MML’s priority legislation giving local jurisdictions the authority to levy a food and beverage fee, SB 324, has a hearing next week, January 29.
This bill would authorize municipalities and counties to charge up to 3% on on-site food and beverage purchases.
One of MML's legislative priorities in 2025 is to allow trained civilians to review speed camera images and issue citations. While this bill was introduced last year, it has two new sponsors this year; Delegate Vaughn Stewart, who is the chair of the Motor Vehicle Subcommittee, and Senator Will Smith, who is the chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee. Recently, they formally introduced the bills, HB 343 and SB 390. In addition to these two great sponsors, Governor Moore publicly announced his support of the legislation at the MML Legislative Reception on January 8.
Next steps are the public hearings which have not yet been scheduled. For more information please contact Bill Jorch, [email protected].
The National League of Cities (NLC) has been asked to testify at the House Transportation Committee’s kickoff hearing to reauthorize the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) on Wednesday, January 15 at 10 a.m. ET. IIJA significantly expanded the number of infrastructure programs local governments could access, but there is a need to protect the local-federal partnership programs in the face of limited federal funding and tough scrutiny in the renewal process. The NLC Research team has prepared a new local infrastructure priorities survey and needs responses before March 12. The goal is to have every state’s representation resulting in national report out of the nation’s most pressing city infrastructure needs and state-by-state breakouts for Senators and State Leagues for use for state-level work.
The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced a $1.35 billion increase in federal funding to address climate resilience nationwide. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell revealed that this funding is available through two critical grant programs: the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, and the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. These funds aim to enhance disaster preparedness, protect people and infrastructure, and mitigate flood risks nationwide.
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program offers $750 million for projects aimed at mitigating risks from natural hazards such as floods, hurricanes, and extreme heat. Maryland municipalities can leverage this funding to support initiatives like stormwater system upgrades, reinforcing public buildings, and developing green infrastructure to enhance resilience.
The Moment for Housing is Now - National League of Cities, is happening Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. in person at Georgetown University in Washington DC. We have a great line-up. There is no registration fee with this event and breakfast and lunch are included along with a networking reception.
Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC and the National League of Cities (NLC) invite you to join us for a critical conversation on the state of housing supply in America’s cities.
The MML Annual Summer Conference is June 22-25, 2025. Save the dates below and look for more details to come.
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MML’s annual “If I Were Mayor, I Would…" essay contest is the League's oldest ambassador program and is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The 25-year-old contest educates fourth graders (and teachers) about municipal government and the role of the mayor. A postcard announcing the 2025 essay contest was mailed to schools and municipalities in early January. Materials are now live on our website.
Essay contest deadline is March 7
Setting Up Your myMGA Account
To submit testimony (oral, written, or informational) to the Maryland General Assembly, you must have a myMGA account. There are helpful tutorials for myMGA here.
Relive the memories captured at MML events by visiting our newly created Flickr account. Access and download pictures of the Annual Legislative Opening Day Joint Reception and the Legislative Opening Day Photo Wall.
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U.S. House and Senate committees recently introduced a bicameral agreement to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Although the proposed bill includes some positive policy changes, several provisions raise concerns about reducing local flexibility and stakeholder involvement. Key issues include redesignation of local workforce development areas which may reduce local accountability and slow innovation by enabling single-area designations in many states. There have also been several One-Size-Fits-All mandates. These Federal mandates on training and work-experience requirements for youth could negatively impact underserved populations. There has also been an increased governor's set-aside for critical industries fund expanding state-level set-asides to 25% could limit resources for local implementation.
Advocacy efforts, including letters from the National League of Cities (NLC), U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM), and National Association of Counties (NACo), continue to push for greater flexibility, though movement on local redesignation provisions remains unlikely. Members are encouraged to engage Congress and share concerns here.
MML's Banner City/Town Program bestows formal recognition each year to cities and towns that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to MML programs and activities. The program serves as a guidepost on how to make the most of your MML membership.
The National Civic League is now accepting applications for the 2025 All-America City Award. The theme for 2025 is “Strengthening Environmental Sustainability through Inclusive Community Engagement.” The League is seeking communities that actively engage residents, businesses, and government stakeholders in initiatives to promote environmental sustainability and strengthen community resilience.
Apply to join the nine communities from Maryland that have won the All-America City Award! You can view the full list of past recipients here.
The Maryland Municipal League’s annual State of the Municipality event on December 5 is now open to the public, but spots are limited!
Attendees can expect a thorough overview of Maryland's fiscal health and insight into how local government action is an important part of improving Maryland’s economic strength. Don’t miss this exclusive chance to connect with other leaders, stakeholders, and community supporters dedicated to Maryland’s growth!
Graduates of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance can take Academy Graduate classes as they are offered. Our next iteration will be offered on Friday, January 31, 2025 at the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT) headquarters in Hanover, MD from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The topic is: Managing the Strategic Cybersecurity Challenge and the instructor is Associate Professor Charlie Harry from the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland. Even if you are not an IT expert or in charge of your technical or policy changes, the class will be taught so that whatever you do for your municipality or county, you will benefit from this understanding and be able to return to your workplace with new knowledge and a framework to think about with your team. Please see the following details:
Cybersecurity Grad Class Session Description
Graduate Class Enrollment Registration Form
You must be a graduate of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance to participate in this course. Please send in your enrollment form and payment of $125, which includes materials and lunch, as soon as possible. Attendance is limited.
For additional information, contact Academy Registrar Elizabeth Hinson at [email protected].
Apply now for the Youth and Community Violence Prevention Action Teams (VPAT) program. Through this funding and technical assistance opportunity, NACCHO will provide up to $50,000 each for a maximum of 6 awardee teams. The National Association of County Health Officials (NACCHO), The National League of Cities (NLC), and other partners will provide technical assistance.
This funding opportunity is open to jurisdictions with high rates of youth and community violence – particularly firearm homicide – disproportionately affecting communities of color, looking to support multisector violence prevention efforts by forming Youth and Community Violence Prevention Action Teams.
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Maryland Sustainable Growth Awards. The Maryland Department of Planning and the Sustainable Growth Subcabinet invite all nominations for individuals, businesses, organizations, and local governments throughout Maryland that advance sustainable growth policies and practices. Nominations are considered for applications that support a balanced approach to land use and planning across at least three of the #SustainableGrowth Policy and Planning Principles: Land, Transportation, Housing, Economy, Equity, Resilience, Place, and Ecology.
The online nomination form and details can be found here.
The Fall edition of the National Civic Review focuses on strengthening democracy, and addressing this challenge through various approaches. It explores scaling and spreading effective local practices, enhancing inclusivity and participation, and tackling issues related to community health and public safety.
This edition was made possible with the support of The Kettering Foundation.
The online edition of the Review is now open access. You can read it here.
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