NACo and Federal Issues Archives

Celebrating Maryland’s NACo Leadership Academy Graduates – Join the Next Cohort!

MACo is pleased to congratulate the National Association of Counties (NACo) Leadership Development Academy November cohort of Maryland graduates. They join over 10,000 graduates and current participants from across the country benefitting from the 12-week online program enabling existing and emerging county leaders to achieve their highest potential. Afeworki Fessehaie, Program manager I, Montgomery County Brian Riley, Director - ICT Department, Queen Anne's County - Cybersecurity Brice Strang, Director of Administration, Dorchester County Danielle Hornberger,…

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November 22, 2024

County Budgets / Economic Development / Emergency Management / Environment / Feature / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Policy Deep Dive / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Transportation and Public Works

Ripple Effects — How Federal Decisions Shape Maryland’s Future

The 2024 election has set the stage for sweeping changes to policies and funding streams that shape Maryland’s economy and services. Here, Conduit Street examines how federal policy shifts in critical sectors could reshape Maryland’s future, with counties uniquely positioned to feel the impacts and adapt to evolving demands. As federal priorities shift, Maryland’s close economic ties to Washington amplify the opportunities and challenges ahead. Decisions on infrastructure investment, disaster relief, environmental protection, and federal…

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November 21, 2024

Emergency Management / NACo and Federal Issues / Winter Conference

Bolstering Disaster Response: NACo’s Action Plan

Disasters are intensifying, straining counties nationwide. NACo’s Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force is leading efforts to modernize policies and strengthen support for local communities. As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, counties grapple with an urgent reality: 2023 alone saw 28 billion-dollar disasters causing over $93 billion in damage. The National Association of Counties (NACo) has formed the Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force to strengthen disaster response and mitigation efforts. County officials nationwide lead…

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November 19, 2024

County News / Emergency Management / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use

Proposed Disaster Relief Changes Would Overwhelm State and Local Budgets

Significant cuts to federal disaster funding are under consideration in some circles, threatening to leave counties scrambling to pick up the pieces. These proposed changes would dump a crushing financial burden on state and local governments, forcing them to shoulder the overwhelming costs of recovery, rebuilding, and community support after crises. FEMA Cost-Sharing Reductions Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) pays for a maximum of 75 percent of disaster expenses, with state and local…

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November 14, 2024

County Budgets / County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues / Winter Conference

Fiscal Fallout: Navigating Federal Shifts and State Dynamics

At the 2024 MACo Winter Conference, county leaders will confront a fiscal storm, exploring how sweeping changes from federal elections and evolving state policies threaten to reshape local budgets and services. As national fiscal policies shift and state-level economic dynamics evolve, counties are bracing for significant financial ripple effects. Local budgets are under mounting pressure from federal spending dependencies to Maryland’s economic challenges, including fostering innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and adapting to demographic changes. But how…

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November 6, 2024

County News / Cyber / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / Leadership / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use

NACo EDGE Webinar: AI Leadership Academy Registration Open Now!

NACo has a new online Leadership course offering! This fully online and facilitated program provides the comprehensive detail that leaders need to navigate the changes of government work relative to available technologies and the human needs of our society. If you are like most government leaders today, you are looking for the best way to understand the power of AI, mitigate the risk of AI, and navigate the complexity of cascading change occurring because of…

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September 26, 2024

County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use

Federal Shutdown Averted for Now, but Maryland Still Faces Uncertainty

With a federal government shutdown narrowly averted, Maryland residents may feel only temporary relief as Congress faces another fiscal deadline in mid-December. US House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a bipartisan deal to keep agencies funded through December 20, aiming to avert the looming shutdown on October 1. The proposed continuing resolution — a temporary measure to fund government activities for a limited time — prevents immediate disruptions but leaves Maryland’s significant federal workforce, contractors, and…

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September 24, 2024

County News / Feature / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues

Shutdown Showdown: The Impact on Maryland’s Federal Workforce and Economy

With the federal government approaching another possible shutdown, Congress grapples with unresolved budgetary disagreements, leaving Maryland’s federal workforce and economy particularly vulnerable to the potential fallout. As the September 30 fiscal deadline approaches, Maryland — home to over 144,000 federal employees, tens of thousands of contractors, and numerous businesses reliant on federal operations — faces significant consequences if lawmakers fail to secure government funding. What’s Causing the Stalemate in Congress? Federal funding expires September 30,…

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September 19, 2024

County News / Cyber / Education / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use

Enroll Today! NACo AI Leadership Academy

The National Association of Counties (NACo) has announced a new professional development opportunity, the NACo Artificial Intelligence (AI) Leadership Academy, an innovative online program to equip frontline county government leaders with practical knowledge and tools. The six-week pilot course is designed to help county officials better understand and utilize AI to increase effectiveness and advance excellence in public service. “We are pleased to offer this new resource for counties,” said NACo Chief Information Officer Rita…

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September 13, 2024

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Pensions & Public Funds

NACo Edge: Retirement Solutions for County Employees

When it comes to retirement investments, county employees may need help choosing the right thing at the right time. Join Nationwide and NACo EDGE for this September 18 webinar to learn how to help savers stay on track for retirement by offering automatic features that deliver in-plan lifetime income. Can’t wait for the webinar? Learn more at their resource hub at nrsforu.com. Also, enjoy this quick read and watch a 2-minute video in Nationwide's nrsforu.com…

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September 5, 2024