Conduit Street Podcast
From the halls of the State House to the heart of county government, the Conduit Street Podcast breaks down the decisions shaping Marylanders’ daily lives. Produced by the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), this weekly podcast offers smart, accessible insights on the latest state and local policy — with counties always at the center.
Explore how legislation, executive actions, and agency decisions affect essential public services like education, infrastructure, public safety, health, and other core functions that matter most to Maryland residents. With special guests from across the state and the occasional world-famous dad joke, Conduit Street keeps you informed, engaged, and ready for what’s next.
Whether you’re a policymaker, a public servant, or just policy-curious, this is your front-row seat to Maryland’s political landscape.
Conduit Street Podcast
The Year of the Impossible County Budget
As Maryland counties build their budgets, uncertainty from both Washington and Annapolis creates major challenges. In this episode, Kevin Kinnally, Michael Sanderson, and Sarah Sample break down the key fiscal debates shaping the future of local government funding.
Hold tight as they dive into the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act ("Big" BRFA) hearings, where state leaders are debating cost shifts that could push hundreds of millions in new expenses onto county governments. Sanderson likens the action to a parlor trick of sorts - to make the costs vanish from one budget and then appear on another.
A conversation about budgets isn't complete without looking at how local school systems are facing massive funding requests under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. Now, counties are being asked to contribute more than ever - even as they brace for potential losses in state aid and revenue streams.
Get the latest insights and analysis in this must-listen episode of the Conduit Street podcast.
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