Read more about the article “There’s No Money”: State Leaders Preview the 2026 Session at #MACoCon
County News / Feature / General Assembly News / Winter Conference
“There’s No Money”: State Leaders Preview the 2026 Session at #MACoCon

At the MACo Winter Conference, legislative leaders and administration officials offered a blunt preview of the fiscal landscape facing Maryland heading into the 2026 session. The discussion centered on budget constraints, economic competitiveness, energy costs, and the growing pressure on counties as State decisions ripple outward. Frederick County Council Member and 2026 MACo President MC Keegan-Ayer moderated the General Assembly Forecast session and kept the conversation grounded in the local impacts counties experience first when…

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December 17, 2025
Read more about the article Disaster Readiness Shifts as Counties Question Federal Reliability at #MACoCon
Preeti Emrick
Emergency Management / NACo and Federal Issues / Winter Conference
Disaster Readiness Shifts as Counties Question Federal Reliability at #MACoCon

At the MACo Winter Conference, emergency management leaders across all levels of government examined how growing federal uncertainty is reshaping preparedness planning and forcing counties to rethink long-standing assumptions about disaster readiness and recovery. The session, “Preparedness in Peril — Rethinking Readiness as Federal Stability Falters,” focused on mounting concerns about delayed federal engagement, slower reimbursements, shifting FEMA guidance, and uncertainty about when and how federal support materializes during emergencies. Delegate Dana Jones moderated the…

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December 17, 2025
Read more about the article #MACoCon Recap: Counties Protecting Public Health Together
County News / Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues / Winter Conference
#MACoCon Recap: Counties Protecting Public Health Together

As funding uncertainty and rising health needs converge, county leaders are leaning on trust, coordination, and cross-sector partnerships to protect public health across Maryland. At MACo’s Winter Conference, county leaders and public health partners came together for a timely and candid conversation about what it will take to protect community health in an era of uncertainty. The panel, "Navigating Trust and Collaboration: Counties Protecting Public Health Together", explored how counties can sustain essential public health…

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December 17, 2025
Read more about the article Elections Under Pressure: Counties Prepare for 2026 at #MACoCon
County News / Elections / Winter Conference
Elections Under Pressure: Counties Prepare for 2026 at #MACoCon

At the MACo Winter Conference, state and county leaders examined the growing strain on local election systems as Maryland heads into the 2026 cycle. The discussion acknowledged Maryland’s strong track record on voter access and election security, while focusing on the operational pressure counties and local boards of elections face to maintain that standard year after year. State Senator Cheryl Kagan, Vice Chair of the Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, which oversees election…

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December 16, 2025
Read more about the article AI in Government: From Promise To Practice at #MACoCon
County News / Information Technology / Winter Conference
AI in Government: From Promise To Practice at #MACoCon

As artificial intelligence moves from buzzword to backbone, counties are learning how to apply AI in ways that improve services and earn public trust. The "AI in Government: From Promise to Practice" session brought a standing-room-only crowd to MACo’s Winter Conference for a grounded discussion on how counties are moving artificial intelligence from concept to day-to-day operations, and doing so responsibly. Moderated by Washington County Commissioner President John Barr, the session centered on practical applications…

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December 16, 2025
Read more about the article Managing Data Center Growth: A Large County Perspective at #MACoCon
County News / Economic Development / Energy / Information Technology / MACo Events / Planning and Zoning / Winter Conference
Managing Data Center Growth: A Large County Perspective at #MACoCon

At the MACo Winter Conference, the Large County Coalition (LCC) focused on a fast-accelerating issue for counties nationwide: the rapid expansion of data center development and its impacts on residents, land use, energy infrastructure, local services, and long-term planning. With demand surging for cloud services, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity infrastructure, counties now sit at the center of land use, energy, and long-term planning decisions that carry real fiscal and community impacts. Prince George’s County Council…

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December 16, 2025
Read more about the article Tourism, Infrastructure, and Economic Growth Take Center Stage at #MACoCon
Tommy Royther
Economic Development / MACo Events / News You Can Use / Tourism / Winter Conference
Tourism, Infrastructure, and Economic Growth Take Center Stage at #MACoCon

At the MACo Winter Conference, county leaders and partners examined how infrastructure investments can drive tourism growth while supporting residents and long-term economic vitality. The session focused on how counties plan projects that strengthen local economies, protect natural assets, and remain viable as climate conditions and travel patterns change. Baltimore City Council Vice President Sharon Green Middleton moderated the discussion and guided a wide-ranging conversation during “If You Build It, They Will Come: Infrastructure As…

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December 16, 2025
Read more about the article Rising Costs, Shrinking Dollars: Counties Confront School Construction Gaps at #MACoCon
Robbie Sandlass
County News / School Construction and Capital Budgets / Winter Conference
Rising Costs, Shrinking Dollars: Counties Confront School Construction Gaps at #MACoCon

At the MACo Winter Conference, county leaders and education finance experts examined the widening gap between school construction costs and available funding across Maryland. The discussion focused on how inflation, material and labor pressures, and the phaseout of temporary funding sources have left counties carrying more risk as they work to deliver safe, modern classrooms. Queen Anne’s County Commissioner and 2025 MACo President Jack Wilson moderated the session and guided a focused discussion during “The…

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December 16, 2025
Read more about the article #MACoCon Recap: County Solutions to Safeguard Local Communities
County News / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Winter Conference
#MACoCon Recap: County Solutions to Safeguard Local Communities

Counties are using practical tools, from housing coordination to legal support and smarter enforcement, to protect vulnerable residents and strengthen community stability. The "County Solutions to Safeguard Local Communities" panel offered a grounded look at how counties are using their authority, partnerships, and data to protect vulnerable residents and strengthen community stability. Moderated by Senator Antonio Hayes, the panel highlighted county-led strategies to address family instability, housing insecurity, and exploitation, demonstrating how local governments are…

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December 16, 2025
Read more about the article #MACoCon Recap: HURs as the Lifeline of Local Roads
Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference
#MACoCon Recap: HURs as the Lifeline of Local Roads

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees learned about the history and role of HURs. From enhancing quality of life to driving economic growth, transportation is key to Maryland’s future. With a projected cut to the local share of Highway User Revenue (HUR) funds, state and county leaders face serious questions heading into the upcoming legislative session. This panel kicked off the conversation about the local importance of HUR and the detrimental impact of cutting the…

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December 16, 2025
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