Page 10 – Conduit Street

Maryland Sues To Block New FEMA Grant Restrictions

Maryland moved to protect emergency management funding and continuity this week as Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a lawsuit challenging new federal restrictions on FEMA preparedness grants that counties rely on to plan, respond to, and recover from disasters. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed suit this week, joining a coalition of states pushing back on new conditions tied to FEMA’s core preparedness and homeland security grants. State attorneys general argue the federal government cannot…

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November 5, 2025

Winter Conference

5 Highlights You Can’t Miss on Wednesday of Winter #MACoCon

MACo’s Winter Conference is only five weeks away, December 10-12, 2025, at the Hyatt in Cambridge, MD. Join more than 1000 local government officials and decision-makers, legislators, state and federal officials, and commercial representatives for this can’t-miss policy-planning event. Back by popular demand, we have added more content to Wednesday of MACo’s Winter Conference – you do not want to miss this! REGISTER TODAY! (The lowest registration rates end on November 7!) 1. OPENING SESSION Start…

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November 5, 2025

County News / Winter Conference

Sharpen Your Skills at Winter #MACoCon: Academy Courses on Finance, Transparency, and Employment Practices

MACo’s Winter Conference offers something for everyone – including a foundational course in good governance, along with deeper dives into complex issues. Fellows of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance (County Track) are required to complete 8 Core Courses and 6 Elective Courses to earn their certificate through the University of MD’s School of Public Policy – MACo will offer 3 Cores at Winter Conference. These courses are open to all conference registrants, but Fellows will receive…

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November 5, 2025

Business Affairs / Economic Development / Labor / Winter Conference

Report Shows Maryland Trailing Region in Economic Outlook

Maryland’s declining economic rankings indicate deeper challenges that could impact jobs, local revenues, and long-term growth throughout the state. According to the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Maryland's latest national economic rankings indicate that the state is continuing to fall behind its neighbors, raising concerns about long-term growth and fiscal stability. These rankings, released by the American Legislative Exchange Council, highlight long-standing challenges tied to high business costs, regulatory hurdles, and a lack of pro-growth policies. From…

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November 4, 2025

Emergency Management / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Winter Conference

Preparedness in Peril: Rethinking Readiness as Federal Stability Falters

At this year’s MACo Winter Conference, counties will confront a harsh reality: federal disaster support no longer feels predictable, and preparedness planning now requires new strategies beyond Washington’s stability. Federal preparedness and disaster recovery support sit on unstable ground. Shutdown threats, frozen funds, legal battles, and shifting federal priorities have created fundamental planning uncertainty for counties responsible for public safety and emergency response. As national debate continues over disaster funding and FEMA’s future direction, counties…

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November 4, 2025

Elections / General Assembly News / News You Can Use / Winter Conference

Governor Moore Moves Forward with Redistricting Advisory Commission

Maryland will formally study mid-cycle redistricting, with Governor Wes Moore announcing a new advisory commission to review the current congressional map, gather public input, and recommend next steps as other states redraw their lines ahead of the 2026 elections. Governor Wes Moore announced a new Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission to review Maryland’s congressional map and recommend potential changes. The panel will conduct public hearings, gather input from residents across the state, and deliver recommendations to…

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November 4, 2025

Winter Conference

Good Government Book Club to Explore “Why Nothing Works”

MACo’s “good government” Book Club will renew in December – with a trending topic: Why Nothing Works. Join us for the conference and this discussion, with a free advance copy of the book. At the MACo Winter Conference, county officials and other guests can join a discussion on a book affecting public service and best practices as officials, employees, and colleagues. The selection for December 2025 is Why Nothing Works, by Marc J. Dunkelman. From…

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November 4, 2025

Winter Conference

Social Security: Choice of a Lifetime

MACo’s 2025 Winter Conference Solutions Showcase features thought leaders and industry experts presenting resources and best practices to assist local governments. Check out this session hosted by Nationwide Retirement Solutions! About Nationwide Retirement Solutions: On Your Side. Nationwide is a market leader in providing supplemental retirement savings programs for public employees. Nationwide has been serving public sector employees and their families for over 40 years. Nationwide’s programs include 457(b), 401(a), and Post-Employment Health Plans, and…

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November 4, 2025

Energy / Planning and Zoning / Winter Conference

Powering the Future: What Battery Storage Means for Maryland Counties

Policy debates have focused on energy development, with storage receiving less attention. Looking ahead, storage will play a larger role both on the grid and in future debates. Battery storage is becoming an essential component of a modern, reliable, and resilient energy system, and county governments sit at a critical point where policy, infrastructure, and community needs intersect. Properly deployed, storage can help counties reduce peak energy costs, support backup power for emergency operations centers,…

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November 4, 2025

Energy / Intergovernmental Relations / News You Can Use / Winter Conference

Farm Bureau Pushes to Scrap Controversial Transmission Line After Developer Says It Can’t Meet Deadline

The Maryland Farm Bureau moved to shut down the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project after the developer acknowledged it cannot meet the June 2027 deadline, arguing that there is no reason to spend more time and money on a project that has already failed its own timeline. The Maryland Farm Bureau, joined by local county Farm Bureaus, filed a motion asking the Public Service Commission to dismiss the application for the MPRP, a 500,000-volt transmission line…

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November 3, 2025