MACo Backs State-Local Coordination To Ensure Public Infrastructure Commitments Are Met

On February 19, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 669 - Political Subdivisions - Third-Party Road Improvements - Satisfactory Completion. This bill would prohibit a county from issuing a use and occupancy permit for certain projects located near State highways unless the required work has been completed to the satisfaction of both the State Highway Administration (SHA) and the county. By clarifying…

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MACo Weighs in on Transparency, Predictability in State Transportation Frameworks

On February 17, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted a letter of information to the Appropriations Committee on HB 230 - Transportation - Consolidated Transportation Program - Prioritization (Transportation Investment Priorities Act of 2026).  The bill proposes updates to the structure and content of the Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP), including refinements to the project-based scoring framework, new transparency and publication requirements, and changes to the composition and responsibilities of the Maryland Transportation Commission. Because…

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Beverage Container Redemption Program Would Undermine Local Waste Management Systems

On February 10, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in opposition to SB 342 – Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program.  This bill requires the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to establish the Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program. While well-intentioned, the program would divert high-value scrap materials from county recycling facilities and create a significant, ongoing…

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Counties Push Back Against One-Size-Fits-All Paratransit Mandates

On February 5, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 58 – Transportation - Paratransit Services - Interjurisdictional Routes.  This bill modifies State funding for local elderly and handicapped transportation services by requiring counties. It would impose uniform, one-size-fits-all service requirements on county paratransit providers, including mandated service to specified healthcare networks that may be located well beyond distances that county transportation systems…

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Local Leaders Rally To Avoid Highway User Revenue Cliff

As Maryland lawmakers weigh how to address a looming transportation “cliff,” local leaders are sounding the alarm about what’s at stake for local roads and bridges.     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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Counties Defend Local Oversight of Proven Drinking Water Safety Best Practices

On February 4, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Environment and Transportation Committee in opposition to HB 204 –Drinking Water - Regulation - Control and Prevention of Waterborne Disease.  This bill would set certain water safety requirements including minimum detectable disinfectant residual levels on certain building owners and water suppliers. It would also require these water suppliers to notify the public of any system disruptions that could increase the risk…

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Calvert County Introduces Real-Time Bus Tracking With Passio GO!

Calvert County Government has launched a new mobile app designed to make public transit more accessible, predictable, and rider-friendly. Through the Department of Community Resources’ Transportation Division, local bus riders can now track buses in real time using the Passio GO! mobile app. The Passio GO! app provides riders with live bus locations, estimated arrival times, and detailed route information directly from their smartphones. The app is available as a free download through both the…

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EPA Launches Feed It Onward Campaign To Tackle Food Waste

EPA is launching the Feed It Onward campaign in order to tackle food waste and reduce methane emissions.  Feed It Onward is a new EPA initiative that provides a national platform to spotlight farmers, businesses, nonprofits, military partners, and communities that ensure good food is distributed to communities in need, rather than sent to landfills. In the United States, more than one-third of all food goes uneaten and is discarded. This creates a huge impact…

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Gov Unveils 2026 Housing Package, “Compromise Waiting to Happen”

Governor Wes Moore unveiled his 2026 Housing Package. Counties signal optimism of "compromise waiting to happen." Yesterday, Governor Wes Moore unveiled his housing agenda for the 2026 legislative session. The package includes three pieces of legislation that the administration believes will improve housing production, with a focus on transit-oriented development to expedite the revitalization of communities around transit stations, create housing, grow the economy, and increase transit ridership. The administration will have three bills: Maryland…

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#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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