Blog – Page 2 of 2494 – Conduit Street

FT: Exelon CEO Warns of Blackouts as Energy Demand Grows

As energy demand outpaces new generation, utility leaders warn of dire consequences within the coming years. Exelon Chief Executive Officer Calvin Butler recently warned in an interview with the Financial Times that Americans may face blackouts as soon as 2027. Energy demand is dramatically outpacing the capacity of existing grid infrastructure and our the ability to get new forms of generations online. One of the biggest contributors to the added strain has been the development…

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June 30, 2026

Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference

States Explore Relaxing Building Codes to Help Housing Affordability

As housing affordability continues to be a national issue, states are export how certain building may be relaxed in the name of affordability. States and local governments are increasingly looking at building and fire code changes as one way to lower construction costs and make smaller multifamily projects more feasible. Some of the most debated proposals involve allowing certain apartment buildings to be built with a single stairway, easing elevator requirements, pausing code update cycles,…

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June 30, 2026

Information Technology / Summer Conference

Moving From AI Hype to Digital Workforces

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference Solutions Showcase features thought leaders and industry experts presenting resources and best practices to assist local governments. Check out this session hosted by Workday! About Workday: Workday is a leading cloud-based software platform that helps organizations manage their human resources, payroll, finance, planning, and workforce operations in one integrated system. Workday serves thousands of businesses, educational institutions, and government organizations around the world, providing tools that streamline administrative processes, improve decision-making through real-time data, and enhance the employee experience. Known for its…

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June 29, 2026

Education

Education Reform Oversight Board Seeks Feedback to Update Blueprint Comprehensive Plan

A recent Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board meeting covered progress on career ladders, prekindergarten expansion, test scores, and annual updates to the Blueprint Comprehensive Plan. The Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) continued its work to refine and oversee implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future during its June 18 meeting, with much of the discussion centered on updates to the Blueprint Comprehensive Plan (BCP). AIB staff presented recommended revisions developed after reviewing public comments…

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June 29, 2026

Energy / Environment / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works

Data Centers in Maryland: Opportunity, Pressure, and Policy

Data centers are a growing and complex issues, policymakers need to make decisions about balancing energy, growth, and environmental concerns. Regulating data centers presents a difficult balancing act for counties. While these facilities can bring significant investment and economic development opportunities, they also raise complex local concerns around energy demand, infrastructure capacity, environmental impacts, and community compatibility. Counties are often on the front lines of managing these impacts, but many of the key decisions are…

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June 29, 2026

Government Liability and Courts / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections

Attorney General Releases Guidance on Community Trust and Data Privacy Acts

Attorney General Anthony Brown has made guidance available for the implementation of the Community Trust Act and Data Privacy Act but it is not just for public safety officials. It includes vital information, regarding the Data Privacy Act, about all Public Information Act requests made to any division of county government. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has released updated guidance for state and local public safety agencies outlining their responsibilities during federal immigration enforcement activities.…

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June 29, 2026

Elections / Summer Conference

SCOTUS Upholds Maryland’s Mail-In Ballot Rules

Maryland’s current process for counting mail-in ballots will remain in place after the US Supreme Court ruled today that states may continue counting ballots that voters cast by Election Day, but that election officials receive afterward. The 5-4 decision rejects a challenge to Mississippi’s mail ballot law and preserves similar laws across the country, including Maryland’s. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote the majority opinion, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena…

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June 29, 2026

Courts / Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference

Appellate Court of Maryland Opinion to Curb Police “Stop and Frisk” Policies

Court limits police authority to stop individuals based solely on firearm possession post New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision. A recent decision from the Appellate Court of Maryland carries policy implications for law enforcement agencies across the state. In Steven Hicks v. State of Maryland, the court held that police officers may no longer stop an individual based solely on the belief that the person is carrying a handgun. Instead, officers must…

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June 29, 2026

Health and Human Services / Summer Conference

Prevention Matters: How Maryland’s Shock Trauma Center Is Leading the Charge Against Preventable Injuries

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference Solutions Showcase features thought leaders and industry experts presenting resources and best practices to assist local governments. Check out this session hosted by University of Maryland Medical System! About University of Maryland Medical System: When you visit a University of Maryland Medical System provider in your community, you get more than an appointment close to home. You connect to an entire network of specialists, hospitals and clinics across Maryland. Everyone on the…

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June 29, 2026

Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference

Rewiring Corrections: Enhancing Security, Education, and Rehabilitation Through Technology at #MACoCon

Technology in local jails is changing the landscape of county detention and rehabilitation at #MACoCon. County detention centers play a critical role in protecting public safety while preparing individuals for successful reentry into their communities. As technology continues to transform correctional operations, county leaders, detention professionals, policymakers, and community partners must understand both the opportunities and challenges these innovations present. This session offers practical insights into how jurisdictions are using technology to strengthen security, improve…

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June 29, 2026