Read more about the article Governor Appoints Bob Yeager to Lead Department of Assessments and Taxation
Intergovernmental Relations / Taxes and Revenues
Governor Appoints Bob Yeager to Lead Department of Assessments and Taxation

Governor Wes Moore has appointed Bob Yeager as the new director of the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). Yeager will succeed former Director Dan Phillips, who retired after more than 35 years of dedicated public service. Yeager brings a strong working knowledge of local government issues and a track record of partnership with counties. During his time at SDAT — including as the agency's legislative officer and Maryland's first tax sale ombudsman —…

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July 1, 2025
Read more about the article Comptroller Report: Federal Spending Tops $150B in Maryland — Local Impacts Loom Large
County News / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Comptroller Report: Federal Spending Tops $150B in Maryland — Local Impacts Loom Large

New data from the Maryland Comptroller highlights the state’s significant economic ties to the federal government, with approximately $150 billion in federal spending flowing into Maryland each year. But behind the big numbers, counties manage the day-to-day systems that keep this engine running — and bear the brunt when federal priorities shift. According to a new report from the Maryland Comptroller’s Office, the federal government directed $150.2 billion into Maryland in the most recent fiscal…

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June 18, 2025
Read more about the article Desk Reference Deep Dive: A Must-Have for Legislative and County Policy Professionals
County News / Intergovernmental Relations / News You Can Use
Desk Reference Deep Dive: A Must-Have for Legislative and County Policy Professionals

The 2023 Legislative Desk Reference Manual, published by the Department of Legislative Services (DLS), provides a clear and comprehensive overview of Maryland’s constitutional, legal, and procedural framework. While initially written for legislative analysts, the manual provides essential insights for county officials, attorneys, and advocates who track and influence legislation. The 2023 manual, revised and updated from the 2018 version, breaks down complex legal and procedural issues, from constitutional rules like the one-subject requirement and referendum…

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June 10, 2025
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: Inside the Committee Room With Delegate Marc Korman
County Government and Structure / County News / Environment / General Assembly News / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
Conduit Street Podcast: Inside the Committee Room With Delegate Marc Korman

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson are joined by Chair of the House Environment and Transportation Committee, Delegate Marc Korman, for a deep dive into the inner workings of legislative committees in the Maryland General Assembly — how they function, why they matter, and what changes when one takes on the role of chair.     Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get…

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May 30, 2025
Read more about the article MD Immigration Debate Culminates in HB 1222 – Here’s What It Does
Government Liability and Courts / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations / Policy Deep Dive / Public Safety and Corrections
MD Immigration Debate Culminates in HB 1222 – Here’s What It Does

There was no shortage of Maryland bills, arising from both sides of the aisle, attempting to address concerns around immigration enforcement, but HB 1222 took up the majority of the debate and is the only major provision to pass on that topic. Here we unpack what the bill was originally proposing to do, how the discussion went, and what are the county implications from the final law that goes into effect on June 1. After…

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May 21, 2025
Read more about the article Governor Moore Declares Emergency After Historic Western Maryland Floods
Photo courtesy of Governor Wes Moore, via X.
County News / Emergency Management / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues
Governor Moore Declares Emergency After Historic Western Maryland Floods

Governor Wes Moore declared a State of Emergency in response to last week's historic flooding that devastated parts of Western Maryland. The declaration aims to accelerate state-led recovery efforts, providing much-needed support to residents and communities in Allegany and Garrett Counties. It also allows Maryland to request federal assistance through FEMA, though approval and the level of support are not guaranteed. The governor announced the emergency declaration during his visit to Allegany County, where he…

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May 19, 2025
Read more about the article NACo: Train County Workforce in Mental Health First Aid
County News / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues
NACo: Train County Workforce in Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trains the county workforce to aid in early recognition of mental health challenges. With proven outcomes, it creates a culture of care and mitigates the impacts of mental health illness on the work environment. According to the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, depression and anxiety challenges cost U.S. employers $44 billion annually, with the World Health Organization calculating the global impact at $1 trillion per year in lost workplace productivity. In…

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May 8, 2025
Read more about the article EPA Moving to Cancel 781 Environmental Justice Grants
Energy / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues / Transportation and Public Works
EPA Moving to Cancel 781 Environmental Justice Grants

The EPA recently disclosed that the agency will be canceling 781 environmental justice grants nationwide. It is currently unclear how many are in Maryland, but many federal environmental programs support State and local enforcement efforts.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently included, in a related legal filing, its plans to cancel 781 different grants relating to environmental justice programs. These grants, totaling over $1.5 billion, were primarily aimed at supporting projects that mitigate climate change…

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April 30, 2025
Read more about the article White House Executive Order to Boost Coal and… Preemption?
Energy / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues
White House Executive Order to Boost Coal and… Preemption?

On April 8th, President Trump signed three executive orders intending to boost the domestic coal industry. These new EOs also raise questions about federal preemption of state and county policy.  As the Trump Administration implements its vision for the United States, counties can continue to expect significant shifts in federal policy. One of the most significant has been a refocusing on fossil fuels instead of renewable energy. When the Trump Administration took office, one of…

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April 23, 2025
Read more about the article 2025 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups
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2025 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. Maryland’s 447th legislative session was defined by one of the most challenging budget environments in over a decade — with a $3.3 billion shortfall driving proposals for aggressive cost shifts, spending cuts, and tax changes. Despite these unprecedented fiscal pressures, counties worked together through MACo to protect essential services, limit…

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April 11, 2025
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