Michael Sanderson, Author at Conduit Street

St. Mary’s County Primary Results Roundup

St. Mary's County has term limits on its Commissioners, affecting the 2026 election -- primary results are summarized below as the county will see multiple leadership changes. In the at-large race for County Commission President, incumbent Randy Guy was term limited, so a field of new aspirants competed. Tom Jarboe, who served as a Commissioner from 2014-2018, has won the Republican primary and will face AnnMarie Abell in the November general election. In District 1,…

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June 24, 2026

Summer Conference

MACo Book Club to Untangle “How to Not Know” at Summer #MACoCon

MACo’s “good government” Book Club will renew in August – with a book called How to Not Know: The Value of Uncertainty in a World that Demands Answers. Join us for the conference and this discussion, with a free advance copy of the book. At the MACo Summer Conference, county officials and other guests can join a discussion on a book affecting public service and best practices as officials, employees, and colleagues. The selection for August…

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June 11, 2026

Read more about the article Park & Planning Retirement System Seeking Montgomery, Prince George’s Trustees

County project map, image courtesy of Prince George's County Planning

Parks and Recreation / Pensions & Public Funds / Planning and Zoning

Park & Planning Retirement System Seeking Montgomery, Prince George’s Trustees

The Retirement System serving Park and Planning officials in the two DC-adjacent counties has Trustee vacancies, and is seeking interested parties to apply to serve. The Board of Trustees for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) is seeking two trustees, one each from Montgomery County and Prince George’s County. Public Trustees serve a three-year term, from July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029. The Board holds fiduciary oversight of the…

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April 28, 2026

County News / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony

2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Intergovernmental Relations

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on intergovernmental relations policy in the 2026 General Assembly session. Counties serve as the boots-on-the-ground public service providers to nearly all Maryland residents. From public safety and infrastructure to health, energy, and governance, this role requires strong coordination and clear communication between all levels of government. Through its intergovernmental relations advocacy, MACo works to strengthen the state-local partnership, ensuring that county voices are heard and respected…

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April 16, 2026

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

Finance and Procurement / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works

2026 Housing Package Takes Shape and Advances

In a session marked for widespread interest in advancing policies promoting affordable and attainable housing across Maryland, multiple bills appear to be heading toward enactment. Here's a rundown of the bills that are moving, and one high profile offering among the several that aren't part of the "package" receiving support this session. With a well-documented shortage of housing units across Maryland, stakeholders and interest groups advanced multiple bills to change the game for residential building.…

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March 24, 2026

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

Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony

Upending the Balance in Maryland’s Municipal Incorporation Framework

On February 26, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Government, Labor, and Elections Committee in opposition to HB 1141 -Municipal Incorporation - County Commissioners or County Council - Required Approval of Referendum Request. This bill would upend the longstanding, carefully crafted framework that governs municipal incorporation by stripping county governments of their proper and necessary input and oversight. The legislation would effectively remove counties' formal review processes. Under current law, proposed incorporations undergo county…

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March 3, 2026

Education / MACo Testimony

Blueprint Touch-up Should Remedy Billing Confusion

On February 18, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of SB 311 - Education - The Blueprint for Maryland's Future - Revisions with amendments. This bill seeks to adjust a number of components of the State’s visionary education plan, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint). The provisions of the bill focus broadly on school funding, teacher recruitment and retention, college and career readiness, and resource allocation…

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February 20, 2026

MACo Testimony / Planning and Zoning

Early Vesting Reform Requires Clear State-Local Coordination

On February 17, Executive Director Michael Sanderson testified in support of SB 325 - Land Use - Permitting - Development Rights (Maryland Housing Certainty Act) with amendments. This bill would overturn existing Maryland case law to establish an earlier vesting standard for residential projects and would adjust impact fee and excise tax payment timing to the issuance of a use and occupancy permit. Counties offer amendments to resolve issues of timing and application, and do…

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February 19, 2026