>> Jeff: SPECIAL ELECTIONS FOR LEGISLATIVE VACANCIES.

>> WE KNOW THE TURNOUT CAN BE LOW.

WHAT WE'VE DONE IS CREATED A PROCESS WHERE NO APPOINTEE IS ABLE TO SERVE A FULL TERM WITHOUT VOTER SAY NOOFER LIMITING WHO CAN ORDER AN ARREST.

>> I WAS ARRESTED AND PLATESSED IF JAIL.

>> Jeff: A FRESH SIGN IS A STATE HOUSE TRADITION.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO PASSING THE TORCH ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

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

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" IS A LOOSE CONNECTION.

COULD LAST-MINUTE CHANGES TO THE ENERGY BILL ENDANGER PROMISED SAVINGS FOR CONSUMERS?

SUE COPPIN REPORTS.

>> THE SENATE'S EDUCATION ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE SPENT SEVERAL HOURS REVIEWING THE BILL AND CONSIDERING AMENDMENTS BEFORE VOTING 9-1 TO MOVE IT FORWARD.

THE COMMITTEE CHAIR SAYS THE EMERGENCY BILL BUILDS ON ACTION LAWMAKERS TOOK LAST YEAR.

>> WE HAVE SHORT-TERM FIXES WHICH SHOULD PROVIDE RELIEF FOR RATEPAYERS THIS YEAR.

BUT WE HAVE TO PLAY THE LODGER GAME AND THERE ARE THINGS IN THE BILL AS WAS THE CASE LAST YEAR THAT TRIED TO GET US MORE HAD SOLAR, BATTERY STORAGE, NUCLEAR, NATURAL GAS IN TERMS OF ENERGY POLICIES.

>> ONE OF THE TARGETS THIS YEAR DATA CENTERS.

>> LIKE IN EVERY OTHER INDUSTRY THERE ARE OPERATORS THAT WANT TO FOLLOW THE RULES THAT HAVE BENEFITS TO THEIR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE WILLING TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.

AND THEN THERE ARE THOSE THAT ARE DOING IT ON THE CHEAP AND EXPLOITIVE AND USING RESOURCES AND NOT USING RENEWABLE ENERGY OR HELPING TO STABILIZE OUR GRID.

WHAT WE'VE TRIED TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS AND A PROTOCOL THAT REALLY INSENT ADVISES.

>> AMONG THE PROVISIONS IN THE SENATE VERSION A LARGE LOAD CUSTOMER DOWN TO 25 MEGAWATTS FROM 100 MEGAWATTS.

THE CREATION OF A LARGE LOAD REGISTRY TO REQUIRE LARGE ENERGY CONSUMERS LIKE DATA CENTERS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ABOUT ENERGY AND WATER USE AND A TIMELINE FOR OPERATION.

AND THE CREATION OF WHAT IS BEING CALLED COOLDOWN CAPACITY TIERS FOR LARGE USERS.

>> A GOLD TIER AND PLATINUM TIER LIKE THE GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL HOW THEY RATE ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS OR THE ENERGY STAR WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THE DATA CENTERS BETTER CITIZENS EITHER A GOLD OR PLATINUM DEMARCATION IT WILL ENCOURAGE CENTERS TO BRING OR PROCURE CLEAN CAPACITY TO POWER THEIR DATA CENTERS.

>> STEVE HERSHEY SAYS THAT APPROACH MAY NOT BRING THE RESULTS THE STATE IS LOOKING FOR.

>> IF YOU LOOK TO PENNSYLVANIA WITH NATURAL GAS AND YOU CAN DO ON-SITE GENERATION THAT IS WHERE DATA CENTERS ARE GOING TO TARGET.

I DON'T THINK THIS STANDARD AND GETTING THROUGH THE PERMIT PROCESS QUICKER, IS GOING TO INCENTIVIZE A DATA CENTERS TO COME HERE.

>> AND HERSHEY SAYS THERE IS A LOT IN THE BILL BUT... >> IT'S ABOUT MESSAGING AND WHAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MARYLANDERS REALIZE THAT THERE IS A LOT IN THIS POLICY, I THINK THERE'S VERY LITTLE THAT ACTUALLY PROVIDES RATEPAYER RELIEF.

>> GIVEN THE TOOLS IN OUR BOX WE ARE PASSING LEGISLATION HERE AND I'M CONFIDENT THE HOUSE AND SENATE WILL COME TOGETHER ON AN AGREEMENT THAT ADDRESSES AGAIN OUR SHORT-TERM ISSUES AS WELL AS OUR MEDIUM AND LONG-TERM ISSUES.

>> THE SENATE AND HOUSE WILL HAVE TO WORKOUT DIFFERENCES IN THE LEGISLATION WITH THE LAST DAY OF THE SESSION ONLY 10 DAYS AWAY.

I'M SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES HAS APPROVED A BILL TO RESTRICT THE AUTHORITY OF COURT COMMISSIONERS TO ISSUE ARREST WARRANTS.

NANCY YAMADA HAS THAT STORY.

>> IN 2012 A DISHONEST WOMAN DECIDED TO MAKE A FALSE REPORT AGAINST ME AND WITHOUT INVESTIGATION I WAS ARRESTED AND PLACED IN JAIL THIS IS WHERE THIS LONG NIGHTMARE BEGAN.

>> LAWMAKERS IN THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARD TESTIMONY FROM CONSTITUENTS WHO SAY THEY WERE WRONGLY ACCUSED AND PAID THE PRICE FOR IT.

>> FOR FIVE YEARS I WAS CHARGED 22 TIMES BY A FALSE ALLEGATION MADE BY THE SAME WOMAN.

>> HE WAS EXON RATED BEFORE HE LOST EVERYTHING AND FIVE YEARS OF HIS LIFE.

>> STORIES MIGHT BECOME LESS COMMON TO RESTRICT HOW PEOPLE CAN INITIATE CRIMINAL CHARGES.

MARYLAND RESIDENTS CAN INDEPENDENTLY INITIATE CHARGES THROUGH A DISTRICT COURT COMMISSIONER AT ANYTIME EVEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ISN'T INVOLVED.

>> ANYONE CAN FILE A FALSE STATEMENT AGAINST SOMEONE AND THEY WILL BE ARRESTED.

WE'RE TRYING TO INSTEAD OF THE COMMISSIONER WRITING UP A WARRANT WE WANT THEM TO WRITE A SUMMONS.

THE POLICE CAN WRITE UP A WARRANT IF THEY FEEL THERE'S BEEN HARM TO YOU BUT WE DON'T WANT YOU TO GO TO THE COMMISSIONER AND HAVE THE WARRANT.

>> UNDER THE DELEGATE'S BILL POTENTIAL CHARGES WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

IT WOULD HAVE 72 HOURS TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER TO RECOMMEND MOVING FORWARD WITH AN ARREST WARRANT.

>> WE ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM.

BUT WE CAN'T IGNORE OUR CLIENTS WHO HAVE NO OTHER RESOURCES SOMETIMES.

>> SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE BILL ARE ADVOCATES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

>> I THINK THAT THING IS MISSING ARE ALL OF THE CASES WHERETIES HAS BEEN LIFE-SAVING.

WHERE THIS HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE WHERE YOU DO HAVE SOMEONE AS DELEGATE POINTED OUT WHO WAS BEATEN UP.

LIKE WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO ADDRESS THAT.

>> THEY FEAR THE BILL COULD HARM PEOPLE IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE PROTECTION.

>> WE FIND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFTEN STILL WON'T FILE AN INCIDENT REPORT MUCH LESS A CRIMINAL REPORT.

SO, SO, WE MIGHT NOT CALL PEOPLE HAVE DISTRUST OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SOMETIMES FOR GOOD REASON HAD IN CONCERN COMMUNITIES.

>> THE DELEGATE SAYS VICTIMS OF FALSE ACCUSATIONS DESERVE TO BE PROTECTED, TOO.

>> IT COSTS SO MUCH MONEY FOR YOU TO GO TO JAIL GET THAT FALSE STATEMENT YOU HAVE TO PAY A LAWYER SOMETIMES YOU WILL SIT IN JAIL FOR THREE OR FOUR DAYS YOU MIGHT LOSE YOUR JOB IF YOU STAY 30 DAYS WHICH I KNOWN FOLKS YOU CAN LOSE YOUR CAR, YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME.

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

>> Jeff: A NEW POLL FINDS SLIPPAGE IN GOVERNOR MOORE APPROVAL NUMBERS.

THE SURVEY FINDS 48% APPROVAL FOR THE GOVERNOR.

WITH 42% DISAPPROVAL.

THE GOVERNOR IS WIDELY POPULAR AMONG DEMOCRATS, UNPOPULAR AMONG REPUBLICANS AND SLIGHTLY UNDERWATER ALUNG INDEPENDENTS.

59% OF RESPONDENTS SAID THE STATE IS ON THE WRONG TRACK ABOUT 10 POINTS HUGHER THAN UMBC'S RECENT POLLS.

MARGIN OF ERROR 3.5%.

>> IN THIS SPECIAL YEAR OF OUR 250TH ANNIVERSARY, LET US TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THE CONTRIBUTION THAT MARYLAND MADE HAS MADE TO THAT CONTINUES TO MAKE TO OUR DEMOCRACY TO THE GREATNESS OF OUR COUNTRY.

AND, AGAIN, I ACCEPT THIS AWARD WITH GREAT PRIDE AND MAKE THIS ONE OTHER FURTHER POINT.

AS JOANNE SAID, NOTHING HAPPENS BECAUSE OF ONE PERSON.

IT'S ALL ABOUT A COLLABORATION.

IT'S ALL ABOUT BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>> Jeff: THAT WAS MARYLAND NATIVE NANCY PELOSI THE FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECEIVING THE FIRST CITIZEN AWARD FROM THE STATE SENATE.

HONORED WERE FORMER SPEAKER ADRIENNE JONES, AND LONG TIME SENATOR JOANNE BENSON.

BOTH LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN ABSENT FOR THE ENTIRE SESSION.

SPEAKER JONES REPORTEDLY DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES AT THAT TIME MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED HER DECISION TO RESIGN AND SENATOR BENSON AFTER SURGERY.

A FRESHMAN DELEGATE HAS BEEN MISSING TIME BUT ALSO SHOWING UP FOR WORK.

AFTER SIGNIFYING HIS PRESENCE FOR THE QUORUM CALL, ERIC BOUSHEY OF FREDERICK AND CARROLL COUNTIES GETS UP AND LEAVES SKIPPING THE VOTES AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

OTHER REPUBLICANS DEMANDED THAT HE RESIGN.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: OUR NEWSMAKER IS JOANNE ANTOINE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMON CAUSE OF MARYLAND.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: NUMBER OF ISSUES TO TALK ABOUT.

FIRST, YOU'RE A GOOD GOVERNMENT GROUP AND WE HAVE JUST HEARD ABOUT A NUMBER OF LEGISLATORS SOME VETERANS WHO WERE HONORED THIS WEEK IN ANNAPOLIS, BUT POSSIBLY FOR HEALTH REASONS HAVE BEEN LARGELY ABSENT DURING THE SESSION.

AND THEN, THERE IS THIS FRESHMAN REPUBLICAN WHO IS IN THE HABIT NOW OF CLOCKING IN EVERYDAY AND THEN IMMEDIATELY LEAVING.

SO SKIPPING FLOOR VOTES, SKIPPING COMMITTEE WORK DOES COMMON CAUSE HAVE AN OPINION ON HOW MUCH LEGISLATORS NEED TO BE PRESENT?

>> YEAH, I MEAN ULTIMATELY WHAT WE WOULD WANT IS THAT THOSE WHO ARE ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE PUBLIC THAT THEY ARE IN INIDANAPOLIS FULL-TIME.

NOW THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS IF SOMEONE IS DEALING WITH HEALTH ISSUES AND SO FOR THE LIKE IN THE SENATE LIKE SPEAKER JONES WHERE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE MADE AND THE PUBLIC IS AWARE.

WITH THE FRESHMAN DELEGATE, IN THIS SITUATION THIS INSTANCE WE WOULD SAY HE SHOULD BE IN ANNAPOLIS HE SHOULD BE ON THE FLOOR AND SHOULD BE IN COMMITTEE AND IF HE IS NOT, I THINK THIS IS WHERE HE HAS TO ANSWER TO VOTERS.

AND I BELIEVE IN HIS SITUATION HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR OFFICE AGAIN.

BUT AS YOU CAN IMAGINE DURING 90 DAYS THERE ARE CRITICAL LEGISLATION THAT IS BEFORE US.

A LOT OF THEM RESPONDING TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

THINGS THAT IMPACT HIS OWN CONSTITUENTS.

I THINK IN OUR POSITION WOULD BE LIKE YOU SHOULD BE THERE.

THE DELEGATES SHOULD BE THERE.

HE SHOULD BE DOING HIS JOB AND VOTING ON THE RECORD.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT THINGS BEING VOTED ON.

YOU HAVE BILLS OF INTEREST TO COMMON CAUSE INCLUDING SPECIAL ELECTIONS.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD DO?

>> YES, THIS IS A BILL THAT WE HAVE WORKED ON FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS.

IT'S BEEN DIVOTRATIONS.

SO IN ANNAPOLIS, WHEN A STATE DELEGATE, A STATE SENATOR, RESIGNS FROM OFFICE, MAYBE THEY ARE SICK, MAYBE YOU KNOW THEY DECIDED TO GO FOR A DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITY.

VOTERS RBTS HE THE ONES WHO CHOOSES WHO REPLACES THEM.

OUR CURRENT SYSTEM WHAT IT DOES IS IF IT IS A DEMOCRAT, LET'S SAY WHO HAS VACATED THE SEAT, THE DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE IN THAT JURISDICTION IS TASKED WITH YOU KNOW, SELECTING A CANDIDATE TO GET THAT APPOINTMENT.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN HAPPENING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL MANY TIMES IS CENTRAL COMMITTEES BEGIN TO FUNCTION AS THIS PIPELINE TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF POLITICAL INSIDERS THAT SERVE IN THE ROLES.

THE AVERAGE PERSON DOES NOT KNOW WHO REPRESENTS THEM ON THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE AND MANY TIMES WE FIND SITUATIONS WHERE THEY HAVE WORKED OUT WHO IS GOING TO GET THE APPOINTMENT.

OR THERE IS A SITUATION WHERE THERE NEEDS TO BE A TIEBREAKER THE CHAIR IS THE TIE BREAKER AND THEY VOTE FOR THEMSELVES.

IT IS A PROCESS THAT LEAVES THE VOTERS OUT.

COMPLETELY.

AND I THINK OUR GOAL HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, TO REACH SOME COMPROMISE.

INITIALLY OUR PLAN WAS FULL SPECIAL ELECTIONS VOTERS SHOULD HAVE THE SAY.

WE KNOW THAT THAT IS COSTLY.

WE KNOW THAT TURNOUT IN SPECIAL ELECTIONS CAN BE LOW.

INSTEAD WHAT WE'VE DONE IS CREATED A PROCESS WHERE NO APPOINTEE IS ABLE TO SERVE A FULL TERM WITHOUT VOTER SAY AND THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE GETS TO PLAY A ROLE IN THE PROCESS.

THIS WOULD BE A HUGE VICTORY IF IT WERE TO PASS.

>> Jeff: IF A DELEGATE RESIGNS LEAVES THEIR SEAT FOR WHATEVER REASON IN THE FIRST YEAR OF A FOUR-YEAR TERM THAT SEAT WOULD BE UP FOR ELECTION AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION.

PEOPLE RUNNING FOR CONGRESS, RUN EVERY TWO YEARS WITH THAT ELECTION JUST FOR THAT DISTRICT THERE WOULD BE A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE ELECTION?

>> YES.

AND IT WOULD TAKE PLACE WITH THE ELECTIONS ALREADY TAKING PLACE.

>> Jeff: THIS BILL CAME OUT OF THE SENATE AT OUR TAPING TIME THE HOUSE HAS AMENDED IT, RIGHT?

>> YES.

YES.

IT HAS PASSED IN THE HOUSE NOT IN THE POSTURE WE WOULD HAVE PREFERRED.

THE BILL IS AT RISK UNFORTUNATELY OF POTENTIALLY DYING.

WE HAVE NO POSITION ON THE AMENDMENTS THAT WERE MADE ALTHOUGH WE KNOW THEY ARE RELATED TO EFFORTS TO MOVE FOG FROM REDISTRICTING BUT OUR PRIORITY IS MAKING SURE THE SPECIAL ELECTIONS PIECE MOVES.

WE ARE APPLYING PRESSURE TO BOTH CHAMBERS TO FIGURE IT OUT.

AND LET'S GET IT ON THE BALLOT THIS NOVEMBER.

>> Jeff: I'M INTRIGUED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE HOUSE VERSION ACTUALLY PASSED.

THIS WAS PART OF THEIR EFFORT TO REDRAW A BIG NATIONAL STORY PART OF MARYLAND'S EFFORT TO REDRAW THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP TO MAKE IT 8-0 DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS.

AND THE LAST TIME A MAP WENTZ TO THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT, THE JUDGE WHO WROTE THE OPINION APPLIED THIS IS COMPLICATED I APOLOGIZE BUT IT APPLIED LANGUAGE IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION THAT WAS THOUGHT TO ONLY APPLY TO LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS APPLIED TO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND THE HOUSE VERSION WOULD BASICALLY UNDO THAT JUDGE'S OPINION.

THE THING I'M CURIOUS ABOUT IF THAT HAPPENS AND THEY PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, THERE IS LIKE A TWO-SENTENCE SUMMARY FOR VOTERS OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

WHAT WOULD IT SAY?

HONEST LANGUAGE IT WOULD SAY YOU KNOW THIS AMENDMENT WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO DRAW SKWIG SQUIGGLY LINES FOR CONGRESSIONALS.

>> IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO COMMUNICATE I'M NOT GOING TO LIE.

VALID QUESTIONS ARE INACCESSIBLE AND HOPEFULLY WE GET A PLAIN LANGUAGE BILL PASSED.

I'M NOT SURE FOR US AT THAT POINT HOW DO WE MESSAGE THE FACT THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT THERE ARE SPECIAL ELECTIONS BUT THERE IS A PIECE OVER HERE.

WE DO FOR THAT THE GOAL IS TO TRY AND ADDRESS THE SENATE PRESIDENT'S CONCERNS.

WE DID NOT WEIGH-IN ON THE MID-DECADE REDISTRICTING EFFORT BUT WE KNOW THERE WAS FEAR A MAP WOULD BE SENT BACK THAT WE MAY LOSE DEM SEATS THIS IS THEIR ATTEMPT TO MAKE A FIX.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

BUT I AGREE WITH YOU, THE AVERAGE VOTER WILL NOT KNOW WHAT THIS IS ASKING OF THEM.

>> Jeff: TELL ME ABOUT THE MARYLAND VOTING RIGHTS ACT?

>> THIS HAS BEEN A LONG-TERM FIGHT AS WELL.

OBVIOUSLY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WHAT WE'VE CONTINUED TO SEE AS A GUTTING OF THE FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965.

THESE WERE PROTECTIONS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT BLACK INDIVIDUALS, BLACK CITIZENS THAT WE WERE PROTECTED WE WEREN'T DISENFRANCHISED AND HAD EQUAL VOTING POWER.

RIGHT NOW UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THERE CONTINUES TO BE AN ASSAULT ON OUR VOTING RIGHTS AND THE FEDERAL VRA IS NO DIFFERENT.

WE HAVE TWO BIG CASES BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT.

AND IT CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN THE FEDERAL VRA HAVING NO IMPACT WHATSOEVER.

EVEN IN A STATE LIKE OURS WHERE WE'VE BUILT OUT A GOOD ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE, WE WOULD BE IMPACTED.

SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS INSULATE OURSELVES.

MARYLAND IS ESTABLISH ITS OWN PROTECTIONS AND WE'RE GOING TO BUILD ON WHAT THE FEDERAL VRA HAD TO ENSURE ALL VOTERS, YOU KNOW, HAVE ACCESS TO THE BALLOT.

SO WE'VE PASSED SOME PROVISIONS ALREADY LAST YEAR WE PASSED A LANGUAGE ACCESS BILL THAT WOULD EXPAND TRANSLATIONS.

THIS YEAR IT'S BEEN A FIGHT.

BUT WE ARE HOPING WE CAN MOVE A BILL THAT WOULD ADDRESS VOTE DILUTION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> Jeff: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMON CAUSE MARYLAND WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: AND NOW FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE WE'RE JOINED BY PAMELA WOOD OF THE BANNER.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME A BUSY TIME IN ANNAPOLIS ONE WEEK REMAINING IN THE SESSION.

WHAT ARE YOU TRACKING?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF ACTION WITH A LITTLE MORE THAN A WEEK LEFT.

LAWMAKERS HAVE DONE A LOT BUT THEY HAVE A LOT LEFT TO DO.

THEY ARE IRONING OUT THE FINAL DETAILS OF A BIG BILL ON ENERGY POLICY.

TRYING TO BRING RELIEF TO CUSTOMERS AND SPUR NEW GENERATION.

BUT IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY.

THAT'S HANGING IN THE BALANCE.

THERE'S MOVING FORWARD, A BILL TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CHARGES FOR WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE JUVENILES ARE AUTOMATICALLY CHARGED AS ADULTS KEEPING THEM IN JUVENILE COURT AND JUVENILE DETENTION INSTEAD OF ADULT JAILS.

THOSE ARE TWO THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR AND SEEING A LATE PUSH FOR ADDITIONAL BILLS ON IMMIGRANT PROTECTION.

>> Jeff: ALL RIGHT.

JUVENILE JUSTICE WAS INTRODUCED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF SENATE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS.

WATERED DOWN A BIT AND SENT TO THE HOUSE.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

>> THE HOUSE TODAY FRIDAY IS TAKING UP THAT BILL.

AND AS IT STANDS NOW THEY ARE TAKING THE SENATE VERSION OF IT WHICH IS A LITTLE WATERED DOWN THAT IS A POINT OF CONSTERNATION.

SOME DEMOCRATS ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT SAME WITH ADVOCATES AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO SEE PLAY OUT IN THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS THE FINAL DECISION THERE.

>> Jeff: THE ENERGY BILL, IT WAS MAYBE THREE WEEKS AGO THAT THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS CAME TOGETHER AS A BIG PRESS CONFERENCE WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT, IT'S GOING TO SAVE EVERYBODY MONEY.

AND AT THE MOMENT THERE'S DISAGREEMENT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THERE IS AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE AMONG ALL OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS HERE, THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP, THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNOR'S OFFICE THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.

THE SENATE'S COMMITTEE SPENT HOURS AND HOURS DISCUSSING A LOT OF AMENDMENTS.

THEY SPENT HOURS ON THE SENATE FLOOR ON THURSDAY.

AS THEY WORK TO FIGURE OUT THE FINE DETAILS HOW IT'S DIAGNOSE TO WORK AND THIS COULD GO TO THE END OF SESSION.

>> Jeff: IT IS A CLICHE BUT THE ONLY THING THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO DO IS PASS A BUDGET AND FREQUENTLY IT COMES DOWN TO THE WIRE.

THIS YEAR, A BIT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE?

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THE BUDGET PROCESS THIS YEAR WAS RELATIVELY SMOOTH.

CONSIDERING THAT THEY HAD TO CLOSE A GAP OF MORE THAN $1 BILLION BETWEEN PLAN SPENDING AND THE MONEY COMING IN.

BUT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS WORKED TOGETHER.

THEY SIGNED OFF ON THE BUDGET AND ACTUALLY THEY ARE EXPECTED TO AS SOON AS TODAY POTENTIALLY SEND IT UP TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

THAT WOULD GIVE THEM TIME IN CASE GOVERNOR MOORE WANTS TO LINE-ITEM VETO ANY SPENDING ITEMS IN THERE THAT THEY WILL ARE IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK AND OVERRIDE IT BEFORE THEY GET OUT OF ANNAPOLIS AND GO ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> Jeff: THERE WAS A SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUS SUPREME COURT U.S.

SUPREME COURT DECISION ON CONVERSION THERAPY.

HOW DOES THAT IMPACT MARYLAND STATE LAW?

>> WE'RE WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE EXACT IMPACT IS.

BUT THERE IS GREAT CONCERN HERE IN MARYLAND.

LOOK FOR SEVERAL YEARS, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, MARYLAND BANNED THIS PRACTICE OF CONVERSION THERAPY FOR YOUTH.

WHICH IS TRYING TO GET THEM TO CHANGE THEIR SEXUAL IDENTITY.

AND IT'S A QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT THIS RULING IN THE SUPREME COURT CASE ON A COLORADO LAW, WOULD ALSO STRIKE DOWN MARYLAND'S LAW.

THERE'S RESEARCH GOING ON WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL JUST TO SEE ADVOCATES ARE HOPEFUL THAT IT DOES NOT WATER DOWN OR WIPE OUT MARYLAND'S LAW THEY BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT TO PROTECT YOUTH WITH THIS LAW.

>> Jeff: PAM, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEW UMBC POLL THIS WEEK THE HEADLINE NUMBER WAS GOVERNOR MOORE'S APPROVAL NUMBER SLIPPING JUST A LITTLE BIT BELOW 50%.

>> THE GOVERNOR MOORE'S CURRENT APPROVAL RATING IS 48 APPROVAL.

42% DISAPPROVAL IN THE UMBC POLL THIS IS THE FIRST TIME HE HAS LESS THAN 50%.

IT'S NOT ENTIRELY SURPRISING.

SOME OTHER RECENT POLLS INCLUDING FROM THE BANNER AND GONZALES POLLING HAD HIM AT 52, 54.

HE HAS BEEN IN THE LOW 50s FOR A WHILE.

LOOK, PEOPLE IN GENERAL ARE FRUSTRATED WITH GOVERNMENT.

COSTS ARE HIGH.

THERE IS A WAR WHICH THE GOVERNOR HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BUT A LOT OF PROBLEMS IN THE COUNTRY PEOPLE BLAME IT ON THEIR LEADERS.

AND GOVERNOR MOORE IS BEARING THE BRUNT OF IT ACCORDING TO POLITICAL EXPERTS.

AND LOOK AT OPENING DAY AT CAMDEN YARDS THERE WERE BOOS IN THERE WHEN HE WAS ON THE FIELD.

NOT ENTIRELY SURPRISING THAT SAID, IT MAY NOT HAVE MUCH OF AN EFFECT ON REELECTION CHANCES BECAUSE REPUBLICANS WE DON'T KNOW WHO THEIR CANDIDATE WILL BE BUT SO FAR THERE IS NOT A BIG NAME, A BIG FUNDRAISER WHO CAN COMPETE WITH GOVERNOR MOORE.

>> Jeff: AND HE WON LAST TIME BY 32 PERCENTAGE POINTS A LITTLE EROSION MAY NOT BE A BIG DEAL.

YOU CAN READ PAMELA'S REPORTING AT THE BANNER.COM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF, SO MUCH.

>> Jeff: NOW A LOOK AT AT STATE HOUSE TRADITION FROM MICHAELA NEWTON.

>> IN IN A FAST CHANGING MORE CASUAL WORLD, THE SHOE SHINING BUSINESS IS STILL HOLDING ON.

>> AT THE MARYLAND STATE HOUSE PEOPLE LIKE Mr.

WRIGHT ARE KEEPING THAT TRADITION ALIVE.

>> THIS WILL BE MY 50TH YEAR IN THE STATE HOUSE HERE.

THIS IS MY 20TH YEAR MY FOURTH GOVERNOR.

>> HE IS NOT DOING IT ALONE.

AS YOU WALK INTO THE ENTRANCE OF THE MARYLAND STATE HOUSE THIS IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS YOU WILL SEE BEFORE LAWMAKERS HIT THE FLOOR JAMES HAWKINS A SUE SHINER MAKES SURE THEY LOOK THE PART.

THE ROOTS OF THIS BUSINESS GO BACK DECADES.

>> AFTER RONALD REAGAN WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT IN THE FALL OF 1980, THE PUSH AROUND WASHINGTON WAS FOR ALL THE HOTELS TO PROVIDE AMENITIES FOR ALL OF THE CELEBRITIES THAT WERE COMING TO WITNESS RONALD REAGAN'S SWEARING IN I PROPOSED A SERVICE TO THE CLOSEST HOTEL WHERE RONALD REAGAN WAS GOING TO GET SWORN IN AND THAT HOTEL IS THE HYATT REGENCY ON CAPITOL HILL AND THIS IS MY 46TH YEAR WITH THE SHOE SERVICE IN THE LOBBY OF THAT PROPERTY.

>> AND NOW THE STATE HOUSE AS WORKPLACE CULTURE SHIFTS THE INDUSTRY HAS HAD TO ADAPT.

>> IT'S BEEN AN I AM I PACK WITH THE SNEAKERS AND BUSINESS SUIT CULTURE THAT HAS EVOLVED.

FOR THE MOST PART THE TRADITIONAL LESS AND GUYS OLD SCHOOL WILL CONTINUE TO WEAR THE LEGHTDER SHOES.

>> WHEN I JUMPED OUT I'M STARTING MY DAY IN THE RIGHT POSTURE.

>> THE SENATOR McCRAY HAS A BUSY DAY AHEAD.

>> THEY ARE SUPER COMFORTABLE BUT YOU ARE RIGHT WALKING TO THE SENATE FLOOR OR COMMITTEE OR TALKING TO ADVOCATES, SUPER IMPORTANT IN REFERENCE TO THE SHOES AND MAKING SURE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE.

>> AS LONG AS THERE ARE TRADITIONALISTS WALKING THESE HALLS THE SHOE SHINING BUSINESS MAY HAVE A PLACE.

WITH 20 YEARS INSIDE THE HOUSE UNDER HIS BELT, HE SAYS THIS OLD SCHOOL INDUSTRY IS STILL FINDING ITS FOOTING.

>> YOU KNOW I LOOK TO SOME DAY PASSING THE TORCH ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

I DIDN'T MENTION I AM ALSO A UNITED AIRLINES RETIREE.

I HAVE HAD MY SHOE POLISHING SERVICE THROUGHOUT THE DAYTIME FOR 24 YEARS I WORKED FOR USE 23450EU9ED AIRLINES IN CUSTOMER SERVICE.

GUYS SAY WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO RETIRE?

I'VE ALREADY RETIRED FROM MY JOB BUT FROM THE BUSINESS, NEVER.

>> Jeff: FINALLY THIS WEEK, THE MPT FAMILY IS SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF ONE OF OUR MOST IMPACTFUL BOARD MEMBERS.

EDWARD H. KAPLAN SERVED AS CHAIR OF THE MARYLAND PUBLIC BROADCASTING COMMISSION FOR 18 YEARS.

Mr.

KAPLAN AND HIS WIFE IRENE CREATED MPT'S NEW INITIATIVES FUND.

THE KAPLANS WERE MAJOR SUPPORTERS OF ENLARGING AND UPDATING OUR STUDIO NOW NAMED IN THEIR HONOR.

EDDIE KAPLAN WAS A REAL ESTATE ENTREPRENEUR IN THE WASHINGTON REGION.

Mr.

KAPLAN WAS 87 YEARS OLD.

AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

[♪♪]