Read more about the article Is Virginia’s Solar Taxation Model Right for Maryland?
County News / Feature / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning / Policy Deep Dive / Taxes and Revenues
Is Virginia’s Solar Taxation Model Right for Maryland?

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. As Maryland races to meet its goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the state's economy by 2045, there is mounting pressure to ramp up clean energy production. Maryland has quadrupled its…

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November 16, 2023
Read more about the article State Lawmakers Weigh Spending Cuts, Revenue Enhancements to Address Looming Budget Deficits
County Budgets / Feature / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
State Lawmakers Weigh Spending Cuts, Revenue Enhancements to Address Looming Budget Deficits

With the 2024 legislative session rapidly approaching, lawmakers will face considerable budget challenges that could drive spending cuts, tax increases, or other remedies to resolve significant structural deficits projected through fiscal 2029. At this week's Spending Affordability Committee meeting, the Maryland Department of Legislative Services said fiscal 2024 is projected to end with a fund balance of $528 million, with ongoing revenues exceeding ongoing spending by $125 million. A $413 million structural deficit is anticipated…

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November 8, 2023
Read more about the article Governor Moore “Disappointed” in PSC Data Center Decision, Working on Legislative Remedy
Economic Development / Information Technology / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues
Governor Moore “Disappointed” in PSC Data Center Decision, Working on Legislative Remedy

Amidst regulatory uncertainty, Governor Wes Moore said he is “disappointed” with a Maryland Public Service Commission decision to deny an exemption for Aligned Data Centers to install 168 backup diesel generators at the Quantum Frederick data center community in Frederick County. In response to the PSC decision, Aligned Data Centers, which planned to build four data centers on Quantum Loophole’s Frederick campus, announced it would not proceed with the project. In a letter to the…

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November 3, 2023
Read more about the article Tech Council Study: Frederick Data Center Project Represents $41M in Annual County Tax Revenue, 1,700 Jobs
Economic Development / Information Technology / Taxes and Revenues / Winter Conference
Tech Council Study: Frederick Data Center Project Represents $41M in Annual County Tax Revenue, 1,700 Jobs

Study: Quantum Frederick data center project represents an investment of nearly $30 billion in Frederick County, supporting high-paying jobs for thousands of Marylanders while significantly augmenting both local and state-level tax revenues. The technology sector is driving tremendous demand for more computing and storage capacity. Data centers – the facilities that house the computers and equipment that power the information needs of the modern economy – are in high demand. According to a new study from…

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November 2, 2023
Read more about the article Court Blocks Pennsylvania From Entering Multi-State Carbon Cap-And-Trade Program
Energy / Environment / Taxes and Revenues
Court Blocks Pennsylvania From Entering Multi-State Carbon Cap-And-Trade Program

The Commonwealth Court ruled on Wednesday that Pennsylvania cannot enter into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state initiative to limit carbon emissions, saying it violates the state Constitution. ​RGGI is a ​cooperative, market-based effort among the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,  Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia to cap and reduce CO2 emissions from the power sector. It represents the first cap-and-invest regional initiative implemented in…

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November 2, 2023
Read more about the article Harford County Earns Clean Audit, Highest Possible Opinion for Financial Reporting
County Budgets / County News / Taxes and Revenues
Harford County Earns Clean Audit, Highest Possible Opinion for Financial Reporting

Independent auditors issued a clean opinion on Harford County's annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. The clean audit opinion of the County's fiscal 2023 annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR), issued by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, means that the financial statements are accurate and contain no material misstatements. The auditors had no management comments or findings. It also means the ACFR was presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the…

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November 1, 2023
Read more about the article Charles County Receives AAA Bond Rating for Seventh Straight Year
County News / Economic Development / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Charles County Receives AAA Bond Rating for Seventh Straight Year

Charles County announced that all three major national bond rating agencies, Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings, and Moody’s Investor’s Service, have reaffirmed the county's AAA bond rating. Bond rating experts met with county leaders to review the health and stability of the county based on budget management, external audits, financial management, and economic development. This allows the county to maintain low interest rates when repaying bonds. “Retaining our AAA Bond Rating is a clear sign…

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October 26, 2023
Read more about the article MACo Announces 2024 Legislative Priorities
County Budgets / County News / Education / Feature / General Assembly News / Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections / Taxes and Revenues
MACo Announces 2024 Legislative Priorities

In the 2024 General Assembly Session, MACo will prioritize fiscal transparency, modernizing local revenue structures, new incentives to bolster firefighter and EMS recruitment and retention, and collaborative solutions for addressing Maryland's affordable and workforce housing shortage. This week, the MACo Legislative Committee adopted the Association's Legislative Initiatives for the 2024 Maryland General Assembly Session. MACo's Legislative Committee will take positions on hundreds of bills, but these four issues serve as the Association's priorities for the…

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October 18, 2023
Read more about the article Howard County Is Revitalizing the Route 1 Corridor… One Tax Credit at a Time
Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues
Howard County Is Revitalizing the Route 1 Corridor… One Tax Credit at a Time

In fiscal 2023, the program increased outreach to Route 1 property owners and allocated its max allowance of $250,000, helping transform five properties along the corridor. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced applications are now being accepted for the County's latest round of its transformational Route 1 Tax Credit Program, which encourages revitalization along the Route 1 corridor by helping owners of commercial and industrial properties with renovation and beautification projects. Overseen by the County's Department…

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October 17, 2023
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