Read more about the article MD County Leaders Head to Philly for NACo Annual Conference
NACo and Federal Issues
MD County Leaders Head to Philly for NACo Annual Conference

The National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference is held in July. This year, it's being hosted by the City and County of Philadelphia on July 11-14. Maryland will be well-represented as county leaders take a deep dive into federal policy! NACo's Annual Conference brings together elected and appointed officials from the nation's 3,069 counties, parishes, and boroughs to discuss federal policy impacting counties. Workshops, general sessions, and mobile tours explore county challenges and best…

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July 10, 2025
Read more about the article July 24 Comptroller Briefing: Federal Impact on MD Economy
Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
July 24 Comptroller Briefing: Federal Impact on MD Economy

Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman will host an online briefing to review findings from her recent report, "Federal Impact on Maryland's Economy." Register now to attend this timely and important fiscal discussion. Last month, the Comptroller of Maryland released a report on the Federal Impact on Maryland’s Economy. This report was done in partnership with the University of Maryland Smith Business School. To ensure the information in the report is presented to partners in Government, Comptroller…

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July 10, 2025
Read more about the article The New SALT Write-Off Applies This Year – Who Gets It?
NACo and Federal Issues / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
The New SALT Write-Off Applies This Year – Who Gets It?

Federal deductibility of state and local taxes, aka "SALT," were a sticking point in the federal reconciliation package. Now that it has passed, how big an effect will the change create? NACo staff presented their analysis of the federal reconciliation legislation at this week's meeting of the MACo Legislative Committee, sharing insight into the many policy and fiscal changes encompassed in the so-called "big beautiful bill." Among the elements that caught much attention was a…

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July 10, 2025
Read more about the article Feds Scrap Their Own Process, Snub Maryland FBI HQ Site
County News / Economic Development / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues
Feds Scrap Their Own Process, Snub Maryland FBI HQ Site

The FBI now plans to stay in Washington, DC — a move that undercuts years of bipartisan work and disregards the federal government’s established selection process. Federal officials announced this week that the agency will remain in Washington, DC, abandoning the previously approved plan to relocate the FBI to Greenbelt in Prince George’s County. The decision strips Maryland of a once-in-a-generation opportunity for economic growth, regional investment, and federal equity. After decades of planning and…

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July 2, 2025
Read more about the article Deep Dive: US Senate Passes Sweeping Reconciliation Bill — State, Local Fallout Ahead
County Budgets / Feature / NACo and Federal Issues / Policy Deep Dive / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Summer Conference
Deep Dive: US Senate Passes Sweeping Reconciliation Bill — State, Local Fallout Ahead

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. Update: The OBBBA was signed into law on Friday, July 4, 2025, marking the first significant tax package of the president's second term. The US Senate passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) this week, a massive budget reconciliation package with significant…

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July 2, 2025
Read more about the article US Senate Removes 10-Year Ban Provision on State and Local AI Laws
Cyber / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
US Senate Removes 10-Year Ban Provision on State and Local AI Laws

The US Senate, in bipartisan efforts, rejected a sweeping attempt to block state and local governments from regulating AI, reaffirming their authority to protect residents amid rapidly evolving technology. As covered in a Government Technology article, the US Senate overwhelmingly voted to remove a proposed 10-year moratorium on state-level artificial intelligence regulations from the One Big, Beautiful Bill budget legislation. The provision, which would have blocked states and local governments from enforcing or enacting AI…

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July 2, 2025
Read more about the article Medicaid, SNAP, SALT: Joint Committee Reviews Billions in Federal Budget Risks to Maryland
County Budgets / County News / Feature / General Assembly News / NACo and Federal Issues / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Summer Conference / Taxes and Revenues
Medicaid, SNAP, SALT: Joint Committee Reviews Billions in Federal Budget Risks to Maryland

Facing potential cost shifts in the billions, Maryland lawmakers met this week to assess how sweeping federal budget proposals and policy changes could upend the State’s finances -- with ripple effects likely to reach counties through increased service demands, reduced federal support, and added pressure on local budgets. The Maryland General Assembly's Joint Committee on Federal Relations convened its first interim meeting this week to assess the mounting federal fiscal and policy challenges, including the…

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June 25, 2025
Read more about the article Clock Ticking on “Big Beautiful Bill”
NACo and Federal Issues / Policy Deep Dive / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Clock Ticking on “Big Beautiful Bill”

Congressional leaders and the White House continue to negotiate around a multi-faceted "reconciliation" bill with policy implications for tax structures, energy policy, border security, federal program funding, Medicaid, and "food stamps" eligibility, and state/local autonomy. The oft-stated goal is a bill signed by July 4, but negotiations have been fragile. Here's a roundup of the latest. Tracking federal legislation is often more complex than state-level legislation - where Maryland's General Assembly has a relatively easy…

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June 25, 2025
Read more about the article Social Security’s Trust Fund Faces Early Depletion
Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues
Social Security’s Trust Fund Faces Early Depletion

A new federal report indicates that the Social Security trust fund, which helps pay benefits for millions, will be depleted by 2033. According to an article from NPR, the Social Security trust fund is projected to be depleted by 2033. At that point, payroll taxes would only cover about 77% of promised retirement benefits, leading to automatic cuts unless there is an act by Congress. The accelerated timeline is due to increased benefits for public…

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June 19, 2025
Read more about the article Fleet Electrification Made Easy for Counties
County News / Energy / Environment / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Transportation and Public Works
Fleet Electrification Made Easy for Counties

This week's publication of the Resource Roundup by NACo Public Promise Procurement focuses on counties' sustainability goals and modernizing their operations through fleet electrification. To help counties navigate this transition, United Rentals – through its contract with Public Promise Procurement, powered by NACo – offers a flexible, cost-effective pathway to test and implement electrification strategies. A Turnkey Solution for Counties The United Rentals contract (Contract #240153) available through Public Promise Procurement provides counties with access…

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June 19, 2025
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