Read more about the article Carroll County Broadband Infrastructure Project Earns National Recognition
Broadband / Business Affairs / County News / Economic Development / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations
Carroll County Broadband Infrastructure Project Earns National Recognition

Carroll County’s long-running effort to expand broadband infrastructure is drawing national attention, with its Public Network project receiving a 2026 Smart 20 Award from Smart Cities Connect. The recognition highlights projects from around the world that demonstrate innovation in technology and infrastructure, and, in Carroll County’s case, reflects nearly two decades of investment in building a countywide fiber network. Carroll County’s Public Network (CCPN) is a middle-mile fiber network designed to support high-capacity broadband across…

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April 30, 2026
Read more about the article Free Cybersecurity Training Opportunity Opens for MD State and Local Employees
Cyber / Information Technology
Free Cybersecurity Training Opportunity Opens for MD State and Local Employees

Counties continue to face an evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, with local government systems increasingly targeted for disruption. As counties work to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive public data, workforce development remains a key component of a strong cybersecurity posture. BCR Cyber has announced the launch of its next Cybersecurity Operational Methods and Education Training (COMET) cohort, beginning May 18 and running through June 23. Funded through the Maryland Department of Labor’s Employment Advancement Right…

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April 30, 2026
Read more about the article Florida Moves to Formalize State Cyber Support for Local Govs
County News / Information Technology
Florida Moves to Formalize State Cyber Support for Local Govs

As cyber threats grow, states are continuing to explore ways to better support local governments. A recent example comes from Florida, where state lawmakers have advanced legislation to formalize a statewide cybersecurity assistance program for local jurisdictions. As covered in a Government Technology article, following the close of the Florida 2026 legislative session, House Bill 1085 has been sent to the Governor for final consideration. If enacted, the bill would take effect July 1 and…

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April 28, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore Tracks Opioid Settlement Spending With New Dashboard
County News / Health and Human Services / Information Technology / News You Can Use
Baltimore Tracks Opioid Settlement Spending With New Dashboard

Baltimore City is adding a new layer of transparency to how opioid settlement funds are being used, launching a public dashboard alongside its first annual report on the Opioid Restitution Fund. The tools offer a clearer look at how funding from opioid litigation is being allocated, tracked, and evaluated as jurisdictions continue responding to the overdose crisis. From the press release: “I am so proud that we are investing Opioid Restitution Fund dollars directly back…

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April 23, 2026
Read more about the article 2026 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups
Business Affairs / County Budgets / County News / Courts / Economic Development / Education / Elections / Emergency Management / Employee Benefits and Relations / Energy / Environment / Feature / Finance and Procurement / General Assembly News / Government Liability and Courts / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Human Resources / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony / Parks and Recreation / Pensions & Public Funds / Planning and Zoning / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues / Tourism / Transportation and Public Works
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
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: 90 Days Later — Sine Die Recap
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Elections / Energy / Environment / General Assembly News / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections / Transportation and Public Works
Conduit Street Podcast: 90 Days Later — Sine Die Recap

This Week on the Conduit Street Podcast, we bring you an episode fresh from Sine Die to break down the 2026 legislative session from start to finish.   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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April 17, 2026
Read more about the article 2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology
Information Technology / MACo Testimony
2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Information Technology

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s advocacy on IT/cybersecurity issues in the 2026 General Assembly.  As counties face an increasingly complex threat landscape targeting public systems and sensitive data, cybersecurity has become a core function of government operations. From ransomware attacks to system disruptions, the risks extend beyond IT departments to the continuity of essential public services. In its information technology advocacy, MACo works to strengthen local cybersecurity capacity, promote coordinated statewide…

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April 14, 2026
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: Elections, Federal Executive Orders, and What’s Real
County News / Elections / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations
Conduit Street Podcast: Elections, Federal Executive Orders, and What’s Real

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally sits down with Maryland State Administrator of Elections, Jared DeMarinis, to cut through the noise surrounding recent federal election activity and what it actually means for Maryland. 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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April 10, 2026
Read more about the article AI Chatbot Regulations Pause, Setting Stage for Future Policy Discussions
Information Technology
AI Chatbot Regulations Pause, Setting Stage for Future Policy Discussions

This session, the General Assembly considered legislation aimed at regulating generative AI chatbots, including HB 1250/SB 827. The proposal sought to establish a broad framework for chatbot oversight, including data privacy protections, transparency requirements, and ongoing reporting obligations. Although the bills remain in the Economic Matters and Finance Committees, respectively, and did not meet the crossover deadline, the discussions surrounding them underscore the growing importance and complexity of this issue. While MACo recognizes the need…

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March 25, 2026
Read more about the article Countdown to Compliance: What Counties Need To Know About New ADA Digital Accessibility Standards
County News / Information Technology
Countdown to Compliance: What Counties Need To Know About New ADA Digital Accessibility Standards

In April 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a clarifying decision finalizing updated regulations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This ruling requires state and local governments to ensure digital content meets certain accessibility requirements. With the first compliance deadline, April 24, 2026, rapidly approaching, here is what local governments need to know.  Overview: This regulation mandates Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA as the mandatory technical standard…

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March 13, 2026
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