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.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: BUDDHIST MONKS WALK THOUSANDS OF MILES AND DRAW THOUSANDS OF SUPPORTERS TO THE STATE HOUSE.

>> AT THE BEGINNING WHEN WE BALK, WE BROUGHT 1,000 PEACE BRACELETS AND WE HAVE GIVEN OUT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF BRASS LETS.

>> Jeff: ANNAPOLIS TENSIONS ON DISPLAY.

>> MAKE ADJUSTMENTS IF NECESSARY AND PUT IT TO A VOTE.

>> Jeff: AND NEW LEGAL CONSEQUENCES.

>> IF ANY GOVERNMENTAL OFFICER VIOLATES YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, YOU SHOULD HAVE A REMEDY.

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

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" IS A CALL TO ACTION THAT IS WHAT GOVERNOR WES MOORE DELIVERED IN THIS FOURTH ANNUAL STATE OF THE STATE MESSAGE.

>> WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLE FROM THE DAMAGE THAT IS BEING CAUSED BY THIS FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION.

THIS YEAR, MARYLAND IS FILLING THE $40 MILLION GAP IN S.N.A.P.

FUNDING CREATED BY DONALD TRUMP'S DOMESTIC POLICY AGENDA.

IT'S GOING TO HELP ENSURE THAT CHILDREN AND SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO RELY ON NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE DO NOT GO HUNGRY.

>> Jeff: BUT ONE PART OF THE CALL TO ACTION DREW NEGATIVES REVIEWS IN THE STATE SENATE.

THE GOVERNOR DEMANDING A VOTE ON THE THU CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS THAT SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS WILL FAIL IN A COURT CHALLENGE.

>> AFTER MONTHS OF WORK, THE COMMISSION PRESENTED ITS RECOMMENDATION AND THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES DEBATED IT THEY MADE ADJUSTMENTS AND PASSED THE MAP.

NOW, I KNOW THERE'S DISAGREEMENT RIGHT NOW BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.

SO MY ASK IS SIMPLE: DO NOT LET THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS DIE IN THE FREE STATE, DEBATE IT, DISCUSS IT, MAKE ADJUSTMENTS IF NECESSARY AND PUT IT TO A VOTE.

[APPLAUSE] >> Jeff: BILL REMAINS STALLED AS TENSIONS CONTINUE TO RISE.

MEANTIME, IN A REPUBLICAN ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE STATE, SENATOR STEVE HERSHEY CONSIDERING A RUN FOR GOVERNOR, SAID MARYLANDERS ARE PHASING RISING COSTS INCLUDING TAXES.

>> GOVERNOR MOORE HAS SAID DEMOCRATS CANNOT BE THE PARTY OF SLOW AND NO BUT MUST BECOME THE PARTY OF YES AND NOW.

THOSE ARE HIS WORDS AND THE RIGHT WORDS IF WE WANT TO GROW OUR ECONOMY, ADDRESS HOUSING SHORTAGES, LOWER THE COST OF LIVING AND CREATE OPPORTUNITY THEN GOVERNMENT HAS TO ALLOW THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN AND NOT STAND IN THE WAY.

>> Jeff: BOTH SPEECHES ARE ON-LINE AT MPT.ORG/STATE OF THE STATE.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS SAID TO THE GOVERNOR LEGISLATION TO STOP MARYLAND COUNTIES FROM COOPERATING WITH FEDERAL I AM TKPWRAEUGTS.

FOLLOWING -- IMMIGRATION.

FOLLOWING MULTIPLE ENCOUNTERS BY FEDERAL AGENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

NINE MARYLAND COUNTIES HAVE 287G AGREEMENTS WHICH ALLOW I.C.E.

TO TAKE CUSTODY AND ALLEGEDLY UNAUTHORIZED IMMIGRANTS HELD IN JAILS.

THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF DELEGATES GAVE FINAL APPROVE YESTERDAY.

>>> LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING A BILL TO HOLD FEDERAL LAW OFFICIALS HELD ACCOUNTABLE IN STATE COURTEDS AS SUE COPPIN REPORTS.

>> FEDERAL OFFICIALS ARE ALLEGEDLY VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF MARYLAND RESIDENTS.

THEY ARE ENTERING HOMES WITHOUT WARRANTS, AND DETAINING CITIZENS WITHOUT PROBABLE CAUSE.

>> MONTGOMERY COUNTY IS COSPONSOR OF THE LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD ALLOW CIVIL CHARGES TO BE BROUGHT AGAINST FEDERAL OFFICIALS IN MARYLAND COURTS.

>> IT'S SHORT AND STRAIGHTFORWARD.

IT SIMPLY CLOSES THE LOOPHOLE CREATED BY THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964.

IT ALLOWS MARYLAND RESIDENTS TO USE THEIR OWN MARYLAND COURTS TO VINDICATE THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

THAT'S IT.

THAT'S ALL IT DOES.

>> HE TOLD MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE THERE'S BROAD SUPPORT FOR THE LEGISLATION.

>> UNLESS YOU THINK THIS IS A CRITICISM ONLY FROM THE LEFT, LET'S BE CLEAR... THE PRESIDENT AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO BRING A REGISTERED FIREARM TO A PROTEST AN ACT THAT IS PROTECTED BY THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.

BUT BECAUSE THESE VIOLATIONS ARE OCCURRING UNDER FEDERAL NOT STATE OFFICIALS THERE ARE NO REMEDIES FOR THESE CLEAR VIOLATIONS.

AMONG THOSE SUPPORTING THE LEGISLATION, THE WASHINGTONBATIONED ORGANIZATION PROTECT DEMOCRACY LIMITED.

>> THIS LEGISLATION STANDS FOR A SIMPLE PROPOSITION.

IF ANY GOVERNMENTAL OFFICER VIOLATES YOUR CLEARLY ESTABLISHED CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS YOU SHOULD HAVE A REMEDY.

UNDER CURRENT LAW MARYLANDERS CANNOT SUE FEDERAL OFFICIALS LIKE I.C.E.

OR F.B.I.

AGENTS FOR PAST HARMS.

THE NO KINGS ACT SOLVES THAT PROBLEM.

>> AND SHE TOLD THE LAWMAKERS THERE ARE A NUMBER WAYS THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION COULD BE APPLIED.

>> IF FEDERAL OFFICERS INTERFERE WITH AN ELECTION BY UNLAWFULLY SEIZING BALLOTS IF THEY CUT FUNDING TO PROTECT FIRST AMENDMENT SPEECH, IF FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CONDUCTS UNWARRANTED SEARCHES.

MARYLANDERS CAN SUE OFFICERS PERSONALLY.

>> WHEN QUESTIONED THE USE OF THE NO KINGS ACT IN THE TITLE OF THE BILL.

>> CAN YOU CLARIFY WHY WE HAVE TITLED THIS WHAT WE HAVE TITLED THIS BILL?

>> SURE.

THE TITLE IS TO MAKE SURE CLEAR THAT NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

WHEN YOU HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND NO REMEDY TO THE RIGHTS THEN THE PEOPLE WHO VIOLATE THE RIGHTS ARE ABOVE THE LAW.

AND THE WHOLE POINT OF OUR FUNDING THE WHOLE IDEA OF THE ORIGINALISM THAT YOU'VE HEARD IS NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

>> A COMPANION BILL IN THE HOUSE FACES A HEARING LATER THIS MONTH.

AT THE STATE HOUSE I'M SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: THOUSANDS WERE DRAWN TO THE CAPITOL TO SEE A GROUP OF BUDDHIST MONKS CONCLUDE A 2300 MILE MARCH FOR PEACE.

NANCY YAMADA WAS THERE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT AND HOSPITALITY >> THEIR JOURNEY BEGAN IN FORT WORTH TEXAS AND ENDED IN WASHINGTON D.C.

BUT BEFORE HEADING HOME, THE 19 BUDDHIST MONKS WHO AMASSED A LARGE FOLLOWING IN-PERSON AND ON-LINE MADE A STOP IN ANNAPOLIS WHERE THOUSANDS BRAVED THE COLD TO WITNESS THE FINAL LEG OF THEIR JOURNEY A A WALK TO THE NAVY TO THE STATE HOUSE.

>> AT THE BEGINNING WHEN WE WALK, WE BROUGHT WITH US ABOUT 1,000 PEACE BRACELETS.

1,000.

AND NOW, WE HAVE GIVEN OUT OVER 100 THOUSANDS OF PEACE BRACELETS.

>> HE ACKNOWLEDGED THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF SO MANY.

>> WE ARE WAY TOO BUSY CHASING THE OUTSIDE WORLD, CHASING THE MATERIALS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

>> WHILE OFFERING HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THOSE PRESENT AND MINDFUL.

>> PEACE IS SOMETHING THAT I ALWAYS SHARE THAT ALWAYS BEGINS FROM WITHIN.

ALL WE NEED TO DO TO JUST SLOW DOWN.

TAKE A DEEP BREATH.

CONCENTRATE ON EACH AND EVERY BREATH GOING IN AND OUT.

>> A SPOKESPERSON WANTS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THEIR WALK AND THEIR VISIT TO THE STATE HOUSE IS NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT OR A FORM OF ADVOCACY.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE I MET SAY CURRENT EVENTS AND POLITICAL DIVISION IS WHAT INSPIRED THEM TO BE HERE.

>> OUR COUNTRY IS IN SUCH DURESS AND WE NEED TO UNITE.

AND WITH THE IDEA OF LOVE AND I REALLY DO FEEL THAT CONSCIOUSLY IF WE CAN ALL COME TO THAT PLACE WE WILL HAVE A BETTER WORLD.

>>>> PEACE SEEMS TO BEK LAKING THESE DAYS ESPECIALLY WITH OUR POLITICAL SITUATION WE HAVE GOING ON.

PEACE IS WHAT WE NEED TODAY IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> I AM A HOSPICE CHAPLIN ORDAINED AS A MINISTER, AND I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO BRING PEACE TO THE WORLD AND IT WAS SO IMPORTANT FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEM AND SUPPORT THEIR JOURNEY.

>> THE MONKS WERE HONORED BEFORE LAWMAKERS WITH RESOLUTIONS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE BEFORE DEPARTING THEY CHALLENGED EVERYONE TO PARTICULAR THEIR WALK IN THEIR MINDS AND HEARTS.

>> WHEN WE HAVE PEACE OUR FAMILY WILL HAVE PEACE.

AND THEN WHEN YOU SHARE THAT WITH YOUR FRIENDS YOUR NEIGHBORS YOUR SOCIETY, THEY ALSO HAVE PEACE THAT'S HOW WE SPREAD PEACE STEP-BY-STEP.

ONE FAMILY AFTER ANOTHER.

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

[♪♪] >> Jeff: OUR NEWSMAKER THIS WEEK IS N. SCOTT PHILLIPS THE NEWLY ELECTED CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS OF MARYLAND.

SIR, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF.

I APPRECIATE BEING HERE.

AND FEELING REALLY HONORED TO REPRESENT 66 MEMBERS OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> Jeff: 66 MEMBERS COMPARED TO WHEN THE CAUCUS WAS FOUNDED, IN 1970, I THINK ABOUT 17, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THERE WERE 17 MEMBERS THAT CAME TOGETHER WITH THIS IDEA THAT IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH.

AND COLLECTIVELY THEY CAN HAVE A GREATER IMPACT IF THEY PULLED THEIR VOICES TOGETHER AND I BELIEVE THAT IS STILL TRUE TODAY.

>> Jeff: SO HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THE MISSION OF THIS CAUCUS TODAY?

THE CAUCUS IS PRETTY MUCH CONSISTENT WITH WHAT IT WAS IN 1970, WHICH IS TO REALLY PROMOTE AND ADVOCATE FOR THE INTEREST OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES HERE IN THE STATE.

ALONG THE LINES OF HEALTH AND WEALTH AND EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE POLICIES THAT WE ARE PROMOTING HERE IN ANNAPOLIS REALLY DO THEY BODE WELL FOR THOSE PERSONS WHO HAPPEN TO BE AFRICAN-AMERICANS HERE IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WILL SAY, JEFF, ONE OF THE THINGS I STRONGLY BELIEVE THOSE POLICIES THAT ARE GOOD FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE PROBABLY 90% OF THE TIME GOOD FOR ALL CITIZENS OF MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: WHEN THE CAUCUS STARTED, SMALL GROUP MAYBE COULD BE DESCRIBED AS OUTSIDERS, NOT OUTSIDERS ANYMORE IT IS A LARGE GROUP.

YOU HAVE THE FORMER SPEAKER AS A MEMBER OF THE CAUCUS, THE CURRENT SPEAKER IS A MEMBER OF THE CAUCUS AND YOU REPRESENT NEARLY HALF OF THE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

SO GOING FROM VERY LITTLE POWER TO A LOT OF POWER AT THIS POINT, HOW DOES THAT AFFECT YOUR STRATEGY, YOUR TACTICS GOING FORWARD?

>> WELL, I THINK IT ACTUALLY SOLIDIFIES THE POSITIONS THAT WE TAKE.

SO NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE THE SPEAKER, NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE THE FORMER SPEAKER, BUT YOU HAVE THE PRESIDENT PRO-TEM.

YOU HAVE CHAIRS OF MANY OF THE MAJOR COMMITTEES HERE IN ANNAPOLIS.

AND SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRS.

SO MY CAUCUS IS REALLY WELL POSITIONED WHEN WE TAKE A PRIORITY STAND, GENERALLY IT'S GOING TO GET A HEARING AND OFTEN, OUR PRIORITIES ARE GOING TO BE PASSED.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE THOSE PRIORITIES IN THIS SESSION?

>> SO OUR PRIORITIES RANGE FROM AS I SAID, HEALTH RELATED MATTERS, WE ARE LOOKING AT PRENATAL CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THINGS ASSOCIATED WITH SICKLE CELL AND FROM THE OUTSIDE.

WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT DEMENTIA CARE BECAUSE IT IS IMPACTING AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY AT A HIGH RATE.

WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, WE ARE LOOKING AT LIKE SAFER STOCKS AND THE BIAS IN SOME STOCKS.

AND I THINK YOU ARE PROBABLY AWARE THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF REPORTS A SET OF ARTICLES OUT OF THE BALTIMORE BANNER ABOUT THAT DISPARITY IN TRAFFIC STOPS.

SO WE ARE LOOKING AT A BILL THAT WOULD BEGIN TO LOOK AT THAT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT EXPUNGEMENTS AND LOOKING AT OTHER AREAS WHERE WE CAN LOOK AT HOW DO WE GET PEOPLE BACK INTO SOCIETY IN A WAY THAT IS DIGNIFIED.

BECAUSE WE DON'T DO MUCH WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDING FOR PEOPLE COMING BACK INTO SOCIETY AFTER BEING INCARCERATED.

ON THE AREA OF EDUCATION, OF COURSE, WE SUPPORT THE BLUEPRINT AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

WE WILL BE LOOKING AT WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS ON PERSONS WHO ARE ORPHANED OR GUARDIANSHIP SCENARIOS AND ONCE THEY ARE RELEASED HOW ARE WE GETTING THEM BACK INTO A COMMUNITY ONCE THEY HAVE AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE.

WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT BLACKWELLTH AND HOW DO WE TRANSFER WEALTH FROM ONE GENERATION TO OTHER.

I'M CARRYING A TRANSFORM WHICH WOULD MAKE THAT FACILITATE AN EASIER TRANSFER OF REAL ESTATE FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT.

AND TAKE IT OUT OF THE PROBATE PROCESS AS AN EXAMPLE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE CONTINUED BIASES THAT ARE IN APPRAISAL.

HOMES ARE ONE OF OUR BIGGEST DEVELOPERS OF WEALTH.

AND THERE IS A DIFFERENT IN HOMEOWNERSHIP IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY.

SO IF WE DO HAVE THAT WE WANT TO PROTECT THAT WEALTH THAT IS BUILT UP THROUGH REAL ESTATE.

WE HAVE A REALLY BROAD AS YOU CAN TELL, BROAD SET OF PRIORITIES.

AND THERE'S THINGS THAT ARE MORE WHAT I WOULD CALL VALUES-BASED.

A GROUP OF LEGISLATORS WENT TO SHELTON TO VISIT WHAT USED TO BE CALLED BOYS VILLAGE OVER THE SUMMER.

AND NOTED THAT THERE WERE GRAVE SITES UNMARKED, UNRECOGNIZED FOR BOYS THAT HAD BEEN EPB TURNED THERE, 50, 60, 70 YEARS AGO.

WE THINK IT IS IMPERATIVE TO TAKE THINGS LIKE THAT AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IT AND TO ADDRESS IT.

WE WILL BE LOOKING AT LEGISLATION THIS YEAR TO KIND OF LOOK AT THOSE THINGS, RIGHT?

SO WE'RE EXCITED I'M EXCITED AS THE NEW CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS.

WE HAVE TOUGH ISSUES WE WILL BE DEALING WITH.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I DO FEEL LIKE WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE COME TO CONSENSUS ON ISSUES.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THE TOUGH ISSUES GOING FORWARD IS REPARATIONS.

SO THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL LAST SESSION FOR I BELIEVE IT WAS A TWO-YEAR STUDY.

THE GOVERNOR VETOED THAT.

THE LEGISLATURE OVERRODE IT.

SHED AS MUCH LIGHT AS YOU CAN ON THAT DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.

BUT ALSO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

>> I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE DIFFERENTS OF OPINION ON APPROACH.

I BELIEVE THE CONCEPT BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS AGREE ON WHICH THERE IS A NEED FOR REPAIR.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT OCCURRED IN OUR SOCIETY THAT HAVE JUST NEVER TRULY BEEN ADDRESSED AND RESOURCES APPLIED TO ADDRESS THOSE DISPARITIES THAT EXIST.

AND SO REPARATIONS WAS ONE WAY OF GOING ABOUT IT.

TO THE GOVERNOR'S CREDIT, I THINK, SOME OF HIS POLICIES THAT HE'S PROMOTED SOME OF HIS AGENDA THAT HE'S PROMOTED SECOND TO GET AT THOSE GAPS AND TO ADDRESS THE REPAIR.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE LEGISLATURE SAW, THOUGH, WHETHER IT'S GOVERNOR MOORE OR THE NEXT GOVERNOR, WE BELIEVE WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE POLICIES, LOOK AT THE HARM AND TRY TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT IS PAL LISTABLE.

WE HAVE TO PALATABLE.

WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WAS THE HARM AND HOW DO YOU FIX IT?

AND HOW DO YOU FIX IT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE STATE WITH CHALLENGES TO FIX IT AND CONTEXT OF WHO AND WHO SHOULD NOT BE RECEIVING REPARATIONS.

THIS IS MORE THAN JUST ANOTHER STUDY.

WE HAVE NEVER HAD A REPARATIONS STUDY.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FELT STRONGLY ABOUT IT AS YOU CAN TELL WITH THE OVERRIDE.

AND I DO THINK THAT NOW THAT THAT PIECE IS DONE THERE'S COMING TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE BLACK CAUCUS HOW TO GO FORWARD.

>> Jeff: IT IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH, THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, AND SOME OF THIS MAY SEEM LIKE ANCIENT HISTORY TO SOME VIEWERS BUT ON THE OTHER HAND WE'VE JUST SEEN SOME PLAINLY RACIST TWEETS OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THIS MONTH HONORING BLACK HISTORY?

>> WELL, I'D LIKE TO FOCUS ON THOSE THINGS THAT ARE POSITIVE.

I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY THE FIRST DAY OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND OUR FIRST SESSION TO TALK ABOUT MY HISTORY AND HOW I WAS MOTIVATED TO GET INTO POLITICS WHICH DATES BACK TO 1968 AND MY UNCLE WHO WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE N.A.A.C.P., THE FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF THE N.A.A.C.P.

IN CECIL COUNTY, MARYLAND.

AND I REFLECT WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND WHERE WE WERE THERE.

HE EXPERIENCED CROSS BURNINGS, HE EXPERIENCED BOMBINGS OF HIS HOME BUT IT NEVER DETERRED HIM.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHERE WE ARE TODAY WE CANNOT BE DETERRED BY THE CHALLENGES.

I WILL ALSO TELL YOU JEFF WHICH IS INTERESTING IN COMPARISON, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAME TO THE AID IT WAS THE F.B.I., IT WAS THE STATE TROOPERS THAT ALL CAME TO THE AID TO PROTECT THOSE THAT WERE BEING THREATENED.

TODAY, I SEE OUR FEDERAL TROOPS, I SEE I.C.E.

AGENTS COMING AFTER BOTH AMERICAN CITIZENS AND THOSE THAT ARE HERE NOT TO HARM, BUT TO HELP.

AND TO UPLIFT.

AND SO I THINK IT'S REALLY INTERESTING IN 1968 VERSUS TODAY KIND OF WHERE THINGS ARE.

THE RACIST TROPES WE CANNOT ACCEPT IT AND IT'S MY HOPE, IT IS REALLY MY HOPE THAT AS THEY BECOME MORE COMMON, WHICH, I THINK AND IN THIS ADMINISTRATION THEY CAN'T HELP THEMSELVES, SOME OF IT I BELIEVE IS THEIR INMATE REALITY AS IT BECOMES MORE COMMON IT'S MY HOPE THAT THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES WILL RESPOND ACCORDINGLY.

>> Jeff: DELEGATE N. SCOTT PHILLIPS CHAIR OF THE BLACK CAUCUS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: NOW, JOINING US FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE IS SARAH PETROWICH OF WYPR RADIO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I KNOW YOU HAVE COVERED OTHER STATE LEGISLATURES THIS IS YOUR FIRST SESSION IN ANNAPOLIS.

CURIOUS YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF THE STATE OF THE STATE AS A SPEECH AND THE STATE OF THE STATE HOOPLA.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

IT WAS DEFINITELY ELBOW TO ELBOW IN THE CHAMBER.

A TURNOUT FOR THE GOVERNOR AND HIS SPEECH.

I THOUGHT THE RECEPTION WAS INTERESTING FROM LAWMAKERS.

MOSTLY TALKING ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF THE SPEECH HOW THE GOVERNOR OPENED WITH REDISTRICTING.

I THINK SETTING THAT UP AS THE STAGE BEFORE TALKING ABOUT ANY OTHER POLICY POINTS WAS INTERESTING.

ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF HOW CONTENTIOUS REDISTRICTING HAS BEEN AND SENATE PRESIDENT BILL FERGUSON WAS SITTING BEHIND HIM.

I HAD MY CAMERA ON FERGUSON AND CAUGHT HIM FROWN WHEN THE GOVERNOR CALLED FOR A VOTE THAT WAS INTERESTING AND IT WAS RECEIVED WITH MIXED RECEPTION FROM LAWMAKERS WHEN HE CALLED FOR A VOTE WE HEARD BOOS AND CHEERS IN THE CHAMBER.

THAT WAS A PRETTY INTERESTING THING TO SEE THE DYNAMIC OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE ASSEMBLY.

HE WENT ON WITH THE POLICY POINTS AND THERE WAS LARGELY GOOD RECEPTION.

AND I TALKED TO BILL FERGUSON AFTERWARDS AND HE CALL IT A DIFFERENT SPEECH.

MENTIONED THAT IT SET A DIFFERENT TONE.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING COMPARED TO OTHER STATE OF THE STATES I HAVE SEEN IN PRIOR YEARS.

>> Jeff: A COUPLE OTHER STORIES YOU'VE COVERED.

SOMETHING CALLED SURVEILLANCE PRICING OR VARIABLE PRICING I NEVER THOUGHT UP MUCH ABOUT IT I THINK COLE'S WAS THE STORE THAT HAS HAD ELECTRONIC PRICE TAGS THE LONGEST AND STARTING TO SEE THEM IN THE SUPERMARKETS.

THE POINT OF THE TECHNOLOGY IT'S EASIER THAN HAVING SOMEBODY PUT UP A NEW PRICE STICKER BUT ONCE THE TECHNOLOGY IS THERE, THERE'S THE TEMPTATION TO CHANGE PRICES ALL THE TIME?

>> EXACTLY.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT THE POINT THE LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO MAKE THAT THERE ARE CASES OF PRICE GOUGING IF THERE ARE ELECTRON INSHELVING LABELS AVAILABLE.

DYNAMIC PRICING IS THE SENSE OF SETTING THE PRICES BASED ON THE TIME OF DAY FOR EVERYBODY.

SO IF YOU GO TO THE STORE AT 5:30 DURING RUSH-HOUR THE IDEA IS THEY CAN USE THE LABELS TO BOOST THE PRICES AND PRICE GOUGE.

AND SURVEILLANCE PRICING IS CUSTOMIZED USING PERSONALIZED DATA WITH A.I.

USAGE TO TRACK YOUR SPENDING HABITS AND CHARGE YOU BASED ON THE HABITS.

THE RETAIL ASSOCIATION DID TESTIFY DURING THE BILL'S HEARINGS THAT WOULD OUTLAW THE PRACTICES SURVEILLANCE PRICING IS OFTEN USED TO GIVE DISCOUNTS.

THEY SAID BUY YOUR FIFTH COFFEE AND GET YOUR SIXTH FREE AND THIS BILL WOULD BAN THAT DISCOUNT PRICING BECAUSE IT'S CONSIDERED PERSONALIZED DATA.

>> THE BILLS COULD BE AMENDED WE DID NOT HEAR PUSHBACK FROM RETAIL FOR THE LAWMAKERS.

THIS IS TRYING TO BRING AFFORDABILITY TO MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: I THINK ABOUT THAT ON AIRPLANES IF THERE ARE 100 PEOPLE ON THE PLANE, YOU KNOW ALMOST EVERYBODY PAID A DIFFERENT PRICE.

AND IT IS A VALID BUSINESS STRATEGY FOR THE AIRLINE BECAUSE YOU GET WHAT YOU CAN AND PEOPLE WHO ARE FLYING ON BUSINESS MAYBE PAY MORE.

AND TOURISTS MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET A BETTER DEAL.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT ITSELF, IS A LEGITIMATE OR ILLEGITIMATE BUSINESS PRACTICE?

>> YEAH, AND THAT IS MY INTEREST HERE IS REALLY TRYING TO GET CONCRETE EXAMPLES OF THIS TYPE OF SURVEILLANCE PRICING HAPPENING IN BRICK AND MORTAR STORES.

GOVERNOR MOORE ENDORSES THIS LEGISLATION AND SAYS IF THERE ARE CONCRETE EXAMPLES, BUT NOBODY HAS CITED SOMETHING CONCRETE YET THAT IS NOT TO SAY THERE IS NOT EVIDENCE OUT THERE BUT IT HASN'T BEEN PART OF THE CONVERSATION IN THESE HEARINGS.

IT'S BEEN FOCUSED ON ON-LINE PRICING.

THERE WAS A CASE WITH INSTACART THEY WERE GOUGING USING SURVEILLANCE PRICING.

IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE LEGISLATION WILL EVOLVE AND HOW THE TESTIMONY WILL BRING IT BACK TO MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: TELL ME YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF THE VISIT YESTERDAY BY THIS GROUP OF BUDDHIST MONKS.

I IMAGINED IT WOULD DRAW A LITTLE BIT OF A CROWD.

IT DREW A HUGE CROWD.

>> THE ESTIMATES RANGED FROM AROUND 12,000 PEOPLE TOTAL THAT LINED THE STREETS UP TO THE STATE HOUSE.

TO SEE THESE MONKS ON THEIR WALK FOR PEACE.

THEY WALKED FROM TEXAS TO WASHINGTON D.C.

IT TOOK 109 DAYS, 2300 MILES AND THEN AN ESTIMATE OF 6,000 PEOPLE THAT CROWDED AROUND THE CAPITOL HERE IN MARYLAND TO SEE THEM SPEAK IT WAS MOVING AND POWERFUL I WAS UP FRONT LISTENING TO THE REMARKS IT WAS COLD ANNAPOLIS GOT TO BE THE LAST STOP.

I TALKED TO PEOPLE THAT MENTIONED IT RESONATED WITH THEM.

THEY WERE EXCITED TO BE PART OF THE EXPERIENCE AND THE LAST STOP WAS IN MARYLAND BECAUSE IT WAS A LAST-MINUTE ADDITION WHEN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR INVITED THEM.

LOTS OF SIGNAGE, FLOWERS THERE WAS A LIVE PAINTING OF THE MONKS A COOL SPRERPBS.

EXPERIENCE.

>> Jeff: SARAH PETROWICH THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

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

JOIN US EVERY WEEK AT THIS TIME AS WE BRING THE STATE HOUSE TO YOUR YOUR HOUSE.

YOU CAN SEE OUR PROGRAMS AT VIDEO.MPT.TV AND THROUGH THE FREE PBS APP AND WE CAN BE FOUND ON SOCIAL MEDIA A*TD MPT NEWS.

WE'RE BACK MONDAY WITH "DIRECT CONNECTION" THAT IS MONDAY EVENING █AT 7:00 P.M.

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

[♪♪]