Calvert Proposed Budget Prioritizes Schools, Public Safety, Roads

Calvert County’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget increases funding for schools, public safety, employee compensation, and capital projects while continuing the County’s emphasis on reserve levels and long-term fiscal stability. The proposed operating budget totals roughly $420.5 million, while the County’s total capital budget reaches nearly $90 million. The Board of County Commissioners also approved several additions to the staff-recommended budget, including additional education funding, employee compensation increases, and funding tied to Fraternal Order of Police…

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St. Mary’s Recommended Budget Boosts Schools, Public Safety Without Tax Increase

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County have proposed a fiscal 2027 budget that increases funding for public safety, schools, employee compensation, and capital projects while keeping both property and income tax rates unchanged. The recommended General Fund budget totals roughly $377 million, an increase of about $28.4 million, or 8.2%, over the fiscal 2026 approved budget. The County’s total operating budget across all funds reaches roughly $682.8 million, alongside a $76.5 million Capital Improvement Program.…

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Charles County’s Proposed Budget Keeps Tax Rates Flat, Expands Core Services

Charles County’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget keeps local property and income tax rates unchanged for the 13th consecutive year, but the proposal still reflects the growing fiscal pressure counties continue to face from rising costs, expanding service demands, and additional State obligations. The proposed General Fund budget totals roughly $641.8 million, a 7.9% increase over fiscal 2026. The proposed budget reflects several significant cost drivers, including employee compensation, school funding obligations, public safety staffing, infrastructure…

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Talbot Proposed Budget Maintains Conservative Approach Amid Economic Uncertainty

Talbot County’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget reflects a continued focus on conservative budgeting, stable reserves, and targeted investments in public safety, education, infrastructure, and community services while navigating broader economic and policy uncertainty. The proposed General Fund budget totals $159.1 million, a roughly $2 million decrease from fiscal 2026. County Manager Clay Stamp said the proposed budget maintains core services while accounting for potential federal and State impacts, workforce pressures, and broader economic uncertainty. Education…

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State and Local Efforts Drive Decline in Opioid Deaths

State data shows opioid-related deaths have fallen to their lowest levels in a decade, driven by harm reduction efforts and local partnerships. In an article from the Maryland Reporter, Maryland is seeing significant progress in its fight against the opioid crisis, with opioid-related overdose deaths dropping 57% since their pandemic-era peak. According to a recent analysis by Capital News Service, the state recorded just over 1,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2025, down from more than…

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County Exec Fitzwater’s Budget Prioritizes Schools, Housing, Affordability

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget would significantly expand education, housing, childcare, and public safety investments while holding County property and income tax rates unchanged. The proposed all-funds budget totals roughly $1.14 billion, up nearly 12% from fiscal 2026, while holding County property and income tax rates unchanged. The County property tax rate would remain at $1.11 per $100 of assessed value, while Frederick County’s variable income tax structure would remain in…

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New FEMA Blueprint Shifts More Disaster Recovery Costs, Responsibility to States and Counties

A new federal report released this week calls for a dramatic restructuring of the nation’s disaster response system by significantly shifting more responsibility and untenable fiscal risk onto states and local governments. The 75-page report from the President’s FEMA Review Council argues that disaster response should become “locally executed, state or tribally managed, and federally supported.” That philosophy drives nearly every recommendation in the report, including raising federal disaster thresholds, limiting federal recovery assistance, restructuring…

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Maryland by the Numbers: The Latest UMBC Poll With Mileah Kromer 

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Dominic Butchko sit down with Dr. Mileah Kromer, director of the Institute of Politics at UMBC, to break down the latest UMBC Poll releases and what they reveal about Maryland voters heading into the 2026 election cycle. 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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Frederick Seeks Input on Draft Historic Preservation Plan

Frederick County is inviting residents and stakeholders to review and provide feedback on its draft Historic Preservation Plan, a long-range framework that guides how the County identifies, protects, and manages historic and cultural resources. Public comments are being accepted through June 2, 2026. Balancing Preservation and Growth The plan is designed to serve as a functional planning document, helping the County integrate historic preservation into broader land use and development decisions. In addition to protecting…

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Allegany Proposed Budget Reflects Flood Recovery, Rising Costs

Allegany County’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget keeps local tax rates unchanged while addressing continued flood recovery costs, rising employee expenses, and growing public safety demands. The proposed General Fund budget totals roughly $118.6 million, an increase of about 1.9% over fiscal 2026. There are several drivers behind the increase, including expanded EMS operations in Georges Creek, higher health insurance costs, union agreements, and continued recovery work tied to the May 2025 flooding event. The preliminary…

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