#MACoCon Recap: Housing at the Crossroads

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees participated in a robust conversation on Maryland's housing outlook. County governments play a vital role in shaping the look, smell, and feel of our communities. As the level of government closest to residents, counties have been at the table — working proactively with state leaders and stakeholders to advance practical, locally informed solutions that increase housing production. However, amid a national affordable housing crisis, state-level proposals increasingly favor top-down…

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2026 MACo Leadership Installed at Winter Conference

The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) is pleased to announce the installation of the 2026 Board of Directors and Officers. On Thursday evening, December 11, 2025, the Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, installed the MACo Board of Directors for 2026. The installation took place at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, Maryland, during the MACo Winter Conference Inaugural Banquet. I am so incredibly humbled and so honored to be able to serve you as…

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Winter #MACoCon Solutions Showcase Features Industry Leaders and Best Practices

MACo’s Winter Conference Solutions Showcase will feature innovative and effective ways to address county governance challenges. Join us to hear from industry experts and thought leaders on how your county and organization might be able to streamline, save money, and achieve your goals! The Solutions Showcase schedule is listed below… WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2025 Prioritizing Your Emotional Well-Being − Building Resilience Hosted by Cigna Healthcare Building resilience helps you leverage healthy coping skills when experiencing…

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Streamlining Engagement and Consistent Branding at Winter #MACoCon

Effective communication requires clear branding and accessible design tools that help governments tell their story. This MACoCon session will feature branding strategist Angela Visintainer and government communications leader Renesha Alphonso as they share how to build a consistent visual identity and use Canva to quickly and efficiently produce professional, on-brand graphics. They'll dive into real examples, practical tips, and actionable workflows for county staff at all experience levels. If you're interested in learning how to…

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The #1 Thing to Do Before Winter #MACoCon? Download the MACo App

MACo’s Winter Conference is just ONE WEEK AWAY! Preview the event and plan your time with our NEW mobile app – thanks to Lead Sponsor Nationwide Retirement Solutions. Instructions for your download: DELETE the old MACo app, if you have it – this one is all new! Access the App Store/Google Play: Search “MACoCon” or click these links: APPLE DOWNLOAD | ANDROID DOWNLOAD Download the FREE app (thanks to Nationwide Retirement Solutions.) Use the same email address you used…

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A Winter #MACoCon Conversation With School Construction Chief Alex Donahue

Maryland’s policy landscape is shifting, and counties are at the center of critical conversations about education, housing, public safety, economic growth, and the changing state-local relationship. At this year’s Winter Conference, MACo will host a candid, forward-looking interview with Alex Donahue, Director of the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC), to explore top issues in public school construction. Guided by MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson, this session offers attendees a perfect opportunity to hear directly…

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Oversight Board Votes on Releasing Schools Funds According to Blueprint Progress

The Blueprint for Maryland's Future (Blueprint) Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) voted to release funds for 22 school systems, and issued warnings for two.  The AIB held a special meeting yesterday. The agenda included decisions by the board to release or withhold FY26 state funds for local education agencies (LEAs) based on their compliance with five Blueprint implementation metrics. The Board approved the release of fiscal year 2026 funds for 22 LEAs. Two LEAs, Baltimore…

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Read more about the article Women of MACo To Welcome Delegate Dana Jones as Featured Speaker
Dana Jones
Women of MACo To Welcome Delegate Dana Jones as Featured Speaker

Maryland State Delegate Dana Jones will address MACo Winter Conference attendees at this year's Women of MACo reception. A hallmark of the annual MACo Winter Conference is the chance to engage with leaders from all levels of government on county priorities and interests. This year, the Women of MACo Reception will welcome Delegate Dana Jones, the current president of the Women’s Caucus, as their guest speaker, highlighting her continued leadership in Maryland’s Legislature. Attendees will…

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Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) for Climate Solutions Now Act Compliance

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 Schneider Electric! About Schneider Electric: Over the last 30 years, Schneider Electric has helped prepare counties for the future with innovative solutions and creative funding leveraged through a comprehensive capital recovery and reinvestment program. Their experts will help you reinvest in your city or county to strengthen your…

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Preview the 2026 Session “Big Picture”

A compilation of Issue Papers previews major fiscal and policy issues facing the General Assembly in the year ahead. This resource is a handy guide to the top issues your legislators will tackle in 2026. It is an excellent preparation document for county officials before meetings with their local Delegations. Developed by the Department of Legislative Services, the 2026 Issue Papers are an annual staple for the Annapolis policy-inclined population. They are also an excellent resource for county officials…

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