Conduit Street Podcast

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The User Pays Principle – Good and Bad Applications Sep 15, 2023

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Sarah Sample and Michael Sanderson discuss the pros and cons of the "user pays" principle -- which aims to promote fairness and economic efficiency by having those who benefit from particular government goods and services pay for them.
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.

Oversight and Obstacles: The Civilian Role in Police Accountability Sep 08, 2023

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Moyah Panda and Ethan Hunt join Sarah Sample to discuss the role of police accountability boards and administrative charging committees in working with county governments and law enforcement agencies to improve policing and police accountability across Maryland.
In keeping with the legislative mandate from 2021, all 24 Maryland counties have established a civilian oversight process for police misconduct. With the implementation of PABs and ACCs, these entities have a full year of operations under their belts. Anne Arundel County's Executive Director of the Office of Police Accountability Moyah Panda and Director of Government Relations Ethan Hunt discuss successes, challenges, and a few complicating factors that might need legislative remedies in the 2024 legislative session.
The Anne Arundel County Office of Police Accountability was established to oversee and support the PAB and ACC. The PAB works with law enforcement agencies to review, provide policy advice, and report on disciplinary matters stemming from public complaints about police misconduct. The ACC reviews the findings of an investigation of misconduct by a police officer and determines to administratively charge or not charge and, if charged, recommends discipline.
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.
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Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Police Accountability Panel at #MACoCon Signals Necessary Changes to Reform Legislation
Anne Arundel County Office of Police Accountability

All Aboard: Transportation Commission Leaves the Station Sep 01, 2023

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Dominic Butchko discuss transportation funding and the significance of the Maryland Commission on Transportation Revenue and Infrastructure Needs, which is charged with recommending improvements to existing transportation revenues, investment decisions, and more.
For decades, the State supported a balanced means to maintain its transportation infrastructure. The bulk of transportation revenues – mainly motor fuel and vehicle titling taxes – have been split between the State (for its consolidated Transportation Trust Fund, serving multiple modes) and local governments (who own and maintain roughly 5 of every six road miles across the state). For decades, this split served all parties effectively.
The State faced a mid-year budget crisis during the Great Recession in 2009. As a result, the Board of Public Works adopted a 90% reduction of the local distributions of these Highway User Revenues and a roughly 40% reduction to Baltimore City’s allocation (the largest by far to any jurisdiction). Since then, recession-driven cutbacks in many service areas have been fully or largely restored. This is not the case with Highway User Revenues – they remain far behind historic levels, even after the State has enacted a substantial transportation revenue increase.
Unfortunately, the Great Recession HUR cuts, coupled with new obligations toward school funding, leave little room for additional investment in roads, not to mention counties are preparing for an uncertain economic future and talk of recession.
In addition, the push toward electric vehicles will likely exacerbate the issue. Cars and trucks use less gas or run on electricity, shrinking funds for roads and bridges. But electric vehicles still contribute to road wear and tear, so states and local governments need money to maintain them.
State policymakers are considering other ways to pay for Maryland’s transportation infrastructure. One growing policy trend is applying a separate registration fee for hybrid or electric vehicles.
However, special registration fees are not the only mechanism to lower gas tax revenue and promote equity among drivers. After exploring several options, such as a tire tax, a battery tax, and expanding gas taxes and registration fees, Oregon settled on a per-mile charge as the fairest and most accurate way to pay for state roads and bridges.
An interim commission report is due to the Governor and legislature on or before January 1, 2024, with a final report on or before January 1, 2025. Dates, times, agendas, updates, and other information will be posted on the commission website at www.mdot.maryland.gov/commission.
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.
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Previous Conduit Street Coverage: MD Commission on Transportation Revenue and Infrastructure Needs Announces Roster, Sets First Meeting Date

Tech, Cyber, AI, Oh My! Aug 25, 2023

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally welcomes Ben Yelin to discuss cybersecurity issues, explore the opportunities and challenges related to rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and more!
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to transform the world and how we live, work, and communicate. For county governments, AI can mean streamlined processes, enhanced service delivery, improved public safety and security, fraud detection and prevention, data analytics, regulatory compliance, and revolutionary opportunities for resident engagement and input.
However, implementing and regulating AI comes with challenges, including concerns about privacy, security, oversight, equity, accessibility, bias, etc. So, as local governments explore AI's transformative power, many questions remain.
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, a weekly show on 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: Suite of Strong Cyber Bills Signed Into Law
University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security
Caveat Podcast
Follow Ben Yelin on Twitter

The Blueprint Gets Its Check-up Aug 04, 2023

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Brianna January walk through the annual decision meeting of Maryland’s Accountability and Implementation Board as they offer new guidance, direction, and measurables for the ambitious Blueprint for Maryland.
The state is refining its framework for pre-kindergarten providers and educators, realigning expectations and services for English learners, and revisiting the best ways to measure the quality of our educators. Education policy and excellence are front and center for this walk down Conduit Street.
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.
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Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Here’s What Counties Need to Know About the AIB’s Updated Blueprint Implementation Plan

Watch the entire AIB meeting online

The Detention Dilemma: What We Ask of Local Jails (Part 2) Jul 28, 2023

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Sarah Sample welcome back Director Brandon Foster from the Charles County Detention Center for a follow-up discussion on policy issues affecting local corrections – a central public service Maryland counties deliver for their communities.
The scope of local corrections – generally far shorter duration of stay, and many of the incarcerated are still awaiting their trial – deeply informs the local perspective on service and operational mandates contemplated by statewide policymakers. How do local correctional leaders "find common ground" with well-intentioned legislators when the details are… sometimes complicated?
Listen for a quick run-through of recent legislation and how local leaders are already working to keep their facilities fair and safe for all.
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:
Part 1 of this discussion:
Conduit Street Podcast — The Detention Dilemma: What We Ask of Local Jails
2023 Legislative Wrap-up: Public Safety and Corrections
Legal coverage of Kincaid v. Williams case
Background on 2019 Medication Assisted Treatment legislation

Talking Housing with Tom Coale Jul 21, 2023

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Tom Coale joins Michael Sanderson and Dominic Butchko to discuss all things housing, including concerns over affordability, access, and more. Topics include infrastructure, better collaboration on new policies and ideas, streamlining processes and procedures, and empowering local governments to develop tailored solutions to incentivize more affordable housing.
Tom Coale is a well-known voice in the housing space. Tom was previously a host on WBAL and the podcast Elevate Maryland. Currently, he is a partner at Perry, White, Ross & Jacobson.
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 on Housing Issues
Follow Tom Coale on Twitter
Neighborhood Defenders: Participatory Politics and America's Housing Crisis

"Child Care Cliff" Looms Large Jul 14, 2023

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Brianna January joins Kevin Kinnally to explain why child care across the country could soon become more expensive and more difficult to find -- and why some advocates are concerned that Maryland's pre-k expansion plan could unintentionally add fuel to the fire.
In 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which included billions in grants to stabilize the child care system. Now the money --- which went to helping child care providers pay for rent, lowering tuition rates for families, and increasing wages for industry workers -- is about to run out.
Absent these grats, some experts predict one-third of the child care facilities that receive the funding will close, costing the US economy more than $10 billion per year and costing families $9 billion annually in lost earnings. On top of that, Maryland faces a different set of challenges with the expansion of public pre-k programs across the state.
The Blueprint for Maryland's Future ("The Blueprint") prioritizes early childhood education as its first pillar, including the gradual but eventual universal access to prekindergarten for 3- and 4-year-old children. One potential consequence causing concern for many stakeholders is the impact of pre-K expansion on the child care industry.
The Blueprint envisions a collaborative system of public-private partnerships for expanded pre-K. With more 3- and 4-year-olds moving on from child care facilities to pre-K — and with child care facilities entering the pre-K arena to help meet Blueprint goals — some stakeholders are concerned that there might not be enough providers (or seats) for natal-3-year-old child care.
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.
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Previous Conduit Street Coverage: The Looming “Child Care Cliff” – Is Maryland Close to the Edge?
Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference:

Pittman Pitches on Schools/Housing Paradox Jul 07, 2023

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman joins Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to discuss the County's multi-faceted plan to address two vexing issues: affordable housing and school capacity.
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 our website.
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Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Anne Arundel Works to Address Affordable Housing and School Capacity
County Executive Pittman's Weekly Letter: Housing & Schools

Cannabis Comes to Town Jun 30, 2023

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Sarah Sample answer the most pressing questions about the rollout of adult-use cannabis in Maryland and walk through local public safety and public health initiatives to educate and keep residents safe.
As previously reported on Conduit Street, the purchase and possession of adult-use cannabis become legal in Maryland this Saturday, July 1. Listen in for what to expect as counties prepare to navigate the burgeoning industry.
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 our website.
Previous Conduit Street Coverage
County Public Safety Officials Prepare for Recreational Cannabis Launch This Saturday
Adult-Use Cannabis: New Guidance for MD Counties
MD Comptroller Issues Cannabis Tax Guidance
2023 End of Session Wrap-Up: Cannabis
MACo Summer Conference

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