The government from city and county to state and federal is one of the biggest buyers of goods and services in any modern economy, but government procurement is often accused of being corrupt and wasteful. Sunil Dasgupta asks former chief procurement officer of Baltimore City, Erin Sher Smyth, to unbox the vast, byzantine, and changing world of government buying from police body cameras to cybersecurity. Music by Alexandria alt-rock band Jackie and the Treehorns.

The weekly news analysis from I Hate Politics: Biden withdraws reelection bid; endorses Harris. What does it mean for Blue State Democrats who would win regardless? Montgomery County school board members work full-time but are paid for part-time work. Former MCPS Superintendent Josh Starr weighs in on the role of the board. UMD pays $500K to settle a federal complaint that it did not disclose foreign grants from Chinese telecom firm Huawei. Baltimore sues progressive group over a ballot question to give parents $1,000 for every newborn/adoption Laid off DCist employees start a new local news website, The 51st. Music from Silver Spring band The Airport 77s.

If zoning laws tell you what to build where, the Adequate Public Facilities Ordnance tells you when you can build. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Montgomery County Planning Department’s Lisa Govoni, who is leading the county’s 2024 reevaluation of adequacy measures of school and transportation needs and capacity. Lots of impact taxes, exemptions for impact taxes, and the impact on housing affordability. Music by Alexandria alt-rock band Jackie and the Treehorns.