Read more about the article Federal Efforts To Override Local Broadband Rules
Broadband / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues
Federal Efforts To Override Local Broadband Rules

As the federal government looks to accelerate broadband deployment, local leaders are raising concerns that new proposals could sideline local voices. According to a NACo article, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Congress are both considering actions that could preempt local authority over permitting and fees for broadband infrastructure. This move could hinder, not help, progress toward universal connectivity. On September 30, the FCC released two Notices of Inquiry exploring potential new limits on local…

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November 13, 2025
Read more about the article Congress Reopens Government, New Shutdown Deadline Looms: What Counties Need To Know
Feature / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Congress Reopens Government, New Shutdown Deadline Looms: What Counties Need To Know

Congress passed a short-term agreement to end the shutdown and restart federal operations, stabilizing paychecks and contract flow for Maryland’s federally driven economy. The package runs only through January 30, keeping the state just weeks away from another potential lapse. Maryland felt the shutdown more than most due to its high concentration of federal employees, a large federal contracting base, and small businesses that lost income they will likely never recover. The bill provides full-year…

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November 13, 2025
Read more about the article Governor Moore Expands State Support for Federal Workers
Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor / NACo and Federal Issues
Governor Moore Expands State Support for Federal Workers

As the federal government shutdown continues, Maryland is taking steps to shield residents from its growing economic and household impacts. Governor Wes Moore has announced expanded state programs that provide relief and assistance to affected workers. Governor Wes Moore has announced new measures to assist Maryland federal workers affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown, which is now the longest in US history. The expanded support includes an additional round of no-interest loans for federal…

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November 10, 2025
Read more about the article MD Food Banks Strain To Meet Growing Demand as SNAP Benefits Falter
Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues
MD Food Banks Strain To Meet Growing Demand as SNAP Benefits Falter

As federal food assistance remains uncertain, Maryland food banks are facing a surge in demand from families struggling to put food on the table. According to an article from The Baltimore Sun, despite the State's pledge of $62 million to sustain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for Marylanders, food banks across the state report more people seeking help since federal SNAP funds ran short last week. The federal government, ordered by the courts to…

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November 6, 2025
Read more about the article Deep Dive: From Promise to Reversal — Maryland’s Last Stand for the FBI HQ
County News / Economic Development / Feature / NACo and Federal Issues / Policy Deep Dive
Deep Dive: From Promise to Reversal — Maryland’s Last Stand for the FBI HQ

This article is part of MACo's Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top county policy issues of the day. Read all of MACo's Policy Deep Dives. A years-long effort to bring the FBI's new headquarters to Prince George's County has reached a turning point, one that could redefine Maryland's relationship with federal partners and the future of regional economic development. The Short Version The State of Maryland and Prince…

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November 6, 2025
Read more about the article NACo Public Promise Procurement Awards National Contract To Iron Mountain
Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
NACo Public Promise Procurement Awards National Contract To Iron Mountain

The National Association of Counties’ (NACo) Public Promise Procurement announced that Iron Mountain has been awarded a competitively solicited cooperative contract, providing public agencies nationwide with secure, cost-effective, modern solutions for document retention and destruction, media preservation, digitization, and data management. “This contract represents the very best of cooperative purchasing, delivering trusted, competitively solicited solutions that help counties and public agencies modernize operations, safeguard data and reduce costs,” said NACo Public Promise Procurement Managing Director…

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November 6, 2025
Read more about the article Maryland Sues To Block New FEMA Grant Restrictions
Courts / Emergency Management / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Winter Conference
Maryland Sues To Block New FEMA Grant Restrictions

Maryland moved to protect emergency management funding and continuity this week as Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a lawsuit challenging new federal restrictions on FEMA preparedness grants that counties rely on to plan, respond to, and recover from disasters. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed suit this week, joining a coalition of states pushing back on new conditions tied to FEMA’s core preparedness and homeland security grants. State attorneys general argue the federal government cannot…

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November 5, 2025
Read more about the article Preparedness in Peril: Rethinking Readiness as Federal Stability Falters
Emergency Management / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Winter Conference
Preparedness in Peril: Rethinking Readiness as Federal Stability Falters

At this year’s MACo Winter Conference, counties will confront a harsh reality: federal disaster support no longer feels predictable, and preparedness planning now requires new strategies beyond Washington’s stability. Federal preparedness and disaster recovery support sit on unstable ground. Shutdown threats, frozen funds, legal battles, and shifting federal priorities have created fundamental planning uncertainty for counties responsible for public safety and emergency response. As national debate continues over disaster funding and FEMA’s future direction, counties…

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November 4, 2025
Read more about the article Governor Moore Deploys $62M to Prevent Food Assistance Shortfall
County News / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Governor Moore Deploys $62M to Prevent Food Assistance Shortfall

Maryland will cover the federal shortfall and fund full November SNAP benefits, with Governor Moore authorizing $62 million after the federal government committed only partial support. Maryland will step in once again to protect food assistance for residents caught in the federal shutdown fallout. After two federal courts ruled on Friday that the Trump Administration must unlock contingency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Administration responded today, stating that it will only cover…

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November 3, 2025
Read more about the article Cuts to a Federal Cyber Division Could Leave Counties Vulnerable
Cyber / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues
Cuts to a Federal Cyber Division Could Leave Counties Vulnerable

The federal government has scaled back a key cyber stakeholder division, leaving states and counties at risk of communication and support gaps. According to an article from Smart Cities Dive, the federal government has essentially dismantled a key division within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) that connects federal cybersecurity operations with state and local governments, private industry, and critical infrastructure sectors. Nearly 100 employees have been laid off from CISA’s Stakeholder Engagement Division,…

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October 30, 2025
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