April 17, 2020
Federal Rescue Funds: Forging the Framework
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The fast-moving plan to insulate state and local governments from the shocks of the COVID-19 crisis shifted gears this week. Maryland announced its plan to forward $364M of federal funds to the 19 local counties not receiving a direct federal allocation – half through the local health department, half by application of county (and municipal) governments. Meanwhile, NACo rings the bell that fever-pitch negotiations are underway to shape an expected next round of federal assistance, and is urging stronger and direct county funding as a foundational element. Conduit Street has the details on the Maryland plan, and the federal policy being shaped, as we forge through this unique economic challenge.

Conduit Street Podcast Corner:
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, David Juppe joins Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to discuss the fiscal implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, examine the "trigger" provision in the Kirwan Blueprint bill for education funding , and explore the viability of dipping into the state's rainy day fund to respond to the coronavirus public health crisis.

David Juppe, a professor in the Public Affairs department at the University of Baltimore and former senior operating budget manager at the Department of Legislative Services, is an expert on state and local finances.
Listen to any Conduit Street Podcast Episode: www.mdcounties.org/Podcast
Counties In Action
Anne Arundel @recparks Set Up Donation Sites for @AAFoodBank at 4 County Regional Parks
Kent County Implements Successful Backpack Program to Distribute Meals to Children
St. Mary's Offers Guidance on Protecting Pets During Pandemic

Corporate Partner Corner

MACo's Platinum Corporate Partner AT&T , is partnering with the NBA and education company Learn Fresh to create the NBA Math Hoops mobile app, to make distance learning more engaging for students.

From AT&T :

With a $250,000 contribution from AT&T, Learn Fresh is enhancing the NBA Math Hoops mobile app and expanding its ability to reach students in need of support around the globe. NBA Math Hoops is a comprehensive community program that allows students to learn fundamental math skills through the game of basketball.

“In low-income communities, just 54% of eighth graders are performing at a basic level of proficiency in math. Failing a math class is a huge indicator for dropping out of high school,” said Nick Monzi, NBA Math Hoops Co-Founder and CEO. “In this current environment, it has never been more important to ensure students continue to grow their foundational math and social-emotional skills. With AT&T, we can continue scaling NBA Math Hoops and creating fun virtual programs like NBA Math Breaks, to serve more students around the world.”

In addition to this contribution, the NBA will launch NBA Math Breaks Presented by AT&T, a social content series inspired by the NBA Math Hoops program. This AT&T-sponsored series will feature members of the NBA and WNBA family as they work through elementary and middle-school level math problems that incorporate the game of basketball.

For more information, visit AT&T's website.

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