Complete Count Conversation
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson, Kevin Kinnally, and Natasha Mehu discuss the latest news and notes from Annapolis, including the latest in the three-way race for Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates. Also this week, tricky policy issues for county human resources offices and a look at the 2020 Decennial Census. An accurate census count, or lack thereof, has a lasting effect on counties, particularly when it comes to the distribution of federal funds. With the 2020 census nearing, the 2020 Maryland Complete Count Committee (CCC) helps the state prepare and mobilize for the 2020 decennial census. The Maryland CCC includes nonprofit leaders, elected officials, state agency heads, and county and municipal government representatives.
Eye on Annapolis... and Beyond
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Kevin Kinnally sit down with the founder of the Eye on Annapolis and co-host of The Maryland Crabs podcast, John Frenaye. Listen in for the latest news and notes from Annapolis, including state and local politics, budgets, and a look ahead to the 2020 and 2022 elections.
Revisiting: Reopening, Relief, and Revenues
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Alex Butler and Drew Jabin join Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to discuss the latest on school reopenings, negotiations over the next federal COVID-19 stimulus package, unemployment benefits, payroll taxes, big changes for the November 3 election, and the road ahead for state and local budgets. MACo has made the podcast available through all major platforms by searching Conduit Street Podcast. You can also listen on our Conduit Street blog with a recap and link to the podcast. You can listen to previous episodes of the Conduit Street Podcast on our website. Useful Links Conduit Street Podcast: A Conduit St Look at Pennsylvania Avenue Previous Conduit Street Coverage: *UPDATED* MSDE Deadline Approaches, School Boards Announce Reopening Plans Previous Conduit Street Coverage: What’s the Deal with Maryland Schools? Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Montgomery Rescinds Order Prohibiting In-Person Classes At Nonpublic Schools Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Hogan Approves Plan to Open Vote Centers for Nov 3 Election Previous Conduit Street Coverage: U.S. Senate Republicans Unveil HEALS Act: No New Funding for State & Local Govts Previous Conduit Street Coverage: U.S. House Passes $3T Stimulus Bill, Faces Pushback in Senate Previous Conduit Street Coverage: State to Counties: We’ll Frontload CARES Funds With Your Plan AND Agreement Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Counties: Proposed Reimbursement Model for CARES Funds Too Slow Previous Conduit Street Coverage: MD CARES Plan: $364M, Split Between Local Health and Local Govts
New tech Driving New Policy - Part Two
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss how new technology is driving new policy in Maryland. In part two of this two-part series, we focus on small cell wireless technology, solar energy siting, body-worn cameras, and Next Generation 9-1-1.\n\nClick here to listen to part one of this series, where we discuss ridesharing, peer-to-peer property rentals, drones, GPS and navigation software, and autonomous vehicles.
Mid-Session Musings, #AfterDark
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast #AfterDark, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss the latest news and notes from Annapolis, including long floor sessions, busy committee hearings, and multi-day committee voting sessions. Also this week, a look at the process for municipal incorporation/annexation, and why county governments -- and their residents -- have skin in the game. MACo has made the podcast available through all major platforms by searching Conduit Street Podcast. You can also listen on our Conduit Street blog with a recap and link to the podcast. You can listen to previous episodes of the Conduit Street Podcast on our website. Useful Links Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Broader View Matters on Municipal Incorporation Process MACo Legislative Tracking Database MACo Testimony
Revenue Write-Up, 2020 Census, Listener Mailbag, & More!
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Kevin Kinnally discuss the latest revenue projections from the Board of Revenue Estimates, discuss the importance of the 2020 Census and how it affects local governments, and answer questions from our listener mailbag.
Point of Sale Policies, Pondering Polls, and More!
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally, Michael Sanderson, and Alex Butler discuss the latest news and notes from Annapolis, including the "bag ban" bill; a proposal that would require Maryland to establish a bottle deposit program; and interesting tidbits from the latest Goucher College Poll.MACo has made the podcast available through both iTunes and Google Play Music by searching Conduit Street Podcast. You can also listen on our Conduit Street blog with a recap and link to the podcast.You can listen to previous episodes of the Conduit Street Podcast on our website.Useful LinksPrevious Conduit Street Coverage: MACo Proposes Amendments to Plastic Bag Bill to Prevent PreemptionPrevious Conduit Street Coverage: Bill Introduced Mandating Bottle Deposit ProgramGoucher College Poll - February 2020
"Spring Cleaning" Policy Roundup
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Kevin Kinnally discuss the latest news and notes from Annapolis, including an update on the budget, a strange twist on the End-of-Life Option Act, vetoes, veto overrides, redistricting, new rules for ticket resellers, and a proposal to change the definition of milk.
Session Shakeup, School-Year Suspense, and More!
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Kevin Kinnally recap the latest from Annapolis, including a deluge of bills, a new panel to select the next Maryland Treasurer, the latest on a proposal to strip the Maryland Comptroller of regulatory authority over alcohol, tobacco, and petroleum, the national vote interstate compact, and school year suspense.
Special Edition: Live from Charm City
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Kevin Kinnally join Maryland Senator Cory McCray for a live recording in Baltimore City. We talk with leaders of three of Baltimore’s anchor institutions, and discuss their visions for success.Special guests include Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) President Debra McCurdy, Baltimore City Schools CEO Sonja Santelises, and Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison.MACo has made the podcast available through both iTunes and Google Play Music by searching Conduit Street Podcast. You can also listen on our Conduit Street blog with a recap and link to the podcast.You can listen to previous episodes of the Conduit Street Podcast on our website.Special thanks to Function Coworking Community for hosting this week's episode!
2021 Top Issues: Broadband Accessibility Act of 2021
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson are joined by MACo Policy Associate Drew Jabin and Maryland State Office of Rural Broadband Director Kenrick Gordon to breakdown MACo's 2021 Legislative Initiative to build out broadband access across Maryland. The Office of Rural Broadband’s mission is to ensure that every rural Marylander has access to broadband services, regardless of their zip code. Through partnerships with local jurisdictions and the private sector, the Office offers funding and technical assistance to help entities qualify for federal financing opportunities. The Office also has initiated a broadband funding structure through the Local Government Infrastructure Financing (LGIF) program at the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to complement other funding sources. As previously reported on Conduit Street, MACo’s Legislative Committee voted at the September 16, 2020 meeting to adopt the Association’s four priorities for the 2021 Maryland General Assembly Session. MACo will prioritize county budget security, elections, broadband access, and public health support in the 2021 session. BUILD OUT BROADBAND: BROADBAND ACCESSIBILITY ACT OF 2021 Weaknesses in current broadband internet service occur in every jurisdiction, due to both geography and demography – too many Marylanders have been left on the wrong side of the “digital divide.” The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of broadband connectivity across the state. Students have transitioned to online learning, many professionals have shifted to telework, and applying for unemployment or small business assistance programs often requires access to the internet. Affordable high-speed internet is an essential component of a county’s economic development, while a lack of reliable broadband is a major barrier to socioeconomic opportunity, health, education, and quality of life. MACo advocates for prioritizing funding
Smart Growth, Bay 'Pollution Diet,' & #MACoCon Recap
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Kevin Kinnally are joined by MACo’s Legal and Policy Counsel, Les Knapp, to discuss the future of Smart Growth in Maryland, the health of the Chesapeake Bay, and recap #MACoCon. Listen in to hear an update on "A Better Maryland," the ongoing implementation of the Chesapeake Bay’s "pollution diet," and the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements established by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and overseen by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
