Disaster Dollars in Danger — Federal Funding Fades, County Risks Rise

On the latest episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Ben Yelin joins Kevin Kinnally to break down the seismic shifts in federal emergency management, including recent leadership changes at FEMA, the termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, and the ripple effects for local governments. 

As Maryland counties contend with rising threats — from extreme weather to infrastructure vulnerabilities — federal support remains a critical lifeline. Learn how the loss of BRIC funding disrupts local resilience projects and what it means for shovel-ready stormwater upgrades, flood mitigation, and coastal protections across the state. The conversation also covers MACo’s recent advocacy push, where county emergency managers called on Maryland’s congressional delegation to protect FEMA’s mission and restore critical federal programs. 

About the Guest

Ben Yelin, JD, is the Program Director for Public Policy and External Affairs at the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security, where he consults public and private entities on homeland security, cybersecurity, and emergency management policy. He is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where he teaches courses on electronic surveillance and the Fourth Amendment. 

Useful Links
Previous Conduit Street Coverage: County Emergency Managers to Congress: Protect FEMA, Restore BRIC

Previous Conduit Street Coverage: FEMA Cancels Resilience Grants, Leaving Counties at Risk

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