This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson unpack Maryland’s fiscal outlook. They break down the State’s year-end budget results, the new revenue forecast, and looming structural deficits. They also dig into the crunch in transportation funding — with local road dollars set to plunge off a fiscal cliff — the threat of a federal shutdown, and the squeeze these pressures put on county budgets and the services residents rely on.

Previous Conduit Street Coverage:

State Revenue Update: Tepid Growth, Outlook Weakens

Maryland’s FY25 Surplus Sets Stage for Deficit Years Ahead

State Highway Administration Shifted $359M to Conceal Transportation Fund Shortfall, Audit Finds

MD Comptroller: OBBB Triggers Volatility in State, Local Revenues

Federal Government Shutdown Odds Rise, Maryland Faces Big Risks

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From literacy programs to telehealth pods, Maryland’s libraries are evolving far beyond bookshelves. Join this week's Conduit Street host, Sarah Sample, as she sits down with Maryland State Librarian Morgan Lehr Miller to explore how local libraries serve as community hubs, connect residents to vital resources, and adapt to funding challenges at the state and federal levels. Hear how Maryland libraries are strengthening communities, expanding access, and shaping the future of education and equity statewide. 

Show Notes:

The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency

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On this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, host Michael Sanderson sits down with Zachary Markovits, Vice President & Local Practice Lead at Results for America, to explore how data and evidence can transform government decision-making. From Maryland’s efforts in using evidence-based budgeting and grantmaking to success stories from across the country, the conversation highlights how local leaders can maximize every public dollar for better community outcomes. 

Tune in for a real look at how results-based practices help counties move beyond box-checking to real accountability, smarter investments, and stronger resident trust.

Learn More: Homepage - Results for America

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This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Policy Associate Sarah Sample sit down with Anne Arundel Deputy County Attorney Hamilton Tyler to unpack a local case now headed to the Maryland Supreme Court on September 9. At the center of the case: whether counties can bring public nuisance claims tied to the staggering costs of the opioid crisis.

How did this case start? What does it mean for local governments footing the bill for abatement and recovery? And why is the state’s highest court taking it up now? Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the legal journey, what’s at stake for counties, and how the outcome could shape the way governments confront public health crises in the future.

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The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities across Maryland, and Baltimore City remains at the forefront of both the crisis and the response. In this episode, Karrington Anderson from the MACo policy team sits down with Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter to discuss the city’s evolving strategies for confronting opioid misuse, saving lives, and investing in long-term recovery.

Councilwoman Porter shares how her lived experience and legislative leadership shape her work, the city’s preliminary Overdose Response Strategic Plan, and the critical role of equity in harm reduction. From settlement funds and access to treatment to housing, workforce support, and stigma reduction, this conversation explores how Baltimore is working to turn immediate responses into lasting change—while providing lessons for counties and communities statewide.

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This week on the Conduit Street Podcast we bring you a special treat from the 2025 MACo Summer Conference, and it might involve MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson singing karaoke! 

The highlight of this episode, however, features a sit-down with Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Michael Sanderson, where they tackle some of the most pressing fiscal issues facing the state and its counties.

From revenue projections and federal uncertainty to long-term budget obligations, Comptroller Lierman shared candid insights into Maryland’s fiscal outlook and what it means for local governments. The conversation covered structural budget gaps, the effect of demographic and economic shifts, housing affordability, and her office’s work to strengthen compliance in areas like short-term rentals.

Tune in for a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion that underscores the importance of strong State-county partnerships in navigating today’s fiscal challenges—and planning for a more sustainable future.

Special Shoutout to the Band! The Klassix

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This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, we dive deep into the complexities of housing policy with Professors Christopher Serkin and Ganesh Sitaraman from Vanderbilt University. While zoning reform dominates the national conversation, our guests argue that the housing crisis demands a broader, more nuanced approach. From industrial policy and public housing options to creative tax incentives and market-shaping regulations, we explore innovative solutions tailored to local conditions. Plus, a fascinating case study on Nashville—a "YIMBY paradise" with unexpected outcomes—challenges conventional wisdom. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that goes beyond the usual talking points!

Show Notes: 

28 Post-Neoliberal Housing Policy Ideas 

Post-Neoliberal Housing Policy

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In this timely episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Karrington Anderson sit down with Gene Ransom, Executive Director of MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society, to break down how federal legislation and Medicaid changes could affect health care delivery across Maryland. 

From work requirements and uncompensated care to rural hospital challenges and the state’s unique Medicaid waiver, Gene shares insights that every county leader should know. Tune in to understand how these federal shifts could affect local services, budgets, and residents as our hosts break down what counties should be watching next. 

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In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Dominic Butchko is joined by Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) Director Paul Pinsky and Program Manager Lacey Allor for a wide-ranging conversation about Annapolis, MEA's $64M county grant program (L-GEM), and Maryland’s energy future.

Together, they explore an insider’s perspective on the inner workings of Annapolis, Maryland’s current energy situation, and what a possible future looks like, and MEA’s on-time Local Government Energy Modernization Program, meant to provide block grants to local governments.

Director Pinsky also shares insights on both his long career as an elected official and now as the leader of one of the most high-profile agencies in the state. Whether you're a county leader, energy advocate, or just curious about where Maryland is headed next — this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 

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The Conduit Street Podcast shifts its focus to county best practices. Here, hosts Michael Sanderson and Karrington Anderson welcome Beverly Churchill from Queen Anne’s County and Stuart Sutley from Bolton to talk about a groundbreaking advance in employee health care. Queen Anne’s County, and others across Maryland, are using dedicated health centers to provide better care, improved customer experience, and reduced costs as they support their essential public employees. Learn the basics about this innovative approach in a timely and important conversation.