Read more about the article 2023 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups
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2023 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2023 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. In addition to the swearing-in of a new governor, comptroller, attorney general, and legislators alike, the 445th legislative session kicked off with more relaxed health and safety measures compared to the turbulence of the last few years. With the 2023 session in the books, it's time to take stock. As…

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April 14, 2023
Read more about the article 2023 End of Session Wrap-Up: Pensions and Public Funds
County News / General Assembly News / Pensions & Public Funds
2023 End of Session Wrap-Up: Pensions and Public Funds

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo's work on f pensions and public funds policy in the 2023 General Assembly.  In addition to the swearing-in of a new governor, the 445th legislative session kicked off with more relaxed health and safety measures compared to the turbulence of the last few years. This enabled MACo's policy team to dynamically engage with private-sector stakeholders, legislators, and representatives across all levels of government. Under these more…

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April 12, 2023
Read more about the article Nov 15: Spending Affordability Committee Focuses on Education, State Vacancies
Economic Development / Employee Benefits and Relations / Finance and Procurement / Human Resources / Pensions & Public Funds / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Nov 15: Spending Affordability Committee Focuses on Education, State Vacancies

The Spending Affordability Committee of the General Assembly met on November 15 ahead of the 2023 legislative session. That meeting forecasted the state budget over the next several years with a focus on education funding and state staff vacancies. The Spending Affordability Committee met virtually on November 15 with the House Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees and the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee to discuss the state's fiscal health ahead of the 2023 legislative session. Of particular…

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November 17, 2022
Read more about the article State Closes with $2B Surplus, School Construction to Get Boost
Board of Public Works / Economic Development / Labor / Pensions & Public Funds / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
State Closes with $2B Surplus, School Construction to Get Boost

Maryland again closed the Fiscal Year with a revenue surplus -- this time of $2 billion -- which will in-part boost State funding of school construction and capital projects. At the September 14 meeting of the Board of Public Works (BPW), Comptroller Peter Franchot announced that Maryland has closed its books on Fiscal Year 2022 with a revenue surplus of $2 billion in its General Fund, marking the second year in a row that the State’s…

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September 15, 2022
Read more about the article At #MACoCon, Attendees Dive into Innovative Tourism as Drivers of Local Economy
County News / Economic Development / Pensions & Public Funds / Summer Conference / Tourism
At #MACoCon, Attendees Dive into Innovative Tourism as Drivers of Local Economy

At the 2022 MACo Summer Conference, attendees learned about the innovative and creative ways local governments are supporting local tourism as post-pandemic economic drivers. Like many other areas of county service, Maryland’s tourism industry has experienced unprecedented challenges over the past two years. Throughout the pandemic, counties developed new strategies to attract visitors or began promoting a new kind of tourism altogether. As a crucial service to their communities, tourism departments began focusing on innovative…

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August 23, 2022
Read more about the article Sticker Shock! Adjusting for Inflation at #MACoCon
County Budgets / Finance and Procurement / Pensions & Public Funds / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Summer Conference / Taxes and Revenues
Sticker Shock! Adjusting for Inflation at #MACoCon

A panel of experts offered insights and best practices for navigating fiscal uncertainty. Inflation is exceptionally high, driving up costs for capital projects and routine service delivery. The tight labor market means county governments are increasing salaries, which puts upward pressure on pension costs. Supply chain issues driven by geopolitical unrest and the global pandemic threaten to delay priority projects. And the looming potential of a recession only adds fuel to the fire. At this…

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August 22, 2022
Read more about the article Large Counties’ Next ARPA Reporting is July 31: Here’s the Bottom Line
Coronavirus / Economic Development / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / NACo and Federal Issues / Pensions & Public Funds / Public Safety and Corrections / Transportation and Public Works
Large Counties’ Next ARPA Reporting is July 31: Here’s the Bottom Line

Larger counties need to report to the federal government by July 31 on their latest efforts with funds made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) - NACo has assembled guidance for counties to stay in compliance. The following materials were assembled by the National Association of Counties (NACo), who have been tirelessly working to guide and assist counties with all facets of federal fund deployment. = = = = = Here is guidance…

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July 12, 2022
Read more about the article AG Frosh: Sackler Family to Owe Maryland At Least $39.6 Million
Attorney General Brian E. Frosh
County Budgets / County News / Government Liability and Courts / Health and Human Services / Pensions & Public Funds / Public Safety and Corrections / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
AG Frosh: Sackler Family to Owe Maryland At Least $39.6 Million

According to Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh, the Sackler family will pay Maryland at least $39.6 million as a part of a $6 billion multi-state settlement agreement for its role in the opioid epidemic. The Sackler family is most known for its ownership of Purdue Pharma, which manufactured the once-popular drug OxyContin. Contingent upon court approval, the newly announced settlement represents a substantial increase of between $1.175 to $1.675 billion from last August's initial agreement…

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March 3, 2022
Read more about the article Baltimore County Approves Largest Retiree COLA in a Decade
County Budgets / County News / News You Can Use / Pensions & Public Funds
Baltimore County Approves Largest Retiree COLA in a Decade

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced that the Employees’ Retirement Board voted to approve a three percent cost of living adjustment for eligible retirees, effective July 1, 2022. “Our retirees have dedicated their lives to serving the residents of Baltimore County, and they deserve to be recognized for their contributions to our communities,” Olszewski said. “This increase in compensation is well deserved and long overdue.” Baltimore County government retirees receive the cost of living…

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February 16, 2022
Read more about the article Comptroller Franchot Becomes Chair of State Pension Board of Trustees
County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Pensions & Public Funds
Comptroller Franchot Becomes Chair of State Pension Board of Trustees

Comptroller Peter Franchot recently assumed the chairmanship of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System Board of Trustees, which establishes rules and regulations to administer several pension systems and manage pension funds for about 412,000 members. These include active and retired state employees, teachers, state police, judges, and other law enforcement personnel. The 15-member Board of Trustees also directs the management of a $70 billion investment portfolio and adopts the actuarial assumptions necessary to fund…

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January 4, 2022
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