Conduit Street Podcast

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson...goes solo? Just kidding! He does set the stage, however, for a special recording from St. Mary’s County, where MACo President and Queen Anne’s County Commissioner Jack Wilson joins Michael for a briefing with St. Mary’s County leaders to talk all things local governance. It’s a lively, conversation that hits the big levers counties are wrestling with right now: the State’s recent cost shifts (from tens of millions in teacher pensions to new assessment admin bills and even wrongful-conviction settlements), housing reform prospects that could realign local permitting and narrow public-input windows, and energy siting fights where Public Service Commission preemption leaves counties with a “weak hand” on large solar projects. They also touch on the federal shutdown’s local ripple effects. If you want a real-world snapshot of budgets, Blueprint pressures, housing, and energy, all through a county lens, this field episode is for you. Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Dominic Butchko sits down with Jason Stanek of PJM Interconnection for a deep dive into Maryland’s evolving energy landscape. From the state’s growing dependence on imported electricity to the backlog of clean energy projects waiting to connect to the grid, Jason breaks down the challenges and opportunities shaping Maryland’s energy future. The conversation explores how PJM keeps the lights on across 13 states and D.C., and what counties need to know about transmission planning and siting. Tune in to learn how local governments fit into this complex puzzle and what reforms are on the horizon to speed up renewable energy deployment and strengthen the grid. Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson unpack Maryland’s fiscal outlook. They break down the State’s year-end budget results, the new revenue forecast, and looming structural deficits. They also dig into the crunch in transportation funding — with local road dollars set to plunge off a fiscal cliff — the threat of a federal shutdown, and the squeeze these pressures put on county budgets and the services residents rely on. Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

From literacy programs to telehealth pods, Maryland’s libraries are evolving far beyond bookshelves. Join this week's Conduit Street host, Sarah Sample, as she sits down with Maryland State Librarian Morgan Lehr Miller to explore how local libraries serve as community hubs, connect residents to vital resources, and adapt to funding challenges at the state and federal levels. Hear how Maryland libraries are strengthening communities, expanding access, and shaping the future of education and equity statewide. Show Notes: The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

On this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, host Michael Sanderson sits down with Zachary Markovitz, Vice President & Local Practice Lead at Results for America, to explore how data and evidence can transform government decision-making. From Maryland’s efforts in using evidence-based budgeting and grantmaking to success stories from across the country, the conversation highlights how local leaders can maximize every public dollar for better community outcomes. Tune in for a real look at how results-based practices help counties move beyond box-checking to real accountability, smarter investments, and stronger resident trust. Learn More: Homepage - Results for America Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Policy Associate Sarah Sample sit down with Anne Arundel Deputy County Attorney Hamilton Tyler to unpack a local case now headed to the Maryland Supreme Court on September 9. At the center of the case: whether counties can bring public nuisance claims tied to the staggering costs of the opioid crisis. How did this case start? What does it mean for local governments footing the bill for abatement and recovery? And why is the state’s highest court taking it up now? Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the legal journey, what’s at stake for counties, and how the outcome could shape the way governments confront public health crises in the future. Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities across Maryland, and Baltimore City remains at the forefront of both the crisis and the response. In this episode, Karrington Anderson from the MACo policy team sits down with Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter to discuss the city’s evolving strategies for confronting opioid misuse, saving lives, and investing in long-term recovery. Councilwoman Porter shares how her lived experience and legislative leadership shape her work, the city’s preliminary Overdose Response Strategic Plan, and the critical role of equity in harm reduction. From settlement funds and access to treatment to housing, workforce support, and stigma reduction, this conversation explores how Baltimore is working to turn immediate responses into lasting change—while providing lessons for counties and communities statewide. Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast we bring you a special treat from the 2025 MACo Summer Conference, and it might involve MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson singing karaoke! The highlight of this episode, however, features a sit-down with Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Michael Sanderson, where they tackle some of the most pressing fiscal issues facing the state and its counties. From revenue projections and federal uncertainty to long-term budget obligations, Comptroller Lierman shared candid insights into Maryland’s fiscal outlook and what it means for local governments. The conversation covered structural budget gaps, the effect of demographic and economic shifts, housing affordability, and her office’s work to strengthen compliance in areas like short-term rentals. Tune in for a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion that underscores the importance of strong State-county partnerships in navigating today’s fiscal challenges—and planning for a more sustainable future. Special Shoutout to the Band! The Klassix Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, we dive deep into the complexities of housing policy with Professors Christopher Serkin and Ganesh Sitaraman from Vanderbilt University. While zoning reform dominates the national conversation, our guests argue that the housing crisis demands a broader, more nuanced approach. From industrial policy and public housing options to creative tax incentives and market-shaping regulations, we explore innovative solutions tailored to local conditions. Plus, a fascinating case study on Nashville—a "YIMBY paradise" with unexpected outcomes—challenges conventional wisdom. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that goes beyond the usual talking points! Show Notes: 28 Post-Neoliberal Housing Policy Ideas Post-Neoliberal Housing Policy Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

In this timely episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Karrington Anderson sit down with Gene Ransom, Executive Director of MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society, to break down how federal legislation and Medicaid changes could affect health care delivery across Maryland. From work requirements and uncompensated care to rural hospital challenges and the state’s unique Medicaid waiver, Gene shares insights that every county leader should know. Tune in to understand how these federal shifts could affect local services, budgets, and residents as our hosts break down what counties should be watching next. Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Dominic Butchko is joined by Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) Director Paul G. Pinsky and Program Manager Lacey Allor for a wide-ranging conversation about Maryland’s energy future. Together, they explore how the state is utilizing federal funds to expand access to clean energy, what the transition to electrification entails for communities and counties, and how MEA is assisting local governments in adapting to meet ambitious climate goals. Director Pinsky also shares insight on workforce development, funding opportunities for counties, and why communication between state and local partners is essential for a just and effective energy transition. Whether you're a county leader, energy advocate, or just curious about where Maryland is headed next — this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

The Conduit Street Podcast shifts its focus to county best practices. Here, hosts Michael Sanderson and Karrington Anderson welcome Beverly Churchill from Queen Anne’s County and Stuart Sutley from Bolton to talk about a groundbreaking advance in employee health care. Queen Anne’s County, and others across Maryland, are using dedicated health centers to provide better care, improved customer experience, and reduced costs as they support their essential public employees. Learn the basics about this innovative approach in a timely and important conversation.

On this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Karrington Anderson and Sarah Sample from the MACo Policy team are joined by Special Secretary Emily Keller of the Maryland Office of Overdose Response. They discuss opioid remediation efforts and outcomes at the state and local level as well as recent legislative initiatives from the General Assembly session for combating the opioid crisis. Show Notes: https://stopoverdose.maryland.gov/orf/ Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, we team up once again with our counterparts at the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) for Part 2 of our policy exchange. Dominic Butchko of MACo and Joe Lerch of VACo dive into the complex world of housing legislation, comparing how Maryland and Virginia address affordable housing, zoning reform, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). They unpack Maryland’s new “unreasonable standard” law, debate the state’s role in local land use decisions, and explore how short-term rentals (and even YouTube “Airbnb Millionaire” trends) are affecting the long-term housing market. From zoning flexibility to housing pipeline lawsuits, this episode takes a sharp and insightful look at how neighboring states tackle shared challenges in land use and housing policy. Show Notes: Maryland’s Housing Expansion and Affordability Act (2024) Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

In this special crossover episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Dominic Butchko of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) teams up with Joe Lerch of the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) to explore how Maryland and Virginia are tackling the complex challenges of clean energy policy at the local level. Together, they unpack the parallels and contrasts between Maryland’s Climate Solutions Now Act and Virginia’s Clean Economy Act, digging into why Maryland is lagging in solar deployment despite ambitious targets, and how transmission grid bottlenecks across the PJM network are slowing down renewable energy progress on both sides of the Potomac. If you care about infrastructure, local control, and the path to clean energy, this episode is for you! More Information: Maryland’s Pivotal 2025 Actions on Solar Energy PolicyUVA Weldon Cooper - Solar DatabasePJM Regional Transmission Organization (RTO)Maryland Piedmont Reliability ProjectCommonwealth Fusion Systems - Chesterfield County ProjectFollow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

On this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, host Michael Sanderson is joined by Peter Claggett, a research geographer with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Chesapeake Bay Program, to discuss how cutting-edge land use data is shaping Maryland’s environmental and planning future. From award-winning modeling work to newly released hyper-resolution data, Claggett explains how decades of research are helping counties better understand impervious surfaces, tree canopy changes, and stormwater dynamics. Learn how these insights can guide smarter local development, improve stormwater planning, and support sustainability goals statewide. Whether you're in planning, public works, or simply curious about how science informs county policy, this episode delivers both big-picture thinking and practical applications. Tree Canopy Factsheets Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson are joined by Chair of the House Environment and Transportation Committee, Delegate Marc Korman, for a deep dive into the inner workings of legislative committees in the Maryland General Assembly — how they function, why they matter, and what changes when one takes on the role of chair. In addition to unpacking the committee process, the discussion covers Delegate Korman’s move from the House Appropriations Committee to lead one of the legislature’s most policy-focused panels. Topics include pivotal local issues like housing production, land use challenges, and long-term transportation funding. The conversation also explores strategies to bolster Maryland’s transportation network, including restoring Highway User Revenues, investing in transit, and examining the potential role of regional transportation authorities. Plus, a nod to Delegate Korman’s well-known Metro fandom — and how his deep knowledge of trains and transit fuels serious work on regional mobility and transportation policy. Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, hosts Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson unpack Maryland's recent credit downgrade and what it signals for the state's fiscal future. From the mechanics of bond ratings and investor behavior to the broader implications of federal uncertainty, this episode tackles a complex issue with clarity and context. With echoes of national trends—like the federal government's own rating downgrade—our hosts dive deeply into how these ratings work, why they matter, and what Maryland leaders are doing in response. Then, they top off the ongoing conversation around the federal fiscal battles, with many Maryland implications. You don't want to miss this! Follow the Issues: NACo Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Ben Yelin joins Kevin Kinnally to break down the seismic shifts in federal emergency management, including recent leadership changes at FEMA, the termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, and the ripple effects for local governments. As Maryland counties contend with rising threats — from extreme weather to infrastructure vulnerabilities — federal support remains a critical lifeline. Learn how the loss of BRIC funding disrupts local resilience projects and what it means for shovel-ready stormwater upgrades, flood mitigation, and coastal protections across the state. The conversation also covers MACo’s recent advocacy push, where county emergency managers called on Maryland’s congressional delegation to protect FEMA’s mission and restore critical federal programs. About the Guest Ben Yelin, JD, is the Program Director for Public Policy and External Affairs at the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security, where he consults public and private entities on homeland security, cybersecurity, and emergency management policy. He is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where he teaches courses on electronic surveillance and the Fourth Amendment. Useful Links Previous Conduit Street Coverage: County Emergency Managers to Congress: Protect FEMA, Restore BRIC Previous Conduit Street Coverage: FEMA Cancels Resilience Grants, Leaving Counties at Risk Follow us on Socials! MACo on Twitter MACo on Facebook

In this episode, Karrington Anderson is joined by longtime public health advocate Vinny DeMarco to discuss prescription drug affordability and Maryland’s groundbreaking efforts to address it. They break down the "Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for All Marylanders Now Act," explore how it builds on earlier reforms, and talk about what’s next for the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB). Hear how this major new law could impact counties, public employers, and residents across the state. Learn More