Winter Conference Archives

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

Winter Conference

Check Out the Growing List of Generous Winter #MACoCon Sponsors

MACo’s Winter Conference – coming up December 10 – 12, 2025, would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Check them out and learn how they can partner with you and your county to provide cost-saving products and services. Learn more about all of our sponsors and see how they are making this Winter Conference the best one yet. Check out our Solutions Showcases as well! Aetna Ameresco American Fidelity AT&T/FirstNet Autumn Lake…

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November 17, 2025

County News / Elections / Winter Conference

Supreme Court Case Could Change Maryland’s Mail-In Ballot Rules

The Supreme Court of the United States will hear a case that could impact how states handle mail-in ballots, including those in Maryland. The dispute originated in Mississippi, where state law allows election officials to count ballots cast by Election Day and received within five business days. A federal trial judge upheld that rule. The Fifth Circuit struck it down. Now the Court will decide which interpretation prevails. The core question is simple: Does federal…

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November 17, 2025

County News / Winter Conference

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 Health Building resilience helps you leverage healthy coping skills when experiencing…

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November 17, 2025

Winter Conference

The Data Gap in Women’s Health: Why Benefits Miss the Mark

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 Progyny! About Progyny: Progyny provides cohesive care that starts at preconception, continues through fertility and pregnancy, and extends to menopause and midlife. SOLUTIONS SHOWCASE SESSION: Title: The Data Gap in Women’s Health: Why Benefits Miss the Mark Description: Despite growing investment in women’s health benefits, programs…

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November 17, 2025

Winter Conference

Winter #MACoCon Countdown: 4 Weeks, 4 Essentials

MACo’s Winter Conference is only four (4) weeks away – December 10-12, 2025. Here are a few essentials you don’t want to miss… 1. REGISTER! If you haven’t registered yet, do it soon! You don’t want to miss this. Our current low rates are available through November 21. 2. Review the Schedule Check out all the details on the sessions being offered…including hot topics like housing, energy, county budgets, and more! 3. Join MACo’s Book Club (FREE books still available)! We're…

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November 12, 2025

Energy / Winter Conference

EPA Delays Rulemaking for Solar Waste

EPA has delayed its rulemaking process for producing guidance on how to handle solar panels after decommissioning. As the nation’s solar capacity continues to expand, federal regulators have yet to finalize a cohesive framework for managing end-of-life solar panels—leaving states, local governments, and the private sector to navigate a growing policy gap. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has discussed placing photovoltaic (PV) modules under a more flexible “universal waste” designation, which would simplify transport and…

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November 11, 2025

Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Winter Conference

Housing at the Crossroads: Local Challenges in a Changing Landscape

Housing has become a core issue in Annapolis. 2026 is set to be a year of action, with legislators and stakeholders set to debate an array of solutions. Housing policy is taking on new urgency in Annapolis, as state leaders, local officials, and advocates grapple with rising costs, limited supply, and growing pressure to accommodate Maryland’s workforce and vulnerable residents. Lawmakers are signaling that housing is no longer a niche issue, but a core component…

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November 11, 2025