Hundreds of Maryland Leaders Kick-Off Maryland Municipal League’s 75th Anniversary At Legislative Reception

Approximately 200 Maryland leaders, including Governor Martin O’Malley and former governors Marvin Mandel and Parris N. Glendening,  joined members of the Maryland Municipal League (MML) in kicking off a year-long celebration of  MML’s 75th anniversary at its fourth annual legislative reception held Wednesday, January 12, at the Maryland Inn in Annapolis.

The Maryland Municipal League, representing 157 municipal governments and two special taxing districts serving 1.5 million people in Maryland’s cities and towns, is commemorating its 75th anniversary with a year of activities integrated with its current educational efforts. To help educate Marylanders about the significant history and valuable role municipalities have in Maryland, MML partnered with Maryland Life magazine to produce a special commemorative insert. The insert, which looks at MML’s past, present and future, is included in the January/February issue of Maryland Life as well as the January issue of Municipal Maryland, MML’s monthly magazine. In addition, each 2011 issue of Municipal Maryland will pay tribute to MML's past presidents and feature articles relating to MML's history.

As the only statewide organization composed solely of municipal officials, MML has played a vital role in Maryland. Former Annapolis Mayor Louis N. Phipps, Sr. founded MML in 1936 to help cities and towns gain their fair share of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal" money.  One dozen Maryland mayors successfully lobbied for federal funding and the league was born. Among its list of notable achievements, MML has increased membership from eight municipalities to all 157 municipalities and two special taxing districts of today, as well as ensured that municipalities are recognized equally under state law regardless of population or wealth.

“The league is an association of all Maryland towns and cities, but what we really do is connect politicians with mentors and counselors, allies and advocates, seasoned officials and past league presidents,” said Scott Hancock, executive director of the Maryland Municipal League. “While MML’s structure, staff and number of municipalities have changed over the last three-quarters of a century, our mission remains constant: to strengthen and support municipal government in Maryland through advocacy and the development of effective leadership.”

“The Maryland Municipal League is a group of people serving not for the glory or the money, but because they want to make a difference in their communities,” said former governor Parris N. Glendening. “I was only a councilmember for a year and a half, but some of my most enduring relationships are with colleagues I met through MML.”

Today, more than ever, municipal leaders are coming together to face one of the most significant challenges in MML’s history. Since the 1960’s, municipalities have relied on Highway User Revenues (HUR), which are revenues from the gas tax and other transportation-related fees that are meant to be returned by the state to local communities for ongoing transportation related projects such as road repair, street maintenance and snow removal. During difficult economic times, the state has used HUR monies to balance the state’s budget. Since FY 2008, the State of Maryland has cut Highway User Revenues for municipalities by 95 percent from $45 million to $1.6 million. This significantly reduced amount of money is distributed to all Maryland municipalities to pay for local road maintenance including snow plowing in all 157 cities and towns. In addition, revenue for local police was cut by 35 percent.

"Restoring Highway User Revenues for municipalities to full funding represents about the cost of one interchange on the Intercounty Connector. Restoration of these monies will make a significant impact in the road maintenance needs of all 157 cities and towns in Maryland," said Chairman David Winstead, Village of Chevy Chase Board Chairman. "Street paving. Sidewalk maintenance. These are basic services residents expect of their government."

Because Maryland’s incorporated cities and towns have two principal ways of raising revenue—through property and individual income taxes—options are limited when state revenue drops. Along with advocating for a full increase in State Highway User Revenue and Police Aid for FY2012, municipal officials are looking for more tools to be able to balance their budgets during difficult economic times.