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    About this Episode

    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

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    Counties Gain an Edge Through NACo

    Counties Gain an Edge Through NACo

    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.

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    What Do You Do About Fluky Formulas?

    What Do You Do About Fluky Formulas?

    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

    Talking AI With Ben Yelin

    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

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    Smart Tech Development: Frederick’s Test Case

    Smart Tech Development: Frederick’s Test Case

    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

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    We Break Down the New Budget

    We Break Down the New Budget

    On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson walk through the recently introduced 2025 fiscal plan, starting the weeks-long deliberation on the State budget and the trimmings to balance it. They discuss the long-term cuts to transportation, offset by a temporary reprieve for this year, and the "re-basing" of support for community colleges. A tight budget, as the governor foretold when addressing county leaders at the summer conference, and the process of refinement starts anon.

    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: Governor's 2025 Budget – What It Means for Counties


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    2024 Session Kickoff and Preview of Workforce Issues

    2024 Session Kickoff and Preview of Workforce Issues

    On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Brianna January talk through the 2024 legislative session opening, the crazy Maryland weather sideshow, and what to expect heading into “year two” of the four-year cycle.

    They discuss several issues for the session ahead – like tackling child care and pre-kindergarten education, challenges in the public sector workforce, and continuing pressure on school construction and capital facilities.

    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.

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    Transportation Cuts, an "On the Ground" View

    Transportation Cuts, an "On the Ground" View

    On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Queen Anne's County Administrator Todd Mohn joins Michael Sanderson to discuss transportation financing and reflect on the proposed cutbacks to state projects and grant funding. Mr. Mohn is a member of the State's blue-ribbon Transportation Commission, reflecting his extensive experience as a county engineer and public works professional.

    They discuss the story of Highway User Revenues, their central importance to local roadway maintenance, and the problematic effects of losing funding in the years ahead. And... will Singapore edge out Guam as the podcast's farthest unofficial outpost?

    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

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    Hot Topics for Cold Weather

    Hot Topics for Cold Weather

    On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Kevin Kinnally discuss the latest news and notes from Annapolis. As temperatures drop, things are heating up before the 2024 legislative session.

    Topics include education spending transparency, career and volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention, energy issues, housing, and fiscal uncertainties. Plus, drones, Twitter, and... dad jokes!

    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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    Checking In With the MD Chamber of Commerce

    Checking In With the MD Chamber of Commerce

    On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Andrew Griffin, vice president of government affairs at the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, joins Kevin Kinnally to discuss the intersection of business and government and discuss major issues on tap for the 2024 legislative session. Topics include tax policy, transportation, housing, regulations, data privacy, paid family leave, and more!

    The Maryland Chamber of Commerce represents a coalition of more than 6,800 businesses. It advocates for pro-business policies that drive economic growth and benefit people, businesses, and communities.

    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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    2024 Legislative Initiatives

    2024 Legislative Initiatives

    On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Brianna January and Dominic Butchko join Kevin Kinnally to walk through MACo's Legislative Initiatives for the 2024 Maryland General Assembly Session.

    In the 2024 General Assembly Session, MACo will prioritize fiscal transparency, modernizing local revenue structures, new incentives to bolster firefighter and EMS recruitment and retention, and collaborative solutions for addressing Maryland's affordable and workforce housing shortage.

    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.

    Useful Links

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