Conduit Street Podcast

In this special two-part Ask Me Anything series of the Conduit Street Podcast, our host, Shantelle Malcolm-Lym, dives into listener-submitted questions that cover everything from under-the-radar Maryland policies to personal takes on Maryland-themed Monopoly. Listen in as Michael Sanderson and Kevin Kinnally tackle thought-provoking questions about MACo’s role in local governance, the rising influ...

In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Karrington Anderson, in her podcast debut, dive into the world of inclusive playgrounds and the vital role they play in fostering diversity, connection, and community. Jill Moore, an expert in inclusive play spaces, shares how thoughtful design and collaboration with teams like Sparks@Play can create environments where all children—...

Join hosts Kevin Kinnally and Shantelle Malcolm-Lym on this special episode of the Conduit Street Podcast as they sit down with Roger Hartley, Dean of the College of Public Affairs at the University of Baltimore, and Dr. Ann Cotten, Executive Director of the Schaefer Center for Public Policy. Discover how these institutions are preparing Maryland's future public service leaders, fostering par...

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, we're doing something a little different! Instead of our usual episode, we’re gearing up for our first-ever Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode, where YOU get to ask the questions! Want to know what’s happening behind the scenes in county politics? Are you curious about MACo, Kevin’s favorite policy topic, or Michael’s insider perspective? Maybe you even hav...

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, hosts Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson navigate the fiscal landscape facing Maryland and her counties. They dig into the fiscal year closeout, and the latest revenue forecast, and try to separate the signal from the noise. They talk through the underlying pieces to separate out from the headline numbers, and try to find the bottom line in the State&apos...

This week on the Conduit Street podcast, MACo's policy team discusses the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. Now, in year three of the rollout, stakeholders are assessing where the visionary education plan stands along with what appetite exists amongst Annapolis lawmakers to address both fiscal and operational challenges during the next legislative session.   Be sure...

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, host Michael Sanderson talks with Faith Leach, Baltimore City's Chief Administrative Officer. They explore Baltimore’s innovative approaches to tackling fiscal challenges and its progress in modernizing its financial strategies. Faith Leach also highlights recent improvements in public safety and shares tips on what makes Baltimore an exciting city to...

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Kevin Kinnally are joined by "vibe checker in chief" Mileah Kromer, who, after 12 years of monitoring public perception of Maryland politics and issues through the Goucher College Poll, will serve as the inaugural director of UMBC's Institute of Politics. Together, they dive into the nuances of polling, the importance of...

On this special crossover episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, we're excited to feature Michael Sanderson’s recent guest appearance on the "I Hate Politics" podcast with Sunil Dasgupta. Michael delves into Maryland tax policy, sharing his expertise on county property and income taxes. I Hate Politics Episode Description: No one likes to pay taxes. We do because we must. Government...

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Sarah Sample dives into discussions about major issues affecting public safety and health care for justice-involved populations. Joined by guest Senator Will Smith, they speak on the importance of mental health services and substance use disorder treatments for justice-involved populations, justice reforms, and collaborations between state and local governm...

In this week's Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson welcome Professor Luke Spreen from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. Professor Spreen digs into his areas of expertise - tax policy, fairness, and the sometimes unexpected outcomes from efforts to adjust and refine a revenue structure.  You might be surprised by the number of immediate connections ri...

In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson chats with Mo Hasan, who will deliver keynote comments at the upcoming MACo Summer Conference. Mo Hasan and his company, Intupower, are harnessing generative AI as a tool not just for tech-inclined people but for everyone - including local governments. On the podcast, he talks about thinking of AI as a tool for everyone and spells ou...

On this week's podcast, MACo's Executive Director, Michael Sanderson, sits down with his predecessor, longtime Director David Bliden. They talk through issues facing counties back in the 80s and 90s, and note how many of them continue to resonate today. David also talks through his beginnings at MACo, and his vision for MACo as a vibrant and well-respected voice for county services. Grea...

In this week's episode, MACo's Michael Sanderson connects with his Pennsylvania counterpart, Lisa Schaefer. She guides the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, which serves and represents its 64 county members. They compare and contrast the two states: the budget process (where PA is still haggling over their state budget that starts on Monday), the legislative calendar, the...

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Montgomery County Council Member Dawn Luedtke and Captain Jason Cokinos of the Montgomery County Police Department join Sarah Sample to discuss the use of drones as first responders. Tune in to hear how Montgomery County designed and implemented a plan to put drones to use for the safety of their residents. The Conduit Street Podcast is availabl...

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Amy Moredock joins Dominic Butchko to discuss Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—what they are, why they're a hot topic, and the counties' role in zoning. Amy Moredock is a professional planner with 20 years of land use experience on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. She has been directly involved in local and state planning efforts with a long h...

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Ted Zaleski and Robbie Sandlass join Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to discuss pressing budget and finance issues for the State of Maryland and county governments. Topics include the intricacies of bond ratings and how they affect financial health and borrowing capabilities, increasing pressure to fund public schools, why distinguishing be...

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Maryland State Board of Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis joins Kevin Kinnally to recap Maryland's primary election and look ahead to the general election in November. Plus, a discussion on election security and the impacts of new technology on the electoral process. Counties administer and fund elections at the local level, overseein...

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, hosts Michael Sanderson and Kevin Kinnally dive deep into the financial challenges facing Maryland counties. They discuss the phased implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future and its effect on county budgets, highlighting the need for innovative revenue-raising options beyond property taxes.  The conversation underscores the progressive goa...

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, we delve into Maryland's groundbreaking court-ordered mental health treatment program, making the state the 48th to establish such a program. Joining the podcast is Marie Grant, Assistant Secretary for Health Policy at the Maryland Department of Health, alongside host Sarah Sample, to discuss the implications for Maryland, county governments, and menta...

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, hosts Dominic Butchko and Shantelle Malcolm-Lym are joined by Elizabeth Malasky, Queen Anne’s County Public Information Manager, and Sara Shelley, Co-Founder and President of Plastic Free QAC. They discuss Queen Anne’s County’s innovative program addressing boat plastic shrink wrap recycling, aiming to reduce the 30 tons of plastic waste generated annually....

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, hosts Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson welcome Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman to discuss her role as a statewide fiscal and policy leader. They delve into the role of the Comptroller, Maryland's uniquely positioned Board of Public Works, and the Revenue Estimating process, as she shares some takeaways from research into Maryland's econ...

Join Dom Butchko from the MACo Policy Team on a special Earth Week episode of the Conduit Street Podcast as he welcomes Kristen Harbeson and Rebecca Rehr from the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (LCV). They discuss LCV's mission, priorities, and their impact on local governments, highlighting areas that overlap with county missions. The conversation delves into hot topics like solar si...

In the latest Conduit Street podcast episode, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson welcome back a popular guest, Dr. Mileah Kromer of Goucher Poll fame. Dr. Kromer talks through the findings and "vibes" from her recent polls, both statewide and in Baltimore. What issues are on the minds of Maryland voters as they consider elections ahead? What do they think of the current direction of Ma...

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Dominic Butchko from the MACo Policy Team is joined by Lisa Ochsenhirt from AquaLaw and Erik Michelsen from Anne Arundel County Dept of Public Works for a timely discussion on all things water. They'll discuss the latest on "forever chemicals," stream restoration, and the recently passed Whole Watershed Act of 2024. Plus, learn about the effe...