Read more about the article When Leave Gets Complicated: Staying Compliant in the Paid Leave Era 
Winter Conference
When Leave Gets Complicated: Staying Compliant in the Paid Leave Era 

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 American Fidelity!  About American Fidelity: American Fidelity offers full term life insurance and supplemental benefits and assists Maryland public sector employers with managing the increasing costs, complexities, and time requirements related to employee benefit administration  SOLUTIONS SHOWCASE SESSION:  Title: When Leave Gets Complicated: Staying Compliant in the Paid…

Comments Off on When Leave Gets Complicated: Staying Compliant in the Paid Leave Era 
October 29, 2025
Read more about the article New Wrongful Conviction Settlement Process Continues to Unfold in Wicomico
County Budgets / Courts / Government Liability and Courts / Winter Conference
New Wrongful Conviction Settlement Process Continues to Unfold in Wicomico

Legislative changes during the FY26 budget deliberations shifted a portion of the cost burden for wrongful convictions on to counties. With the new law in affect, counties are now picking up the settlement costs for a process they have no control over.  A recent Maryland Matters article highlighted some of the next steps in a novel move by the State to shift some of the costs of wrongful conviction settlements onto county governments. As previously covered on Conduit Street this…

Comments Off on New Wrongful Conviction Settlement Process Continues to Unfold in Wicomico
October 28, 2025
Read more about the article Dept of Energy Attempts to Expand Federal Role in Energy Approvals
Energy / Winter Conference
Dept of Energy Attempts to Expand Federal Role in Energy Approvals

The US Department of Energy's proposal to have the FERC play a larger role in energy approvals may curtail state and local authority. The U.S. Department of Energy has proposed that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission take explicit jurisdiction over new large-load interconnections (those above 20 MW) that directly tie into the interstate transmission grid — a move meant to address the rising footprint of massive power users like AI data centres and large-scale manufacturing.…

Comments Off on Dept of Energy Attempts to Expand Federal Role in Energy Approvals
October 28, 2025
Read more about the article “Forever Chemicals” Leave a Lasting Mark at Bay Head Park
Health and Human Services / Parks and Recreation / Winter Conference
“Forever Chemicals” Leave a Lasting Mark at Bay Head Park

Once a Cold War missile site, Anne Arundel’s Bay Head Park still carries the lasting footprint of military-era “forever chemicals.” As reported in a recent Eye on Annapolis article, Bay Head Park in Anne Arundel County has a long and complex history, one that stretches from Cold War military operations to a modern-day environmental health challenge. Testing and research at the former Navy site introduced PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” into local soil and water, leaving…

Comments Off on “Forever Chemicals” Leave a Lasting Mark at Bay Head Park
October 28, 2025
Read more about the article Highway User Revenues: The Lifeline of Local Roads
Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference
Highway User Revenues: The Lifeline of Local Roads

With the local share of HURs set to decrease in 2027, the 2026 legislative session will be critical for the future of infrastructure funding.  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 will kick off a conversation on the…

Comments Off on Highway User Revenues: The Lifeline of Local Roads
October 28, 2025
Read more about the article The Reentry Bridge: Where Access Meets Opportunity at #MACoCon
Public Safety and Corrections / Winter Conference
The Reentry Bridge: Where Access Meets Opportunity at #MACoCon

A 2025 MACo Winter Conference panel highlights how local detention centers are providing the necessary tools returning citizens need to succeed.  Educational and professional development opportunities are a vital component to local detention centers. These programs work hand in hand with the role of reentry coordinators in local facilities that are striving to set returning citizens up for success. These are the are the kinds of strategies that make the difference for someone getting and…

Comments Off on The Reentry Bridge: Where Access Meets Opportunity at #MACoCon
October 28, 2025
Read more about the article The Cost of Classrooms: Maryland’s School Construction Funding Gap
County Budgets / News You Can Use / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Winter Conference
The Cost of Classrooms: Maryland’s School Construction Funding Gap

School construction costs are climbing faster than funding can keep pace — leaving counties to bridge the gap while ensuring every student learns in a safe, modern classroom. Maryland’s long-term framework for funding school construction faces new challenges as temporary funding streams, such as Built to Learn, phase out. At the same time, inflation, material shortages, and changing enrollment patterns have driven costs higher, forcing counties to stretch local dollars further than ever before. At…

Comments Off on The Cost of Classrooms: Maryland’s School Construction Funding Gap
October 28, 2025
Read more about the article Incentives That Work: A Modern Toolkit for County Economic Development
Economic Development / Winter Conference
Incentives That Work: A Modern Toolkit for County Economic Development

In a landscape where every state is vying for jobs and investment, Maryland must sharpen its edge with targeted economic development tools. As economic development challenges grow more complex, counties rely on incentives to attract new investment and sustain local businesses. From tax credits and infrastructure grants to strategic partnerships with state and federal programs, understanding which incentives truly move the needle has never been more important. This session, "Incentives That Work: A Modern Toolkit…

Comments Off on Incentives That Work: A Modern Toolkit for County Economic Development
October 28, 2025
Read more about the article Comptroller Announces Tax Relief for Federal Workers Amid Shutdown
NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues / Winter Conference
Comptroller Announces Tax Relief for Federal Workers Amid Shutdown

As the federal government shutdown drags on, Comptroller Brooke Lierman announced new tax relief measures to help Maryland’s federal workers weather the financial strain. Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman today announced new state tax relief measures for federal workers affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown. The Comptroller’s Office will defer state tax payment plans for employees who cannot meet their obligations while paychecks remain on hold. “We recognize the financial strain this shutdown is placing…

Comments Off on Comptroller Announces Tax Relief for Federal Workers Amid Shutdown
October 27, 2025
Read more about the article Prioritizing Your Emotional Well-Being − Building Resilience 
Winter Conference
Prioritizing Your Emotional Well-Being − Building Resilience 

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 Cigna Healthcare!  About Cigna Healthcare: Cigna Healthcare | Health Insurance, Dental Plans & Medicare is a global health services company with a mission to improve the health and vitality of those we serve.  Cigna cares deeply about its customers, patients, and coworkers. They partner, collaborate, and keep their…

Comments Off on Prioritizing Your Emotional Well-Being − Building Resilience 
October 27, 2025
Newer Posts
Older Posts