Read more about the article Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Inflation Concerns
Finance and Procurement / News You Can Use
Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Inflation Concerns

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged this week, maintaining the federal funds rate in a target range of 3.5% to 3.75%. While the Fed left rates unchanged, updated projections from policymakers point toward a different outlook than earlier this year. Federal Reserve officials now expect interest rates to finish 2026 slightly higher than current levels, reversing projections issued three months ago that anticipated rate cuts. The Federal Open Market Committee described the economy as…

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June 18, 2026
Read more about the article Worcester Appoints New Deputy Finance Officer
Seth Place (photo courtesy of Worcester County)
County News / News You Can Use
Worcester Appoints New Deputy Finance Officer

The Worcester County Commissioners have appointed Seth Place as deputy finance officer. Place brings more than nine years of experience in public accounting, financial reporting, tax services, and advisory work. His background includes managing large client portfolios, overseeing financial reporting and compliance, and implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy. He began his professional career as a mathematics teacher at Stephen Decatur Middle School before transitioning to accounting and financial management. In his new…

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June 17, 2026
Read more about the article Comptroller to Launch New Tax Portal for Individual Taxpayers
News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues
Comptroller to Launch New Tax Portal for Individual Taxpayers

The Comptroller of Maryland will launch Maryland Tax Connect for individual taxpayers on September 1, replacing several legacy tax systems and marking the State’s first major tax administration modernization effort in more than three decades. Maryland Tax Connect already serves business taxpayers. Beginning September 1, individual taxpayers will also use the portal to file returns, make payments, review account information, access notices, check balances, and manage payment plans through a single online system. According to…

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June 16, 2026
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: Different States, Similar County Challenges
County Budgets / County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Education / Energy / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Conduit Street Podcast: Different States, Similar County Challenges

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Dominic Butchko and Kevin Kinnally record from the Conference of Southern County Associations (CSCA) in Williamsburg, Virginia, joined by county leaders and policy experts from across the South for a discussion on the issues shaping local government today. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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June 12, 2026
Read more about the article Maryland Environmental Leader Kim Coble Announces Retirement
Environment / Leadership / News You Can Use
Maryland Environmental Leader Kim Coble Announces Retirement

Kim Coble, a longtime advocate on environmental and climate policy issues in Maryland, has announced plans to retire as executive director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (Maryland LCV) and Maryland LCV Education Fund. Coble has led the organization since 2019, overseeing a period of significant growth and helping shape several major environmental policy discussions in Annapolis. Prior to joining Maryland LCV, she served in leadership roles at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, where she…

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June 11, 2026
Read more about the article State Board of Elections Approves Mail-In Ballot Counting Guidance
County News / Elections / News You Can Use
State Board of Elections Approves Mail-In Ballot Counting Guidance

The Maryland State Board of Elections this week approved public guidance explaining how local election boards will handle original and replacement mail-in ballots during the 2026 gubernatorial primary election. The guidance follows the mailing of more than 437,000 replacement ballots after election officials discovered that some voters may have received ballots associated with the wrong political party. Because election officials could not determine precisely which voters received incorrect ballots, the State sent replacement ballots to…

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June 10, 2026
Read more about the article Feds Propose Changes to Grant Rules Affecting Counties
County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
Feds Propose Changes to Grant Rules Affecting Counties

The rules governing how counties administer federal grants may be headed for a major update.  The US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has released a proposed rule that would significantly revise the federal government's Uniform Guidance regulations governing grants and cooperative agreements. According to a NACo article, the proposal represents the most substantial overhaul of federal grant rules since the Uniform Guidance was first established in 2013. The Uniform Guidance establishes the administrative requirements,…

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June 9, 2026
Read more about the article FCC Considers Cybersecurity Upgrades for Emergency Alert System
Emergency Management / News You Can Use
FCC Considers Cybersecurity Upgrades for Emergency Alert System

The Federal Communications Commission will consider a package of changes later this month aimed at bolstering cybersecurity protections for the nation’s emergency alert systems and modernizing how alerts reach the public. For counties, the proposal affects some of the most important tools available during emergencies. Local emergency managers rely on the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to communicate with residents during severe weather events, hazardous materials incidents, evacuations, public safety emergencies,…

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June 8, 2026
Read more about the article Mail-In Ballot Deadline Looms as Primary Election Nears
Elections / News You Can Use
Mail-In Ballot Deadline Looms as Primary Election Nears

Maryland voters who plan to cast ballots by mail in the June 23 gubernatorial primary should take note of several upcoming deadlines. Voters who want to receive a mail-in ballot by mail or fax must submit their request by Tuesday, June 16. Election officials must receive the request by that date. Voters who prefer to receive a mail-in ballot electronically have until Friday, June 19, to submit an online request. Maryland voters can request a…

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June 4, 2026
Read more about the article Anne Arundel Lifts Sewer Moratorium After Capacity Agreement
County News / Environment / News You Can Use / Transportation and Public Works
Anne Arundel Lifts Sewer Moratorium After Capacity Agreement

County Executive Steuart Pittman this week lifted the sewer capacity moratorium for the Baltimore City Sewer Service Area. The decision allows projects already in the development pipeline and ready to receive sewer allocations from the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works (DPW) to move forward. Three projects currently qualify for allocations. Anne Arundel County imposed the moratorium in March after peak wastewater flows exceeded limits established under agreements governing the shared regional sewer system.…

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June 4, 2026
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