Intergovernmental Relations Archives

Conduit Street Podcast: Puzzle Pieces of the Balanced Budget

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson break down where Maryland’s budget and “Big BRFA” stand as the General Assembly enters its final weeks. 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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March 27, 2026

County Government and Structure / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works

Mandatory Charter Government, Open Incorporation – Both Stalled Again

Two bills introduced and heard in the House of Delegates dealing with "structure of local government" matters appear to have been passed over for the 2026 session. One would have required all counties to adopt full executive/council charter government, and the other would have removed county review/approval of proposed municipal incorporations. With the "crossover" deadline now behind us, legislation that has not received approval from its original committee appears more likely to be defeated this…

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March 24, 2026

Finance and Procurement / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works

2026 Housing Package Takes Shape and Advances

In a session marked for widespread interest in advancing policies promoting affordable and attainable housing across Maryland, multiple bills appear to be heading toward enactment. Here's a rundown of the bills that are moving, and one high profile offering among the several that aren't part of the "package" receiving support this session. With a well-documented shortage of housing units across Maryland, stakeholders and interest groups advanced multiple bills to change the game for residential building.…

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March 24, 2026

County News / Intergovernmental Relations

Washington County Central Committee Recommends Parrott To Fill Commissioner Vacancy

The Washington County Republican Central Committee has recommended Neil Parrott to fill a vacant seat on the Washington County Board of Commissioners, following the recent resignation of Commissioner Derek Harvey. Harvey, a retired U.S. Army colonel, stepped down from the Board of Commissioners earlier this month. The vacancy triggered the formal replacement process outlined in Maryland law, which applies when a county commissioner leaves office before completing their term. Under that process, the local central…

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March 19, 2026

County Government and Structure / County News / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony

MACo: Uphold Longstanding Local Decision on “Home Rule”

On March 4, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Election Committee in opposition to HB 190 - Constitutional Amendment - Form of County Government - Requirement to Adopt Charter Home Rule. This bill would repeal Maryland’s historic reliance on self-determination by county residents and instead mandate that every county conforms to a single governance structure – a full two-branch charter government. Through the constitutional principle of home rule, residents have chosen…

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March 9, 2026

Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony

Upending the Balance in Maryland’s Municipal Incorporation Framework

On February 26, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to HB 1141 -Municipal Incorporation - County Commissioners or County Council - Required Approval of Referendum Request. This bill would upend the longstanding, carefully crafted framework that governs municipal incorporation by stripping county governments of their proper and necessary input and oversight. The legislation would effectively remove counties' formal review processes. Under current law, proposed incorporations undergo county…

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March 3, 2026

Education / Higher Education / Intergovernmental Relations

Conduit Street Podcast: Educating the Next Generation of Public Leaders

On this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson sits down with Dr. Roger E. Hartley of the University of Baltimore’s College of Public Affairs for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of public service in 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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February 13, 2026

Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony

5-Year Rule on Annexed Land a Balance To Protect Local Planning, Infrastructure

On February 5, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to HB 99 – Municipalities - Annexed Land - Land Use and Density. This bill would effectively eliminate the longstanding transition period before a municipality is enabled to change the underlying zoning, following an annexation of previously unincorporated areas. This path to rapid-fire zoning change could overwhelm county infrastructure and school planning. Mr. Sanderson discussed the critical conflict…

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February 5, 2026

Employee Benefits and Relations / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections

MACo to MGA: Maintain Collaborative Approach to Public Official Salaries

On February 4, Executive Director Michael Sanderson submitted written testimony to the Judiciary Committee in opposition to HB 165 – Courts - Sheriffs' Salaries - Alterations. The bill alters the annual salary of Sheriffs in many counties to equal that of the county's State's Attorney. This legislation would replace a locally-driven legislative collaboration to properly set salaries for most county sheriffs with a uniform process pinning that salary to that of the county’s state’s attorney.…

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February 5, 2026

Agriculture / Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: Environmental Finance Center’s Rural Offerings

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees learned about how UMD's Enviro. The Finance Center can help rural counties secure additional resources. MACo’s Rural County Coalition provides a forum for Maryland’s rural counties to share their unique perspective on critical state and federal policy issues. At this meeting, the University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center walked through services and opportunities to help rural leaders access grant funding and other resources to better serve their communities. Additionally, rural…

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December 16, 2025