THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE IS SESSION IN THE HISTORY BOOKS.

COMING UP, WE WILL HEAR ABOUTED TOP ISSUES FROM LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

BUT FIRST AN UPDATE ON THE KEY BRIDGE RECOVERY EFFORTS.

THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD IS FOCUSING ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VESSEL THAT COLLIDED WITH THE BRIDGE.

NTSB INVESTIGATORS HAVE NOT DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.

GOVERNOR MOORE MET WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE STATE CONGRESSIONAL DELL GAGHTS.

>> INCREDIBLE WORK HAS BEEN DONE.

THE DIVERS IT'S DANGEROUS WORK.

WE HAVE TWO ALTERNATIVE CHANNELS THAT ARE OPEN THE THIRD WILL BE OPENED THIS MONTH THAT WILL DEAL WITH THE MAJORITY OF TRAFFIC INTO THE PORT OF BALTIMORE AND BY THE END OF MAY WE HOPE TO HAVE THE ENTIRE CHANNEL REOPENED.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A TRUE COORDINATED EFFORT AND WE ARE GRATEFUL.

AND I STAND HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF 6.3 MILLION PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT JUST HERE TO SAY THANK YOU, BUT ALSO HERE TO SAY THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO BE PARTNERS IN THIS WORK FOR THE LONG RUN.

>> MADAM SPEAKER I MOVE THAT THE HOUSE STAND ADJOURNED.

>> Jeff: TO THE LEGISLATIVE THE 90-DAY SESSION WRAPPED UP WITH A MIDNIGHT CONFETTI DROP.

LAWMAKERS VOTED TO RAISE REVENUE FROM DRIVERS AND TOBACCO USERS THEY APPROVED A STATE TAKEOVER OF PIMLICO RACETRACK AND INCREASED SUPERVISION OF THE YOUNGEST JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND REGULATIONS ON UTILITY CONTRACTS AND THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS TO BOOST THE STATE'S HOUSING SUPPLY WERE APPROVED.

MANY BILLS DID NOT ADVANCE, OF COURSE, INCLUDING MEDICALLY ASSISTED SUICIDE.

SPECIAL ELECTIONS FOR LEGISLATIVE VACANCIES AND A BILL TO REGULATE TIPPING REQUESTS ON SALES TERMINALS.

A JUST CAUSE EVICTIONS BILL DID NOT PASS BUT A TENANT SAFETY MEASURE DID.

SUE COPPIN SPOKE WITH SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "STATE CIRCLE".

>> THANK YOU.

>> HEADING INTO THE SESSION YOU DESCRIBED THE SESSION AS PRODUCTIVE.

>> YES.

>> AND YET YOU HAD AN UNBELIEVABLY CHALLENGING SITUATION AS YOU CAME INTO THE LAST 10 DAYS OR SO WITH THE COLLAPSE OF THE KEY BRIDGE.

EMERGENCY LEGISLATION THE PORT PASSED LAST NIGHT WHAT ARE THE LASTING IMPACTS BOTH FOR THE CITY CITY, THE STATE AND THE LEGISLATURE?

>> THE KEY BRIDGE'S COLLAPSE IS A CRISIS OF EPIC MAGNITUDE.

THIS WAS AND FUNNY IS THE WRONG WORD IT IS REMARKABLE.

I TALKED ABOUT THE SESSION BEING THE FIRST OF MY FIVE YEARS WHERE WE DIDN'T COME INTO A SESSION WITH A LOOMING CRISIS.

IT WASN'T COVID, IT WASN'T OMICRON, IT WASN'T ELECTION YEAR, A NEW GOVERNOR.

THIS FELT LIKE A NORMAL SESSION FOR THE FIRST 75 DAYS.

IT WAS STANDARD ISSUES WORKING THROUGH CHALLENGES, WE'RE POST COVID TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THE WORLD WORKS AND 15 DAYS OUT, WE HAVE THIS UNBELIEVABLE CRISIS WITH THE KEY BRIDGE.

THE ONE THING I KEEP THINKING ABOUT IS THE CIRCUMSTANCES GOING OUT ON THE BOAT AND SEEING WITH THE COAST GUARD HOW THE DALI JUST THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT IT TOOK FOR THAT TRAGEDY TO HAPPEN ARE SO UNBELIEVABLE THAT THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF AND THE HUMAN CONSEQUENCES ARE JUST HORRIBLE.

BUT, THE LEGISLATURE DID WHAT IT DOES.

WE RESPONDED, THOUGHTFULLY, PURPOSEFULLY, URGE GENTLY AND WORKED WITH THE GOVERNOR AND OUR PARTNERS I'M PROUD OF THE WORK WE WERE ABLE TO DO IN THE LAST 15 DAYS SO SETUP SUCCESS SO WE CAN RECOVER STRONGER.

>> FOR THE PORT AGAIN, FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT KNOW, WHAT WILL IT DO?

IT.

FOCUSES ON PROVIDING TEMPORARY ECONOMIC RELIEF TO THE WORKERS, BUSINESSES AND CUSTOMERS WHO MADE THE PORT THE ECONOMIC ENGINE IT IS.

AND WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR ADDED COMPONENTS, NAMELY A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE VICTIMS OF THE TRAGEDY WHO PERISHED IN THE MIDST OF THIS COLLAPSE JUST IT WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THAT SACRIFICE.

BUT WE HOPE IT IS A MON COMMON OF SUPPORT IN THE HARDEST TIMES FOR THOSE AT THE PRESENT TIMES.

AND RELATEDLY, UNTIL THE CHANNEL IS OPENED, THERE ARE FAMILIES ACROSS THE BALTIMORE REGION, ACROSS THE STATE AND ACROSS THE GLOBE WHO RELY ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

IT TRIES TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A ECONOMIC LIFELINE AT LEAST FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING IN THE% MIDST OF THE CHANNEL BEING CLOSED.

>> THE AFTERNOON YOU CAME BACK AFTER SEEING THE SITE, YOU MENTIONED THIS MIGHT ALSO REDIRECT AND CAUSE THE DIFFERENT LOOK AT THINGS PIE THE TRAIN COMMISSION LOOKING AT INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?

>> WE HAVE BIG QUESTIONS BEFORE THE COLLAPSE OF THE BRIDGE ABOUT OUR ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS MOVING FORWARD FOR THE NEXT TWO DECADES.

WHAT DO WE REALLY AS MARYLANDERS WANT TO INVEST IN AND HOW DO WE PAY FOR IT.

THAT IS WHAT THE COMMISSION WAS BUILT TO DO WHY IT WAS SET TO WORK OVER TWO YEARS TO LAYOUT WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR MARYLAND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT.

THE REDIRECTION OF THE TRAFFIC,D THE IMPACT ON THE PORT, THE AIRPORT, ALL OF THE FEATURES NOW IMPACTED WITH A MAJOR BRIDGE COLLAPSE INCREASED THE URGENCY OF BRINGING THE RIGHT PEOPLE AROUND THE TABLE AND TARGET POLICE DEPARTMENT HOW WE WILL MOVE FORWARD.

>> THE LEGISLATURE TURNED BACK A $63 BILLION BUDGET WHICH YOU INITIALLY AND THE GOVERNOR SAID DID NOT WANT INCREASES IN FEES OR IN TAXES.

IT HAS THAT ATTACHED TO IT.

WHAT MADE YOU CHANGE?

>> WELL, IT'S TARGETED FEES AND WE WERE OPEN TO HAVING TARGETED FEES AS PART OF THIS PROCESS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PLACES, YOU LOOK AT THE TRAUMA SYSTEM OR THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM WHERE WE'VE NOT TOUCH FEES FOR IN SOME CASES ON VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES SINCE 2004.

SINCE THAT TIME, THE COST OF THE TRANSPORTATION LIKE EVERYBODY HAS BEEN FEELING INFLATION SO HAS OUR TRANSPORTATION BUDGETS.

IF WE WANT TO MAINTAIN A WORLD CLASS TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

PART OF THE FEES INCREASED WAS ABOUT MAKING THOSE THOUGHTFUL INVESTMENTS.

THERE WERE NO BROAD BASED INCOME TAX CREASES OR SALES TAX INCREASES THEY WERE TARGETED.

THAT IS WHERE I THOUGHT WE WOULD LAND FROM THE GET GO AND I SAID FROM THE BEGINNING OF SESSION WE WILL MAKE TARGETED INVESTMENTS.

WE HAVE BIG CONVERSATIONS AHEAD WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE.

AND THERE'S ONLY THREE WAYS TO DEAL WITH IT.

YOU GROW YOUR ECONOMY, YOU INCREASE REVENUES OR TAXES AND FEES OR YOU CUT.

AND I THINK WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO APPLY ALL THREE THOUGHTFULLY AND THAT KEEPS MARYLAND COMPETITIVE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET PASSED THIS YEAR IT IS A BILLION DOLLARS LESS THAN THE BUDGET WE PASSED LAST YEAR.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT OFTEN HAPPENS IN GOVERNMENT WHERE THERE IS A BILLION DOLLARS LESS IN THE BUDGET.

BUT WE'RE COMING OFF OF THESE HISTORIC FEDERAL DOLLARS AFTER COVID, AND SO THIS WAS A RIGHT SIZING.

IT WAS GETTING OUR BUDGET IN LINE WITH WHERE THINGS HAVE BEEN AND WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THOSE ONE-TIME FEDERAL FUNDS WE HAD TO ADJUST AND MAKE CUTS AND INVEST IN TARGETED PLACES.

THAT IS WHAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO DO.

>> YOU KNOW THERE ARE TROUBLED WATERS AHEAD AS FAR AS THE STATE BUDGET AND THE FINANCIAL PICTURE.

YOU ALREADY KNOW COMING INTO THE THIRD YEAR OF YOUR TERM, YOU'VE GOT ISSUES TO TACKLE.

>> WHICH IS NORMAL.

I THINK OUR BUDGETS ARE PROJECTIONS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE OUR OUTYEAR PROJECTIONS WHERE WE'D LIKE TO BE AND WE WANT TO FULFILL THOSE ASPIRATIONS AND REMAIN COMPETITIVE.

I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL BE ABLED TO IT JUST LIKE WE DID THIS YEAR IN A BALANCED, THOUGHTFUL FASHION AND IF WE TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS TO THINK WHAT DOES THE NEXT 10 YEARS LOOK LIKE AND PLACES WE CAN REIN IN THE COSTS TO MAKE MARYLANDERS PROUD OF THE GOVERNMENT THEY SEND US HERE TO HELP RUN.

>> THE CRISIS PROCLAIMED WAS A HOUSING CRISIS IN MARYLAND.

THE GOVERNOR HAD A PACKAGE OF THREE BILLS AND THEY ALL MADE IT THROUGH.

WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL THAT MAKE?

>> HOUSING IS SO HARD FOR SO MANY REASONS AND THE LARGEST REASON IS JUST WHATEVER YOU DO IN HOUSING IT TAKES THREE AND FOUR YEARS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I REALLY AM PROUD OF THE WORK WE'VE DONE.

I THINK IT WOULD BE -- I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE ACCURATE TO SAY IT WILL HAVE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT.

THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM IS SUPPLY.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS EVERY INCOME SPECTRUM, BRACKET.

SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS INCREASE THAT SUPPLY.

YOU CAN DO THAT BY BUILDING MORE HOUSES.

AND YOU CAN DO THAT BY LOWERING THE COST TO BUILD.

I THINK WE INVESTED IN WE'RE GOING TO PUT MORE DOLLARS TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE, WORKFORCE HOUSING.

WE ARE ADDING POLICIES AROUND TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT SO WE CAN BUILD MORE QUICKLY AND HELPING TO PROTECT RENTERS AND THOSE IN THEIR HOME DEALING WITH INFLATION TO PROTECT THEM TO KEEP THEM IN THEIR HOMES.

ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE NECESSARY AND I'M PROUD OF THAT WORK.

>> THE WHOLE LOT OF TIME.

JUVENILE JUSTICE TOUGH ISSUE FOR THE PAST SEVERAL SESSIONS WHAT ARE WE LEAVING WITH?

>> WE LANDED IN A GREAT SPOT.

I THINK WE HAVE A BILL THAT WAS PURPOSEFUL IN ITS APPROACH IN DEALING WITH THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH FIREARMS.

AND THOSE WHO ARE ENGAGED IN VIOLENT TRIAL CRIMES AND MAKING SURE THE FAMILIES HAVE THE RIGHT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS TO SHIFT THAT BEHAVIOR.

WHAT I SAID REMAINS TRUE TODAY.

WE HAD TOOLS ON THE BOOKS WE HAVE ADDITIONAL TOOLS THIS IS ONE MORE TOOL BUT THE REAL DIFFERENCE WILL BE THE EVERYDAY EXECUTION OF THE RULES AND LAWS ON THE BOOKS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HOLDING YOUNG PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE AND DIVERTING THEM SO THEY DON'T ENGAGE IN THE BEHAVIOR IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SO I'M GLAD WE PASSED THIS BILL BUT I THINK THE REAL STORY WILL BE THE EVERYDAY EXECUTION.

>> AND THERE IS A COMMISSION ALREADY?

>> THE COMMISSION WILL BE LOOKING AT WHAT WORKS AND DOESN'T WORK.

I THINK IS IMPORTANT.

AND MORE DATA IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE BETTER.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S ABOUT THE EVERYDAY OPERATION OF PROGRAMS THAT EXIST AND THAT WILL HAVE ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS NOW.

I FEEL CONFIDENT WE'RE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Mr. PRESIDENT THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO SUE AND SENATOR FERGUSON.

NOW CHARLES ROBINSON SAT DOWN WITH SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, ADRIENNE JONES.

>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU MADAM SPEAKER FOR ALWAYS JOINING US ON MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THIS SESSION SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BE A BREEZE BUT YOU HAD A LOT OF THINGS THAT CAME UP.

I WANT TO BEGIN WITH THE IDEA OF THE BUDGET.

WHICH IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU HAVE TO PASS.

THERE WAS SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU NEEDED MORE REVENUES, THE GOVERNOR MADE A PROPOSAL.

LET ME GET YOUR SENSE OF THAT?

>> WELL, GOOD THING THAT WE HAVE OTHER STATES AND I'M SAYING THAT WHEN I GO TO THE CONFERENCES AND THEY CAN'T BELIEVE HOW WE ARE.

WE TALK TO EACH OTHER.

AND I'M SAYING OF COURSE YOU DO.

BUT WHAT WE DO, WE DON'T JUST THROW OUT SOMETHING WE HAD TO READ IN THE PAPER OR SEE IT ON THE NEWS.

WE THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE PRESIDENT AND OURSELVES.

AS YOU WELL KNOW WE ALTERNATE WHO HAS THE BUDGET FIRST.

THIS YEAR IT WAS THE SENATE.

WE HAD IT LAST YEAR.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THE GOVERNOR HAS HIS PART.

AND THERE WERE A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS REGARDING JUVENILE JUSTICE.

THE BILL WENT BACK AND FORTH BECAUSE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, BELIEVED THAT THEY ARE NOT AT FAULT WHAT THEY DO AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE DID GET THAT IRONED OUT.

I'M SAYING ALL OF THIS BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE WILL PUT OUT INFORMATION THAT IS NOT EXACTLY ACCURATE.

AND WE DO IF I HEAR SOMETHING OR SENATE PRESIDENT AND WE DO HAVE MEETINGS WITH THE GOVERNOR WHEN THEY ARE HAVING ALL OF THIS CONSTRUCTION WE DID IT AT THE OFFICE IN THE CITY.

BUT IN GETTING THINGS DONE, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU PROBABLY HEARD ME SAY I DON'T LIKE SURPRISES.

SO I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD RAPPORT WHICH IS UNIQUE THAT OTHER STATES DO NOT DO IT AGAIN YOU MIGHT SAY YOU TALK OF COURSE YOU DO.

BUT NO, IT'S NOT THAT WAY.

IF SOMETHING THAT BILL MAY KNEW ABOUT OR I MAY KNOW ABOUT THAT THE GOVERNOR MAY NOT, YOU KNOW, WE CAN INFORM HIM SO LET HIM KNOW THAT OKAY.

THIS IS NOT -- WE DO HAVE A GOOD COMMUNICATION WHICH IS KEY IN TERMS OF GETTING THINGS DONE.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU CHAMPION WAS WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> LAST YEAR, WE HAD BILLS IN TERMS OF WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE ET CETERA.

I GOT PHONE CALLS ABOUT THAT.

AND SOME OTHER WOMEN WHO WERE VISIBLE.

AND THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND A PERSON AND SO THAT WAS -- I LOOK AT OKAY WE ARE IN AMERICA, FREEDOM BUT THIS WAS A MALE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALE WHO THREATENED NOT ONLY MYSELF BUT ONE OF MY COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

AND HER STAFFER.

AND THIS PERSON SO IT'S KIND OF -- YOU KNOW SO I'M ALWAYS CAUTIOUS WHEN WE GO TO AN EVENT AND THEY WANT YOU TO PUT, NO I WILL NOT.

AND IF IT IS A WOMAN I WILL TELL THEM AND SHE SAYS WE UNDERSTAND THAT TYPE OF THINGS.

THOSE THINGS ARE GOING ON.

>> THIS IS REAL.

>> IT'S VERY REAL.

VERY REAL.

>> I NOTED THAT THE FIRST LADY JOINED YOU AT A PRESS CONFERENCE.

WAS HER SUPPORT KEY IN WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO?

>> WELL, YES, BECAUSE SHE COULD RELATE AND SO WE DO TALK TO EACH OTHER.

I THINK THAT HELPS ON ALL LEVELS IF YOU ARE FOLLOWING OTHER STATES SOME OF THE STATES ARE VERY NEGATIVE ABOUT THE WHOLE THING.

AND IT'S PRIMARILY THE OTHER PARTY IN TERMS IT'S NOT SO MUCH AS THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

BUT WE DO TALK.

>> I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THINGS THAT KIND OF CAME OUT OF NOWHERE.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I KNOW YOU WERE CONCERNED WHEN THERE WAS AN INCIDENT HERE AT THE STATE HOUSE THAT THERE WAS AN ACTIVE SHOOTER AND I KNOW THAT CAUSES ALL OF US INCLUDING US IN THE PRESS TO BE A LITTLE NERVOUS.

TALK ABOUT HOW THAT HAS EVOLVED SINCE THAT INCIDENT, IF YOU WILL?

>> WELL FOR ONE THING, IT TURNED OUT TO BE FALSE WHEN WE -- AND IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS GOING TO ANOTHER EVENT GOING TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE WHERE THE TROOPER WHEN WE GOT THAT ALERT.

AND WE WEREN'T IN THE STATE HOUSE THEN.

BUT WE LET OUR OTHER MEMBERS SOME OF THE COMMITTEES WERE AND WHEN PEOPLE HEAR THEY NOT NECESSARILY GET THE ACCURATE INFORMATION.

SO WANTED THEM WHEN THEY WENT THROUGH THE STATE HOUSE THEY DID NOT FIND AN ACTIVE SHOOTER.

OR THREAT.

BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED.

>> AND I'VE IMPLEMENTED A SYSTEM FOR THE CAMPUS, IF YOU WILL AND THAT BASICALLY SAYS IF THERE IS AN INCIDENT AND YOU HAVE TO BE ON THE CAMPUS, YOU CAN YOU WON'T BE ALERTED.

>> BUT WE -- THEY DID GET THE WORD BECAUSE WE IT WASN'T MY TROOPERS ARE TROOPER STATE POLICE IT WAS THE CAPITOL POLICE WHO ARE ASSIGNED TO THIS BUILDING TO HERE.

AND THE OTHER BUILDING WELL, WE JUST TOLD OUR MEMBERS WHO WERE HAVING COMMITTEES JUST STAY WHERE THEY WERE.

DO NOT LEAVE THE BUILDING IN AND OUT.

>> I WANT TO SHIFT GEARS, THERE WAS A MAJOR INCIDENT, I DON'T KNOW YOU BUT I WAS ASLEEP.

AND IN THE MORNING I WOKE UP AND LOOKED AT MY PHONE AND I SAW THE KEY BRIDGE HAS COLLAPSED.

I WAS LIKE REALLY?

AND THEN WHEN I SAW IT I WAS LIKE OH, MY GOD.

LOOK, YOU'VE BEEN ACROSS THAT BRIDGE MANY TIMES.

AND THE FACT THAT IT'S BASICALLY RIGHT NOW THE PORT IS CLOSED.

TALK TO ME WHAT YOUR MEMORIES WENT INTO BECAUSE WE HAVE NOW THE PORT ACT.

AND CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT?

>> WE WERE GRATEFUL THAT THE PRESIDENT BIDEN PHYSICALLY CAME AND THE SUPPORT WE HAVE GOTTEN FROM ALL LEVELS FROM JOHNNY THE GOVERNOR AND OTHERS WHO HAVE COME TOGETHER.

AND THE PRESIDENT OFFERED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

>> THIS ENDEAVOR IS GOING TO BE WITH US FOR A WHILE.

I'M GUESSING THAT AT SOME POINT, THEY WILL BE COMING BACK TO YOU TO ASK FOR MORE.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO PEOPLE WHO MAY SAY, WELL, SHOULD BALTIMORE GET THIS?

SHOULD THE PORT OF BALTIMORE BE SUCH AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE ECONOMIC PUZZLE?

>> I SAY THE ANSWER IS YES AND THOSE WHO DO NOT THINK SO, THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW THAT AREA.

AND THE AFFECTED PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING THERE.

I KNOW I WAS SAD TO HEAR WHEN SOME INDIVIDUALS WERE MAKING FUN OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE COMING FROM WASHINGTON TO HELP.

CALLING NAMES LIKE -- AND PUBLICLY CALLED NAMES TO THE SECRETARY.

>> I WANT TO SHIFT GEARS TO A COUPLE REAL QUICK THINGS.

PIMLICO IS NOW GOING TO BE OWNED BY THE STATE.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, WE OWN IT.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.

IT'S JUST THIS IS MORE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HAS COME.

AND I THINK THAT IT WILL HELP THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA.

AND USUALLY I GO THERE AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT WE GO THERE BECAUSE THEY HAVE ME DO A COUPLE OF RACES AND EVERYTHING ELSE IN TERMS OF [INAUDIBLE] BUT I THINK IT'S IF -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT -- I THINK IT'S EARLY WE JUST ANNOUNCED WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT I THINK THAT IT CAN BE A POSITIVE THING.

BUT, AGAIN, I KNOW I SAY THIS WORD A LOT.

THERE HAS TO BE THAT COMMUNICATION IN TERMS THERE CAN'T BE IS YOUR PRICESES YOU READ IN THE PAPER AND NEWS THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING.

I THINK IT'S DONE RIGHT AND I THINK IF PEOPLE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYONE COMPLAIN OR HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.

>> THE BLUEPRINT OF YOU WERE ABLE TO FUND IT AGAIN THIS YEAR.

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE?

THE BLUEPRINT HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR A WHILE.

YOUR PROBLEM STILL IS HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PAY FOR IT?

WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF HOW DO YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE BETTER THIS TIME AROUND.

BECAUSE WE HAD COVID, WE HAD AND WE DIDN'T GET -- I SHOULDN'T SAY -- IF WE HAD A DIFFERENT ADMINISTRATION AND I THINK THAT THE CURRENT GOVERNOR ACTUALLY BECAUSE I WAS ON THE BLUEPRINT, HE CAME TO THE MEETINGS AND HE HAD TESTIFIED IN THE MEETINGS IT WAS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT, THINK YOU HAVE MORE INVOLVED SUPPORT, BECAUSE HE KNOWS ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF DOING WHAT WE DIDN'T GET FINISHED, GETTING IT RIGHT, GETTING IT TOTALLY RIGHT.

>> I WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE ON THIS.

YOU KNOW, RATE THIS SESSION.

YOU HAD A LOT OF HICCUPS.

BUT WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE THIS SESSION?

>> A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENED.

I WOULD GIVE IT A B PLUS RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE I THINK THAT THINGS WE RAN OUT OF TIME AND PEOPLE WERE DOING THINGS THAT SHOULDN'T BE DONE.

>> MADAM SPEAKER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THANK YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: OUR CHANGE TO CHARLES AND SPEAKER JONES.

NOW, MPT'S NANCY AMATA SPOKE WITH THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP.

>> WE FOUGHT REALLY HARD ON TAXES.

WE HELD THE LINE ON TAXES.

>> THE BIG TAKEAWAY IS THAT WE DIDN'T RAISE ANY TAXES FROM A BROAD-BASED PERSPECTIVE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FEES THAT WERE INCREASED MAINLY RESPECTING THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND.

>> REPUBLICAN LEADERS ARE PLEASED THAT THE FEE INCREASES MEANT TO OFFSET A $3.5 BILLION DEFICIT WILL NOT AFFECT EVERYONE, SOME DRIVERS WILL FEEL THE PINCH.

>> A LOT OF THIS IS ON THE BACKS OF MOTORISTS WITH RESPECT TO ALL THE INCREASES AND REGISTRATIONS, SURCHARGES.

AT THE END OF THE DAY THERE IS A COMPONENT WITH TRANSPORTATION HERE IN MARYLAND AND THAT IS THE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM AND WE HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THAT.

MARYLAND'S ONE OF THE ONLY STATES THAT HAS TWO MASS TRANSIT SYSTEMS THEY HAVE TO FUND.

>> WITH A DEMOCRAT GOVERNING THE STATE JASON BUCKEL SAYS THERE IS A NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN TONE AND TENOR.

>> A FEW THINGS HE DID IN THE HOUSING ARENA WE BELIEVE WENT TOO FAR.

THE REAL TEST AND THE REAL CHALLENGE WILL BE THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

I THINK THAT IS WHEN WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT WHAT TYPE OF LEADER AND WHAT TYPE OF POLITICAL IDEOLOGY WES MOORE SUBSCRIBES TO.

>> THERE WAS PLENTY OF DEBATE AND MARKED DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, ON HOW TO MITT GREAT CLIMATE CHANGE -- MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO SAVE THE PLANET AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO WE HURT.

AND WE LOOK AT WHAT THE EFFECTS ARE ON BUSINESSES.

>> AND EFFORTS TO STOP BOOK BANS AND CENSORSHIP.

>> WHEN YOU START SAYING THAT THE STATE HAS TO CONTROL YOUR PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES AND YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC ACCESS LIBRARIES, THEY CONTROL THEIR CONTENT.

AND THEY SORT OF SUPERSEDE THAT LOCAL AUTHORITY.

>> ANOTHER POLARIZING ISSUE HOW TO ADDRESS JUVENILE CRIME.

>> AT THEnd OF THE DAY THERE ARE NOW MORE CRIMES THAT 10 AND 12-YEAR-OLDS CAN BE CHARGED WITH.

THERE ARE ISSUES THAT THE JUDGES CAN EXTEND PROBATION IF THEY FEEL THAT IS NECESSARY.

>> THE STEPS WE TOOK I HOPE THEY WORK.

I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN MORE FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS.

ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE TO GO INTO THE JUVENILE DETENTION SYSTEM.

>> THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE DOESN'T WANT TO GO FURTHER ARE SENTENCING AND MAKE IT ANYMORE DIFFICULT OR PUT ANY CONSEQUENCES FOR THESE ACTIONS UNTIL THEY SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEE ENOUGH PROGRESS.

>> DESPITE BEING OUT NUMBERED.

>> I THINK WE HAVE INFLUENCE BECAUSE I DO THINK WE'VE MASTERED OVER THE YEARS THE PROCEDURAL WAYS OF LEGISLATION.

WE'VE MASTERED HOW TO BE EFFECTIVE WITHIN THE COMMITTEE PROCESS AND HEARINGS.

WE'VE MASTERED HOW TO BE EFFECTIVE IN USING OUR SKILLS ON THE FLOOR.

>> WHAT WE CAN DO IS HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE AND ASK THEM THE RIGHT QUESTIONS AND MAKE THEM STAND UP ON THE FLOOR AND DEFEND THE BILLS THEY ARE TRYING TO PASS.

>> I'M NANCY AMATA FOR "STATE CIRCLE" A.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

JOIN US MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANKS FOR WATCHING "STATE CIRCLE" AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.