Conduit Street Podcast

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Zoned In: Housing Headaches and Hopes Across MD & VA Jun 20, 2025

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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.

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Maryland’s Housing Expansion and Affordability Act (2024)

Wired for Change: VA & MD Talk Energy Futures Jun 13, 2025

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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!

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Mapping Maryland's Growth With GIS Jun 06, 2025

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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

Inside the Committee Room With Delegate Marc Korman May 30, 2025

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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.

Headline Check: Bond Ratings and That “Big, Beautiful Bill” May 23, 2025

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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!

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Disaster Dollars in Danger — Federal Funding Fades, County Risks Rise May 15, 2025

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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.

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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

Lowering Prescription Drug Costs in Maryland May 09, 2025

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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.

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Reviewing the Remix of Maryland's Education Plan May 02, 2025

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In this week’s episode, MACo's Michael Sanderson and Sarah Sample talk through the winding road for education funding and policy through this year’s eventful session. The Blueprint got its first close examination, and a few changes, while the gears of a complex implementation continue to turn. Listen for the latest from your source for Maryland policy and politics, with a bit of each of those in play on a hot topic.

Exploring Smarter Spending With NACo Apr 24, 2025

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In this episode of the Conduit Street podcast, we welcome Cathy Muse - a procurement ace who's helping the NACo EDGE program deliver cost saving options to county leaders. Through the Public Promise Procurement program, NACo has brought together public sector lead agencies to issue contracts with an eye toward being available to governments across the country. One latest endeavor, offering counties expertise in the professional hiring process, could fill in a staffing gap whether in the solicitation process, candidate evaluation, or just marketing strategies. Hear more about smart options available today, and coming tomorrow, from our partners at NACo!

Budget’s in the Books, Now What? Apr 16, 2025

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In this episode, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson break down the whole budget plan from the 2025 session. In a year with an unmatched amount of fiscal pressure and federal angst, State fiscal leaders assembled a complex budget plan to resolve a major shortfall in the one-year budget, and to make gains on the longer-term forecast. Counties will feel some of these changes in their own bottom line, making their own budget passage that much more difficult. Get a rundown on the big picture, what uncertainty remains, and more on this week's recap.

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