Read more about the article Deep Dive: Counties Now Forced to Pay for a Process They Don’t Control — and Never Did
County Budgets / Feature / General Assembly News / Government Liability and Courts / News You Can Use / Policy Deep Dive / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Deep Dive: Counties Now Forced to Pay for a Process They Don’t Control — and Never Did

This article is part of MACo’s Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top county policy issues of the day. Read all of MACo’s Policy Deep Dives. In Maryland, county governments do not prosecute, convict, or exonerate anyone. They play no role in determining wrongful incarceration settlements. Yet a new law forces them to pay the bill anyway. The 2025 Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA) requires counties to cover…

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August 5, 2025
Read more about the article No Help on the Way: FEMA Refuses Aid After Devastating Western Maryland Floods
County News / Emergency Management / Feature / NACo and Federal Issues
No Help on the Way: FEMA Refuses Aid After Devastating Western Maryland Floods

Maryland is preparing to appeal the federal government’s decision to deny disaster assistance for Western Maryland after catastrophic flooding in May caused tens of millions of dollars in damage. Governor Wes Moore announced the denial this week, following the State’s formal request for federal aid to support recovery efforts in Allegany and Garrett counties — two areas that bore the brunt of severe flooding that damaged homes, roads, public utilities, and essential infrastructure. Over several…

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July 23, 2025
Read more about the article Deep Dive: US Senate Passes Sweeping Reconciliation Bill — State, Local Fallout Ahead
County Budgets / Feature / NACo and Federal Issues / Policy Deep Dive / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Summer Conference
Deep Dive: US Senate Passes Sweeping Reconciliation Bill — State, Local Fallout Ahead

This article is part of MACo’s Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top county policy issues of the day. Read all of MACo’s Policy Deep Dives. Update: The OBBBA was signed into law on Friday, July 4, 2025, marking the first significant tax package of the president's second term. The US Senate passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) this week, a massive budget reconciliation package with significant…

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July 2, 2025
Read more about the article Medicaid, SNAP, SALT: Joint Committee Reviews Billions in Federal Budget Risks to Maryland
County Budgets / County News / Feature / General Assembly News / NACo and Federal Issues / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Summer Conference / Taxes and Revenues
Medicaid, SNAP, SALT: Joint Committee Reviews Billions in Federal Budget Risks to Maryland

Facing potential cost shifts in the billions, Maryland lawmakers met this week to assess how sweeping federal budget proposals and policy changes could upend the State’s finances -- with ripple effects likely to reach counties through increased service demands, reduced federal support, and added pressure on local budgets. The Maryland General Assembly's Joint Committee on Federal Relations convened its first interim meeting this week to assess the mounting federal fiscal and policy challenges, including the…

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June 25, 2025
Read more about the article Deep Dive: US House Passes Reconciliation Bill — What it Means for Counties
Feature / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Deep Dive: US House Passes Reconciliation Bill — What it Means for Counties

This article is part of MACo’s Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top county policy issues of the day. Read all of MACo’s Policy Deep Dives.  Last week, the US House of Representatives narrowly passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) by a vote of 215-214. The bill advances significant federal tax cuts, entitlement program changes, and regulatory rollbacks, and includes provisions with profound implications for state and…

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May 27, 2025
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: Disaster Dollars in Danger — Federal Funding Fades, County Risks Rise
County News / Emergency Management / Feature / NACo and Federal Issues
Conduit Street Podcast: Disaster Dollars in Danger — Federal Funding Fades, County Risks Rise

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Ben Yelin joins Kevin Kinnally to break down the seismic shifts in emergency management, including recent leadership changes at FEMA, the termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, and the ripple effects for local governments.   Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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May 15, 2025
Read more about the article Maryland Loses AAA Bond Rating as Economic Pressures Mount
Feature / Finance and Procurement / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Maryland Loses AAA Bond Rating as Economic Pressures Mount

Maryland’s long-standing reputation for top-tier financial stability took a hit this week as Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the state’s bond rating from AAA to Aa1. The action marks the first time Maryland has fallen from the highest credit rating tier in over three decades. This shift could significantly affect Maryland's borrowing costs and financial outlook, and signals growing concern over the state’s long-term fiscal stability. With higher interest rates likely for future bond sales, the…

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May 14, 2025
Read more about the article County Emergency Managers to Congress: Protect FEMA, Restore BRIC
Emergency Management / Feature / NACo and Federal Issues
County Emergency Managers to Congress: Protect FEMA, Restore BRIC

Counties face growing threats — from extreme weather to infrastructure failure — and rely on strong federal partnerships to keep communities safe. This week, the MACo County Emergency Managers Affiliate sent two letters to Maryland’s congressional delegation, urging continued support for FEMA and the restoration of proactive federal mitigation funding. FEMA’s Role Must Remain Intact One letter affirms strong support for maintaining FEMA’s core mission, structure, and national leadership role in disaster preparedness and response.…

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May 5, 2025
Read more about the article MACo Welcomes Proposals for 2026 Legislative Initiatives
County News / Feature / General Assembly News
MACo Welcomes Proposals for 2026 Legislative Initiatives

MACo welcomes proposals for legislative priorities for the 2026 legislative session. Each year, MACo selects up to four priorities to advance through the General Assembly. These initiatives reflect county needs and promote practical, statewide solutions. In recent years, MACo initiatives have focused on infrastructure investment, modernizing local revenue structures, public safety recruitment, and emergency response capacity (view MACo’s 2025 Initiatives for examples). MACo will soon send a formal request for submissions to counties. In the…

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April 30, 2025
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