Harford County’s Business Voice Must Be Heard

Bel Air, MD – The November 2026 election will shape the cost and competitiveness of doing business in Harford County for years to come. The leaders elected this cycle will confront a state budget gap, rising energy and health-care costs, workforce and housing challenges, and growing pressure on local governments. When the Maryland General Assembly convenes in January, these issues will become legislation, regulations, taxes, and spending decisions that directly affect employers, employees, and families. Business engagement cannot wait until bills are introduced. It must begin now.

Harford County business leaders can act now:
? Ask candidates specific questions about taxes, energy, health care, workforce
development and local decision-making.
? Vote and encourage employees to participate in the election process.
? Follow the Harford County Chamber’s advocacy updates and respond to action
alerts.
? Testify on legislation, submit written comments, or join a Chamber delegation to
Annapolis.
? Share examples of how proposed policies would affect your employees,
customers and operations.

For Harford County Chamber members, engagement is not partisan—it is practical. Business leaders must ask candidates where they stand, vote, share their real-world experiences and remain engaged after Election Day.

Affordability should be central to every policy discussion. New taxes and fees do not occur in isolation. They compound rising wages, insurance premiums, utility bills, material costs and interest rates. Before asking businesses and families to pay more, policymakers should demonstrate spending discipline, transparency and measurable results. Harford County also should not become the final destination for costs passed the federal government to the state and then to local taxpayers. State mandates place significant pressure on county budgets. Local leaders need flexibility to develop solutions that reflect Harford County’s distinct communities, industries and priorities.

Energy and health-care costs require equal attention. Employers need reliable power, stable rates and transparent justification for utility increases. They also need clarity as Maryland transitions to the AHEAD hospital model and FAMLI implementation. Businesses that provide health coverage should tell lawmakers how rising premiums affect hiring, wages and employee benefits along with the added cost of mandatory paid leave policies.

Maryland’s tax policies must also be lawful, understandable and predictable. Prolonged disputes over contested revenue create uncertainty, complicate compliance, and weaken confidence in the state’s business climate.

The message is simple: employers invest and entrepreneurs take risks when rules are
clear and costs are reasonably predictable.

Silence leaves policymakers without the perspective of those who create jobs, serve customers and strengthen our economy. Harford County’s business community may not agree on every candidate or policy, but we can unite around affordability, accountability, local flexibility and economic opportunity.

Our voice matters. Let us use it—at the ballot box, with candidates, and throughout the legislative session ahead.
--------------------------------------

About the Harford County Chamber of Commerce: The Harford County Chamber of Commerce has worked continually as the recognized voice of business in Harford County since 1976. The Harford Chamber is the premier business advocate in the county, helping members connect and thrive to create a vibrant economy across all sectors. For more information or become a Harford County Chamber member, please contact Natalie Pixley at
natalie@harfordchamber.org