In this season finale "Roundtable" edition of Maryland Now, hosts Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin are joined by two highly regarded Annapolis lawyers and lobbyists: Tiffany Harvey of Cornerstone Government Affairs and Sean Malone of the Harris, Jones & Malone firm.
Together, they break down the highs, lows, and unexpected tensions of the 2026 legislative session. The podcast explores the overarching "Protect Maryland" theme that defined the year, analyzing how the House of Delegates, Senate and governor's office navigated complex debates over energy and high-stakes immigration policy.
The 2026 legislative session had a unique set of conditions: a new House speaker in Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk, new committee chairs, a governor running for reelection and a congresstional redistricting battle that pitted Gov. Wes Moore against Senate President Bill Ferguson.
Through it all, the Assembly grappled with issues related to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, the skyrocketing cost of electricity and the need to protecting the rights and ability to vote. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the decisions made this year as lawmakers and the governor head into the June primary and November general 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:
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
What is Maryland Now?
Maryland Now is a podcast that goes beyond the headlines to explore the forces shaping Maryland’s politics, policy, and public life. Hosted by Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin — three veteran journalists and public‑affairs leaders with more than 60 years of combined experience — the show brings depth, context, and historical perspective to the issues facing Maryland today.
Each episode blends reporting, interviews, and insider knowledge. You’ll hear directly from the people driving decisions in Annapolis and across the state: agency heads, lawmakers, advocates, strategists, and longtime policy experts. The hosts draw on their decades covering and working in Maryland government to connect past decisions to current debates — revealing how we got here, what’s been tried before, and what’s at stake now.
Season One follows the 2026 General Assembly session and election cycle, with deep dives into housing, energy, the state budget, public health, and more. The conversations are smart, candid, and grounded in real reporting — not hot takes.
If you want to understand Maryland — its politics, its communities, and its future — Maryland Now is for YOU