Read more about the article 2026 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups
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2026 Session: Recap and Wrap-Ups

Catch up on all of the latest outcomes of the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session with wrap-ups on important county-related bills in each policy area. Maryland’s 448th legislative session unfolded under significant fiscal pressure. Lawmakers closed the fiscal 2027 gap, preserved reserves, and fully funded principal commitments, such as the Blueprint, but did not resolve the larger structural deficits projected for the years ahead. That budget pressure shaped debates across nearly every policy area, from…

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April 17, 2026
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: 90 Days Later — Sine Die Recap
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Elections / Energy / Environment / General Assembly News / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections / Transportation and Public Works
Conduit Street Podcast: 90 Days Later — Sine Die Recap

This Week on the Conduit Street Podcast, we bring you an episode fresh from Sine Die to break down the 2026 legislative session from start to finish.   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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April 17, 2026
Read more about the article 2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Procurement
Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony
2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Procurement

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on procurement policy in the 2026 General Assembly. Public procurement is a critical function of county government that drives infrastructure delivery, management of public funds, and ensures fair and competitive contracting processes. Through its procurement advocacy, MACo works to preserve local flexibility in procurement practices while supporting policies that promote transparency, efficiency, and strong partnerships with the private sector. In Maryland's 448th legislative session, procurement policy…

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April 16, 2026
Read more about the article 2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Taxes and Revenues
Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony / Taxes and Revenues
2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Taxes and Revenues

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on tax policy in the 2026 General Assembly.  The General Assembly routinely considers changes to tax structures to spur economic growth, encourage certain activities, or attract and retain residents. Some proposals focus only on State taxes, while others extend to local revenues and directly affect county budgets. MACo supports local decision-making. Counties, led by elected officials accountable to their communities, make informed choices on local…

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April 16, 2026
Read more about the article 2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Finance
Finance and Procurement / MACo Testimony
2026 End of Session Wrap-Up: Finance

The segments below provide a brief overview of MACo’s work on finance policy in the 2026 General Assembly. In the 2026 session, fiscal policy took center stage as the General Assembly faced slowing revenues, rising costs, and competing priorities across government. Budget constraints drove debates over tax policy, aid formulas, and funding commitments, with a sharper focus on how the State and local governments share costs and responsibilities. Maryland’s 448th legislative session opened with significant…

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April 15, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick Moves Forward on Green Infrastructure Plan
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Environment / Parks and Recreation / Risk Management
Frederick Moves Forward on Green Infrastructure Plan

Frederick County is moving ahead with a long-range planning effort aimed at protecting natural resources, improving resilience, and shaping how growth and conservation work together over time. The County Council is set to begin reviewing the county’s Green Infrastructure Plan, a policy framework focused on preserving and connecting environmental, agricultural, and recreational assets across Frederick County. While the title may sound technical, the larger question behind the plan is straightforward: "How should the county protect…

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April 9, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore City’s Budget Reveals 2027 Priorities
County Budgets / County News
Baltimore City’s Budget Reveals 2027 Priorities

Baltimore’s proposed FY2027 budget offers a clear picture of where city leaders want to focus next: core services, neighborhood investment, youth support, and long-term infrastructure. Mayor of Baltimore City, Brandon Scott’s preliminary budget closes a $12M funding gap while maintaining or expanding funding for several visible priorities, including violence prevention, summer jobs, homelessness services, libraries, public safety infrastructure, and neighborhood investment. That makes this more than a routine budget release. It is also a snapshot…

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April 9, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick Examines Equity in County Contracting
County News / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement
Frederick Examines Equity in County Contracting

Frederick County is taking a closer look at procurement, specifically, how its contracting system works, and who it works for. County officials have released the County’s first-ever Procurement Disparity Study, an analysis of whether barriers exist to businesses' access to public contracting opportunities. The study marks a step toward evaluating fairness, access, and participation in county procurement, an issue many local governments are looking into. Conducted based on procurement data gathered for five years, the…

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April 2, 2026
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: Puzzle Pieces of the Balanced Budget
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Emergency Management / General Assembly News / Intergovernmental Relations
Conduit Street Podcast: Puzzle Pieces of the Balanced Budget

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson break down where Maryland’s budget and “Big BRFA” stand as the General Assembly enters its final weeks. 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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March 27, 2026
Read more about the article Queen Anne’s County Cuts Property Tax Rate While Growing Its Budget
County Budgets / County News / Housing and Community Development
Queen Anne’s County Cuts Property Tax Rate While Growing Its Budget

Queen Anne’s County is moving to lower its property tax rate, even as its proposed budget for the coming fiscal year shows a significant increase. During the presentation of the County Administrator’s proposed FY2027 budget, the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners voted to reduce the county property tax rate from $0.83 to $0.80 per $100 of assessed value, effective July 1. The move comes alongside a proposed $234.5 million operating budget, up about 12% from the…

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March 26, 2026
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