2026 Legislative Energy Scorecard

Regional Thinking

Baltimore is just one of two cities that is independent. No governance relationship with its surrounding counties like Atlanta, Miami, Pittsburgh. The list goes on. Would more regional alliances in the Baltimore areadeliver better services in a more cost effective way? Housing, transit, public safety, education, water—all areregional services in other parts of the country. Plus – a land value tax might help level the playingfield. My conversation is with Zac Blanchard, member of theBaltimore City Council, District 11.

"There's Just a Math Problem"

Closing the gap between wages and the rising cost of living. More than 60 years ago, when Lyndon Johnson was president, he signed the Economic Opportunity Act which created Community Action Agencies. They grew out of the War on Poverty and are funded by Community Service Block Grants. There are 19 of them across Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia. But they are under threat by cuts to federal funding. My conversation is with Angela Martin, executive director of Maryland Community Action Partnership.

Preakness 2026. And Beyond.

The 151st running of the Preakness is in Laurel due to the reconstruction at Pimlico. The future holds questions. What will the new Pimlico look like? What other purposes might the new facility serve? Should the date be changed so Derby winners don't skip it? Is the state subsidy too much or too little? Conversation is with Bill Knauf, president Maryland Jockey Club.

2026 Legislative Energy Scorecard

Legislators gave consumers a small break on their utility bills. in the 2026 session. But it may be progress on solar energy that’s a bigger winner. Changes in permitting should make it easier forresidential rooftop and plug-in solar. Challenges remain to hit clean energy goals—includingconvincing legislators that renewable energy is faster and more cost efficient to deploy. And getting past the culture of big fossil fuel powerplants. Plus..stop raiding the clean energy fund into which weare all paying My conversation is with Emily Scarr, MarylandPIRG andJosh Tulkin, Maryland Sierra Fund.

City Government Structure: Out of Date?

Is it time for an upgrade of the structure of citygovernment? Baltimore is one of the few cities that still has a Board of Estimates.—created in 1898! Is the budget  just tweaked from year to year? Should policeget the lion’s share of the budget? Can a new process get the public more involved in the city's fiscal strategy? My conversation is with Nate and Adam Golden who have done excellent research and work through their organization, Maryland Institute for Progressive Policy - MDIPP.org