October 11, 2019
The Formula Funding Workgroup, formed to assemble the formulas and cost shares to drive the Kirwan Commission’s school funding recommendations, issued a first set of possible county impacts this week. While their final decision meeting is rapidly approaching (October 15), counties are seeking to quickly digest and respond to this newly unveiled framework, governing billions in future State and county education investments.
Conduit Street Coverage: The FY 2030 Figures
Online registration for MACo's Winter Conference is now open!

This year's theme "Building for the Future" will focus on county governance challenges and best practices – from the foundation to the rooftop – that will decide Maryland’s future. Topics to be discussed include school construction, clean energy infrastructure and solar siting, “The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future,” medical cannabis in the workplace, land use and zoning, long term traffic safety planning, and engaging with constituents.


Conduit Street Podcast Corner:
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss the latest news and notes from Annapolis, including the final allocation of $5 million in state grants to local governments and non-profits to promote the 2020 Census, and a first look at the costs of implementing the recommendations of the [Kirwan] Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education.

The Kirwan Commission's School Funding Formula Workgroup, nearing its end, distributed and discussed several analyses that illustrate the potential effects of the plan on county finances – but more work and refinement awaits, in time for next week’s decision meeting.
Listen to any MACo Podcast Episode: www.mdcounties.org/Podcast
Counties In Action
Charles County Commissioners held a ribbon cutting ceremony on new Senior & Recreation Center in Waldorf.
Garrett County to receive nearly $1M in funding for new fire & rescue communications equipment.
Howard County announces "Innovation Fund" consisting of $225K in grant funding to improve quality of life for residents.

Corporate Partner Corner

MACo's Gold Corporate Partner, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, recently celebrated their first Day of Equity and Action on October 2.


More than 5,000 employees of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) , the region’s largest healthcare company, participated today in the organization’s first Day of Equity and Action to reinforce its commitment to inclusion, equity, community service and a fuller understanding of all people.
 
CareFirst closed normal business operations and mobilized its employee base in five different locations throughout the region – Baltimore; Washington, DC; Cumberland, MD; Easton, MD; and Charleston, WV – to participate in team-building activities and training focused on developing behavioral tools that help to cultivate empathy and understanding in the workplace. This is part of CareFirst’s ongoing commitment to supporting a culture and environment of inclusion, equity and belonging across a richly diverse group of people of different ages, races, religions, ethnicities, veteran status, cultures, abilities, economic status, identity and sexual orientation.

For more information visit CareFirst's website.

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