David Bliden retires this week as executive director of the Maryland Association of Counties, a position he has held since 1991. He is being replaced by MACo’s long-time legislative director, Michael Sanderson. But he will stay on as counsel through the legislative session so Sanderson has time to find his own replacement.
In your 17 years, what has changed the most in the relationship of the state with the counties?
I’d like to believe that over the past years, the relationship between the state and the counties has assumed a greater partnership perspective. We’ve been fortunate over the years that three out of the four governors I’ve been privileged to work with have come from a local government background — two mayors and a county executive — and that has brought an appreciation for the challenges of local government work.
What are some of the best things that have happened over that period?
Under the [William Donald] Schaefer administration [1987-1995], I like to look at the recognition in the Growth Act of 1992 of the role that local government has in land use management, an important role. In the context of partnership, I also look at how well county officials partnered with the O’Malley administration and with the Ehrlich administration in addressing the tremendous budget challenges facing the state.
What are the worst things that have happened between the state and the counties?
The trauma that arises from implosions in the state budget. We saw that in the early ’90s and we’re experiencing that now. It creates tremendous angst and stresses the partnership. The challenge is to create a commonality of purpose and, unfortunately, a commonality of pain.
How does Maryland compare to other states in terms of the relationship between the state government and county governments?
From my experience in dealing with my peers in other states, it is apparent to me that in Maryland, there is a much more effective partnership between the state and the counties. That reflects the much more significant role that Maryland counties play in local governance than their counterparts throughout the country. In Maryland, the structure of government is much more dependent at the local level on counties than in other states. In Maryland, counties are typically much larger and have greater responsibilities than their counterparts in other states.
– Len Lazarick
