Conduit Street Podcast

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson pay tribute to the late Senator Wayne Norman, who passed away suddenly last week, discuss the latest on the State's fiscal plan, break down this week's budget decisions, review the latest push for small cell deregulation, examine the state song dilemma, and preview the road ahead.

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss a potential "deal" on local roads funding, explain MACo's position on the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA), break down the Knott Commission school construction legislation, and examine a new proposal for funding to enhance school safety across Maryland.

Maryland’s Public Information Act creates a balanced framework for guaranteeing public access to open information, while protecting sensitive and private material. The rapid ascension of new technologies has strained the implementation and effect of these laws – potentially chilling their otherwise beneficial use. SB 788/HB 1638, Public Information Act - Revisions, clarifies and reframes the Maryl...

The MACo Legislative Committee formally adopted a statement this week to express its views on broad-based tax reform proposals pending before the General Assembly, designed to react (in various ways) to the recently enacted federal tax reforms. Absent state action, some Maryland taxpayers would see an increase in their state and county tax liability — the potential means to offset these changes si...

Both county and municipal governments, still feeling the permanent effects of devastating cutbacks to state roadway funding, have made restoring Highway User Revenues a perennial legislative priority.  HB 1569, introduced today, represents a compromise between counties and municipalities, whereby all local governments would have their local share of Highway User Revenues fully restored. A law requ...

Maryland lawmakers on Tuesday unveiled a plan to amend the state constitution to ensure that taxes on casino revenues set aside for education are used to supplement, not supplant state funding for public schools. Also this week, Baltimore City became the latest jurisdiction to announce plans to file lawsuits against opioid manufacturers, doctors, and so-called “pill mills,” in an effort to stem th...

The Comptroller’s Office on Thursday held a briefing on its analysis of the impact of federal legislation on Maryland revenues. Meanwhile, Governor Larry Hogan unveiled his plans to protect Marylanders from state & local tax increases resulting from the recent federal tax overhaul. On Monday, the Department of Legislative Services (DLS) delivered its annual fiscal briefing to the General Assem...

House Speaker Michael E. Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. on Tuesday announced a package of bills designed to ease Maryland taxpayers’ increased tax burden resulting from the federal government’s tax reform package. The legislative package includes a proposed expansion of personal exemptions at the state level and a decoupling of the estate tax from the federal system. The Gove...

The Maryland General Assembly is now in session. The 438th session convened in Annapolis on Wednesday. Notwithstanding the pageantry, ceremony, pomp, and circumstance, lawmakers got off to a fast start. On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson recap the week in Annapolis and discuss some of the key issues likely to be addressed between now and Sine...

With the 2018 Session right around the corner, it's the perfect time to review the legislative process, define some popular legislative lingo, and highlight dates of interest. On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson present a timely refresher on what to expect when the General Assembly convenes next week.

In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss small cell broadband and election issues. The future of wireless will evolve from large, macro-cell towers to include thousands of densely-deployed small cells, operating at lower power. Small cell wireless facilities are deployed by mobile operators to extend network coverage and/or increase network capaci...

In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Les Knapp discuss the relationship between local governments and Maryland's Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.

In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss MACo's upcoming Winter Conference. MACo’s Winter Conference will focus on intergovernmental cooperation and ways that counties can partner with entities in the public and private sector to achieve the best results for Maryland’s residents. Sessions will highlight collaboration across county lines and s...

In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss new developments in education funding, federal tax reform, and Maryland's fiscal picture.

In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss education funding in Maryland.

Federal tax reform is a hot topic in Washington, and two potential changes could wreak havoc on county finances. Congress is considering eliminating both the deductibility of state and local taxes (SALT) and the tax exemption for municipal bonds to pay for other priorities. On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss how the latest tax reform p...

In the premiere episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson discuss MACo's 2018 Legislative Initiatives.