OUR PRIORITY & TESTIMONY

ACS has been advocating on behalf of Howard County’s nonprofit human and social service, cultural, environmental and faith-based organizations and the individuals and families that they serve since 1963. Our advocacy includes community wide education, bringing together decision makers to resolve issues, giving testimony before elected officials, and building partnerships to achieve advocacy goals. During election years, we host candidate forums, often in collaboration with the League of Women Voters, to build relationships with candidates and our members and educate them about our advocacy work.

 

The Public Policy Committee (PPC) is a key component of our advocacy work. PPC is made up of representatives our member community who serve as advisors to recommend advocacy priorities and actions to the ACS Board of Directors. All members are welcome to join the PPC. Email us at policy@acshoco.org to get involved with our advocacy work.

 

ACS Advocacy Priority

Our advocacy priority is to reshape systems and structures that impact the nonprofit sector and the people we serve so we can meet the growing needs of today and tomorrow. This includes:

Identifying and dismantling the racism that is embedded in policies, institutional systems and structures, and interpersonal relationships.
Strengthening the nonprofit community by increasing its access to financial and non-financial resources from government, foundations, businesses, and the general public.
Increasing the availability and accessibility of affordable housing for Howard County residents, particularly for people with low and moderate incomes, seniors, and people with disabilities. The goal is to promote long-term housing stability and functionally end homelessness.
Advancing the abilities for individuals and families to have their financial needs met by supporting living wages, educational opportunities, technical/skill-based training, and other initiatives that will create a just standard of living for everyone.
Ensuring that quality, affordable childcare is accessible to enable residents the opportunity to work and support the social-emotional development of children.
Enhancing transit and mobility options and reliability for Howard County residents - particularly in communities that rely heavily on public transportation and walking, and for those individuals with mobility issues (i.e., seniors, people with disabilities).
Promoting the health and environment of Howard County residents by addressing community needs in access to care, behavioral health, clean air and water, healthy aging, healthy weight, and maternal and infant health, while eliminating health disparities.

Last updated: December 16, 2021

2022 Candidate Forum Roundtable Handouts

Nonprofit Needs & Racial Equity
Housing & Homelessness
HCHAC Housing Terms Info Sheet
Economic Stability & the Benefits Cliff
Food Access & Insecurity

ACS Testimony

January 31:  HoCo by Design - Comments on Draft Plan

February 1: Support - SB 59 - Maryland Health Benefit Exchange – Small Employers – Special Enrollment Period and Marketing

February 16: Support - HB 107 - Maryland Health Benefit Exchange - Small Employers - Special Enrollment Period and Marketing

March 13: Howard County FY 2024 Budget Testimony

January 25: Support - Ho.Co. 12-22 - Howard County - Disposable Bag Fees - Exemption

February 15th: State Budget

March 1: Support - HB 878 - Howard County - Department of Housing and Community Development - Housing
Opportunities Trust Fund Ho. Co. 5-22

March 2: Support w/ Amendments - SB 632 - Maryland Health Benefit Exchange - Small Business and Nonprofit Health Insurance Subsidies Program

March 14: County FY 2023 Budget Testimony

March 31: Crossover Testimony

May 10: Howard County FY 2023 Budget Testimony

December 21: Howard County FY 2024 Budget Testimony

January 27: Oppose - Ho.Co. 12-21 - Prohibition Against Fee-in-Lieu

March 3: Racial Equity Task Force Public Hearing

May 4: FY 2022 Operating Budget

May 6: Racial Equity Task Force Draft Recommendations

September 22: Support - CR 144 and CR 145 - Roslyn Rise Apartments PILOT

November 15: Support - CB 82 - Minimum Wage Requirements

November 16: Support - Ho.Co. 5-22 - Howard County - Department of Housing and Community Development - Housing Opportunities Trust Fund

November 16: Support - Howard County - Disposable Bag Fees - Exemption

December 13: FY 2023 Budget 

December 16: HCPSS Policy 6010 to Board of Education

January 23: Support - Ho.Co. 23-20 - School Data Collection

February 7: Oppose - Ho.Co. 11-20 - Prohibitions Against Fee-in-Lieu

February 10: Support - Ho.Co. 26-20 - Increase Transfer Tax Authorization

February 12: Operating Budget Special Education Funding

March 12: Operating Budget Pedestrian Plan Funding

April 13: Letter to Joint COVID-19 Response Legislative Workgroup 

May 11: Support - CR 84-2020 - Increase Transfer Tax

May 11: Support - CR 85-2020 - Amends Recordation Tax

May 17: FY 2021 Operating Budget Testimony

August 18: Support with Amendments - HCPSS Educational Equity Policy 1080

September 21: Support - CR 142-2020 - Racial Equity Task Force

October 19: Support - New Cultural Center Funding

December 9: Residents' Budget Hearing

March 5: Funding priority requests presented to Howard County Administration at the FY 2020 Citizen's Budget Hearing

May 1: County Council, Operating Budget Testimony

June 18: Support for CR96-2019 Enterprise Homes PILOT

June 18: Support for CR 97-2019 Robinson Overlook PILOT

July 8: Support for CR 97-2019 Robinson Overlook PILOT (2nd Public Hearing)

September 16: Support for CR120 a resolution adopting the Howard County Complete Streets Policy and requiring the development of a Complete Streets Design Manual.

September 18: Opposition to CB42-2019, School Facilities Surcharge

September 18: Support for CR112-2019, Development of Implementation Plan to Integrate HCPSS

December 9: County Council, FY 2021 Operating Budget Testimony