On the heels of yet another $250 million revenue writedown, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee’s budget report voted on Friday, March 8 did not adopt a recommendation to cut local Highway User Revenues (HURs) to 9.6% indefinitely.

Local governments currently receive 15.6% of Highway User Revenues, 2.4% of which is dedicated to municipalities. That figure was scheduled to increase due to MML priority legislation passed a few years ago. The DLS recommended cut to 9.6% is consistent with the major cuts made in 2009 that saw municipalities receive just 0.4%.

The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) is starting to roll out FY22 and FY23 funding.

Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Congress established the State and
Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) to “award grants to eligible entities to address
cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to information systems owned or operated by, or
on behalf of, state, local, or tribal governments.”

View announcement for more details.

MML’s priority legislation, House Bill 282, will be heard in the House Environment & Transportation Committee on Thursday, February 8. HB 282 enables trained municipal personnel, in addition to a law enforcement officer, to approve or deny speed camera citations – just like red-light cameras and work zone speed cameras – simply standardizing the practice of camera enforcement.

The health and safety of the citizens who live, work, and play in our communities is one of the most important responsibilities of local governments. Improving the efficacy of municipal speed camera programs will reduce administrative burdens, empower smaller municipalities, and most importantly, enhance public safety.

(January 18, 2024) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML) joined Senator Michael Jackson and Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kevin Anderson at the Senate Budget and Taxation hearing, January 18, in support of Senate Bill 14. SB 14 would enable Maryland’s 157 municipalities to establish Tourism Zones, bringing in new visitors, future residents and helping to attract new tourism-related business to cities, towns, and villages across the state.

“Representing three districts with diverse needs, literally fits this bill to a tee,” opened the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jackson. “Understanding that each [municipality] has their own particular needs, our job is to – as legislators – try to meet those needs.” The bill, if successful, would allow municipalities to self-designate the boundaries of a tourism zone, to establish definitions for tourism businesses and qualifications for incentives, and to provide certain local incentives. Incentives include, but are not limited to, real property tax credits, personal property tax credits, and exemption from local Admission and Amusement tax.

MML’s priority legislation, SB 14, to allow municipalities to self-designate Tourism Zones will be heard in the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee on Thursday, January 18.

Modeled off a successful program in Virginia, this MML priority bill would authorize local governments to provide an array of local tax credits or waivers to businesses that aid in expanding tourism. This program would not only bolster the ability of jurisdictions to attract and retain community-oriented businesses, especially for those that lack access to other incentive programs, but to directly expand the State’s general revenue fund and attract new visitors to Maryland.

  PRESS RELEASE 

Maryland Municipal League Holds Inaugural “State of the Municipality”; Acknowledges $5.2+ Billion Municipal Economic Impact, 42,000 Jobs Supported       

Maryland Municipal League (MML) Partners with VC3, a National Cybersecurity Firm, to Deliver Services to Local Government in Maryland

(November 15, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML), which represents 160 local governments in Maryland, has partnered with VC3 to deliver cybersecurity and technology services to Maryland’s local governments. VC3’s municipal-focused cybersecurity and technology services are consistent with MML's mission to provide leadership and guidance for the towns and cities in the state of Maryland, as well as to help local governments stay innovative and efficient in serving their residents.

Governor Wes Moore Announces Support of MML’s Tourism Zone Priority at MML Fall Conference

(October 17, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – Governor Wes Moore joined the Maryland Municipal League (MML) Tuesday morning in College Park as the keynote speaker for the 2023 Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference with historic record-breaking attendance. During his remarks, Moore announced his enthusiastic support for MML’s legislative priority to authorize the creation of local tourism zones.

Lt. Gov Aruna Miller, Mayor Brandon Scott, and Secretary Jake Day Headline Day 2 of MML Fall Conference

(October 16, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML) opened its Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference today in the City of College Park, featuring remarks from Housing Secretary Jake Day, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller.

Maryland Municipal League Approves 2024 General Assembly Priorities 

MML Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Delegate-Designee Ryan Spiegel; Honorary Lifetime Membership Award to Commissioner Kumar Barve

(June 27, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML), which represents 157 cities and towns and two special taxing districts in Maryland, presented Ryan Spiegel, former MML President and Delegate-designee, with its esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Summer Conference in Ocean City, Maryland. The League also recognized former Delegate and current PSC Commissioner Kumar Barve as an Honorary Member.

2023-2024 Board of Directors Elected at MML’s Annual Business Meeting

Mayor John Carroll of Galena to Serve as President; Mayor Michael O’Connor of Frederick is President-Elect

The Maryland Municipal League Presents Municipal Achievement Awards to the Town of Greensboro and City of Laurel

(June 26, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML), which represents 157 cities and towns and two special taxing districts in Maryland, acknowledged Greensboro and Laurel as the Small Town and Large City winners of its revered Municipal Achievement Award during the Summer Conference.

The Maryland Municipal League and President Mitchell Announces MML Caucus Groups 

(June 26, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League (MML), which represents 157 cities and towns and two special taxing districts in Maryland, announced the formation of MML Caucus Groups after a unanimous vote by the MML Board of Directors. Launching caucus groups was a priority for President Denise Mitchell in her 2022-2023 term, modeled on the National League of Cities (NLC) efforts.

Courtesy of your MML Advocacy & Public Affairs team, here are five tips to build a solid foundation with your representatives in the Maryland General Assembly:

1. Talk to your state legislators regularly. Relationships are built in the moments between asks. Easy opportunities include making time to learn about their priorities and inviting them the community events and functions.
2. Include your legislators on municipal mailing lists so they receive regular city/town updates. This fills the gaps between your interactions, keeping you in their mind.
3. Offer them the opportunity to see firsthand achievements and challenges in your city or town. With achievements, this creates positive associations and allows them to brag about you. When challenges arise, they’ll be more ready to tell your story having seen the problem themselves.
4. Learn the cycle of their legislative schedule. Legislative Bond Initiatives can be a lifeline for your city/town. Work on your legislator’s timeline to ensure projects are ready and well supported before the General Assembly begins. The same goes for other legislative requests.
5. Publicly thank them for their support. Find ways to acknowledge their efforts both in person and in writing – including in items such as an annual report, newsletter, and other publications that go out to citizens and civic leaders.

Bonus tip: If they didn’t support your position, still thank them for consideration of your position. Your legislator may disagree with you on one issue but be a staunch supporter on another. Don’t burn the bridge you invested so much goodwill on.