Sarah Sample, Author at Conduit Street

Federal Judge Blocks NY Law Banning Masks for ICE Officers

In a recent decision, a federal judge, and Obama appointee, struck down a New York law banning face coverings for federal agents and a requirement to wear visible identification. A federal judge has temporarily blocked portions of New York's law restricting how federal immigration officers conduct enforcement operations while allowing another key provision to remain in effect. In an August 3 preliminary injunction, US District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino ruled that New York may not…

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August 6, 2026

County Budgets / Education

Garrett County Commissioners Add Nearly $2M in Discretionary Funds for School System

Recent budget approvals in Garrett see a $4M increase in school operating funds from the county government, including nearly $2M above the statutory requirement. The Board of County Commissioners in Garrett approved a budget of $38,405,016 for the FY27 operating expenses of Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS). This is about $1.8M more than the state mandated requirement for FY27 and just shy of $4M more than the prior year. This brings the total increase over…

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August 5, 2026

Board of Public Works / County Budgets

Nearly $4.8M Goes to Counties This Week from the Board of Public Works

The Board of Public Works approved just shy of $4.8M for county projects this week including watershed improvements and enhancements for outdoor recreation. Three counties this week were granted funding approvals by the Maryland Board of Public Works for various projects. $3.7M came from Program Open Space funding and is to be distributed to Prince George's and Washington. Prince George's received the primary share of that allocation with $3.6M coming their way, and $150K going…

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August 5, 2026

Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference

Immigration Policy Shifts Across All Levels of Government at #MACoCon

Immigration polices at the local, state, and federal level have been evolving rapidly with residents and government officials seeking clarity on protocols in Maryland. County officials are increasingly navigating the local impacts of a rapidly changing immigration landscape, even as many of the key policy decisions are being made at the federal and state levels. This session will provide a timely, nonpartisan overview of the latest developments and help officials understand how federal enforcement actions,…

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August 4, 2026

County Budgets / Education

Baltimore County Posts Another Record Year for Education Funding

For the coming fiscal year, the Baltimore County Council and Executive approved another billion dollar budget for Baltimore County Public Schools saving more than 144 positions that were in danger of being cut. The FY27 budget allocation for the Baltimore County Board of Education operating expenses was approved by the County Council in late May and totals $1,035,771,751. This is about $30M over the prior year allocation of $1,006,619,953 and $50M over the amount required…

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July 30, 2026

Public Safety and Corrections

Report Shows US Crime Continues to Fall as Maryland Sees Similar Trends

A new mid-year analysis from the Council on Criminal Justice finds that crime continues to decline across many major US cities, a trend that broadly mirrors improving public safety indicators in Maryland. The Council on Criminal Justice’s mid-year 2026 analysis finds that the broad decline in crime seen nationally in 2025 has continued into 2026. Across the 36 large US cities examined, nine of 13 crime categories declined, with homicides down 18 percent compared with…

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July 29, 2026

County Budgets / Education

Somerset County Increases Discretionary School Funding for FY27 by Almost $1M

For the FY27 budget the Somerset Board of County Commissioners approved just over $13M of local government funds for the local school systems operating budget. In an early summer vote by the Somerset County Board of Commissioners, county leadership approved an appropriation of $13,065,071 to the Somerset Board of Education for FY27. This is just shy of a $1M increase over the prior year budget of $12,100,404 and is considered the maintenance of effort (MOE)…

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July 28, 2026

Economic Development / Health and Human Services / Summer Conference

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Affinity Group Meeting at #MACoCon

Secretary Walter Simmons will join the MACo Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Affinity Group to share insights about the new division and how county governments can be good partners in advancing initiatives of the new Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility at #MACoCon. The upcoming 2026 MACo Summer Conference will give county officials an opportunity to learn more about the newly established Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility (DoSEM) and how its work could…

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July 27, 2026

Courts / Summer Conference

Birthright Citizenship Upheld as State Policies on Immigration Enforcement Move Forward

US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship in 6-3 decision on Trump v. Barbara as state and local immigration enforcement policies continue to rollout. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. Barbara has preserved the longstanding principle of birthright citizenship, rejecting a recent federal effort to deny citizenship to certain children born in the United States. Chief Justice John Roberts from the majority opinion: Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights—to freely…

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July 27, 2026

Public Safety and Corrections

Community Policing Takes Center Stage During National Night Out Events

National Night Out events will be happening across Maryland on August 4, bringing together law enforcement and residents at community centered events that promote connection between police and the neighborhoods they serve. Effective public safety is about more than responding to emergencies. It also depends on building strong relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Community policing gives police departments and sheriffs' offices opportunities to engage with residents outside of enforcement situations, helping…

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July 23, 2026