General Assembly News
Hundreds of Bills Signed Into Law, In First of Four Ceremonies

The first major post-session bill signing ceremony saw 195 far-reaching bills signed into law. Governor Hogan, Senate President Miller, and House Speaker Pro Tempore Adrienne Jones (pictured above, left to right) presided over the bill signing. Governance reforms of the University of Maryland Medical Systems, expanded penalties for cyber bullying, and enabling a Johns Hopkins police department were among the most-watched items on the early signing list. The full list of legislation signed on April…

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April 18, 2019
County News / General Assembly News / News You Can Use
Conduit Street Podcast: After-Session Afterthoughts

MACo has made the podcast available through both iTunes and Google Play Music by searching Conduit Street Podcast. You can also listen on our Conduit Street blog with a recap and link to the podcast. You can listen to previous episodes of the Conduit Street Podcast on our website. Useful Links Previous Conduit Street Coverage: 2019 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

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April 18, 2019
General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Commission on State Debt: Keep Property Tax Rates Flat

At its April 24th meeting, the Board of Public Works will set the state property tax rate for FY 2020. The Board’s advisory group, the Commission on State Debt, has unanimously recommended that the tax rate remain flat – at the same 11.2 cents per $100 value for real property that has been in place since 2007. According to Maryland Matters: While the state’s property tax rate has stayed at 11.2 cents per $100 of…

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April 17, 2019
Conduit Street Podcast: Session-End Summary, Toasting the “Coach”
County News / General Assembly News
Conduit Street Podcast: Session-End Summary, Toasting the “Coach”

You can listen to previous episodes of the Conduit Street Podcast on our website. Useful Links Previous Conduit Street Coverage: End of Session Wrap-Up: Education Previous Conduit Street Coverage: End of Session Wrap-Up: Operating Budget Previous Conduit Street Coverage: End of Session Wrap-Up: Taxes and Revenues Previous Conduit Street Coverage: End of Session Wrap-Up: Business Affairs Previous Conduit Street Coverage: End of Session Wrap-Up: School Construction & Capital Budget Previous Conduit Street Coverage: End of Session Wrap-Up: Environment…

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April 12, 2019
New County Executives Among 2019 Session Winners & Losers
General Assembly News / News You Can Use
New County Executives Among 2019 Session Winners & Losers

A Maryland Matters article (2019-04-10) highlighted the website's perceived winners and losers of the 2019 Session. The article made it clear up front that it would not be including House Speaker Michael Busch, Senate President Thomas "Mike" Miller, or their staff, on this year's list - not because they did not have significant roles during the Session but out of a feeling that now is not the proper time to comment on either. Among the article's…

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April 11, 2019
2019 End of Session Wrap-Up: Planning & Zoning
Agriculture / County News / General Assembly News / Planning and Zoning
2019 End of Session Wrap-Up: Planning & Zoning

This post summarizes the status of various planning and zoning bills that MACo took a position on during the 2019 Regular Session. Planning and zoning is an integral function of county governments, and an area that spurs a high level of interaction with residents and business owners. In its planning and zoning advocacy, MACo seeks to protect the ability of local governments - those closest to the people and with the most insight into local…

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April 11, 2019
2019 End of Session Wrap-Up: Environment
County News / Environment / General Assembly News
2019 End of Session Wrap-Up: Environment

This post summarizes the status of various environmental bills that MACo took a position on during the 2019 Regular Session. MACo seeks practical solutions to environmental issues that do not impose unreasonable mandates or costs on county governments. Septic Systems – Definition of “Failing System” Legislation established a statutory definition for a “failing on-site sewage disposal system,” which triggers certain enforcement provisions regarding repair or upgrade requirements and may allow the system’s owner access to…

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April 11, 2019
2019 End of Session Wrap-Up: Parks & Recreation
County News / General Assembly News / Parks and Recreation
2019 End of Session Wrap-Up: Parks & Recreation

This post summarizes the status of various parks and recreation bills that MACo took a position on during the 2019 Regular Session. County government parks and recreation department provide a range of public recreation programs for all segments of the population and maintain a large network of open spaces throughout Maryland. MACo's advocacy seeks to support the efforts of county parks and recreation, by urging state and federal funding support and defending local determination of…

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April 11, 2019
2019 End of Session Wrap-Up: Government Liability & Courts
County News / General Assembly News / Government Liability and Courts
2019 End of Session Wrap-Up: Government Liability & Courts

This post summarizes the status of various government liability and courts bills that MACo took a position on during the 2019 Regular Session. County governments enforce laws, employee residents, and maintain facilities throughout Maryland. These various roles may place county governments, much like their counterparts in the private sector, as defendants in court, litigating cases involving employment benefits, injuries sustained on county properties, or other subjects. MACo's advocacy in this area seeks to clarify the…

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April 11, 2019
2019 End of Session Wrap-Up: Public Information & Ethics
County News / General Assembly News / Public Information and Ethics
2019 End of Session Wrap-Up: Public Information & Ethics

This post summarizes the status of various public information and ethics bills that MACo took a position on during the 2019 Regular Session. County governments gather and maintain public information as part of their various functions. Compliance with the Maryland Public Information Act and maintenance of a high level of ethics in all government practices are priorities throughout the administrative agencies and legislative bodies of Maryland's county governments. Through its advocacy and professional education in…

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April 11, 2019
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