Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: News or Noise? What Matters Now, What Comes Next
County News / Cyber / Elections / Energy / Environment / Health and Human Services / Information Technology / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Conduit Street Podcast: News or Noise? What Matters Now, What Comes Next

The Conduit Street Podcast monthly roundup of “News or Noise?” is back, as we dig into the headlines from recent weeks, looking for the real takeaways.   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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October 2, 2026
Read more about the article Washington County Adds 167 Acres to More Than 44,000 Acres of Preserved Land
Agriculture / County News / Environment / Planning and Zoning
Washington County Adds 167 Acres to More Than 44,000 Acres of Preserved Land

The latest agricultural easement builds on the County's broader strategy to permanently protect farmland and open space. Washington County has permanently preserved another 167.56 acres of agricultural land, bringing the total to more than 44,000 acres of permanently protected land across the county. The long-established dairy farm on Broadfording Road in Clear Spring was protected through an easement under the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF), funded by both Washington County and the state program.…

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October 1, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick Launches Dashboards To Track Climate and Energy Progress
County News / Energy / Environment
Frederick Launches Dashboards To Track Climate and Energy Progress

New public dashboards allow residents to track local projects and progress toward goals outlined in Frederick's Community-Wide Climate and Energy Action Plan. Frederick County and the City of Frederick have launched new online dashboards giving residents a public view of progress on local climate and energy initiatives. The City and County developed their Community-Wide Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) in 2025 with support from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. The plan sets strategies…

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October 1, 2026
Read more about the article Governor Launches New Permitting Team, Housing Initiatives
County News / Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use
Governor Launches New Permitting Team, Housing Initiatives

Governor Wes Moore signed two executive orders that could affect how counties handle permitting, development review, and housing production, including a new State-local permitting effort that will begin with Baltimore City, Montgomery County, Wicomico County, and the Town of Thurmont. The Permitting and Licensing Acceleration Team, or PLAT, will review State permitting, licensing, and certification processes and work with local governments on ways to reduce delays. The first round of work will focus on building…

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October 1, 2026
Read more about the article Anne Arundel Strengthens Emergency Response Partnership With Red Cross
County News / Emergency Management / Health and Human Services / Risk Management
Anne Arundel Strengthens Emergency Response Partnership With Red Cross

Anne Arundel County and the American Red Cross have formalized an expanded partnership to strengthen coordination before, during, and after local emergencies. Anne Arundel County and the American Red Cross signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining how the organizations will coordinate on emergency preparedness, sheltering, mass care, disaster response, and recovery. The agreement expands collaboration among the County’s Office of Emergency Management, Fire Department, and Red Cross teams, with an emphasis on joint…

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October 1, 2026
Read more about the article Federal Uncertainty Lingers Over 2026 Emergency Management Grants
County News / Emergency Management / News You Can Use
Federal Uncertainty Lingers Over 2026 Emergency Management Grants

Maryland’s fiscal 2026 homeland security and emergency management grants are moving forward, but questions remain over the federal terms and conditions attached to the funding. FEMA has released the fiscal 2026 Emergency Management Performance Grant and Homeland Security Grant Program award packages. MDEM must accept the EMPG award by November 9, and the HSGP award by November 24, and the Office of the Attorney General is reviewing the terms and conditions for both programs. EMPG…

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October 1, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore Proposes New Department as Third Branch of Public Safety
County News / Emergency Management / Public Safety and Corrections
Baltimore Proposes New Department as Third Branch of Public Safety

Baltimore City officials have introduced legislation to establish a Department of Neighborhood Safety, creating a third branch of the City's public safety system focused on violence prevention and alternative responses to certain nonviolent 911 calls. The proposed Department of Neighborhood Safety (DNS) would operate alongside the Baltimore Police Department and Baltimore City Fire Department/Emergency Medical Services. The department would formally incorporate the work of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) into the…

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October 1, 2026
Read more about the article Deep Dive: Cannabis and the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, Part One
Cannabis / County News / Health and Human Services / Policy Deep Dive
Deep Dive: Cannabis and the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, Part One

Since Maryland’s adult-use cannabis market launched in July 2023, cannabis tax revenue has become a growing source of funding for state priorities. Among the most significant investments under the state law is the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF), which directs a portion of cannabis revenue to communities disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of past cannabis laws. For counties, the CRRF represents a new and evolving source of State funding channeled through local governments, but…

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October 1, 2026
Read more about the article This Week: Local Revenue Task Force Reconvenes
County Budgets / County News / General Assembly News / News You Can Use / Taxes and Revenues
This Week: Local Revenue Task Force Reconvenes

Maryland’s Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures will meet again on Friday, October 2, as members continue weighing new local revenue options and prepare recommendations ahead of the 2027 legislative session. The virtual meeting begins at 1:00 pm, and will stream live on the Maryland General Assembly website. The agenda includes presentations on school construction, county revenue structures nationwide, several potential local revenue options, and current local tax rates. The Interagency Commission…

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September 30, 2026
Read more about the article MACo is Hiring a Legislative Fellow – Apply by October 19 (Paid Internship)
County News / Feature
MACo is Hiring a Legislative Fellow – Apply by October 19 (Paid Internship)

The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) is seeking an intern to serve as Policy Fellow during the 2027 Maryland General Assembly Session. This is a paid, hybrid position, offering an opportunity to explore public policy advocacy and learn more about the legislative process in Annapolis. Candidates should apply via LinkedIn by October 19. MACo is the non-profit, non-partisan voice of all 24 Maryland counties promoting effective, efficient government through advocacy, education, and collaboration. The Association…

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September 30, 2026
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