Conduit Street Podcast

Latest Episodes:

A Neighborly Chat With the Pennsylvania County Association Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode, MACo's Michael Sanderson connects with his Pennsylvania counterpart, Lisa Schaefer. She guides the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, which serves and represents its 64 county members. They compare and contrast the two states: the budget process (where PA is still haggling over their state budget that starts on Monday), the legislative calendar, the crisis in local jails, addressing the opioid crisis, and so on. And... what is a Commonwealth, after all? Join us for a free-flowing conversation spanning across the Mason-Dixon line, but not worlds apart.
County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania

Aerial Assistance: Exploring Drones as First Responders Jun 21, 2024

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Montgomery County Council Member Dawn Luedtke and Captain Jason Cokinos of the Montgomery County Police Department join Sarah Sample to discuss the use of drones as first responders. Tune in to hear how Montgomery County designed and implemented a plan to put drones to use for the safety of their residents.

The Conduit Street Podcast is available on major platforms like Spotify, Apple, Google, and anywhere else you get your podcasts. Episodes are also available on MACo's Conduit Street blog.
Links mentioned:
- Learn more about MACo's Summer Conference
- Submit suggestions for MACo's 2025 Legislative Initiatives

Much Ado About ADUs Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Amy Moredock joins Dominic Butchko to discuss Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—what they are, why they're a hot topic, and the counties' role in zoning.

Amy Moredock is a professional planner with 20 years of land use experience on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. She has been directly involved in local and state planning efforts with a long history of drafting and implementing a wide variety of land use ordinances and reviewing projects and permits.
Her areas of focus include environmental regulation, floodplain management, resiliency and hazard planning, comprehensive planning, and water resources planning. She is a member of the American Planning Association and the National and Maryland Chapters of Certified Floodplain and Stormwater Managers.
Having served as the Eastern Shore regional representative from 2013-2020, Amy is currently the chair of the Maryland Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Managers. She has been the MACo representative on the Governor’s Intergovernmental Committee on Agriculture (GICA) since 2014 and currently represents the MACo Planners Affiliate on the Governor's Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Task Force.

The Conduit Street Podcast is available on major platforms like Spotify, Apple, Google, and anywhere else you get your podcasts. Episodes are also available on MACo's Conduit Street blog.
Links mentioned:
- State of MD's Accessory Dwelling Unit Policy Task Force Report
- MACo's Deep Dive Blog Article on ADUs

Navigating County Budgets: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions - Part II Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Ted Zaleski and Robbie Sandlass join Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to discuss pressing budget and finance issues for the State of Maryland and county governments. Topics include the intricacies of bond ratings and how they affect financial health and borrowing capabilities, increasing pressure to fund public schools, why distinguishing between one-time and ongoing costs is crucial for sustainable budgeting and financial planning, and more.

Ted Zaleski is the director of the Carroll County Office of Budget and Management. He also serves as president of the MACo Budget and Finance Officers Affiliate and is the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT)

Robbie Sandlass has served as Harford County Treasurer since 2014. In addition to his duties as the County’s chief financial officer, he also chairs the Boards of Trustees for the County’s Sheriff Office Pension Plan (SOPP) for correctional officers, Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) for volunteer firefighters, and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) for retiree health care. He also represents MACo on the Maryland Retirement and Pension System's Board of Trustees.

The Conduit Street Podcast is available on major platforms like Spotify, Apple, Google, and anywhere else you get your podcasts. Episodes are also available on MACo's Conduit Street blog.

Digging Into Maryland Elections May 31, 2024

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Maryland State Board of Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis joins Kevin Kinnally to recap Maryland's primary election and look ahead to the general election in November. Plus, a discussion on election security and the impacts of new technology on the electoral process.
Counties administer and fund elections at the local level, overseeing polling places and coordinating poll workers every two years. But with modern trends in voter preference, new technology, difficulties recruiting and retaining election judges, threats and intimidation from hostile actors, new and evolving cyber threats, and defending against a constant stream of disinformation, the 2024 election cycle is top of mind for county leaders and state and local election officials alike.
Jared DeMarinis has been the Maryland State Board of Elections administrator since September 2023. He previously served as the SBE’s director of Candidacy and Campaign Finance, where he implemented electoral policy and interpreted candidacy and campaign finance laws.
The Conduit Street Podcast is available on major platforms like Spotify, Apple, Google, and anywhere else you get your podcasts. Episodes are also available on MACo's Conduit Street blog.
Useful Links:
MACo Policy Deep Dive: Emerging Election Trends

Navigating County Budgets: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions May 24, 2024

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, hosts Michael Sanderson and Kevin Kinnally dive deep into the financial challenges facing Maryland counties. They discuss the phased implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future and its effect on county budgets, highlighting the need for innovative revenue-raising options beyond property taxes.
The conversation underscores the progressive goals of the Blueprint, focusing on providing extra resources to schools serving high-poverty communities. Join Michael and Kevin as they explore these complex issues and discuss the importance of local flexibility in making the Blueprint work for everyone. Tune in for these insights and more on the Conduit Street Podcast.

Breaking Ground on MD's New Court-Ordered Treatment Law May 17, 2024

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, we delve into Maryland's groundbreaking court-ordered mental health treatment program, making the state the 48th to establish such a program. Joining the podcast is Marie Grant, Assistant Secretary for Health Policy at the Maryland Department of Health, alongside host Sarah Sample, to discuss the implications for Maryland, county governments, and mental health treatment access statewide. Tune in as they explore the bill's journey through the legislative process, the real-world problems it aims to solve, and the intricacies of the court-ordered treatment process.

Queen Anne's County's Boat Plastic Recycling Initiative May 10, 2024

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, hosts Dominic Butchko and Shantelle Malcolm-Lym are joined by Elizabeth Malasky, Queen Anne’s County Public Information Manager, and Sara Shelley, Co-Founder and President of Plastic Free QAC. They discuss Queen Anne’s County’s innovative program addressing boat plastic shrink wrap recycling, aiming to reduce the 30 tons of plastic waste generated annually. The program, a partnership with the Marine Trade Association of Maryland, offers a solution to recycle shrink wrap, involving marinas, commercial retailers, and private boat owners.
The initiative highlights the power of public-private partnerships and community collaboration in achieving sustainability goals. Tune in to learn more about this impactful program and how it could inspire similar initiatives across Maryland.
Show Notes:
Boat ShrinkWrap Recycle Program

Maryland Economy & Policy with Comptroller Brooke Lierman May 03, 2024

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, hosts Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson welcome Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman to discuss her role as a statewide fiscal and policy leader. They delve into the role of the Comptroller, Maryland's uniquely positioned Board of Public Works, and the Revenue Estimating process, as she shares some takeaways from research into Maryland's economy and underlying demographics. Be ready for some insight into the Maryland economy and the surprising fiscal and workforce effect of the state's foreign-born population. Listen in as they unpack these crucial topics and more with Comptroller Lierman.
Show Notes:
Maryland Board of Public Works
Board of Revenue Estimates
Immigration and the Economy Report
State of the Economy Report
Follow Comptroller Lierman on Twitter

Maryland League of Conservation Voters' Impact on Local Gov Apr 26, 2024

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

Join Dom Butchko from the MACo Policy Team on a special Earth Week episode of the Conduit Street Podcast as he welcomes Kristen Harbeson and Rebecca Rehr from the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (LCV). They discuss LCV's mission, priorities, and their impact on local governments, highlighting areas that overlap with county missions. The conversation delves into hot topics like solar siting, tools developed by LCV for counties, and challenges and future collaboration opportunities, including climate change and sea level rise. Tune in for insightful discussions and a preview of what's to come in the world of environmental advocacy!
Show notes:
Rooftop solar panels are flooding California’s grid. That’s a problem
Last Week's Podcast on Water

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected