Conduit Street Podcast

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Maryland Pulse Check with Dr. Mileah Kromer Apr 25, 2024

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In the latest Conduit Street podcast episode, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson welcome back a popular guest, Dr. Mileah Kromer of Goucher Poll fame. Dr. Kromer talks through the findings and "vibes" from her recent polls, both statewide and in Baltimore. What issues are on the minds of Maryland voters as they consider elections ahead? What do they think of the current direction of Maryland and its economy, and how do they feel about the response to the Key Bridge collapse? And, as always, a few engaging bits about the Orioles and this-and-that from social media. Join us for a fun ride through policy, public opinion, and a timely "vibe check."
Show Notes:
https://www.goucher.edu/hughes-center/goucher-college-poll/
https://www.goucher.edu/hughes-center/
https://twitter.com/MileahKromer

Water Water Everywhere - PFAS, Streams, and Sea Level Rise Apr 19, 2024

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This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Dominic Butchko from the MACo Policy Team is joined by Lisa Ochsenhirt from AquaLaw and Erik Michelsen from Anne Arundel County Dept of Public Works for a timely discussion on all things water. They'll discuss the latest on "forever chemicals," stream restoration, and the recently passed Whole Watershed Act of 2024. Plus, learn about the effects of sea level rise on Maryland's critical infrastructure. Tune in for this enlightening conversation!
Show Notes:
Overview of the Whole Watershed Act of 2024

2024 Legislative Session Wrap Up Apr 12, 2024

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, join Sarah Sample and Dominic Butchko from the MACo Policy Team as they take listeners on a 'rapid round ride' through MACo's major portfolio of issues from the just-wrapped 2024 legislative session. From affordable housing to public safety, firefighters, and health, they'll highlight MACo's big wins and key county concerns. Plus, don't miss their sneak peek at the upcoming Summer Conference in Ocean City! Tune in now to catch all the excitement.

SPECIAL: The Critical Case Against Cutting Local Road/Bridge Funding Apr 03, 2024

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson is joined by Shantelle Malcolm-Lym from the MACo team. They discuss the ongoing policy debates in Annapolis, particularly focusing on transportation funding cuts and their effect on local communities.
This special episode highlights an audio excerpt from a January 16, 2024, briefing in the Appropriation Committee. It features Mayor Brandon Scott discussing Baltimore City's longstanding needs, MACo President John “Johnny O” Olszewski, Jr. addressing the impact on Baltimore County and all counties, and our very own Michael Sanderson breaking down the "hows" and the "whys." Tune in to hear the compelling case against cutting back on Highway User Revenues and the potential service and safety cuts to communities.

SPECIAL: Final Week of 2024 Session Apr 02, 2024

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson talk through the 2024 legislative session wrapping up and top off recent discussions around the still-developing budget, the effects of the Key Bridge tragedy, and several more county government issues that remain "in play" during these always-eventful last weeks of the 90-day session.

First Steps (and Next Steps) for the Fiscal Plan For FY25 and Beyond Mar 14, 2024

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson talk through the Senate actions regarding the State's fiscal plan for the year ahead - the budget and accompanying reconciliation bill.
Cuts to Highway User Revenues (but not the deepest cuts on the table), some restored funding for our community colleges, and... some more work to do on county priorities. They discuss the two waves of bad news that made this year's budget even harder, and then speculate on what lies ahead as the session starts to wind down.
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:
Conduit Street Coverage of State Budget & Fiscal Issues

Counties Gain an Edge Through NACo Feb 16, 2024

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Shantelle Malcolm-Lym welcome guest Cathy Muse from the National Association of Counties Edge program. She talks through the various cost-saving tools available to all Maryland counties through NACo's partnerships that can help develop attractive employee benefits, manage public funds, and recruit top talent to the public sector.
Muse draws on her own experience as a procurement specialist to explain NACo's newly launched Public Promise Procurement offerings, leveraging a fully competitive lead-agency model to streamline major purchases by counties - another great tool to help counties get the most from their tax dollars.
Cathy has served in public procurement for over 40 years at the federal, state, and local levels. After retiring from Fairfax County, Virginia, where she served as the Chief Procurement Officer, Cathy joined the NACo EDGE team to develop procurement solutions for counties and launch Public Promise Procurement.
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
National Association of Counties: Tools for Counties

What Do You Do About Fluky Formulas? Feb 09, 2024

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss formula funding -- which aims to provide predictable and stable funding. But what happens when your funding formula… fails -- or at least delivers far less than expected?
This episode covers funding formulas for two programs important to county governments, the Disparity Grant and Program Open Space. These are two programs that Maryland policymakers set up many years ago… both have special funding by law, rather than just fighting each year in the budget debate… and both are going over a cliff this year.
The Disparity Grant Program provides noncategorical State aid to low-wealth jurisdictions. It promotes equity across jurisdictions to overcome disparate tax bases — ensuring that counties that rely on local income taxes for substantial revenue can generate sufficient yield to fund schools, public health, public safety, roadway maintenance, and other essential community services.
Established under the Department of Natural Resources in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long-term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities for 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.

Talking AI With Ben Yelin Feb 02, 2024

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson talks with Ben Yelin of the Center for Health and Homeland Security about the rapid growth of artificial intelligence technology.
They discuss these capabilities' exciting opportunities and potential downsides – and their connections to public services and privacy. Public policy often struggles to keep up with the pace of emerging technologies, and this field seems like another complex example, though there are some reasons to remain hopeful. They also talk a bit about the human and analytic sides of modern football as Yelin pitches his 49ers as a new focus for disappointed Ravens fans.
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.
In 2021, Ben served as the co-chair of the Maryland Cybersecurity Council's ad-hoc committee on State and Local Cybersecurity and co-drafted a comprehensive report on Maryland's cybersecurity posture and a list of recommendations for policy changes. The report became the framework for a suite of bills enacted in the 2022 session.
Ben also co-hosts the Caveat podcast, part of the Cyberwire network. This weekly show covers surveillance, cybersecurity, digital privacy, and more.
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
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: The Robots Are Coming: AI Through the County Lens at #MACoCon
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: President Biden Issues Executive Order to Establish AI Safeguards
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Here’s How States Are Regulating AI
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Suite of Strong Cyber Bills Signed Into Law
University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security
Caveat Podcast
Follow Ben Yelin on Twitter

Smart Tech Development: Frederick’s Test Case Jan 25, 2024

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater joins Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to discuss fast-growing Frederick - both as a challenge and an opportunity. Attracting major technology companies presents unique challenges, but the upside is good jobs and local leverage into a vast commercial growth sector.
The technology sector is driving tremendous demand for more computing and storage capacity. Data centers – the facilities that house the computers and equipment that power the information needs of the modern economy – are in high demand. They underpin industries — like healthcare, the public sector, manufacturing, financial services, and retail — as they grow and adapt to the digital world.
According to a recent study, Quantum Loophole’s planned data center campus in Frederick County will generate $41 million in County tax revenue per annum and another $197 million for the State of Maryland each year, supporting approximately 1,700 jobs upon project completion. While data centers have tremendous economic benefits, they have also prompted concerns about environmental, land use, and energy consumption impacts.

On the podcast, we dive into these challenges and an upcoming legislative effort to "thread the needle" and strike a smart balance between promoting technology and protecting natural resources.
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.
Listen to previous episodes of the Conduit Street Podcast on the MACo website.
Useful Links
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Tech Council Study: Frederick Data Center Project Represents $41M in Annual County Tax Revenue, 1,700 Jobs
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Governor Moore “Disappointed” in PSC Data Center Decision, Working on Legislative Remedy
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: #MACoCon Explores Bringing Data Centers to Maryland
HB 579 / SB 474 -- Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and Related Approvals - Definition of Generating Station (Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act of 2024)

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