In this season finale "Roundtable" edition of Maryland Now, hosts Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin are joined by two veteran Annapolis insiders: Tiffany Harvey of Cornerstone Government Affairs and Sean Malone of the Harris, Jones & Malone. Together, they break down the highs, lows, and unexpected tensions of the 2026 legislative session.

The group explores the overarching "Protect Maryland" theme that defined the year, analyzing how leadership navigated complex debates over energy and high-stakes immigration policy. From the dynamics between the House and Senate to the influence of business voices in the State House, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the decisions made this year as lawmakers and the governor head into 2027 elections.

In This Episode:

• The Energy Conversation: A deep dive into the debate over the state’s energy challenges
• The Immigration Flashpoint: Behind the scenes of the safety-versus-rhetoric debate and the "local control" tensions surrounding immigration enforcement
• Friction at the Finish Line: Discussing the evolving dynamics between the House, Senate, and the Governor’s office
• The "Smith Island Cake" Effect: A conversation about the effect of cumulative legislative decisions on Maryland’s business competitiveness and revenue picture.

Connect With the Show:

Questions or Story Ideas: Email us at marylandnow@blendedpublicaffairs.com.

Production Credits: Audio and technical support by Nate Carper of Carper Creative.

Maryland Now is brought to you by Blended Public Affairs.

Don’t Forget to Subscribe Wherever You Get Your Podcasts! Thank you for listening and stay tuned for Season 2...

• (00:00) - Welcome and Introductions
• (01:00) - Session Wrap Takeaways
• (01:19) - Dori re-record
• (02:38) - New Dynamics and Tensions
• (04:42) - Protect Maryland Theme
• (07:40) - Energy Bill Breakdown
• (15:25) - Grid Limits and Messaging
• (16:46) - Green Energy Funding Friction
• (20:09) - Data Centers and Policy Bench
• (23:46) - Pivot to Immigration Debate
• (24:13) - Immigration Bills Focus
• (26:03) - Safety Versus Rhetoric
• (29:57) - Local Control Tensions
• (31:39) - Detention Center Dilemma
• (33:33) - Governor Legislature Dynamics
• (36:08) - Staff Access And Transparency
• (38:53) - Nuance Within Parties
• (40:03) - Reformation Commission Highlight
• (41:12) - Next Term Priorities Ahead
• (43:47) - Revenue Taxes Competitiveness
• (45:19) - Business Voices Rising
• (46:37) - Season Wrap And Farewell

In this "Roundtable" edition of Maryland Now, hosts Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin dive into the quirky, surprising, and often controversial world of Maryland’s official state symbols. From the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair to classroom lobbying efforts by elementary school students, the group explores how 26 different icons—ranging from the iconic blue crab to the prehistoric Astrodon johnstoni—became part of the state’s official identity.

The episode goes behind the scenes of the legislative "sausage-making" in Annapolis, revealing why some symbols represent deep-seated heritage while others are the result of persistent student campaigns, political compromises, and even a bit of lighthearted debate over the state’s official dessert.

In This Episode:

• The World’s Fair Spark: How a 19th-century disagreement over a national flower led to the "snowball effect" of state symbols across all 50 states.
• The "Bad Bill" of 2001: The humorous story of how a group of Allegany County students successfully lobbied for the Calico Cat, despite pushback from legislators who thought the General Assembly had "gone to the cats."
• The Jousting vs. Lacrosse Compromise: A look at the legislative maneuver that kept Maryland’s traditional state sport intact while elevating Lacrosse to its own official status.
• The Smith Island Cake Crusade: How a humble multi-layered dessert from a small island community became a staple of Maryland pride (and a lesson in the power of grassroots lobbying).
• Repealing History: A serious look at the 2021 decision to officially repeal "Maryland, My Maryland" as the state song and the ongoing search for a replacement.
• Dinosaur Drama: Why a 112-million-year-old "Star Tooth" found in Prince George’s County is the only dinosaur officially recognized by the Free State.

Questions or Story Ideas: Email us at marylandnow@blendedpublicaffairs.com.

Audio and technical support by Nate Carper of Carper Creative.

Maryland Now is brought to you by Blended Public Affairs.

Don't Forget to Subscribe Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!

• (00:00) - Welcome to Maryland Now
• (00:23) - Origins of State Symbols
• (02:01) - Food Talk and Flag Pride
• (03:16) - New Symbols and State Song
• (07:04) - Square Dance Deep Dive
• (08:58) - Henry Ford and Big Square Dance
• (11:28) - Maryland Makes It Official
• (18:11) - Jousting State Sport Story
• (21:30) - Lacrosse vs Jousting Politics
• (24:35) - Jousting Politics Backstory
• (27:15) - Walking State Exercise Saga
• (28:55) - Ehrlich Veto and Kids March
• (30:22) - Smith Island Cake Becomes Law
• (32:34) - Cake Lobbying and Ethics
• (36:17) - Calico Cat Origin Story
• (38:22) - Student Lobbying Playbook
• (41:34) - Survey Data and Senate Help
• (43:19) - Opposition and Final Votes
• (46:28) - Wrap Up and Postscript

In this second "Roundtable" edition of Maryland Now, hosts Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin are joined by two of the state’s most experienced political insiders: Don Mohler, former Baltimore County Executive, and Candace Dodson-Reed, Chief of Staff at the Maryland Economic Development Corporation.

This episode focuses on the critical battles for County Executive and County Council in Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel, and Montgomery counties. The group discusses how voter turnout, public financing, and significant turnover could reshape local governance and produce the next generation of statewide leaders in Maryland

In This Episode:

• The Turnout Wildcard: Why Democratic nominees for county executive might need to garner relatively few votes due to a lack of competitive statewide races to drive voter participation.
• Baltimore County’s Crowded Field: A look at the "inside baseball" scandals—from pension controversies to debates over the inspector general—and whether they actually influence the average voter.
• The "Ulman Wing" and Howard County: Analyzing Vanessa Atterbury’s fundraising lead and the impact of former executive Ken Ulman’s endorsement in a wide-open primary.
• Anne Arundel’s Blue Shift: Discussing the county’s transition from a Republican stronghold to a "purple-to-blue" battlefield and the three-way Democratic primary currently underway.
• Montgomery’s Generational Change: Why the state’s largest county is guaranteed to see a new era of leadership, even as outgoing County Executive Marc Elrich attempts a unique return to the County Council.
• Historic Diversity: Celebrating a cycle that features a record number of women and candidates of color, potentially leading to county executives and county councils that better reflect Maryland's changing demographics.

Connect With the Show:

• Questions or Story Ideas: Email us at marylandnow@blendedpublicaffairs.com.
• Production Credits: Audio and technical support by Nate Carper of Carper Creative.

Maryland Now is brought to you by Blended Public Affairs.

• (00:00) - Welcome and Guests
• (01:08) - Why County Exec Races Matter
• (01:39) - Baltimore County Field and Turnout
• (04:36) - Scandals and Voter Attention
• (08:07) - Money Field and Identity Politics
• (14:01) - County Council Shakeup Ahead
• (16:47) - Negative Ads and Popcorn Time
• (19:27) - Howard County Stakes and Turnover
• (20:44) - Howard Candidates and Money Race
• (22:16) - Howard Voters Progressives and Black Vote
• (25:08) - Money And Mailers
• (26:07) - Ulman Wing Endorsements
• (28:09) - Turnout Enthusiasm Wildcard
• (29:37) - Anne Arundel Turns Blue
• (31:02) - Three Way Primary Dynamics
• (34:27) - Apple Ballot And Black Vote
• (36:38) - Montgomery Race Overview
• (37:50) - Money Unions And Polling
• (39:53) - Elrich Endorsement Fallout
• (42:52) - Statewide Stakes And Diversity
• (45:16) - Final Thanks And Wrap