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: PRESIDENT TRUMP SHOCK AND AWE CAMPAIGN HITS MARYLAND.

>> CHAOS IS PART OF PLAN FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION AND I THINK THAT HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE EVIDENT EVERY WEEK.

>> Jeff: AN END DATE FOR FOREVER CHEMICALS.

>> THE BILL TAKES A SIMPLE APPROACH THAT SAYS IF THIS PESTICIDE THE MANUFACTURER FELLS US THAT PFAS IS THE MAIN INGREDIENT IN IT WE NEED TO START PHASING THAT PESTICIDE OUT.

>> THE 2027, 2028 DROP DEAD LATE DOES NOT ALLOW THE TIME FOR THE COMPANIES TO PHASE THAT IN.

>> Jeff: AND FIGHTING FOR SERVICES.

>> I KNOW THAT RIGHT NOW, MANY OF YOU ARE FEELING FRUSTRATED, DISAPPOINTED, AND ANXIOUS ABOUT WHAT LIES AHEAD.

>> THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT SLASHING THE WAGES OF PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

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

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING, THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK IS PUSHBACK.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPENDING PLAN INCLUDES A MAJOR CUT TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

THIS WEEK, DISABLED MARYLANDERS AND THEIR ADVOCATES BROUGHT THEIR MESSAGE TO ANNAPOLIS AS NANCY AMATA REPORTS.

>> I KNOW THAT RIGHT NOW, MANY OF YOU ARE FEELING FRUSTRATED, DISAPPOINTED, AND ANXIOUS ABOUT WHAT LIES AHEAD.

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MILLER ACKNOWLEDGED THE MOOD AMONGST THE HUNDREDS WHO GATHERED AT THE GRADUATE HOTEL TO HEAR FROM LAWMAKERS ADVOCATING FOR THE DISABILITIES COMMUNITY.

>> I PROMISE YOU THIS... YOU ARE OUR PRIORITY.

>> WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING A HARSH REALITY.

>> THESE ARE CHALLENGING TIMES.

MARYLAND IS FACING A $3 BILLION STRUCTURAL DEFICIT.

>> A DEFICIT THAT ADVOCATES SAY WILL BE BALANCED ON THE BACKS OF THE DISABILITIES COMMUNITY SHOULD LAWMAKERS PASS THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, WHICH INCLUDES $200 MILLION IN CUTS TO THE MARYLAND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION OR DDA.

THE STATE AGENCY THAT OVERSEES SERVICES AND FINANCIAL AID FOR SOME 20,000 MARYLANDERS AMONG THEM, GINGER HOUSTON AND HER DAUGHTER CARMEN.

>> THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT SLASHING THE WAGES OF PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

WELL, SHE'S GOING TO LOSE HER STAFF THEN WHAT?

SITTING IN A CORNER SING TWIDDLING HER THUMB IT IS WILL BE DEVASTATING FOR HER.

>> WE HAVE TO FUNDRAISE AROUND THAT, AND IF WE AREN'T ABLE TO MAKE THAT GAP IT'S GOING TO IMPACT WHAT I CAN PAY MY TEAM MEMBERS AND IT'S ALSO GOING TO PROBABLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON MY RETENTION OF MY QUALITY MEMBERS.

AND THE DAY-TO-DAY SUPPORTS THAT A PERSON SHOULD HAVE, TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY.

>> FAMILIES IMPACTED AND ADVOCATES HOPING TO SWAY LAWMAKERS, STOOD IN LONG LINES TO GET IN HOUSE AND SENATE OFFICE BUILDINGS IN HOPES OF SHARING THEIR STORIES.

THE CUTS COME AS LAWMAKERS TRY TO RECONCILE HOW AND WHY THE DDA WOULD GROSSLY OVERBUDGET IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

>> THERE WAS UNDER ESTIMATES MADE THAT RESULTED IN ALMOST $200 MILLION WORTH OF ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURES ANNOUNCED DURING THE INTERIM WHEN WE WERE ALL OUT OF SESSION.

SO THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS HAD TO GO IN AND MAKE CUTS ACROSS ALL AGENCIES TO ACCOUNT FOR THAT.

BUT WE'RE STILL SEEING THE AFFECTS TODAY.

>> DESPITE THE CUTS BY THE ADMINISTRATION, IRONICALLY, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ENCOURAGED ADVOCATES TO KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT.

>> WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS.

YOUR EXPERIENCES, AND YOUR SUGGESTIONS.

LOOK, THE BUDGET IS THE BEGINNING OF THE DIALOGUE.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S THE END ALL.

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

>> Jeff: MOST MARYLANDERS IN THEIR BLOOD CARRY TRACES OF PFAS CHEMICALS ALSO KNOWN AS FOREVER CHEMICALS.

LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING AT LIMITING THE USE OF THESE SUBSTANCES AS PESTICIDES AS SUE COPPIN REPORTS.

>> THIS BILL IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE'RE INCREASINGLY FINDING THAT PFAS IS IN OUR WATER SUPPLY, IT'S IN OUR FOOD AND IT'S IN OUR BODIES.

AND IT IS A FOREVER PESTICIDE THAT WE CAN DO WITHOUT.

>> BONNIE IS WITH THE MARYLAND PESTICIDE EDUCATION NETWORK SHE JOINED WITH OTHER ADVOCATES IN URGING MEMBER FERS OF THE HOUSE AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE TO APPROVE THE BILL THAT CALLS FOR A PHASE OUT OF THE USE OF PFAS PESTICIDES IN MARYLAND.

>> THEY BIOACCUMULATE IN THE THINGS THAT WE EAT, AND THEN THEY BIOACCUMULATE IN PEOPLE.

AND THEY CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES LIKE CANCERS, IT CAN CAUSE HIGH CHOLESTEROL, IT CAN CAUSE ISSUES WITH PREGNANCY.

AND IT IS AN ENDOCRINE INTERRUPTER IT IMPACTS YOUNG CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.

>> THE SPONSOR IS BALTIMORE COUNTY DELEGATE SHEILA RUTH.

>> THIS BILL TAKES A SIMPLE APPROACH THAT SAYS IF THIS PESTICIDE THE MANUFACTURER TELLS US THAT PFAS IS THE MAIN INGREDIENT IN IT WE NEED TO START PHASING THAT CHEMICAL THAT PESTICIDE OUT.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THE HARMS THAT PFAS CAUSE.

>> THE PHASE OUT CALLS FOR THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A LIST OF REGISTERED OF PESTICIDES WITH PFAS BEGINNING JANUARY FIRST.

STARTING JUNE FIRST, 2026, AT THAT TIME LIST WILL BE PROHIBITED AT HEALTHCARE FACILITIES, SCHOOLS, DAYCARE OPERATIONS AND FOR USE ON RESIDENTIAL LAWNS AND BY COMMERCIAL MOSQUITO SPRAYING COMPANIES.

JUNE FIRST, 2027, NO PFAS PESTICIDES CAN BE LISTED FOR SALE IN THE STATE.

AND BEGINNING JUNE 1, 2028, PESTICIDES WITH PFAS WILL BE BANNED.

THERE WERE SUGGESTIONS THAT STATE SHOULD USE THE PFAS REGULATIONS AS A GUIDE.

>> EPA DID HAVE A ROPE MAP, THE ROADMAP 2021-2024 SO THAT ROADMAP ENDED AND IN NOVEMBER OF 2024, THE EPA PUT OUT THE FINAL REPORT ON THEIR ROADMAP.

MAYBE THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION WILL HAVE A NEW ROADMAP.

MAYBE THEY WON'T.

THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY RIGHT NOW COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON AND WE REALLY JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WILL DO.

>> TYLER WITH THE MARYLAND FARM BUREAU SAID THE 8,000 MEMBER FAMILIES HE REPRESENTS ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE TIMELINE.

>> ONE OF THE MAIN CONCERNS IS THE PHASE-IN DATE.

IT TAKES ROUGHLY 11-12 YEARS TO GET A NEW FORMULATION OF PESTICIDE TO MARKET.

SO THE 2027, DROP DEAD DATE DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THE TIME FOR THE COMPANIS TO PHASE THAT IN.

>> THE BILL CAME UP SHORT LAST YEAR AND SUPPORTERS ARE LACKING FOR A DIFFERENT RESULT THIS YEAR.

>> WE'RE VERY HOPEFUL THAT 2025 WILL BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE THE AWARENESS OF PFAS FOREVER CHEMICALS HAS REALLY RISEN TO A MUCH HIGHER LEVEL OF NOTICE BY THE PUBLIC.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR COMPROMISE.

WE WILL BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH THE SPONSOR FURTHER TO TRY AND FIND A COMPROMISE THAT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE FOR ALL.

>> THE SENATE VERSION OF THE BILL FACES A HEARING NEXT WEEK.

SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: OUR NEWSMAKER THIS WEEK COMPTROLLER OF MARYLAND, BROOKE LIERMAN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AS ALWAYS, JEFF.

>> WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT MARYLAND TAXPAYERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DOING THEIR TAXES.

TO START WE ARE APPROACHING THE END OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

MAY SEEM LONGER THAN THAT TO SOME PEOPLE.

I'M CURIOUS WHAT IF ANY DIRECT IMPACT YOU'VE SEEN AS OF OUR TAPING TIME?

>> SURE.

CERTAINLY CHAOS IS PART OF THE PLAN FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION.

AND I THINK THAT HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE EVIDENT EVERY WEEK.

WHETHER IT WAS THE DIRECTOR FROM OMB TO FREEZE ALL FEDERAL GRANTS, WITH WOULD HAVE HAD A HUGE IMPACT NEGATIVE IMPACT ON EVERY STATE IN THE COUNTRY NOT JUST MARYLAND.

OR A NUMBER OF THE THINGS THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON TO CLOSE THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU OR U.S. A.I.

ID THE GRANTS GO TO SOME MARYLAND NONPROFITS.

THESE ARE HAVING HUGE REPERCUSSIONS.

IF THEY ACTUALLY STAND.

NOW, NONE OF THEM STAND RIGHT NOW BECAUSE COURTS HAVE INTERVENED.

BUT WE ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THEM IN PARTICULAR JUST YESTERDAY, THIS WEEK, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITHDREW RETRACTED TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT IT HAD ALREADY GIVEN TO THE NEW YORK CITY.

ACTUALLY TOOK IT OUT OF NEW YORK CITY'S BANK ACCOUNTS.

THAT'S DEVASTATING WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO BALANCE OUR BOOKS TO HAVE TO HAVE TO WORRY THAT MONEY THAT YOU'VE ACCOUNTABILITIESED IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT WILL BE WITHDRAWN.

FRANKLY MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DO BUSINESS AND IMPOSSIBLE TO BALANCE BOOKS AND DESTROYS THE PARTNERSHIP THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENTS AND AS A COMPTROLLER AND THE NATIONAL COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY THAT WE'VE HAD.

WE ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON ALL OF THIS.

>> Jeff: WE HAVE A HUGE NUMBER OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES IN MARYLAND, GIVEN PROXIMITY TO WASHINGTON D.C.

IF, SAY, 10% OF THOSE PEOPLE EITHER TOOK THE BUYOUT OR WIND UP HAVING THEIR JOBS ELIMINATED WHAT WOULD THE IMPACT ON OUR STATE BE?

>> IT WOULD BE HUGE.

SO I DON'T WANT TO OVERBLOW IT BUT WE HAVE FOR A LONGTIME COUNTED ON OUR FEDERAL WORKERS AND OUR FEDERAL WORKFORCE AS A SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF OUR STATE ECONOMY.

FEDERAL SALARIES ARE HIGHER ON AVERAGE THAN PRIVATE SALARIES.

WHICH BOOSTS OUR REVENUES.

12% OF RESIDENT TAX RETURNS FROM TAX YEAR 2021, REPORTED EITHER FEDERAL WAGE OR RETIREMENT FEDERAL RETIREMENT INCOME.

THAT IS OVER 350,000 MARYLAND RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BENEFITED FROM WAGES OR PENSION INCOME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND THAT INCOME IS OVER $30 BILLION.

NOW, THIS ISN'T SPREAD ACROSS EVERY COUNTY EVENLY EITHER.

IF YOU LOOK AT ST.MARY'S COUNTY, CHARLES COUNTY, PRINCE GEORGE'S, MONTGOMERY COUNTY YOU WILL SEE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF RESIDENT TAX RETURNS THAT COUNT ON THE FEDERAL DOLLARS.

AND THAT IS JUST STRAIGHT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES THAT DOESN'T COUNT THE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE THERE BECAUSE OF FEDERAL GRANTS OR NIH GRANTS OR MORE.

>> Jeff: BEFORE YOU WERE STATE-WIDE OFFICE HOLDER YOU WERE IN THE LEGISLATURE REPRESENTING A DISTRICT IN BALTIMORE CITY.

BALTIMORE, OF COURSE, HAS HAD A GROWING THRIVING IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY.

JUST WANTED TO ASK YOUR THOUGHTS.

I DON'T BELIEVE AT THIS POINT THAT WE'VE SEEN ANY OVER THE TOP IMMIGRATION RAIDS HERE.

BUT YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT COMMUNITY GOING FORWARD?

>> SURE, ABSOLUTELY.

BOTH AS A BALTIMORE CITY RESIDENT AND THE STATE COMPTROLLER WHO IS KEEPING AN EYE ON OUR FINANCES, I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL IMMIGRATION IS TO THE STATE OF MARYLAND AND TO OUR ECONOMY.

SO JUST TO PUT THIS IN PERSPECTIVE ABOUT 17% OF MARYLAND'S POPULATION ARE FOREIGN BORN.

THEY ARE INTERNATIONAL IMMIGRANTS.

THE VAST, VAST, VAST MAJORITY OF THEM ARRIVE AND STAY HERE WITH DOCUMENTED STATUS.

21% OF OUR WORKFORCE IS FOREIGN BORN.

AND SO THEY ARE OVERREPRESENTED RIGHT NOW WHICH IS A HUGE BOON TO OUR ECONOMY, BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOWER LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE THAN WE DID BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

SO IN ORDER FOR BUSINESSES TO GROW, THEY NEED WORKERS.

WE NEED FOLKS WHO ARE READY AND WILLING TO WORK IN THE WORKFORCE FROM HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO SCIENTISTS TO FOLKS WORKING ON ROADS AND BRIDGES EVERY SEGMENT OF THE ECONOMY.

AND INTERNATIONAL IMMIGRANTS ARE REALLY HELPING TO FILL SOME OF THE HOLES THAT WE'VE SEEN.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT EVERYBODY'S FAVORITE TOPIC, DOING YOUR TAXES.

THERE'S SOMETHING NEW IT IS A BIG DEAL THIS YEAR ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL CALLED DIRECT FILE.

TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> THIS IS EXCITING.

IF TAXES CAN BE CALLED EXCITING.

MY GOAL IS REALLY TO MAKE GOVERNMENT WORK BETTER AND THAT'S WHAT DIRECT FILE IS IT IS A BETTER WAY TO FILE YOUR TAX RETURNS.

IT IS FREE.

IT IS SECURE.

IT IS ON YOUR PHONE IF YOU WANT IT TO BE.

AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH AND IT IS A WAY FOR ELIGIBLE MARYLANDERS TO FILE THEIR FEDERAL TAX RETURNS AND THEIR STATE TAX RETURNS.

FIRST YOU WILL FILE YOUR FEDERAL, THE INFORMATION GETS PUSHED THROUGH TO THE STATE AND THEN YOU FILE YOUR STATE.

AND WE'VE ALREADY HAD HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF FOLKS USE DIRECT FILE THIS YEAR AND HAD POSITIVE FEEDBACK ON IT.

THERE IS A CHAT BOTH IF YOU NEED HELP AND ALMOST A MILLION MARYLANDERS WILL QUALIFY TO BE ABLE TO USE DIRECT FILE AND YOU CAN FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY BY GOING TO OUR WEBSITE.

BUT IT IS A GREAT NEW WAY TO FILE YOUR TAX RETURNS I HOPE IT KEEPS EXPANDING AND WE'RE REALLY I'M SO GLAD WE WOULD PARTNER WITH THE I.R.S.

TO OFFER THIS THIS YEAR.

>> Jeff: I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT IT.

IS IT DIFFERENT IN EITHER COMPLEXITY OR HOW IT WORKS?

THAN THE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS, TURBO TAX AND SO FORTH.

>> IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I USED A PRODUCT.

SO I DON'T REMEMBER.

BUT IT IS VERY USER FRIENDLY.

THE FACT THAT YOU CAN DO IT ON YOUR PHONE IT HAS PROMPTS IT PROMPTS YOU THROUGH YOU HIT NEXT AND GO THROUGH IT.

IT'S USER FRIENDLY.

THERE'S VERY HIGH LEVELS OF SATISFACTION FROM USERS FOR IT.

AND THE IDEA IS THAT ESPECIALLY FOR FOLKS WHO WOULD BE GOING TO GET A FREE PREPARE OR USING A TURBO TAX OR SOMETHING THAT THEY WOULD SPEND MONEY ON THEY CAN DO IT THEMSELVES AND HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO KNOW THEY'VE DONE IT RIGHT.

SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT AND HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF USING IT THIS YEAR.

>> Jeff: SOMETHING CALLED THE CASH CAMPAIGN WE'VE REPORTED ON PREVIOUSLY.

I BELIEVE YOU WERE THERE FOR THE KICKOFF WHERE THEY PROVIDE FREE TAX PREPARATION HELP FOR PEOPLE BELOW A CERTAIN INCOME THRESHOLD.

TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT AND THE OTHER WAYS THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO DIRECTLY HELP TAXPAYERS WITH AN INCREDIBLY COMPLEX TAX SYSTEM.

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS THAT MARYLANDERS CAN GET HELP FILING THEIR TAX RETURNS THIS YEAR.

THEY CAN GO TO ONE OF OUR 11 OFFICES MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, SHOW UP AND BRING PAPERWORK WE'LL HELP YOU.

YOU CAN GO TO THE CASH CAMPAIGN YOU CAN MAKE APPOINTMENTS THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE.

IT IS A PHENOMENAL, NONPROFIT THAT HAS BEEN HELPING PEOPLE GET THE REFUNDS THEY DESERVE FOR YEARS NOW.

THERE'S ALSO OTHER VITA, VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR FOLKS WHO ARE BELOW A CERTAIN INCOME LEVEL AS WELL.

AARP AND OTHERS OFFER THOSE TYPES OF SERVICES.

THERE ARE RESOURCES OUT THERE.

I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE NOT TO WAIT UNTIL APRIL 14TH TO TRY TO MEET AN APRIL 15TH DEADLINE.

TRY TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT NOW WITH ONE OF THOSE WITH US OR ONE OF THE PROVIDERS.

>> Jeff: COMPTROLLER OF MARYLAND BROOKE LIERMAN THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> MY PLEASURE ALWAYS GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

>> Jeff: NOW FOR ARE THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE SUE COPPIN IS JOINED BY WILL FORD OF MARYLAND MATTERS WE ARE FIVE WEEKS INTO THE SESSION AND SUE, GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE BUDGET DECISIONS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE MADE.

>> EVERYTHING IS UP IN THE AIR AND TO A LARGE DEGREE EVERYTHING IS ON THE LINE AS SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON INDICATED.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, THEY JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE UP AGAINST BECAUSE SO MUCH IS UNCERTAIN.

FROM DIRECTING FROM WASHINGTON THEY DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THE STATE IS GOING TO HAVE TO ADD IN ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO COVER THE GAP LEFT BY THE FEDERAL FUNDING.

AT THIS POINT, EVERYTHING UNDER CONSIDERATION.

AND I KNOW, WILL, THAT INCLUDES AT STATE LEVEL, THE BLUEPRINT, FUNDING FOR THE BLUEPRINT.

>> THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE THE BIG EDUCATION REFORM PLAN THAT A LOT OF EDUCATION ADVOCTES THERE IS A BILL THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED IS GOING TO BE A BIG JOINT HEARING IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES BUILDING ON WEDNESDAY WITH THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AND THE SENATE ENERGY, EDUCATION, AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND BUDGET AND TAXATIONS COMMITTEES THEY ARE GOING TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL.

AND PART OF THAT PROPOSAL IS PUSHING BAKO LAB ACTIVE TIME AND FREEZING FUNDING ON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

THERE'S A LOT OF EDUCATION ADVOCATES THEY ARE NOT PLEASED ABOUT THAT AT ALL.

AND HOUSE MEMBERS WHO LEAD THOSE APPROPRIATIONS AND WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEES AND THEY ARE NOT HAPPY.

ONE MAIN QUESTION: WILL THE GOVERNOR COME AND SPEAK TO TALK ABOUT WHY THIS PROPOSAL HAS COME UP IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Jeff: THE GOVERNOR'S CAMPAIGN IS A BIG SUPPORTER OF THE BLUEPRINT AND NOW THE STATE HAS A $3 BILLION DEFICIT SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE, RIGHT?

>> FOR EDUCATION ADVOCATES, BLUEPRINT IS ONE THING THAT IS NOT TO GIVE.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY FOLKS THAT SAID FOR DECADES, WHEN YOU CUTTING YOU DON'T CUT A CHILD'S EDUCATION.

FULL STOP.

THAT LITERALLY IS IT.

THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE DECISIONS HOW TO HANDLE THAT.

AND THE KEY NUGGET IS THE BLUEPRINT IS FUNDED FOR THE NEXT TWO FISCAL YEARS.

WHAT ABOUT FISCAL YEAR 2028?

THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

>> Jeff: YOU CAN READ WILL'S REPORTING AT MARYLAND MATTERS.ORG.

A BLACK ENGINEERING CONFERENCE IS UNDERWAY IN BALTIMORE.

HERE IS CHARLES ROBINSON.

>> UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS IN DENTON WE ARE IN BALTIMORE AT THE BEYA CONFERENCE.

>> PART OF A GROWING CONSTITUENCY.

ALL THESE YOUNG MEN HAIL FROM AFRICA, FROM COUNTRIES LIKE SOMALIA AND ETHIOPIA.

STEM IS NO LONGER CONFINED TO THE U.S. WE WATCHED AS STUDENT, TEACHERS, AND EXHIBITORS MADE THEIR WAY INTO THE CONVENTION CENTER AND THE REASONS FOR ATTENDING ARE VARIED.

>> I'M HERE TO GET EXPOSURE TO CURRENT ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRIES THAT ARE LEADING RIGHT NOW.

SO I CAN GET A BETTER IDEA WHAT COMPANIES TO REVIEW AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES MIGHT BE AVAILABLE FOR ME.

>> BEYA IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR A STUDENT TO GET MORE CONNECTIONS INTO THE FIELD AND FIGURE OUT WHAT I WANT TO DO.

WHEN I GO INTO COMPUTER SCIENCE AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, CYBERSECURITY, OR MORE INTO THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT.

>> TODAY HAS BEEN AMAZING.

REGISTRATION OPENED AT 7:00 A.M.

I HAVE BEEN DOING A PANEL ON A.I.

TODAY.

WE THOUGHT A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WOULD SHOW UP.

TONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE, EXCITED ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

>> UP UNTIL A WEEK AGO, MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WERE SCHEDULED TO BE HERE BUT MOST OF THEM HAVE PULLED OUT.

AN ARTICLE ON MILITARY.COM POINTED OUT THE CONFERENCE DID NOT FIT THE DIRECTION OF THE MILITARY.

QUOTE THE ARMY AND OTHER SERVICE BRANCHES ARE ABANDONING RECRUITING EFFORTS AT THE BLACK ENGINEER EVENT THIS WEEK TURNING DOWN ACCESS TO A KEY POOL OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND POTENTIAL APPLICANTS.

A PURGE OF DIVERSITY INITIATIVES IN THE MILITARY.

>> YOU HAVE OVER 10,000 STEM PROFESSIONALS HERE.

FOR OVER 39 YEARS THE MILITARY HAS HAD GREAT SUCCESS IN RECRUITING.

SO I CAN SAY THIS...

THE MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM, THEY LOVE THIS EVENT.

THIS HELPS THEM FEEL A LOT OF RECRUITING GOALS.

>> THERE WAS BUZZ BETWEEN PARTICIPANTS.

AND OUR DEEP IRONY, MILITARY OFFICIALS COULD ATTEND, IN UNIFORM.

IN BALTIMORE I'M CHARLES ROBINSON FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: THE CIAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT RETURNS TO BALTIMORE THIS MONTH.

NANCY AMATA CAUGHT UP WITH THE CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER.

>> JOINING ME IS JACQIE MCWILLIAMS-PARKER, SHE IS THE COMMISSIONER OF THE CIAA TOURNAMENT AND FOR TOES WHO DON'T KNOW THE CIAA IS THE NATION'S OLDEST HISTORICALLY BLACK ATHLETIC CONFERENCE.

WELCOME.

BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT WHAT IS NEW THIS YEAR LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT BALTIMOE HAS HOSTED THE CIAA SINCE 2022.

BUT, THE HOST CITY IS UP FOR GRABS OPEN BIDDING STARTS IN APRIL.

I KNOW BALTIMORE WOULD LOVE FOR THE TOURNAMENT TO STAY HERE.

BUT I HEARD THAT CHARLOTTE IS HOPING TO GET IT BACK TO NORTH CAROLINA.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON ALL OF THIS?

>> IT IS AN EXCITING TIME FOR THE CIAA.

AND TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE CITY WHO ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN HAVING US IN THE FOOTPRINT.

BALTIMORE HAS BEEN GREAT.

WE WERE IN CHARLOTTE FOR 15 YEARS AND OUR HEADQUARTERS IN IN CHARLOTTE.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR MEMBER INSTITUTIONS AND OUR BOARD TO VET OUT PROBABLY SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING AND COMPETITIVE BIDS THAT WE WILL EVER SEE IN THIS NEXT BID CYCLE.

>> NOW, LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT IT STARTS ON FEBRUARY 25 AND RUNS THROUGH MARCH 1.

A LOT OF AMAZING BASKETBALL.

HOW MANY SCHOOLS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

AND WHAT IS NEW THIS YEAR?

>> WE HAVE 12 MEN'S TEAMS AND 12 WOMEN'S TEAMS.

24 TEAMS.

12 BANDS AND 12 CHEERLEADING SQUADS.

WE GOT A SLATE OF STUDENTS THAT WILL BE HERE OUTSIDE OF THE FANS.

BUT LIKE YOU SAID, WE START CELEBRATING OUR STUDENT ATHLETES ON THAT SUNDAY WITH AN EVENT TO CELEBRATE THEM AND THEIR AWARDS.

BUT THE GAMES START ON TUESDAY AND WE GO THROUGH SATURDAY.

ALTERNATING THE SCHEDULE FROM THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SCHEDULE.

IN-BETWEEN THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE ON CIAA.ORG WE HAVE SO MANY EVENTS ALL WEEK.

YOU HAVE TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.

WE WANT FOLKS TO COME TO THE CONVENTION CENTER WE HAVE FAN FEST THAT IS FREE TO THE LOCALS AND TO ALL OF OUR GUESTS.

SUPER SATURDAY ONE OF MY FAVORITE DAYS ON SATURDAY WHERE THE CHEER SQUADS ARE THERE.

AND WE HAVE EDUCATION DAY EARLY IN THE WEEK.

THAT IS GOING TO BE FUN.

SOME OF OUR EVENTS ARE STAPLE TO WHAT WE DO IN THE TOURNAMENT.

THE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT IS PRETTY SPECIAL AND THE HALL OF FAME BECAUSE THIS IS OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF CELEBRATING THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.

AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT OPPORTUNITY.

IT IS A 50 YEARS FOR US TO CELEBRATE THE WOMEN'S GAME AND IT'S GROWING AND WHAT A BETTER TIME TO DO IT IN THE CHARM CITY AND WITH PARTNERS AND LEADERS WHO CARE ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING WITH OUR WOMEN'S PROGRAMS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT MILESTONE.

AND HOW IT WILL BE COMMEMORATED?

>> YOU KNOW I WAS A FORMER BASKETBALL PLAYER AT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY AND I GOT TO PLAY ON ONE OF THE THREE TEAMS THAT EVER WON A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR HBCU'S.

AND VIRGINIA UNION WAS THE FIRST TO WIN IN 1983 AND WE WERE 88 AND SHAW UNIVERSITY IN 2012.

WE HAVE DONE A CALL OUT TO ALL PAST MEMBERS OF OUR CONFERENCE THAT MANY OF THEM ARE BUT THEY ARE STILL FAMILY FOR THEM TO COME AND BE A PART OF THE CELEBRATION OF THIS WOMEN'S GAME.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE CHURCH NIGHT ON WEDNESDAY SO WE HAVE ENGAGED OUR COMMUNITY AND WANT FOLKS TO SEE NOT JUST THE CELEBRATION OF OUR WOMEN AND ALSO THE MEN AND THE TALENT.

THE ONE THING I PRIDE OURSELVES ABOUT IS THE WORK WE DO IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND THAT'S PART OF THE 50TH AS WELL.

WE DO IT AS A STAPLE.

WE HAVE A SUMMIT THAT WE WILL DO, A TOWN HALL SUMMIT ON THAT THURSDAY EVENING, I BELIEVE IT IS.

THAT WILL CELEBRATE THE HISTORY OF THE WOMEN'S GAME.

AND BRING OUR STUDENTS AND LEADERS TOGETHER TO UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF WHAT THE HISTORY IS OF THE CONFERENCE.

AND LIKE I SAID WITH THE CHURCH NIGHT EVENT, WE HAVE COLLABORATED WITH CHURCHES IN THE CITY TO HELP THE DISPLACED STUDENTS THAT ARE IN THE CITY AND GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO GO TO OUR EDUCATION DAY EVENTS AND HOPEFULLY GET ENTERED INTO OUR SCHOOLS WITH SCHOLARSHIPS.

I THINK THE GAME IS THE BIG PIECE OF WHAT WE DO.

BUT IT TRULY IS THE CENTER OF CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY, CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN OUR MEN'S AND WOMEN'S PROGRAMS AND ALLOWING THE CITY TO BE A PART OF IT.

IT'S PRETTY SPECIAL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

THE TOURNAMENT STARTS ON FEBRUARY 25 AND RUNS THROUGH MARCH 1.

COMMISSIONER, JACQIE MCWILLIAMS-PARKER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME WE LOOK FORWARD IN WATCHING ALL THE HOOPS.

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

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

[♪♪]