Read more about the article MD to Join IRS Direct File for 2025 Tax Season, Expanding Free Filing Options for Residents
NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues
MD to Join IRS Direct File for 2025 Tax Season, Expanding Free Filing Options for Residents

More Than 700,000 Marylanders Eligible to Use Free Tax Filing Tool Next Year The US Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have announced that Maryland will be the latest state to participate in the IRS Direct File program for the 2025 tax season. This initiative, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to simplify tax filing and reduce costs for Maryland residents, ensuring they receive all available benefits and deductions.…

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September 4, 2024
Read more about the article Senator Cardin Receives Standing Ovation at Final #MACoCon Town Hall
NACo and Federal Issues / Summer Conference
Senator Cardin Receives Standing Ovation at Final #MACoCon Town Hall

Following decades of public service and hosting an annual town hall at the MACo Summer Conference, Senator Cardin bids farewell to his final town hall forum audience. The annual town hall forum, a cherished tradition hosted by Senator Ben Cardin at the MACo Summer Conference, has been a cornerstone of local politics. This year, it marked the poignant end of an era as Senator Cardin announced his retirement from public office in 2023. His send-off…

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August 20, 2024
Read more about the article Federal Court Decision Throws Wrench Into Telecom Access Programs
Broadband / County News / Economic Development / Feature / Government Liability and Courts / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues
Federal Court Decision Throws Wrench Into Telecom Access Programs

The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in a 9-7 en banc decision, recently overturned the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Universal Service Fund (USF), calling it an unconstitutional tax. This ruling has sent shockwaves through the telecommunications industry, as the USF has been a cornerstone of the FCC’s efforts to ensure nationwide access to telecommunications services. For county governments, this decision imperils the funding and sustainability of critical telecom infrastructure projects that support…

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August 2, 2024
Read more about the article Montgomery, Metro Unite for Transformative Life Sciences and Mixed-Use Development Project
Photo courtesy of Montgomery County
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Transportation and Public Works
Montgomery, Metro Unite for Transformative Life Sciences and Mixed-Use Development Project

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Andrew Friedson, Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke, and other officials announced a significant initiative to create a major transit-oriented life sciences center at the North Bethesda Metrorail Station. This ambitious project seeks to develop a comprehensive mixed-use space, integrating housing, office, retail, and public spaces into a vibrant community hub.   A Vision for North Bethesda Metro announced a request for qualifications for a developer…

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July 31, 2024
Read more about the article FCC Proposes Disclosure Rules for AI in Political Ads
Elections / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Summer Conference
FCC Proposes Disclosure Rules for AI in Political Ads

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposes to require on-air and written disclosure of AI-generated content in radio and television political advertisements. This week, the FCC proposed new rules to increase transparency regarding AI-generated content in political ads. The action is a significant development amid widespread concern that quickly evolving AI technology could make it increasingly difficult for voters to identify fraudulent video and audio material, which is particularly problematic in campaign advertisements. These rules would…

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July 25, 2024
Read more about the article OSHA Fire Brigade “Emergency Response” Regs: Online Public Hearing Nov 12
Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor / NACo and Federal Issues / Public Safety and Corrections
OSHA Fire Brigade “Emergency Response” Regs: Online Public Hearing Nov 12

The controversial proposed "emergency response" standards for both career and volunteer fire companies will receive an informal online public hearing in November, prior to their formal final adoption by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a Notice in the Federal Register (see, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-07-23/pdf/2024-16126.pdf) announcing that it is scheduling an informal public hearing on its proposed ‘‘Emergency Response Standard.’’ The public hearing will be held virtually and…

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July 24, 2024
Read more about the article MACo Joins County Leaders at 2024 NACo Conference
County News / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues
MACo Joins County Leaders at 2024 NACo Conference

This past weekend, MACo and its members attended the 2024 National Association of Counties Annual Conference & Exposition in Hillsborough County, Florida. Missed the conference? Check out these tweets to see some of the action: Today at #NACoAnn, NACo President Mary Jo McGuire highlighted all we accomplished together over the past year. Our collective voice has never been stronger pic.twitter.com/fYKwSM8aIt — NACo (@NACoTweets) July 13, 2024 #CountyNews: Three-time Olympic gymnast @dominiquedawes championed teamwork, saying “checking…

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July 19, 2024
Read more about the article Sonoma County’s James Gore Sworn in as NACo President
County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Sonoma County’s James Gore Sworn in as NACo President

Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore took the helm as NACo’s new president on July 15, during the association’s Annual Business Meeting held at the Tampa Convention Center in Hillsborough County, Florida. Surrounded by his family, Gore’s swearing-in marked a pivotal moment in his career, leading the NACo executive committee alongside First Vice President Judge J.D. Clark of Wise County, Texas, Second Vice President Commissioner George Dunlap of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and Immediate Past President…

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July 18, 2024
Read more about the article MACo to OSHA: Find Balance on New Fire Fighting Response Rules
Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor / NACo and Federal Issues / Public Safety and Corrections
MACo to OSHA: Find Balance on New Fire Fighting Response Rules

MACo, at the direction of its Legislative Committee, has submitted comments to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as they consider vastly expanded standards for fire brigades. The letter urges a balanced approach to new standards, rather than the currently proposed adoption of voluminous rules by reference, and suggests a stakeholder-driven approach forward. As previously posted on Conduit Street, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed regulations, open for comment, on emergency…

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July 18, 2024
Read more about the article IRS Recovers $1B from High-Earning Tax Dodgers
NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues
IRS Recovers $1B from High-Earning Tax Dodgers

As part of continuing compliance efforts under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has intensified its efforts to target high-wealth taxpayers with unpaid taxes, surpassing the $1 billion mark. This initiative follows years of underfunding, leading to historically low audit rates for high-income earners. As part of a broader initiative, the IRS has intensified its efforts on 1,600 high-income individuals, each earning over $1 million annually and owing more than $250,000 in…

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July 11, 2024
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