EPA Announces Funding for Sewer and Stormwater Infrastructure Projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new funding to support sewer overflow and stormwater management projects across the Mid-Atlantic, including funding available to Maryland communities. The funding comes through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program, which provides resources to help local governments upgrade infrastructure and reduce pollution entering local waterways. Of the approximately $80 million made available nationwide, about $14.8 million is allocated across the Mid-Atlantic region, including Maryland. Maryland…

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The Briefing Room Ep 1: Who Really Controls Maryland’s Energy?

The Conduit Street Podcast is launching something new. Introducing The Briefing Room, a new limited series designed to take a deeper dive into the complex policy issues shaping Maryland’s counties.   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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News or Noise? Breaking Down Maryland’s 2026 Session

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, longtime hosts Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson are "back in the saddle" with a post-session "news or noise" breakdown of what really mattered, and what didn't, from Maryland's 2026 legislative session.     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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Baltimore City Launches Property Tax Payment Plan Program

Baltimore City is introducing a new option for homeowners with past-due property taxes, allowing eligible residents to enroll in monthly payment plans rather than facing an all-or-nothing deadline. The program, now open for enrollment through May 12, offers a structured path for residents to catch up on delinquent taxes and avoid tax sale. From the press release: "Overdue property tax bills should never be the reason that any Baltimorean - especially a legacy resident -…

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Carroll County Broadband Infrastructure Project Earns National Recognition

Carroll County’s long-running effort to expand broadband infrastructure is drawing national attention, with its Public Network project receiving a 2026 Smart 20 Award from Smart Cities Connect. The recognition highlights projects from around the world that demonstrate innovation in technology and infrastructure, and, in Carroll County’s case, reflects nearly two decades of investment in building a countywide fiber network. Carroll County’s Public Network (CCPN) is a middle-mile fiber network designed to support high-capacity broadband across…

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Baltimore County Moves To Strengthen Animal Welfare Laws

Baltimore County is proposing a broad update to its animal welfare laws, with new legislation aimed at strengthening protections for animals, improving enforcement, and creating a clearer framework for public safety. The three-bill package, introduced by the Klausmeier Administration, would update county code in several areas, including basic standards of care, shelter case processing, and dangerous animal classifications. Taken together, the bills reflect a local government effort to modernize how animal welfare and public safety…

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FY27 Rural Maryland Grant Cycle Now Open

The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) has opened its Fiscal Year 2027 grant cycle, offering funding opportunities to support economic development and long-term sustainability in rural communities across the state. The application process includes two phases, beginning with a Letter of Intent due by May 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM. This year’s cycle includes more than $6 million in funding for two key programs: Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development…

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Baltimore Tracks Opioid Settlement Spending With New Dashboard

Baltimore City is adding a new layer of transparency to how opioid settlement funds are being used, launching a public dashboard alongside its first annual report on the Opioid Restitution Fund. The tools offer a clearer look at how funding from opioid litigation is being allocated, tracked, and evaluated as jurisdictions continue responding to the overdose crisis. From the press release: “I am so proud that we are investing Opioid Restitution Fund dollars directly back…

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Frederick County Uses Libraries To Advance Sustainability Goals

Frederick County is using its library system as a platform to advance sustainability goals, combining energy-efficiency upgrades with expanded access to electric-vehicle infrastructure. Recent projects at libraries in Thurmont, Urbana, and Middletown highlight how everyday public spaces can support broader county priorities around energy use, emissions reduction, and cost savings. At the Thurmont and Urbana Regional libraries, lighting systems were upgraded to energy-efficient LED fixtures, a change expected to deliver both environmental and financial benefits.…

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Anne Arundel Maintains Triple-A Bond Rating

Anne Arundel County has once again earned a Triple-A bond rating from all three major credit rating agencies, marking the fourth consecutive year the county has received the highest possible designation. The ratings were reaffirmed by Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Ratings, and S&P Global Ratings, placing Anne Arundel among a small group of counties nationwide (roughly 1.5%) to hold top-tier ratings across all three agencies. From the press release: “Since the beginning of my administration, we…

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