Read more about the article May in Maryland: What’s News, What’s Noise?
County Budgets / County Government and Structure / County News / Elections / Energy / Environment / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
May in Maryland: What’s News, What’s Noise?

We're back with another special edition of the Conduit Street Podcast, with the MACo team taking up several issues from this month's headlines, and trying to sort out which are the real stories (news) and which are more smoke than fire (noise). Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!  

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May 29, 2026
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: Maryland Mail-In Ballot Questions, Answered
County Government and Structure / County News / Elections
Conduit Street Podcast: Maryland Mail-In Ballot Questions, Answered

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson break down the recent vendor issue involving Maryland's mail-in ballots for the June 23 gubernatorial primary and walk through what county officials and voters need to know moving forward.   Mail-In Ballot Questions: What Is the County Government's Role? – Conduit Street Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the…

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May 22, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore City Proposal Seeks Changes to Inspector General Oversight and Public Records Access
County Government and Structure / County News / Intergovernmental Relations / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections
Baltimore City Proposal Seeks Changes to Inspector General Oversight and Public Records Access

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has announced a multi-step legislative proposal to restructure how the City’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) accesses information, conducts oversight, and interacts with existing public records laws. The proposal comes amid ongoing public discussion and litigation surrounding Baltimore’s OIG and broader questions about transparency, investigatory authority, and accountability structures in local government. According to the City, the package is intended to “strengthen residents’ trust in City government” while clarifying oversight…

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May 21, 2026
Read more about the article Maryland by the Numbers: The Latest UMBC Poll With Mileah Kromer 
County Government and Structure / County News / Elections / Energy / Housing and Community Development / Public Information and Ethics / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Maryland by the Numbers: The Latest UMBC Poll With Mileah Kromer 

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Dominic Butchko sit down with Dr. Mileah Kromer, director of the Institute of Politics at UMBC, to break down the latest UMBC Poll releases and what they reveal about Maryland voters heading into the 2026 election cycle. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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May 8, 2026
Read more about the article Mandatory Charter Government, Open Incorporation – Both Stalled Again
County Government and Structure / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
Mandatory Charter Government, Open Incorporation – Both Stalled Again

Two bills introduced and heard in the House of Delegates dealing with "structure of local government" matters appear to have been passed over for the 2026 session. One would have required all counties to adopt full executive/council charter government, and the other would have removed county review/approval of proposed municipal incorporations. With the "crossover" deadline now behind us, legislation that has not received approval from its original committee appears more likely to be defeated this…

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March 24, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore City Appoints New Chief Information Officer
County Government and Structure / County News / Information Technology / News You Can Use / Risk Management
Baltimore City Appoints New Chief Information Officer

Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced a new appointment to city leadership. Beginning March 16, 2026, T.J. Mayotte will assume the position of Chief Information Officer. From the press release: "I’m excited to have T.J. join my administration at such an important time for our city, as we continue to invest in digital equity and explore cutting-edge technology solutions to improve service delivery for our residents,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “T.J. is an innovator and a cybersecurity…

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March 12, 2026
Read more about the article MACo: Uphold Longstanding Local Decision on “Home Rule”
County Government and Structure / County News / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony
MACo: Uphold Longstanding Local Decision on “Home Rule”

On March 4, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Election Committee in opposition to HB 190 - Constitutional Amendment - Form of County Government - Requirement to Adopt Charter Home Rule. This bill would repeal Maryland’s historic reliance on self-determination by county residents and instead mandate that every county conforms to a single governance structure – a full two-branch charter government. Through the constitutional principle of home rule, residents have chosen…

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March 9, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick County Names New Leaders for Economic Opportunity and Procurement
Business Affairs / County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement
Frederick County Names New Leaders for Economic Opportunity and Procurement

Frederick County has announced the appointment of Heather Gramm as director of the Division of Economic Opportunity and Jamille Wilson as director of the Office of Procurement and Contracting. The County Council confirmed both appointments on March 3, 2026. From the press release: “Heather Gramm is a trusted and respected leader who has dedicated her career to economic development in Frederick County, across Maryland, and beyond,” County Executive Fitzwater said. “Her deep knowledge of Frederick…

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March 5, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore Aligns Housing and Planning for Next Phase of Development
County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning
Baltimore Aligns Housing and Planning for Next Phase of Development

Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced his intention to nominate Timothy Keane as Commissioner of Baltimore City's Department of Housing and Community Development, Renata "Ren" Southard as Planning Director, and Alice Kennedy as Executive Director of Community Affairs and Engagement in the Mayor's Office, effective March 2, 2026.  From the press release: "Baltimore is becoming a pioneer in housing and community development, literally breaking new ground in our work to overcome a challenge that has plagued…

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February 19, 2026
Read more about the article Financial Snapshot Fiscal Year 2026: Budgets, Tax Rates, and Selected Statistics
County Budgets / County Government and Structure / County News / Finance and Procurement / Taxes and Revenues
Financial Snapshot Fiscal Year 2026: Budgets, Tax Rates, and Selected Statistics

The Fiscal Year 2026 Budgets, Tax Rates, and Selected Statistics (BTRB) is now available on the MACo website. This annual publication offers an overview of tax structures, tax rates, and revenue trends across Maryland. The BTRB provides information on a a wide range of county revenue sources and budget data. The report is organized into detailed sections, each focusing on a key aspect of fiscal operations - from current tax rates and revenues to multi-year…

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January 8, 2026
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