Winter Conference Archives

Judge Dismisses Challenge to Maryland’s Closed Primary System

An Anne Arundel County Circuit Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit from a group of unaffiliated voters who argued that Maryland’s closed primary elections violate their voting rights. The ruling relies on long-standing case law that gives political parties the authority to decide who may vote in their primaries. According to Maryland Matters, Judge Pamela Alban issued the decision last week. She wrote that Maryland’s Constitution protects the right to vote in state elections, but…

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November 20, 2025

Winter Conference

The Big Three! Who You’ll See at Winter #MACoCon

MACo’s Winter Conference on December 10-12, 2025, will draw hundreds of people from across all levels of the public and private sectors to Cambridge, MD, to discuss what is next for Maryland. 1. REGISTRANTS More than 600 individuals (growing daily!) from all levels of government and the private sector – view the list of attendees. 2. EXHIBITORS 65+ exhibiting organizations showcasing solutions across critical service areas: public health, emergency services, education, transportation, technology, infrastructure, workforce development and…

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November 19, 2025

Elections / Winter Conference

Elections at Work: Local Leadership, Modern Challenges

At this year’s MACo Winter Conference, county election officials will focus on the growing strain facing local election systems as Maryland heads into the 2026 cycle. Counties run Maryland’s elections. Local boards of elections recruit, train, and manage election judges. They secure ballot storage. They operate early voting sites and polling places. They carry out the day-to-day work that keeps the process credible and accessible for residents. That work grows harder every year. Local directors…

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November 18, 2025

Health and Human Services / Winter Conference

Maryland Commission on Public Health Finalizes Report

The Maryland Commission on Public Health released its final report this fall, outlining a comprehensive roadmap to modernize the state's public health infrastructure and strengthen coordination across state and local agencies. Created in 2023, the Commission was charged with evaluating Maryland’s foundational public health capabilities and developing strategic, actionable recommendations to improve the delivery of services at the state and local levels. Its work included collaboration with universities, public health experts, community partners, and professionals…

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November 18, 2025

Environment / Winter Conference

Environmental Justice Trackers Help Local Governments Follow Federal Policy Changes

Brookings and other institutions are helping local governments and residents track federal policy and regulations that effect environmental justice nationwide as roll backs and court cases continue amongst local efforts to implement equitable strategies. A number of education based and research agencies, including the Brookings Institution, have been tracking the effects of regulations, policies, and other federal actions that affect communities' exposure to environmental pollution. This includes public health protections for workers, pollution standards for…

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November 18, 2025

Energy / Environment / Winter Conference

MEA Opens Commercial and Canopy Solar Grant Applications

The Maryland Energy Administration has opened the application window for state commercial and canopy grant applications. The Maryland Energy Administration recently opened applications for $13 million in grants to help businesses and organizations across Maryland expand the use of clean energy systems to cut energy bills and combat climate change. Through the Fiscal Year 2026 Commercial and Canopy Solar Program, the agency aims to help businesses and nonprofit organizations better manage energy costs, reduce energy…

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November 18, 2025

Winter Conference

From Alerts to Action: Preempt Risk to Critical Services

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 Check Point! About Check Point: Check Point is a global leader in cyber security, with a mission to secure the digital world, and provides solutions to defend against cyber attacks. SOLUTIONS SHOWCASE SESSION: Title: From Alerts to Action: Preempt Risk to Critical Services Description: Every minute…

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November 18, 2025

Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Winter Conference

County Solutions to Safeguard Local Communities

Counties are often the first to spot gaps in community safety and stability. As pressures around housing, family wellbeing, and exploitation become increasingly complex, local governments are assuming a larger, more strategic role. Across Maryland and the nation, counties are navigating a surge in overlapping social challenges: rising housing costs that outpace wages, increased pressure on child and family services, and the emergence of new forms of exploitation. At the same time, counties are being…

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November 18, 2025

Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations / Public Safety and Corrections / Winter Conference

Federal Policy and Marginalized Communities: County Strategies for Support and Equity at #MACoCon

Counties sit at the crossroads of federal policy and local impact. When Washington makes decisions on funding, regulations, or enforcement, those choices don’t stay in DC — they ripple directly through county budgets, services, and communities. From Medicaid and healthcare to disaster relief, housing, food security, and energy, states and county governments often carry the load of federal shifts while keeping residents safe and services stable. These changes uniquely effect marginalized communities across every county…

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November 17, 2025

Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference

Scoring the Future: Understanding MDOT’s “Project Scorecard”

MDOT plans to advance changes to improve its current project scoring process. Hear more about these proposed updates at the upcoming MACo Winter Conference. One frequent concern in and outside Annapolis is that the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) project scoring process lacks clarity. For years, counties have submitted applications with little insight into why some projects are funded while others are not, fueling frustration and offering few lessons for improving future submissions. Over the…

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November 17, 2025