Read more about the article Anne Arundel Gun Law Case Could Set National Precedent for Warning Labels
Courts / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections
Anne Arundel Gun Law Case Could Set National Precedent for Warning Labels

Local law that passed 7-0 amongst Anne Arundel Council still faces challenges from gun rights advocate group Maryland Shall Issue, Inc.  A recent Maryland Matters article shared an amicus brief filed on behalf of seven medical organizations in support of Anne Arundel as they continue to defend themselves against gun rights advocate group, Maryland Shall Issue, Inc. The amicus brief was filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, where the plaintiff has…

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September 11, 2023
Read more about the article Navigating Multiple Priorities: Counties and the Challenge of Limited Resources
Agriculture / County Budgets / Economic Development / Education / Emergency Management / Energy / Environment / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / Parks and Recreation / Planning and Zoning / Policy Deep Dive / Public Safety and Corrections / School Construction and Capital Budgets / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
Navigating Multiple Priorities: Counties and the Challenge of Limited Resources

This article is part of MACo’s Deep Dive series, where expert analysts explore and explain the top county issues of the day. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Deep Dives. Local autonomy is a core principle of Maryland’s political system. At its most basic level, local autonomy means empowering county leaders to solve county problems. This empowerment lends counties a unique and, at times, misunderstood perspective. Often, advocates and stakeholders…

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August 31, 2023
Read more about the article Opioid Operational Command Center Embarks on 24 Jurisdiction Tour
Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections
Opioid Operational Command Center Embarks on 24 Jurisdiction Tour

Town Hall forums have been scheduled in four jurisdictions, and counting, where State leadership and local government officials will come together with the public to discuss overdose prevention strategies.  The Community Overdose Action Town Hall Series was launched this month by the Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC). Their team will be visiting each of Maryland's 24 local jurisdictions to hear directly from community members and local leaders about how the State can do more to…

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August 29, 2023
Read more about the article MAT in Jails Panel Signals Time for Amendments to Enacting Legislation at #MACoCon
Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference
MAT in Jails Panel Signals Time for Amendments to Enacting Legislation at #MACoCon

Medication-assisted treatment in county detention centers has a serious implementation problem with the funding mechanism devised to get the job done.  An expert panel of state and local officials, and consultants working specifically in Maryland detention centers shared insights on the status and future of medication-assisted treatment in local detention centers. While all counties are providing services, some remaining barriers are out of local control. This panel shared thoughts on what next steps can help.…

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August 25, 2023
Read more about the article #MACoCon Debrief: Adult-Use Cannabis: Taxes, Zoning, and Safety – Oh My!
Will Tilburg
Cannabis / Health and Human Services / Planning and Zoning / Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference / Taxes and Revenues
#MACoCon Debrief: Adult-Use Cannabis: Taxes, Zoning, and Safety – Oh My!

At the MACo Summer Conference, an expert panel provided insight into Maryland's adult-use cannabis law, including best practices for navigating the fast-changing political, social, and regulatory landscape. After an overwhelming share of Marylanders approved a referendum to legalize adult-use cannabis, the Maryland General Assembly passed sweeping legislation to address cannabis taxes, licensing, oversight, and more. However, many questions remain about the burgeoning industry. Ambiguous restrictions on local zoning, incommensurate revenue sharing, human resources considerations, public…

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August 24, 2023
Read more about the article Attorney General Brown Leads #MACoCon Session on Organized Retail Crime
Business Affairs / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference
Attorney General Brown Leads #MACoCon Session on Organized Retail Crime

As Marylanders increasingly return to Main Street for work, play, and commerce, hometown retail businesses face various challenges, including property theft and associated crime. At the MACo Summer Conference, an expert panel discussed the growing threat of organized retail crime and detailed federal, state, and local efforts to combat the spike. Unlike amateur theft or spontaneous shoplifting by people with little to no pre-meditation, organized retail crime entails careful planning and high-level coordination. Trade group…

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August 24, 2023
Read more about the article Police Accountability Panel at #MACoCon Signals Necessary Changes to Reform Legislation
Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference
Police Accountability Panel at #MACoCon Signals Necessary Changes to Reform Legislation

Police accountability process runs into various procedural complications in year two but hope is alive for legislative updates.  Police accountability reform has been underway since 2021 and the new civilian oversight process has taken shape. Now entering into year two of the process, individuals deeply involved in the process took time to share their considerations for how the process is going. This expert panel, representing every tier of the new process, answered questions and described…

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August 23, 2023
Read more about the article US Treasury Rules Offer More Flexibility with Local ARPA Funds
Coronavirus / Emergency Management / Health and Human Services / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / Public Safety and Corrections / School Construction and Capital Budgets
US Treasury Rules Offer More Flexibility with Local ARPA Funds

New federal guidelines offer local governments additional, practical latitude in using funds distributed under the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) - welcome news for jurisdictions still navigating the accountability measures for appropriate spending and projects. Expect a breakdown from NACo soon. The U.S. Department of Treasury just released their Interim Final Rule (IFR) for the bipartisan State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act (i.e. Cornyn/Padilla Amendment) that allows counties…

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August 11, 2023
Read more about the article At-Risk Youth Diversion Programs Underway in Counties
Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections
At-Risk Youth Diversion Programs Underway in Counties

With juvenile crime on the rise in Maryland, counties are making an effort to keep up with the growing needs of vulnerable youth in communities. The Montgomery County Police Department spent a day on the water sharing the joys of fishing with kids from the Street Outreach Networks Youth Program. This activity and others like it are an example of cross-departmental collaborations in the counties to help offer enrichment and diversion opportunities for children found…

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August 10, 2023
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