Calling all municipal leaders: Join us for an unforgettable day of civic engagement on March 5, 2026.

The Maryland Municipal League's educational partners at the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy published a new article on Social Equity in Public Budgeting in the Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management.  John Ronquillo, Director of the University's Institute for Public Leadership, and Assistant Professor Juan Pablo Martinez Guzman's paper looks at how consideration of social equity is incorporated into developing public budgets, including how social equity considerations vary across different governments.

Thank you, to all who attended the Joint Opening Day of Session Legislative Reception. Did you stop by our selfie station? Check out our FlickR account, to see if you are in the mix of photos, packed with big smiles and good vibes. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mdmunicipal/

The countdown to #MMLCon26 registration has begun. Although summer conference registration doesn't open until March 2, you wouldn't want to miss out on our event refresher Lunch and Learn webinar to help you prepare to get your officials signed up.

Join us on Tuesday, February 17 at noon as we provide an overview of the event registration process that will include:

This past membership year marked a period of intentional growth and bold steps forward for the League. Even as federal administrative transitions introduced uncertainty and our state confronts significant fiscal challenges, MML remained focused on advancing the work that strengthens Maryland’s cities and towns - and on expanding our reach in ways unlike anything in our organization’s history.

The City of Bowie is hosting Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) course MGT-312 – Senior Officials Workshop for All-Hazards Preparedness on March 10, 2026. The course is intended for elected officials and senior level staff.

Join the Rural Maryland Council and the Maryland Heritage Areas Program for a grant information session and workshop on Tuesday, January 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Hosted by the Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area, Heart of Chesapeake Country Heritage Area, and Beach to Bay Heritage Area, this free event, sponsored by the Waterfowl Festival, is an opportunity to learn more about two state-level grant programs and hone your skills as a grant writer.

Register today

Get ready for another year of exciting and memorable events. From virtual webinars to our annual "If I were mayor, I would..." Essay Contest ceremony, you won't want to miss out. Save the dates for all MML events and stay in the loop with any updates, as we prepare for our special 90th anniversary celebration!

As you plan your upcoming budget, take the time to join MML for our kickoff 2026 webinar on January 13. Learn from MML's newest Community Partner, Mark Williams, Vice President of Associations and Partnerships at National Insurance Services. Hear how to save up to 20% on your employer sponsored insurance programs including life and short and long term. This complimentary session is a great opportunity to learn, connect, and ask questions. Registration is required to attend.

On January 20 at noon, we will offer a Lunch and Learn: Tutorial Session on Key Contact Functionality to introduce/refresh key contacts on how to add their officials into the platform. Each city/town is allowed two Key Contacts; please make sure that at least one municipal contact plans to attend.

Key contacts are municipal staff who have been designated by their municipality to have access to MML's database platform. This functionality allows key contacts to add new officials into our system as well as register officials for our events.

Looking to stand out during the ultimate legislative launch event in Annapolis? With over 1,000 attendees at last year’s reception, this is a great opportunity to be part of one of the most exciting and important legislative networking events of the year. 

Be a sponsor. Check out the event's limited sponsorship opportunities.

For decades, the League's oldest ambassador program, "If I were Mayor, I would..." Essay Contest has educated fourth graders (and teachers) about municipal government and the role of the mayor. In late December, a postcard announcing the 2026 essay contest was mailed to schools and municipalities. Contest materials are now available on our website. 

Essay submissions are now open. The essay contest deadline is March 5.

The Banner City/Town Program bestows formal recognition each year to cities and towns that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to MML programs and activities. This program serves as a guidepost on how to make the most of your MML membership.

Consider this your friendly nudge - the 2025 State of the Municipality is almost here, and this is the final call to secure your spot. Join the Maryland Municipal League for the 2025 State of the Municipality on December 4, 2025, at the Governor Calvert House in Annapolis. Discover findings from the new Municipal Services Report, a MML study done in collaboration with The Schaefer Center for Public Policy at the University of Baltimore. Hear from state and local leaders on budgeting, service priorities, and modernizing revenue for 21st-century Marylanders. Also, enjoy an exclusive National League of Cities (NLC) report finding on City Fiscal Conditions in 2025.

If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, this is your last opportunity. Registration is closing soon and very limited tickets remain available.

The countdown is on with just a little over a month until the highly anticipated 2026 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session begins. The Maryland Municipal League invites you to join us on January 14, 2026, for our Legislative Opening Day Reception, the ultimate legislative launch event in Annapolis. With over 1,000 attendees at last year’s reception, this is a great opportunity to be part of one of the most exciting and important legislative networking events of the year. Don’t miss the excitement - mark your calendar and join us at the historic Governor Calvert House, 58 State Circle, Annapolis, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on January 14.

The United States Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) recently held two webinars that featured information on cybersecurity threats and water system infrastructure. The links below will direct you to presentation slides that cover essential information on cybersecurity challenges facing water systems, including:

• Information technology vs. operational technology and their common myths, systems, and threats
• Best practices for reporting incidents and recovery
• Cyber threats to infrastructure and water systems
• Cybersecurity resources and information

Access the slides here:

Earlier this year, the General Assembly enacted legislation establishing eight new Sustainable Growth Planning Principles to guide land use and development policy statewide. In response, the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) has released the Sustainable Growth Implementation Guide, a new resource intended to help jurisdictions understand how the Principles may be applied in planning documents, projects, and policy development. 

MDP developed the Guide with input from multiple state agencies and through Regional Planner Roundtables, where local planners identified areas where additional clarity or technical support could be useful. This Guide is designed to offer a flexible framework that can help jurisdictions anticipate market changes and better align local planning efforts with the state’s goals related to economic vitality, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. It includes examples, best practices, and models for integrating them into local planning processes, and is intended as a companion manual to the new Principles.

The National Civic League is now accepting applications for the 2026 All-America City Award. The theme for 2026 is “America at 250: Strengthening Civic Health and Building Trust.” The League is seeking communities that are bringing our founding ideals to life by ensuring that people have the power and opportunity to shape their collective future. 

Apply to join the 9 communities from Maryland that have won the All-America City Award! You can view the full list of past recipients here.