Policy Deep Dive Archives

The ABCs of the IAC – How School Construction Costs Are Shared In Maryland

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. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Policy Deep Dives. Funding for school construction in Maryland is a shared responsibility between the state and county jurisdictions. The Maryland Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) is the primary entity at the state level that partners with local…

Comments Off

June 19, 2025

Environment / Policy Deep Dive / Transportation and Public Works

Managing Forever Chemicals: The Road Ahead for PFAS Policy

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. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Policy Deep Dives. Since the mid-20th century, PFAS—synthetic substances often referred to as "forever chemicals"—have been promoted as revolutionary materials. These chemicals are used in thousands of products, from everyday household items to critical components of modern infrastructure. Growing…

Comments Off

June 11, 2025

County News / Parks and Recreation / Policy Deep Dive / Taxes and Revenues

Transfer Tax 101: What to Know About Program Open Space Funding

Every time someone buys a home or piece of land in Maryland, a small portion of that transaction helps preserve the state's natural beauty and expand community parks. But as real estate markets fluctuate, so too does the funding that counties rely on to protect open spaces and deliver quality outdoor recreation. For more than half a century, Program Open Space (POS) has been one of Maryland’s most effective tools for preserving land and expanding…

Comments Off

June 4, 2025

Government Liability and Courts / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations / Policy Deep Dive / Public Safety and Corrections

MD Immigration Debate Culminates in HB 1222 – Here’s What It Does

There was no shortage of Maryland bills, arising from both sides of the aisle, attempting to address concerns around immigration enforcement, but HB 1222 took up the majority of the debate and is the only major provision to pass on that topic. Here we unpack what the bill was originally proposing to do, how the discussion went, and what are the county implications from the final law that goes into effect on June 1. After…

Comments Off

May 21, 2025

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor / Policy Deep Dive

FAMLI Freeze: What the Latest Delay Means for Local Governments

Maryland’s paid family leave program was delayed once more as counties secured key changes, but the path forward still depends on upcoming actions from the State. Three takeaways The Maryland General Assembly passed a bill in the 2025 legislative session to delay the Time to Care Act / Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. The bill did include a provision requested by MACo and the Collaborative to exclude local government employers from having to…

Comments Off

May 7, 2025

Energy / Environment / Planning and Zoning / Policy Deep Dive

Deep Dive: Maryland’s Pivotal 2025 Actions on Solar Energy Policy

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. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Policy Deep Dives. The 2025 legislative session will be remembered as one of the most influential gatherings of the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) in a generation. Legislators faced many consequential and time-sensitive issues, which resulted in difficult decisions and…

Comments Off

April 30, 2025

Education / Policy Deep Dive

Deep Dive: The First Big Test for The Blueprint

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. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Policy Deep Dives. Maryland's landmark "Blueprint for Maryland's Future" education plan sees an early-stage challenge, as one school system argues it cannot fulfill the Blueprint's programmatic mandates without severely cutting other school functions. The State's Accountability and Implementation…

Comments Off

April 23, 2025

County Budgets / County News / Feature / Policy Deep Dive / Taxes and Revenues

Deep Dive: The Disparity Grant’s Patchwork Fix Isn’t Enough

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. Counties at or near the maximum local income tax rate face some of the toughest budget pressures in Maryland — from rising education mandates to aging infrastructure and limited flexibility to raise new revenues. The State created the Disparity Grant to help these…

Comments Off

April 15, 2025

County Budgets / Planning and Zoning / Policy Deep Dive / School Construction and Capital Budgets

Infrastructure Investments – Capital Improvement Plans from Start to Finish

Capital Improvement Plans are a vital piece of the public service puzzle, enabling counties to deliver quality services and facilities for local residents in a fiscally responsible way. They require long-term planning and extensive collaboration across agencies to make communities throughout Maryland viable for years to come. For county governments, maintaining local infrastructure and public resources for residents is a crucial responsibility. The collaboration of local elected officials, county professionals, and the public is vital…

Comments Off

December 4, 2024

Government Liability and Courts / Health and Human Services / Policy Deep Dive

Behind the Scenes: How Counties Comply With Opioid Reporting Standards

With millions in opioid settlement dollars to combat the epidemic’s devastating effects, counties are navigating complex funding streams, rigorous reporting requirements, and shifting state policies. Their efforts are not just about meeting standards but ensuring these resources make a real difference in their communities. Maryland counties have long demonstrated their commitment to transparency and accountability in managing public funds, including those tied to the recent series of opioid settlement agreements, arising from multiple lawsuits against…

Comments Off

November 27, 2024