Blog – Page 6 of 2533 – Conduit Street

Deep Dive: The Looming Blueprint Funding Shortfall

With an interim Blueprint evaluation due in December, state lawmakers will grapple with a $1.8B education funding shortfall during the 2027 legislative session. This policy deep dive will analyze where funding pressure exists at the state and local level, as well as what steps state leaders might consider to close the gap. Governor Moore and the General Assembly are heading into a 2027 legislative session this January, facing a general fund shortfall of almost $3B.…

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September 23, 2026

FEMA Lifts Holds on 2025 Homeland Security Grants, MDEM Review Continues

FEMA has removed federal programmatic and financial holds affecting portions of Maryland’s federal fiscal 2025 Homeland Security Grant Program, allowing the Maryland Department of Emergency Management to move forward with subawards and final project reviews. The change applies to National Priority Area and Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities funding under the FFY25 program. MDEM will now review each subrecipient’s complete project portfolio before determining which projects can move forward with reimbursement assurances. As previously reported…

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September 23, 2026

County News / Energy / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning

Governor Moore Signs Executive Order Establishing Data Center Review Framework

Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order establishing a new State review process for large data center projects, with local approvals, ratepayer protections, infrastructure impacts, and community engagement built into the framework. The order applies to data centers that require at least 25 megawatts of power at peak, including expansions that add 25 megawatts, as well as projects that qualify as large load customers under State law. It takes effect when a covered project seeks…

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September 23, 2026

Courts / Higher Education

In-State College Tuition for Undocumented Students Remains in Jeopardy

The US Department of Justice is continuing its effort to dismantle the Maryland DREAM Act, which provides in-state college tuition rates to undocumented students. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is asking a federal judge to resolve its challenge to Maryland’s in-state tuition policy for undocumented students without a trial. In a filing last week, DOJ opposed Maryland’s effort to dismiss the case and asked the court to grant judgment in its favor. The lawsuit,…

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September 23, 2026

County Budgets / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development

The Briefing Room: Baltimore City’s War on Vacancy

For decades, vacant and abandoned properties have been one of Baltimore City’s most persistent challenges. Now, the numbers are moving in a different direction. Vacant homes have fallen from more than 16,000 to fewer than 12,000 during Mayor Brandon Scott’s time in office, while census estimates show Baltimore gaining residents for the first time in a decade. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street…

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September 22, 2026

County News / Feature / Information Technology / MACo Events

MACo’s Oct 22 Information Technology Conference To Focus on AI, Modernization, and Federal Policy Updates

In addition to MACo’s Summer and Winter Conferences, the Association holds several annual events focusing on specific topics within county service areas. The County Information Technology Conference is scheduled for October 22 and will feature deep-dive content revolving around county tech challenges and priorities. All county and state elected officials and professionals are invited to register for this annual conference hosted by MACo's IT Affiliate, focusing on technology issues and challenges unique to county government.…

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September 22, 2026

Energy / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works

New Study Flags 2030 Reliability Risks for PJM

A new study warns that surging data center demand could leave PJM without enough power to reliably meet electricity needs by 2030. A new study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission warns that rapid electricity demand growth, driven largely by data center development, could push the PJM Interconnection outside its reliability standard by 2030. Under the study’s reference case, which uses PJM’s 2026 load forecast, the projected risk of power shortages would be nearly…

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September 22, 2026

County News / Information Technology / Labor

Governor Moore Outlines AI Framework for Maryland

A new state framework outlines priorities for responsible AI development, workforce training, and protections for residents. Governor Wes Moore announced a new AI framework focused on three priorities: protecting residents from emerging AI-related risks, preparing workers for changes brought by the technology, and keeping children safe. The framework calls for potential regulations on frontier AI companies, including safety testing, independent evaluations, worker protections, whistleblower protections, public reporting, and incident reporting. It also directs state agencies…

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September 22, 2026

Environment

Maryland Weighs Impact of Changes to Federal Bay Policy

New federal executive order changes the framework for Chesapeake Bay restoration, prompting officials to assess impacts on funding and coordination. President Donald Trump has rescinded a 2009 Obama-era executive order that established a federal framework for coordinating Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. The new order directs federal agencies to focus resources on projects the administration considers most likely to produce measurable water-quality improvements and encourages states and local governments to reconsider stormwater management fees. Maryland officials…

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September 22, 2026

Environment

Bay Underwater Grasses Expanded Nearly 13%

DNR data shows expansive bay grass growth in 2025. Underwater grass abundance increased in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries last year. In Maryland’s portion of the Bay, underwater grass coverage expanded from 36,799 acres in 2024 to 41,419 acres in 2025, an increase of nearly 13% in a single year. Bay-wide, SAV acreage reached an estimated 89,385 acres – up 7% from 83,252 acres in 2024. The 2025 acreage represents about 36% of…

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September 22, 2026