains Clear

Maryland election officials are drawing a clear line as federal proposals and directives test the boundaries of election authority. Recent federal developments tied to voter verification and mail ballots have raised new questions about election administration and what those changes could mean for Maryland. Proposals tied to the SAVE Act, a pending Supreme Court case on mail ballot deadlines, and a recent executive order have all drawn attention. For Maryland, however, the framework for administering…

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April 8, 2026

County Budgets / Feature / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

House Appropriations Committee Rejects AOT Cost Shift, Budget Moves to House Floor

The House Appropriations Committee rejected a proposed assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) cost shift and advanced the Budget Bill (SB 282) and Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (SB 284) to the House floor. The Senate retained the AOT provision, which would have required counties to reimburse the Maryland Department of Health for escalating shares of program costs, starting at 25% and rising to 100%. The House removed that provision, avoiding a significant new State-mandated, locally funded…

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March 25, 2026

Feature

Join MACo’s Team! We’re Hiring an Operations Coordinator (Hybrid, Full-Time)

If you're a detail-oriented multi-tasker looking to contribute your skills to a dynamic and uplifting team, apply by March 29! The Operations Coordinator is the backbone of MACo’s team. This position ensures that day-to-day operations run smoothly, efficiently, and on schedule. This includes functions like ensuring that the office is tidy & organized, supporting financial and administrative processes, planning on-site meetings, and providing staff with the resources needed in implementing the work of the Association.…

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March 19, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Feature / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

Senate Advances Budget: Blocks Some Cost Shifts, But Fiscal Pressures Remain for Counties

The Maryland Senate has passed the Budget Bill (SB 282) and the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (SB 284), advancing both measures to the House of Delegates. The Senate plan largely mirrors Governor Moore's overall spending level, maintaining a roughly $70.8 billion budget while closing a projected $1.5 billion structural gap through fund transfers, targeted reductions, and financing adjustments. The plan leaves approximately $2.2 billion in the Rainy Day Fund, about 8% of general fund…

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March 18, 2026

County News / Feature

Meet MACo’s New Member Services & Events Coordinator!

MACo is very pleased to announce that Abbey Duncan has joined our team in the role of Member Services & Events Coordinator! Abigail "Abbey" Duncan joins the MACo team this week, bringing her experience in event planning and guest relations to support MACo's members in our Member Services & Events Coordinator role. In that role, she will focus on member engagement and education, coordinating MACo's affiliate conferences, symposium, and other meetings and events. Abbey is…

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March 16, 2026

County Budgets / Education / Feature

MACo to MSDE: Private Pre-K Details Weeks Overdue as County Budget Deadlines Approach

Below is the full text of a letter sent Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from the Maryland Association of Counties to the Maryland State Department of Education, the Maryland State Board of Education, and the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Accountability and Implementation Board regarding the local share of funding for private prekindergarten expansion in Maryland. The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) writes on behalf of Maryland’s 24 county governments regarding the continued delay in issuing invoices…

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March 11, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Feature / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues

State Revenue Forecast Improves for Now, Softens Ahead

Maryland’s latest revenue forecast boosts revenues for the current fiscal year by $355.7 million but lowers projections for fiscal 2027 by $108.0 million as budget pressures continue to build. The Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates (BRE) released its March update today, revising the State’s revenue projections as lawmakers continue to navigate a challenging fiscal environment. The latest forecast increases expected revenues for the current fiscal year by $355.7 million, while projections for fiscal 2027 decline…

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March 11, 2026