Conduit Street Podcast
From the halls of the State House to the heart of county government, the Conduit Street Podcast breaks down the decisions shaping Marylanders’ daily lives. Produced by the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), this weekly podcast offers smart, accessible insights on the latest state and local policy — with counties always at the center.
Explore how legislation, executive actions, and agency decisions affect essential public services like education, infrastructure, public safety, health, and other core functions that matter most to Maryland residents. With special guests from across the state and the occasional world-famous dad joke, Conduit Street keeps you informed, engaged, and ready for what’s next.
Whether you’re a policymaker, a public servant, or just policy-curious, this is your front-row seat to Maryland’s political landscape.
Conduit Street Podcast
A Conduit St Look at Pennsylvania Avenue
On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, National Association of Counties (NACo) deputy director of government affairs Mark Ritacco joins Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson to break down the competing coronavirus relief proposals being considered by Congress -- including the likelihood the next relief bill will include direct and flexible aid for state and local governments.
As previously reported on Conduit Street, U.S. Senate Republicans this week unveiled the HEALS (Help, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools) Act, a $1 trillion COVID-19 relief bill that includes reforming bolstered unemployment benefits, providing support to schools and hospitals, and a new round of economic impact payments structured identically to the rebates sent to taxpayers in the spring.
Additionally, Senate Republicans have prioritized liability protections for businesses, which would protect them from coronavirus-related lawsuits, but opted not to include needed direct and flexible funding for state and local governments.
Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives in May passed the HEROES (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions) Act, the potential next phase of relief for the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill includes two separate, equal funds for counties and cities and provides $187.5 billion in vital relief to counties to address both lost revenue and increased expenditures as the result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Congress has roughly two weeks until both chambers are scheduled to adjourn for the August recess. Leaders plan to wrap up negotiations before they adjourn, but it is unclear whether the House and Senate will be able to reach a compromise.
MACo has made the podcast available through all major platforms by searching Conduit Street Podcast. You can also listen on our Conduit Street blog with a recap and link to the podcast.
You can listen to previous episodes of the Conduit Street Podcast on our website.
Useful Links
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: U.S. House Passes $3T Stimulus Bill, Faces Pushback in Senate
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: Counties: Proposed Reimbursement Model for CARES Funds Too Slow
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: MD CARES Plan: $364M, Split Between Local Health and Local Govts