Conduit Street Podcast

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Kicking Off the Strangest Session Jan 15, 2021

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson recap day one of the 2021 legislative session. Annapolis is quiet as hearings, briefings, and floor sessions are being held on Zoom and YouTube. Advocates and legislators alike are adjusting to new processes and procedures as they tackle the large load of pre-filed bills and grapple with how to best provide meaningful relief to Maryland residents and businesses struggling to stay afloat amid the deepening COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

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Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Hogan Unveils $1 Billion Stimulus Package

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Bookmark This Cheatsheet for Submitting Testimony in #MDGA21

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Biden’s Relief Plan Includes $350 Billion In Critical Aid for State and Local Govts

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: 2021 MACo Issue Previews

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Revved Up, But Not Over Reassessments Jan 07, 2021

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson walk through the nuts and bolts of the rapidly approaching 2021 Session of the Maryland General Assembly, clarify what the recent rise in property tax assessments actually means for local governments and Maryland residents alike, and discuss why a proposal to extend the timeframe between property assessments could pressure counties to raise tax rates in order to keep pace with spending for education, public health, public safety, roadway maintenance, and other essential services.

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.

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Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Property Values Rise 8.1% According to SDAT’s 2021 Reassessment

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: 2021 MACo Issue Previews

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Fiscal Picture... Still Fuzzy Dec 18, 2020

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Drew Jabin joins Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to discuss Maryland’s Spending Affordability Committee, which this week approved a number of recommendations to help guide state budget decisions in the months ahead, including dipping into the state’s reserves to address a projected cash shortfall and structural deficit in the upcoming fiscal year; new analysis on The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund — which is dedicated to implementing the recommendations from the Kirwan Blueprint bill; the push for the state to prioritize teachers and school personnel to receive the COVID-19 vaccine; and the latest on federal stimulus negotiations.

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.

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Previous Conduit Street Coverage: State Fiscal Leaders: It’s Time to Tap Cash Reserves

NACo High Performance Leadership Academy

Professional Development Academy

Looking Ahead, and Leadership Tools Dec 10, 2020

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss the evolving plans for the Maryland General Assembly to convene safely for the 2021 Legislative Session. Also this week, Dr. Debby Thomas joins the podcast to discuss her role at the Professional Development Academy, with an emphasis on the Academy's partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo) to equip frontline county government professionals with practical leadership skills to deliver results for counties and communities.

With a robust curriculum developed by the Professional Development Academy in partnership with Fortune 1000 executives, public sector leaders, world-renowned academics, and thought leaders, including General Colin Powell and Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, the NACo High Performance Leadership Academy was designed specifically for the unique challenges and opportunities of serving in county government.

Dr. Debby Thomas teaches leadership, management, organizational, behavior, and research courses and serves as the Associate Dean at George Fox University. She is also a leadership coach at the Professional Development Academy in Portland, and leads the team of Leadership Coaches.

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.

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NACo High Performance Leadership Academy

Professional Development Academy

Standing On a Corner, With a Friend From Arizona Nov 20, 2020

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Arizona Association of Counties (AACo) Executive Director Jennifer Marson joins Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to discuss how Arizona is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, Arizona's election results and process, and a number of other pressing issues in our respective states.

Jennifer Marson manages the daily operations of the Association and the Government Services Foundation, directs the state and federal government affairs program, and cultivates new business and membership opportunities. She also serves as the primary liaison to the National Association of Counties, other state associations, and coordinates the AACo's educational outreach programs.
Jen’s research and advocacy areas of expertise include property taxes, elections, public records, criminal justice, law enforcement, justice and superior courts, and education. Jen has been with AACo since 2002 when she started as the legislative intern. Since then she has worn nearly every hat in the Association before being selected as Executive Director in 2013.

She serves on several boards and committees including the Academic Advisory Board for ASU’s School of Public Affairs, the Audit Committee for the National Sheriffs Association, the Membership Committee of the National Association of Counties, and the Board of Directors of Scorpius Dance Theatre.
Jen is a yoga enthusiast and native of Arizona. She received both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from Arizona State University with an emphasis in rhetoric and advocacy.

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.

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Arizona Association of Counties
Arizona Map
MACo's Pooled OPEB Investment Trust Fund

Bond Rating Basics Nov 13, 2020

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Jennifer Diercksen joins Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to discuss the ins and outs of municipal bond ratings — including the role of ratings agencies in assessing creditworthiness; the factors that influence interest rates, investment appetite, and bond pricing; and the differences between short-term and long-term debt ratings.

Jennifer Diercksen is a First Vice President at Davenport & Company, one of the oldest employee-owned, independent financial services firms in America. She works primarily as a financial advisor to state and local governments, authorities, and not-for-profit entities in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Prior to joining Davenport, Jennifer was an AVP at Moody’s Investors Services; a Consultant at Deloitte Consulting; and an Investigator for Surveys and Investigations on the U.S. House of Representatives, Appropriations Committee. She earned her MPA from Syracuse University – Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and her BA in Economics from University of Maryland College Park.

The MACo Pooled OPEB Investment Trust Fund offers member counties — along with their libraries, colleges, and supported units — a vehicle to invest current funds toward future obligations for retiree health insurance, a.k.a. “other post-employment benefits.” OPEB liability presents a funding challenge to nearly every county. But this investment vehicle is a low-overhead and low-cost means to put current assets to work, in a manner similar to a pension fund.

Stay tuned to MACo’s blog and our Conduit Street podcast for unbiased, non-partisan election news, details, and insider tips on what it all means for county government.

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

MACo's Pooled OPEB Investment Trust Fund

Davenport & Company

Running Down the Results Nov 06, 2020

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Drew Jabin joins Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to breakdown the latest state and local election results -- including the latest on county races, statewide ballot questions, county-specific ballot questions, and some intriguing ballot initiatives from across the country that may influence Maryland policy and politics.

Stay tuned to MACo’s blog and our Conduit Street podcast for unbiased, non-partisan election news, details, and insider tips on what it all means for county government.

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.

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Previous Conduit Street Coverage: It’s Election Day: Here’s What You Need to Know

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: County Ballot Questions: Here’s What We Know

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: On Election Day, County-Specific Ballot Questions Abound

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Statewide Ballot Questions Pass Comfortably

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Brandon Scott Prevails in Baltimore City Mayoral Race

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Baltimore City Council Results: Stokes Fends Off Third Party Challenge, Democrats Sweep

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Henry Secures City Comptroller Victory

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Hornberger Leads in Cecil County Executive Race

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Incumbents Meffley & Gregory Retain Seats on Cecil County Council

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Baltimore County Voters Appear to Endorse Public Financing Option for Local Offices

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Maryland Re-elects Incumbent Congressional Representatives

Conduit Street Podcast: Election Fun and Question One – With P.J. Hogan

Conduit Street Podcast: West Coast Swing

Capitalizing on Our Community Colleges Oct 30, 2020

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Brad Phillips joins Kevin Kinnally and Drew Jabin to discuss the history and mission of Maryland's community colleges, their commitment to access and equity, and why -- as the state works to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic -- they may be more important now than ever.

Brad Phillips is the Deputy Executive Director at the Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC). MACC serves as the advocate and unified voice for the state’s 16 community colleges, as well as the educational needs of the students they serve.

Working with elected officials, policy-makers, business groups, local, state, and federal government representatives, and stakeholder organizations, MACC aims to make post-secondary education accessible to all Marylanders, grow the percentage of Marylanders who are college and career-ready, increase community college completion rates statewide, and develop recognition of the community college contribution to economic development and resiliency.

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.

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Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Counties Support Community College Funding Boost

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Budget Analysts: Reject Proposal to Permanently Cut Community College Funding

Maryland Association of Community Colleges

Election Fun and Question One – With P.J. Hogan Oct 19, 2020

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, P.J. Hogan joins Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to discuss election issues and breakdown the proposed constitutional amendment (Question 1) which, if approved by voters in the November election, would adjust the State’s budget process.

Former Maryland State Senator P.J. Hogan serves as a member of the Maryland State Board of Elections and is the principal of Cornerstone Public Affairs' Annapolis office.

As a Maryland State Senator, P.J. represented the 39th Legislative District located in Northern Montgomery County from 1994 – 2007. P.J. was re-elected to his fourth term in 2006. His Senate committee assignments included Budget and Taxation where he served as Vice-Chairman of the full committee, and Chairman of the Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee. He was also a member of the Pensions Subcommittee and the Capital Budget Subcommittee.

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.

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Previous Conduit Street Election Coverage

State Board of Elections - Ballot Question Summaries

The Maryland Mindset, with Guest Mileah Kromer Oct 15, 2020

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On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Dr. Mileah Kromer joins Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to breakdown the results from the latest Goucher College Poll, discuss the ins and outs of political polling, and debunk some common myths about polling methods and methodology.

The Goucher College Poll measures the opinions of Maryland residents and voters on important policy, social, and economic issues.

In her role as director of the Sarah T. Hughes Field Politics Center, Dr. Mileah Kromer oversees every aspect of the Goucher Poll, including survey instrument construction, sampling, data analysis, and the development of appropriate survey methodologies. In addition, she is responsible for interviewer training and lab supervision.

In addition to her duties as director, Dr. Kromer teaches courses on American politics and research methods. Her scholarly interests include public opinion and state politics. Her work has appeared in Survey Practice, Social Science Quarterly, The Social Science Journal, The Journal of Legislative Studies, and the Journal of Political Science Education. She is a frequent commentator on Maryland politics.

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.

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Goucher College Poll

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Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Goucher College Poll: Half of Marylanders Plan to Vote Via Mail-In Ballots