Read more about the article The Briefing Room: A Ton of Talk About TIFs
Economic Development / Housing and Community Development / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
The Briefing Room: A Ton of Talk About TIFs

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) can be a powerful tool for supporting development, but it can also be one of the more misunderstood pieces of local economic and housing policy. In Episode 11, Dom and Terry break down how TIF works, why jurisdictions use it, and how future tax revenue can help finance infrastructure and other improvements needed to enable development. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to…

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September 30, 2026
Read more about the article State Revenue Forecast Ticks Up Despite Weak Growth
News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
State Revenue Forecast Ticks Up Despite Weak Growth

Maryland’s latest revenue forecast adds $319.9 million to expected fiscal 2027 revenues, but underlying General Fund revenues are still projected to decline 0.9% as the State faces slow growth, federal employment losses, elevated inflation, and other economic risks. The Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates (BRE) released its September update this week, raising the fiscal 2027 revenue forecast to $27.44 billion. BRE also issued its first fiscal 2028 forecast of $28.35 billion, representing 3.3% growth in…

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September 25, 2026
Read more about the article Blueprint Check-In: The Educators’ View
County Budgets / Economic Development / Education / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Blueprint Check-In: The Educators’ View

Five years into implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, how is Maryland’s sweeping education reform plan affecting the people responsible for bringing it to life in classrooms and schools across the state? Sarah Sample continues her Conduit Street Podcast series examining the Blueprint from different perspectives across Maryland’s education community. 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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September 25, 2026
Read more about the article SNAP Participation Declines as States Prepare for New Costs
Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
SNAP Participation Declines as States Prepare for New Costs

SNAP participation continues to decline nationwide as states prepare for new financial responsibilities under recent federal changes, while Congress considers delaying some of the costs set to shift to states. According to a Stateline article, more than 5 million Americans have lost access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) since federal changes enacted last year, while Congress considers delaying some of the law’s new financial requirements for states. From the Stateline article: New data…

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September 24, 2026
Read more about the article County Leaders Push for Revenue Flexibility, Guard Against Cost Shifts
County Budgets / Feature / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
County Leaders Push for Revenue Flexibility, Guard Against Cost Shifts

County leaders across Maryland called for more local revenue options while delivering an equally clear message: a new authority cannot become another way to shift state costs onto county budgets. The Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures held a public hearing on September 14, giving county executives, council members, commissioners, and fiscal leaders a chance to weigh in as the panel develops recommendations ahead of the 2027 legislative session. The General Assembly…

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September 14, 2026
Read more about the article WV Builds Data Center Strategy Around Growth and Local Revenue
County Budgets / Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Finance and Procurement / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
WV Builds Data Center Strategy Around Growth and Local Revenue

West Virginia is pairing incentives for data center development with a statewide plan to distribute new revenue among host counties, infrastructure needs, and tax relief. West Virginia is positioning itself as a major destination for data center development, with state officials announcing two new projects valued at more than $81 billion. The announcements build on a broader push that state leaders say has generated approximately $96 billion in private-sector investment and more than 19,000 projected…

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September 8, 2026
Read more about the article Local Revenue Task Force Sets Public Hearing: Here’s How To Testify
County Budgets / County News / Feature / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Local Revenue Task Force Sets Public Hearing: Here’s How To Testify

County governments, local leaders, residents, and other stakeholders have a chance to weigh in directly as Maryland considers the future of local revenue flexibility. The Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures will hold a virtual public hearing on September 14, with registration and written testimony due September 10. The hearing comes as the Task Force examines whether Maryland’s local revenue structure still works for local governments. Counties face growing responsibilities and rising…

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September 2, 2026
Read more about the article MDOT Unveils $22B Transportation Plan as Local Road Funding Cliff Looms
County Budgets / County News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Transportation and Public Works
MDOT Unveils $22B Transportation Plan as Local Road Funding Cliff Looms

Maryland’s draft six-year transportation plan approaches $22 billion, with significant investments across the transportation network. But for counties and municipalities, the plan also confirms a looming funding cliff, with Highway User Revenues dropping by nearly $100 million in fiscal 2028. The Maryland Department of Transportation's draft fiscal 2027-2032 Consolidated Transportation Program lays out $21.93 billion in capital spending over six years. The CTP serves as Maryland's capital budget for transportation projects and local transportation funding.…

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September 2, 2026
Read more about the article Revenue Task Force Weighs Options for Modernizing Local Revenues
County Budgets / County News / Feature / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Revenue Task Force Weighs Options for Modernizing Local Revenues

The Local Revenue Task Force met Monday to review potential options for modernizing local revenue structures. Members examined existing taxing authority, previous legislative proposals, and several approaches that could give counties and municipalities more flexibility. The Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures met Monday to work through the mechanics behind Maryland’s local revenue system. The Department of Legislative Services (DLS) reviewed State aid, the State budget, existing local taxing authority, recent legislation,…

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August 31, 2026
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