County Executive Klaus Meyer briefed the Baltimore County legislative delegation on the county’s priorities for the 2026 session, stressing a push for equitable state funding and an urgent local response to winter storms.
"Our focus this year is on fiscal stability, equitable state funding, needed infrastructure improvements," Meyer said, listing requests that include state support for teacher pensions and pre-K funding, Build to Learn Act projects and capital funds for police, fire stations, parks and libraries. She warned the delegation that the county does not want costs shifted back to local taxpayers.
Meyer described operational steps the county is taking this week on the snow response, including a press conference scheduled for 10 a.m. in Woodlawn and an emergency operations center to handle citizen calls. "We are having a press conference today at 10... All hands are on deck," she said, and said the county will provide a phone number and materials delegates can share with constituents.
Delegates pressed Meyer on an unrelated but escalating environmental nuisance: midge infestations along waterfronts. Delegate Bob Long asked whether the county should seek federal funding; Meyer said the county would write to the federal delegation and coordinate with state agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "We'll be writing some letters to the federal government," she said.
Meyer also said County government affairs staff will maintain an Annapolis office during the session and will be available to meet delegates and constituents. "Pam and the team will be in Annapolis... the office will be opened every day," she said, inviting delegates to use the office and to share county-prepared emergency information with their constituents.
The briefing concluded with a short question-and-answer period and logistics reminders from the chair; the county executive then left the virtual meeting to attend the planned Woodlawn event.