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".

>> I, STATE YOUR NAME.

>> JOSELINE PENA-MELNYK.

>> DO SWEAR.

>> DO SWEAR.

>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> AND THAT I WILL BE FAITHFUL.

>> AND THAT I WILL BE FAITHFUL.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

[APPLAUSE] >> >> Jeff: TONIGHT ON "STATE CIRCLE" LEGISLATORS ELECT A NEW SPEAKER OF HOUSE AND DELEGATES HISTORY IS MADE.

>> MY EXPERIENCES WILL GUIDE ME WITH COMMITMENT AND FAIRNESS.

I WILL FIGHT FOR EVERYONE.

I DON'T CARE WHERE YOU COME FROM.

ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO FEEL UNSEEN AND UNHEARD.

I AM AN INCLUSIVE LEADER IF YOU HAVE BEEN TO A SHOW THAT IS HOW I RUN THAT COMMITTEE.

AND I LEARN FROM THE BEST.

ONE WHO LISTENS, WHO RESPECTS DIFFERENCES, AND WHO BELIEVES THAT OUR DIVERSITY IS A SOURCE OF STRENGTH IN THIS HOUSE AND IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: WE WILL HAVE ANALYSIS OF THE CHANGES AND COVERAGE OF THE SPECIAL SESSION COMING UP.

FIRST TONIGHT, IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT WE TELL YOU ABOUT THE PASSING OF OUR LONG TIME CHERISHED COLLEAGUE REPORTER CHARLES ROBINSON.

>> THIS YEAR'S FRESHMEN CLASS MADE ITS MARK BECAUSE OF ITS NUMBERS BUT IT WILL PROBABLY HAVE A BIGGER IMPACT WHEN THE LEGISLATURE BEGINS.

IN ANNAPOLIS, CHARLOTTE COMARL FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: CHARLES ROBINSON JOINED MPT IN 2001 AFTER SERVING AS AA REPORTER IN STATIONS IN CINCINNATI AND WEST PALM BEACH.

RAISED IN BALTIMORE HE BEGAN HIS JOURNALISM CAREER BY DELIVERING THE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER WHILE STILL IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.

HE WENT ON TO INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP ROLES INCLUDING NEWS DIRECTOR AT WEAA, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF BLACK MEDIA WORKERS AND CHARLES WAS TWICE ELECTED TO LEAD THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS MID-ATLANTIC REGION.

IN 2016 HE WAS HONORED WITH A STAR ON MPT'S WALK OF FAME.

>> I BEGAN AS A PAPER BOY FROM THE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.

MY FREEZING RAINING TO TAKEOVER THE ROUTE WAS NOT DOPE BY A PAPER BOY BUT A PAPER GIRL.

THEY WERE ALREADY AHEAD OF THEIR TIME.

SHE SHOWED ME THE ROPES AND ASKED ME TO COLLECT AT A HOUSE WHERE WALLY DANIELS LIVED THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO BE ON TELEVISION IN BALTIMORE.

I WAS DUMP FOUNDED.

WHEN I WENT TO THE DOOR HE SAID WHY ARE YOU HERE?

I'M HERE TO COLLECT.

THEN HE ASKED WHAT IS IN THE NEWSPAPER?

I HAD NO IDEA.

I SAID, SIR, I'M JUST HERE TO COLLECT.

HE TOLD ME IF YOU WANT TO SELL THE NEWSPAPER YOU MIGHT KNOW WHAT'S IN IT.

AT THAT TIME BRIEF ENCOUNTER AT 13 YEARS OLD GAVE ME THE GRUM SOME TO THINK I WOULD WORK IN TELEVISION.

>> Jeff: I KNOW OF NO HUMAN BEING WHO HAS A BETTER TIME THAN AN EAGER AND ENERGETIC YOUNG REPORTER.

FOR CHARLES THAT YOUTHFUL ENTHUSIASM LASTED HIS CAREER ACROSS PARTS OF SIX DECADES.

>> BEHIND ME IS AN OYSTER FARM.

ONE OF THE NICE PARTS ABOUT THIS BUSINESS, IT'S ECOFRIENDLY AND ALSO PROFITABLE.

YOU WOULD THINK WITH SIGNS YOU WILL BE VIDEOTAPED SPEEDING THAT CARS WERE START TO SLOW DOWN.

BUT THAT IS JUST NOT THE CASE ON FLORIDA AVENUE.

>> THIS IS THE DEVICE THAT MAKES IT WORK.

YOU TAKE THIS HOME, ELECTRODES ARE CONNECTED TO YOUR BODY AND A DOCTOR ANALYZES THE RESULTS.

>> SOMETIMES YOU GO TO THE DOGS COME HERE.

WHAT BILL ARE YOU HERE FOR?

>> THE DOG BILL I CAN APPRECIATE THAT.

>> AS YOU CAN SEE THIS IS THE RIVER AND IN ADDITION TO RECREATIONAL AREAS AND CAMPSITE THERE'S FISHING.

AND DON'T FORGET THAT THE POLLS OPEN AT 7:00 A.M.

AND CLOSE AT 8:00 P.M.

NOW LET'S GO BACK TO JEFF IN THE STUDIO.

>> Jeff: YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT AND DESPITE DECLINING HEALTH, CHARLES CONTINUED TO BRING THE SAME EXUBERANCE TO HIS WORK.

DAYS AGO INFORMING COLLEAGUES HE WOULD BE COVERING THE SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE.

CHARLES ENJOYED THE PEOPLE HE COVERED.

>> HE LOVED POLITICS.

HE LOVED PEOPLE.

NOW, IT TOOK CHARLES A LITTLE BIT TO MAKE A POINT SOMETIMES BECAUSE YOU STRETCH FROM EIGHT MINUTES, NO 40 MINUTES, MAN WE GOT TO GET TO IT.

BUT THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF IT.

HE THOUGHT ABOUT YOUNGER BLACK JOURNALISTS LIKE MYSELF.

AT TIMES WE WOULD TALK AND I WOULD HEAR THE HISTORY LESSONS THAT HE KNEW ABOUT IN MARYLAND AND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

>> WE ARE ALL VERY SAD FOR CHARLES' PASSING.

MAINSTAY HERE IN ANNAPOLIS AND A LOT OF US WERE ABLE TO GET OUR MESSAGE OUT, SO HE IS GOING TO BE SORELY MISSED.

>> I'M HEARTBROKEN FOR HIS FAMILY AND FOR ALL OF THE VIEWERS.

HE WAS A GOOD MAN, FAIR, HONEST, ALWAYS FRIENDLY, WHAT A SMILE.

>> HE WAS A CONSTITUENT IN MY DISTRICT.

HE WAS A BROTHER IN OUR FRATERNITY AND JUST A REALLY GOOD PERSON.

SO THEY TALK ABOUT POLITICS QUITE OFTEN CONDOLENCES TO THE ROBINSON FAMILY AND ALL HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT MPT.

APPRECIATED WORKING WITH HIM OVER THE YEARS WHEN I USED TO SEE HIM IN SESSION.

HE WAS A POLITICAL ANIMAL AND HE ENJOYED THIS STUFF.

>> Jeff: TRIBUTES POURED IN FROM STATE POLITICAL LEADERS INCLUDING GOVERNOR MOORE WHO SAID CHARLES BROUGHT THOUGHTFULNESS, FAIRNESS AND JOY TO HIS WORK.

CHARLES WAS EQUALLY ADEPT AT COVERING SERIOUS NEWS AND FEATURE STORIES.

HE WAS AT HITS BEST WITH BREAKING NEWS.

WITHIN MINUTES CHARLES WOULD HAVE PRODUCED A LIST OF HALF A DOZEN CONTACTS WHO COULD HELP WITH A STORY.

HE JUST LOVED BEING A NEWS REPORTER AND WITH THAT JOY IN HIS HEART HE LIVED HIS LIFE TO THE FULLEST.

HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE AND TWO ADULT SONS.

CHARLES F. ROBINSON III WAS 69 YEARS OLD.

[♪♪] >> >> Jeff: A RARE ONE-DAY SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WAS HELD THIS WEEK, FOLLOWING THE DECISION BY DELEGATE ADRIENNE JONES TO STEP DOWN AS SPEAKER.

NANCY YAMADA WAS THERE.

>> STANDING BEFORE HER FAMILY, FRIENDS AND LAWMAKERS... >> AS SPEAKER OF THE MARYLAND HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> JOSELINE PENA-MELNYK TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE AS THE 109TH SPEAKER OF THE MARYLAND HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

THE DEMOCRAT WAS ELECTED UNANIMOUSLY AFTER NEARLY TWO DECADES OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICE.

SHE MAKES HISTORY AS THE STATE'S FIRST IMMIGRANT AND AFRO-LATINO TO RISE TO THE HIGHEST LEADERSHIP ROLE AND CHOSE TO REMEMBER HER BEGINNINGS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

>> AT THE AGE OF EIGHT I CAME TO THE UNITED STATES CARRYING MORE THAN HOPE AND DETERMINATION OF A FAMILY THAT BELIEVED IN A BETTER FUTURE LIKE MANY IMMIGRANTS THAT IS WHY WE COME HERE.

>> THE SPEAKER PAID HOMAGE TO ADRIENNE JONES WHO STEPPED DOWN AS SPEAKER BUT WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE IN THE HOUSE.

>> THERE IS A SAILING THAT SAYS THAT YOU CAN BE WHAT YOU CAN'T SEE.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

AND SHE OPENED THOSE DOORS FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME TO BE HERE TODAY.

AND I AM HUMBLE AND HONORED.

>> CHEERING HER ON AND PLEDGING SUPPORT... >> THERE ARE NOT WORDS FOR THE ELATION I FEEL AND I HOPE I FEEL FOR THE FUTURE.

>> A FELLOW LAWMAKERS WHO SAY JOSELINE JOSS EARNED THIS PROMOTION.

>> WE HAD UNANIMOUS SUPPORT NOT BECAUSE OF THE POLITICS BUT THE PERSON.

SHE HAS IMPACTED EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF THIS BODY IN A POSITIVE WAY AND HAD OUR BACKS AND TODAY WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE HERS.

>> OUR NEW SPEAKER HAS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE HOUSE.

AND ANYONE THAT'S WORKED WITH HER KNOWN SHE HAS BEEN THE PEOPLE THAT TRIES TO FORCE SIDES TO COME TOGETHER TO FIND A COMMON CONSENSUS ON ISSUES.

>> JOSELINE PENA-MELNYK SERVED AS THE CHAIR OF THE HEALTH AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS IN THAT TIME, IT APPEARS SHE EARNED THE RESPECT OF COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> SHE IS FAIR AND HONEST.

LOTS OF INTEGRITY.

AND HAS AN OPEN OFFICE.

I KNOW THAT THE MINORITY PARTY WILL CERTAINLY BE HEARD.

>> THE CULTURE THAT SHE CREATES WITH HER LEADERSHIP STYLE IS SO INCLUSIVE IT'S THOUGHTFUL.

WHEN SHE HEARS ALL VOICES AND RESPECTS AND MAKES AND HELPS PEOPLE COME TO CONSENSUS.

>> SHE TREATS PEOPLE WITH RESPECT AND CIVILITY.

THAT IS IMPORTANT, IT'S IMPORTANT IN TODAY'S POLITICS AND OUR MEMBERS AS REPUBLICANS WILL APPRECIATE.

REALLY THE BIG ISSUE BECOMES WHAT DO YOU DO ON THE ISSUES?

WE DON'T KNOW YET.

>> ON THE FIRST DAY ON THE JOB THE SPEAKER PLEDGED... >> MY COMIMENT IS TO OPERATE THE HOUSE WITH OPENNESS AND FAIRNESS.

YOU SEE, LEADERSHIP TO ME IS COMPASSION PAIRED WITH ACCOUNTABILITY.

STEADINESS LIKE THE SPEAKER PAIRED WITH COURAGE AND VISION.

PAIRED WITH HUMILITY.

>> I'M NANCY YAMADA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

[♪♪] >> Jeff: JOINING US FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE ARE ROGER HARTLEY THE DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMRE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND MALCOLM DREWERY A PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY AT MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY.

GENTLEMEN WE HEARD NEW SPEAKER TALKING ABOUT HER HUMBLE ROOTS GROWING UP IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC WITH A LEAKY ROOF AND OUT HOUSE.

AND NOW SHE WINS THE GAVEL OF THE MARYLAND HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

THE FIRST IMMIGRANT, THE FIRST PERSON OF LATINO DES SCENT, SECOND FEMALE.

MALCOLM YOUR THOUGHTS JUST ON THE MILESTONE HERE, THE MULTIPLE MILESTONES?

>> THIS IS A TREMENDOUS MILESTONE.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED HER SPEECH.

AS YOU JUST HIGHLIGHTED TALKING ABOUT HER UPBRINGING AND HER BACKGROUND AND I THINK THAT IT HELPED CLEAR THE AIR ABOUT HOW SHE'S GOING TO PRESENT HERSELF COMING UP.

IN THAT NEXT SESSION.

I KNOW SHE IS ALREADY TALKED ABOUT TALKING ACROSS THE AISLE.

AND WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE REPUBLICANS.

SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HER ACTUALLY SHOWING WHAT SHE IS ABLE TO DO.

AND USING HER UPBRINGING AS THE SECOND AFRICAN-AMERICAN FIRST LATINO PERSON TO BE THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE IS GOING TO BE REALLY INTERESTING.

>> Jeff: YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE MILESTONE AND ALSO THE CHALLENGES COMING UP?

ELECTION YEAR BUDGET DEFICIT AND SO FORTH.

>> A FEW THINGS I TOTALLY AGREE WITH MALCOLM ON THIS.

THIS CONTINUES A REAL SHARP TREND TOWARDS DIVERSITY OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE STATE.

ESPECIALLY AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS.

AND AT A TIME WHEN DIVERSITY AND D.E.I.

IN SOME CIRCLES IS THAT POPULAR MARYLAND IS MOVING FURTHER TOWARDS A DIVERSE SET OF BACKGROUNDS AMONG ITS LEADERSHIP.

I THINK THE OTHER THING THAT WILL BE REALLY IMPORTANT IS WHERE THE POWER SHIFTS IN THE STATE.

OF COURSE, AT ONE-TIME, THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND OF COURSE WITH ADRIENNE JONES, THAT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE WERE IN THE BALTIMORE AREA.

NOW IT SHIFTS POWER TO THE DC AREA.

THE BALTIMORE DELEGATION WILL BE VERY, VERY ACTIVE IN TRYING TO MAINTAIN SOME POWER.

AND YOU MENTIONED CHALLENGES UP COMING.

THE BUDGET'S YET AGAIN WE HAVE A DEFICIT IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF DIFFICULT PLACES WHERE THEY HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS ON CUTS.

AND OF COURSE, THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, I GUESS IN BOTH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE IS VERY, VERY DIVERSE ALSO AND IN POLITICAL VIEWPOINTS.

THEY DON'T SPEAK IN ONE VOICE.

I THINK YOU ARE PROBABLY GOING TO SEE A LOT OF PUSHING BACK AND PUSHING FORWARD AMONG MEMBERS OF THE CONSTITUENCIES.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN THE LEGISLATURE COMES IN EASTERN FOR A ONE-DAY SPECIAL SESSION, IF THERE WERE VETOES BY THE GOVERNOR THEY ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THOSE VOTES WHEN THEY CONVENE.

AND THEY OVERRODE A TON OF VETOES FROM GOVERNOR MOORE.

HE VETOED MORE BILLS THAN HE HAD IN THE PREVIOUS SESSIONS COMBINED, I BELIEVE.

BUT IT JUST STRUCK ME THERE SEEMED TO BE NO HESITATION ABOUT OVERRIDING THE VETOES SHOWING DEFERENCE TO THE DEMOCRAT WHO RECLAIMED THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION FOR HIS PARTY.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT AND ALSO NUMBER ONE ON THE LIST OF VETOES WAS THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF A REPARATIONS STUDY BILL.

SO YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT ISSUE?

>> I WILL JUMP IN ON THAT ONE.

THIS BILL WAS A PRIORITY FOR THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS.

SO ACTUALLY I'M NOT SURPRISED BY THE VETO, BECAUSE RIGHT AFTER GOVERNOR MOORE VETOED THAT BILL, HE GOT A LOT OF PUSHBACK, SURPRISE BY THE BLACK CAUCUS.

AND MAKING THAT MOVE, SO I'M NOT ACTUALLY SURPRISED BY THE QUICK TURN AROUND AND THEM, YOU KNOW, SENDING IT RIGHT BACK.

I'M ACTUALLY -- IT'S INTERESTING HOW GOVERNOR MOORE TALKED ABOUT THIS ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.

AND THE REASONS WHY HE VETOED THAT BILL.

HE SAID THAT WE'VE ALREADY STUDIED THIS ENOUGH.

AND WE'RE DOING A LOT OF THINGS WITHIN MARYLAND TO COMPENSATE OR TO MAKE CHANGES.

SO LIKE HE HAS HIS REASONS.

BUT, I THINK, IT WAS GOOD TO SEE HIM SAYING THAT THIS WAS A FRIENDLY IN THE FACT THAT LIKE THIS CHANGE IS COMING ABOUT.

SO LIKE, WE'LL SEE WHAT ACTUALLY COMES OUT OF IT.

HOPEFULLY IT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT WHAT HE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT ON THE NATIONAL SCENE.

>> YEAH.

I WOULD ADD, TOO, COMPLETELY THAT SOMETIMES GOVERNORS VETO BILLS TO MAKE A STATEMENT TO MAKE A POLITICAL STATEMENT, TO KIND OF SHOW MAYBE IN SOME CASES THEY ARE A LITTLE BIT MODERATE ON SOME THINGS AND LIBERAL ON OTHERS.

SOMETIMES THEY DO SO KNOWING THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE AN OVERRIDE.

I THINK SOME OF THESE THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE CASE.

I'M NOT SAYING IT WAS ALL POLITICAL THEATER BUT IT WAS NOT A REBUKE OF THE GOVERNOR.

BUT I GO BACK TO THE POINT I MADE EARLIER, DEMOCRATS ESPECIALLY IN THIS STATE AND ACROSS THE NATION DON'T SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE.

THEY PRIDE THEMSELVES ON BEING A BIG TENT AND THAT MEANS DISAGREEMENT.

I THINK THEY ARE FREE TO EXPRESS THEIR DISAGREEMENT AND THEY DID IN THIS CASE.

>> Jeff: ROGER ON THAT POINT ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE THERE'S DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP AND THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR ON THE SECOND FLOOR IS THE IDEA OF REDRAWING THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

WE KNOW OTHER STATES NOTABLY TEXAS STARTED THE BALL ROLLING CREATING POSSIBLE NEW REPUBLICAN MEMBERS TO CONGRESS TO SHORE-UP SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.

DEMOCRATS IN CALIFORNIA AND OTHER PLACES HAVE DONE THE OPPOSITE.

IN MARYLAND WE'RE MAYBE TALKING ABOUT ONE SEAT, THE GOVERNOR'S MOVING FORWARD HE HAS A REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE THEY WILL BE DRAWING A MAP AND WE'LL SEE THAT INTRODUCED IN JANUARY.

BUT IT DIDN'T COME UP IN THE SPECIAL SESSION BECAUSE THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP AT THE MOMENT DOESN'T LIKE THE IDEA.

>> YEAH.

A COUPLE THINGS.

AND I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS MALCOLM ON THIS ONE.

REALLY THERE IS A SYMBOLIC PIECE OF THIS.

WHEN PRESIDENT TRUMP BROKE PUSHED TO BREAK ALL OF THE NORMS IN HOW WE REDRAW OUR DISTRICTS WHICH IS EVERY 10 YEARS TO DO IT MIDSTREAM AND TO KEEP THE HOUSE THAT IS A REALLY SOMEWHAT UNFATHOMABLE THINGS IN OUR POLITICS TODAY.

THERE IS DISAGREEMENT IRCH IN INDIANA WHERE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE DECIDED NOT TO DO IT.

AND TO HOLD THE LINE.

I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THOSE POSITIONS WHERE IT'S GETS YOU IN A TIT FOR TAT POLITICS AND IT CAN GET US TO A PLACE WHERE IT CAN BECOME DANGEROUS WHERE ONE PERSON ONE VOTE IS IN JEOPARDY AND THE OTHER THING IS IT'S RISKY.

WE BASE OUR DRAWING OF DISTRICTS WHAT WE THINK THE DISTRICTS VOTED ON IN THE PAST.

POLLS IN THE PAST.

TRUTH BE TOLD THEY CAN DRAW THIS WELL, BUT IF THE VOTER MAKEUP CHANGES IN THE NEXT ELECTION AS IT APPEARS TO BE YOU MIGHT DRAW DISTRICTS IN A WAY YOU FIND YOU LOSE IN PLACES AND THEY ARE ALREADY TALKING SOME ARE SAYING THE TEXAS REDRAWING MAY HAVE BEEN RISKY FOR REPUBLICANS.

>> Jeff: AND MALCOLM BEFORE YOU JUMP IN, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE LEADERSHIP OF THE MARYLAND STATE SENATE IS WORRIED ABOUT IS THAT THE COURTS WILL WEIGH-IN ON THIS, TOO, AND THEIR FEAR IS IT COULD BACKFIRE.

>> I BELIEVE THERE WAS A LAWSUIT PREVIOUSLY ABOUT CHANGES THAT WERE TRYING TO BE MADE IN THE PAST.

SO I CAN SEE GOING TO COURT QUICKLY.

AND I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS WOULDN'T NO CHANGES WILL COME ABOUT AT THE END OF THE DAY.

I WAS REALLY INTERESTED IN THE UMBC POLL THAT WAS CONDUCTED AND SAID THE MAJORITY OF MARYLANDERS OPPOSE THIS REDISTRICTING, SO THAT WAS REALLY INTERESTING.

AND FOR THE COMMISSION ACTUALLY TO GO AGAINST THAT, I CONGRESS IT WILL SHED LIGHT ON THE THOUGHTS OF WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO MARYLANDERS.

I THINK REDISTRICTING IS, YOU KNOW, IS AN ISSUE REDRAWING THE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS IS AN ISSUE.

BUT I THINK MARYLANDERS ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR HEAT AND HEALTH AND MAKING SURE THEY CAN KEEP THEIR JOB IN 2026.

SO I THINK THAT IS REALLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING ELSE RIGHT NOW.

>> THIS IS LIKE WITH GOES BACK TO SCHOOL KIDS WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING A GAME AND SOMEBODY TRIES TO CHANGE THE RULES TO BENEFIT THEM.

IT IS UNPALATABLE TO PEOPLE TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.

AND IT'S ALSO, AGAIN, SOMETIMES YOU CHANGE THE RULES AND YOU FIND OUT THEY DON'T WORK FOR YOU.

>> Jeff: ANYBODY CARE TO HAZARD A GUESS ABOUT THE ELECTION COMING UP?

THE CALENDAR IS ABOUT TO ROLLOVER 2026 MIDTERM YEAR.

ROGER YOU WOULD EXPECT A DEMOCRATIC WAVE OF SOME SORT BASED ON RECENT RESULTS AND ALSO JUST THE TREND THAT ONE WHEN PARTY CONTROLS WASHINGTON THE PENDULUM SWINGS BACK.

>> YEAH, YEAH, AND CERTAINLY WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON AND THE PRESIDENT IS █ESPECIALLY UNPOPULAR YOU SEE THE PARTY OPPOSITE THAT OF THE PRESIDENT PICK UP SEATS ANYWAY.

SOME ARE STARTING TO SEE THE SIGN WHAT IS COULD BE A WAVE?

A. IN THE VIRGINIA ELECTION FOR GOVERNOR AND STATE HOUSE DISTRICTS PINKISH RED THAT FLIPPED AND THEY LITERALLY VOTED OUT SEVEN OR MORE INCUMBENT REPUBLICANS IN RURALLISH SORT OF SUBURBAN DISTRICTS.

THAT FORETELLS THAT TURNOUT COULD BE LARGER AND IT MIGHT MEAN THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG SHIFT.

>> Jeff: WE SHALL SEE.

GENTLEMEN WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

PROFESSORS HARTLEY AND DRURY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: CROWNSVILLE STATE HOSPITAL CLOSED TWO DECADES AGO.

ITS TROUBLED HISTORY IS NOW BEING CONFRONTED EVEN AS PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS TO GIVE THE SITE A NEW PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SUSAN ELLERBEE HAS OUR STORY.

>> THIS SUE COPPIN HAS OUR STORY.

>> MARYLAND EXPOSURES BY MAY WARREN.

THIS IS THE FIRST PHOTOGRAPH OF CROWNSVILLE HOSPITAL.

THESE ARE ACTUALLY THE FIRST PATIENTS.

THEY LIVED IN A WILLOW PLANT ABOUT A QUARTER MILE FROM HERE.

>> JANICE WILLIAMS IS AN HISTORIAN AND THE FOUNDER OF FRIENDS OF THE CROWNSVILLE HOSPITAL PATIENT CEMETERY.

THIS MEMORIAL DEDICATED LAST SEPTEMBER INCLUDES THE NAMES OF THE MORE THAN 1700 PATIENTS MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM 26 STATES AND FOUR COUNTRIES THEY DIED IN CROWNSVILLE AND BURIED IN GRAVES MARKED WITH JUST A NUMBER.

SHE MADE IT HER MISSION TO FIND THEIR NAMES AND HONOR MEMORIES WHILE RECALLING THE HOSPITAL'S TROUBLED PAST.

>> I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO FORGET PEOPLE WERE USED AS GUINEA PIGS.

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO FORGET THAT HENRY HAD A DAUGHTER AT CROWNSVILLE WHO DIED BECAUSE OF ELECTROSHOCK THERAPY.

WE CAN NEVER FORGET.

>> CROWNSVILLE OPENED IN 1912 AS THE MARYLAND HOSPITAL FOR THE NEGRO INSANE.

IT WAS DESEGREGATED IN 1963 AND CLOSED BY THE STATE IN 2004.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY IN 2022 PAYING A TOKEN $1 FOR IT.

ANNE ARUNDEL EXECUTIVE SAYS HE WAS DETERMINED TO MAKE CROWNSVILLE A PART OF THE COUNTY.

I HAD GONE TO THE GOVERNOR AND SAID THE PREVIOUS COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIDN'T WANT IT.

WE DO.

IT'S THE GREEN HEART IN THE CENTER OF OUR COUNTY.

IT IS A SYMBOL OF HEALING AND SYMBOL OF HOPE AND SYMBOL OF THE INSTITUTIONAL RACISM OF THE PAST AND WE NEED TO GET IN THERE AND TURN IT INTO SOMETHING POSITIVE.

>> CROWNSVILLE PATIENTS CONSTRUCTED THE BUILDINGS, FARMED THE LAND AND WERE SUBJECTED TO NEGLECT AND VIOLENCE IN ADDITION TO THE MEDICAL TESTING.

>> THE FOLKS WHO ARE BURIED THERE, ARE THE CORE OF THE STORY.

AND FOR MANY OF US WHO HAVE BEEN GOING TO SAY MY NAME CEREMONIES AT THE ASSEMBLY MONEY THAT JANICE HAYES WILLIAMS PUT TOGETHER WE WERE VERY AWARE THAT SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE THERE AS THE CENTRAL FOCUS AND BRINGING FORTH THE SPIRIT OF THE PATIENTS.

>> WITH FINANCIAL HELP FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY, WORK IS UNDERWAY ON THE CROWNSVILLE HOSPITAL MEMORIAL PARK MASTER PLAN EXPECTED TO INCLUDE A PUBLIC PARK, A TRAIL SYSTEM AND SPACE FOR COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

>> I AM KEEPING A WATCHFUL EYE.

BUT I HAVE MY FEARS.

I THINK THAT THIS WAS SO BIG THEY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

>> IF WE'RE GOING TO HEAL AS A COUNTY AND AS A COUNTRY, HEAL FROM THE INJUSTICES OF THE PAST, ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE PAST AND THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE THAN CROWNSVILLE HOSPITAL MEMORIAL PARK NOW.

>> IN CROWNSVILLE I'M SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

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

JOIN US EVERY WEEK FOR THE LATEST ON MARYLAND'S POLITICAL STAGE.

CAN YOU SEE OUR RECENT PROGRAMS AT VIDEO.MPT.TV.

AND THROUGH THE FREE PBS APP WE CAN BE FOUND ON SNEED AT MPT NEWS.

WE'RE BACK MONDAY WITH "DIRECT CONNECTION" AND YOUR CHANCE TO ASK THE EXPERTS MONDAY EVENING LIVE AT 7:00 P.M.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY.

[♪♪]