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: A SHOWDOWN ON EDUCATION FUNDING.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE WE ARE WE ARE NOT TAKING CUTS.

>> IT IS A CUT NOT A PAUSE.

>> Jeff: ED TIDAL WAVE OF CHANGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> CHAOS IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THIS ADMINISTRATION.

>> Jeff: AND REMEMBERING Mr. CIAA.

>> HE TRULY WAS THE EPITOME OF WHAT STYLE AND CLASS AND LOVE IN THIS CONFERENCE REPRESENTS.

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

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING, THE BIG STORE AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK, TWEAKING THE BLUEPRINT.

THE BLUEPRINT IS AN AMBITIOUS, BUT PRICEY EDUCATION LAW.

THE GOVERNOR FACING A MAJOR DEFICIT WANTS SOME TRIMS BUT AS SUE COPPIN REPORTS THE IDEA FOUND LITTLE SUPPORT AMONG FELLOW DEMOCRATS.

>> IN THE JOINT HEARING ROOM PACKED WITH THE MEMBERS OF FOUR COMMITTEES, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AND THE RENTS OF STATE BOARDS AND LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS IT WAS THE GOVERNOR'S CHIEF OF CHIEF THAT PRESENTED LAWMAKERS WITH THE DIFFICULT ROAD THAT LIE AS HEAD.

>> WE FACE A CHALLENGE AS THE BLUEPRINT FUND IS PROJECTED TO BE EXHAUSTED INCOMES YEAR LEAVING AN ESTIMATED $81 MILLION DEFICIT.

OUR PROPOSAL SEEKS TO COVER THE FY27 BLUEPRINT FUND DEFICIT AND REDUCE THE FY28 DEFICIT IN HALF FROM 2.1 BILLION TO 1.1 BILLION.

>> THE ACT CALLS FOR BEGINNING A NATIONAL TEACHER RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN, SLOWING THE GROWTH OF PER PUPIL FUNDING TARTING IN 2026.

REVISING PROPOSED INCREASES IN COLLABORATIVE TIME WHICH GIVES TEACHERS OUT OF CLASS TIME TO WORK ON CONTRADICT -- CURRICULUM AND GRADING.

AND PUT A HOLD ON INCREASES TO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE ARGUED THERE IS A BETTER WAY WHEN IT COMES TO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

>> IT SEEMS MORE APPROPRIATE THAT IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED LEGISLATION IN 2024 THAT PROVIDES SOME OVERSIGHT TO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS WE DON'T FOR HOW THAT IS WORKING YET.

SHOULDN'T WE NOT TAKE A PAUSE, AND IN THAT I DON'T LIKE TO SAY PAUSE IT IS A CUT.

>> AND THERE WAS THE MATTER OF THE BLUEPRINT'S COST TO THE STATE AT A TIME WHEN THE STATE IS ALREADY HAVING TO DEAL WITH A $3 BILLION DEFICIT.

>> THE FUND RUNS OUT OF MONEY NEXT YEAR, IS THAT CORRECT?

27.

CORRECT.

OBVIOUSLY WE ARE FACING A BUDGET CRISIS A DEFICIT SO HOW DOES THIS FIX US GOING FORWARD?

>> IN FISCAL '27, THE BLUEPRINT FUND IS EXHAUSTED AND RUNS A DEFICIT OF ROUGHLY $81 MILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 28 THAT DEFICITS EXPLODES TO $2.1 BILLION.

THIS PROPOSAL WOULD CUT THE DEFICIT IN 28 TO A BILLION DOLLARS AND ELIMINATE THE DEFICIT IN '27.

>> CHAIR BEN BARNS WANTEDDED TO KNOW IF THE GOVERNOR MIGHT CONSIDER ADDITIONAL REVENUE SOURCE TO HELP COVER THE COST OF THE BLUEPRINT?

>> MAYBE WE LOOK AT THIS DIFFERENTLY.

FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT BACK TAKING MORE CUTS IN TWO YEARS.

TO THAT END IS THE GOVERNOR OPEN TO DEDICATED REVENUES NOW FOR THE BLUEPRINT?

>> YES.

>> JASON BUCKLE?

>> WHAT SPECIFIC IDEAS DO YOU HAVE WHAT MORE CAN WE TAX AND DEDICATE TO THE BLUEPRINT GOING FORWARD THAT WOULD HELP PAY OFF THE BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF BUDGET DEFICITS AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM.

>> >> I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION I DO NOT HAVE A SPECIFIC FUNDING SOURCE IN MIND BUT THE WILLINGNESS THAT THE GOVERNOR WOULD HAVE WITH THIS BODY.

>> THE BILL OFFERS COMMON SENSE ADJUSTMENTS SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE FOUNDATION THAT'S BEEN LAID.

IN ANNAPOLIS I'M SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Charles: MEANTIME, DEADLINES FOR FINISHING THE STATE BUDGET ARE EXPECTED TO SLIP DUE TO UNSRNTY COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON.

SENATE LEADERS MET WITH REPORTERS THIS MORNING.

>> WE KNOW THAT SOMETHING IS COMING.

WE DON'T KNOW THE EXTENT TO WHICH.

SO THAT'S WHERE THE WE HAVE TO LOOK AT ADDITIONAL CUTS TO TRY AND SAVE MONEY NOW.

AND WE'LL HAVE TO HAVE A BALANCED APPROACH BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE TO COVER EXPENDITURES THAT WE OTHERWISE WOULD NOT EXPECT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO COVER.

>> I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

AND I THINK TO THE ADDITIONAL CUTS PART WHICH IS REALLY TO SAVE US SOME RESOURCES, I THINK WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE WILL BE WORKING TO PROBABLY SEE ADDITIONAL 200 TO 500 MILLION DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL CUTS TO THE BUDGET.

>> Jeff: MORE ON THE MASSIVE CHANGES COMING FROM THE TRUMP QUHOWS IN A FEW MINUTES.

LAWMAKERS YESTERDAY, HEARD TESTIMONY ON CREATING A REPARATIONS COMMISSION.

NANCY AMATA HAS MORE.

>> LET US NEVER FORGET OUR ANCESTORS DID NOT COME HERE BY CHOICE.

THEY WERE TORN FROM THEIR HOMELAND, SHACKLED, BOUNDS AND LOADED ON TO SHIPS.

>> BALTIMORE COUNTY RESIDENT ANGELA WILSON TOLD MEMBERS OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE THAT SHE LIVES WITH THE PAIN OF BEING A DESCENDANTS OF SLAVES.

>> ONE MINUTE YOU ARE HAPPY TO FIND YOUR ANCESTORS AND YOU ARE LEARNING ABOUT THE TREATMENT THEY WENT THROUGH.

>> THEY HOPE THEIR VOICE AND STORIES WILL CONVINCE LAWMAKERS TO PASS A BILL THAT WOULD ESTABLISH A COMMISSION TO STUDY REPARATIONS FOR THE DESCEND ENDS THOSE ENSLAVED IN MARYLAND, AMONG THEM TESTIFYING THE NIECE OF HARRIET TUBMAN SPEAKS OF THE TRAUMA HER FAMILY ENDURES TODAY.

>> OUR FAMILY SUFFERSES FROM GENERATIONAL OCCURSES.

THEY SUFFER FROM MENTAL ILLNESSES THAT WERE PASSED ON.

>> SIMILAR BILLS FAILED SINCE 2020 BUT BILL'S SPONSOR JOANNE BENSON BELIEVES.

>> THE TIME RIGHT NOW IS RIPE.

BECAUSE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR COUNTRY.

WHAT IS HAPPENING ON CAPITOL HILL.

THE FACT THAT WE HAVE AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN GOVERNOR.

>> SENATOR BENSON SAYS REPARATIONS ARE LONG OVERDUE.

>> IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO KNOW THAT IT HAPPENED AND WALK AWAY.

WE'VE GOT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY HAVE SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY FOR WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE PERSONS THAT WERE ENSLAVED.

THE FAMILIES NEED TO BE COMPENSATED.

>> ACCORDING TO THE LATEST PEW RESEARCH CENTER POLL, 77% OF BLACK AMERICANS SUPPORT REPARATIONS FOR DESCENDANTS OF SLAVES COMPARED WITH 18% OF WHITE AMERICANS.

>> NO ONE TESTIFIED AGAINST THE BILL.

BUT AROUND THE COUNTRY OPPONENTS OF REPARATIONS SAID IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE AND IT'S UNFAIR FOR TAXPAYERS TO HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL FOR PAST WRONGS.

>> NINE OTHER STATE AS PROVED REPARATIONS FOR DESCEND ENDS OF SLAVES.

IN MARYLAND PROPONENTSES ARE PUSHING FOR AN ECONOMIST TO BE PART OF THE COMMISSION.

>> SLAVERY LATED FROM [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] AND IMPACT ON THE STATE'S INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES MUST BE STUDIED.

>> IN ADDITION TO A CASH SUM DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSION, FAMILIES MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS THAT INCLUDE SCHOLASHIPS FOR EDUCATION, REIMBURSEMENT FOR TUITION PAYMENTS AND LOCO LATERAL OR LOW INTEREST RATE LOANS.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN MAKEUP FOR IT.

BUT IT WOULD BE A STEP TOWARDS RECONCILIATION.

A STEP TOWARDS HEALING.

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

>> Jeff: LAWMAKERS HONORED A FORMER COLLEAGUE ERIC BARON THIS WEEK.

THE FORMER MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES RESIGNED AS U.S. ATTORNEY FOR MARYLAND AHEAD OF A WAVE OF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TURNOVER.

Mr. BARON WAS THE STATE'S FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO SERVE AS LEAD FEDERAL PROSECUTEDDER.

HE WAS APPOINTED BY FORMER PRESIDENT BIDEN IN 2021.

>>> SHOULD THE PENALTY FOR DEALING DRUGS BE HIGHER IF THE BUYER DIES OF AN OVERDOSE?

LAWMAKERS HEARD TESTIMONY THIS WEEK ON VICTORIA SCOTTY, ASHLEY AND YADER'S LAW WHICH IS NAMED IN HONOR OF FOUR YOUNG MARYLANDERS WHO DIED FROM FENTANYL.

>> HE OVERDOSED IN APRIL OF 2024 THE DAY BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY.

HE RELAPSED ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BROTHER'S PASSING LAST YEAR.

THANK GOD THE TODAY HE IS DOING GOOD.

BUT I'M ASKING Y'ALL TO PASS THIS BILL BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THE DRUG DEALER THAT IS SELLING FENTANYL TO MY SON OR KILLED MY CHILD AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.

FOR ALL I KNOW HE IS TRYING TO KILL SOMEBODY YOU LOVE.

>> Jeff: THE BILL FAILED TO ADVANCE AND NOW THE VICE-CHAIR HAS SIGNED ON AS PRIMARY SPONSOR IN THE SENATE.

>> Jeff: OUR NEWS MAKER IS MARYLAND'S NEW SECOND DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN JOHNNY OLSZEWSKI.

SIR, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE THE FIRST MONTH OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

>> I WOULD SAY INTENTIONAL CHAOS HAS BEEN THE FIRST MONTH OF THIS ADMINISTRATION.

I WENT FROM BEING IN AWE OF BEING A FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE GRADUATE GREW UP IN A STEEL TOWN AND BEING A MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO DEALING WITH THOUSANDS OF CALLS AND E-MAILS FROM CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE SCARED, FRUSTRATED, ANGRY BY ACTIONS THAT HAVE JEOPARDIZED OUR STANDING AROUND THE WORLD AND IMPACTED FAMILIES CLOSE TO HOME.

>> Jeff: LIKE THE MOST OF THE REST OF THE STATE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION YOU HAVE A TON OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, FEDERAL CONTRACTORS LIVING IN YOUR DISTRICT.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THEM?

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE FOR THEM?

>> YOU KNOW, MESSAGE IS THAT WE'RE HERE FOR YOU AND WITH YOU.

MARYLAND IS HOME TO 140,000 CIVILIAN FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.

WE HAVE OVER 22,000 IN MARYLAND'S SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THESE ARE REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL LIVED EXPERIENCES.

AND WE'RE HEARING CONCERN.

WE'RE HEARING FEAR PEOPLE WORRIED WITH LOSING THEIR JOBS AND THEIR HEALTHCARE AND ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES AND SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY.

MY MESSAGE IS WE'RE FIGHTING FOR YOU AND STANDING WITH YOU LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY OUTSIDE OF ORGANIZATIONS LIKE U.S. AID AND SOCIAL SECURITY CLOSER TO HOME.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IS UNCONSCIONABLE.

I'M ALL FOR EFFICIENCY.

I DID IT AS COUNTY EXECUTIVE BUT THERE IS A WAY TO DO IT AND THE WAY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS TRYING TO UNILATERALLY WIPE OUT ORGANIZATIONS WIPE AWAY FEDERAL EMPLOYEES IS UNCONSCIONABLE TO ME.

>> Jeff: SOCIAL SECURITY HEADQUARTERS IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM YOUR DISTRICT.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF THOSE EMPLOYEES.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON THEIR SOCIAL BENEFITS.

SOME GLITCHES AND INTERRUPTIONS TO JUST THE NORMAL FLOW OF BUSINESS THERE?

>> YES, AND THAT IS PART OF WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S ACTIONS.

NOT ONLY ARE SOME UNCONSTITUTIONAL OR ILLEGAL THEY WILL HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE EMPLOYEES AND LOSING THEIR AND JOSS, BUT FOR THE MILLIONS OF BENEFICIARIES WHO RELY ON SOCIAL SECURITY.

IT EMPLOYS A LOT OF MY CONSTITUENTS PROVIDES PEOPLE WHO PAID INTO THE SYSTEM AND NOW IT'S UNDER ATTACK.

IT WILL TAKE LONGER FOR PEOPLE GETTING THEIR BENEFITS.

IT'S ALLOWING ELON MUSK AND DOGE TO HAVE ACCESS TO AMERICAN'S PRIVATE INFORMATION.

AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE ACTION THE COURTS STEPPED IN WITH TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO KEEP PUSHING.

I FILED LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS TO PUSHBACK AGAINST THESE ACTIONS.

WE'RE SUPPORTING COURT EFFORTS AND HOPING THE PUBLIC CONTINUES TO RAISE THEIR VOICE IN OPPOSITION TO THESE ACTIONS.

>> Jeff: I DON'T FEEL I HAVE A HANDLE ON THE COURT ACTIONS AND HOW SUCCESSFUL OR UNSUCCESSFUL THEY'VE BEEN BECAUSE AS YOU SAY, THE VOLUME OF STUFF GOING ON.

BUT IS THERE ANYTHING YOUR SIDE OF THE AISLE COULD BE DOING DIFFERENTLY?

OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE IN THE MINORITY.

BUT AS A ROOKIE MEMBER OF CONGRESS, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SEE LEADERSHIP DO DIFFERENTLY?

>> I CAN TELL YOU IT IS AN ALL OF THE ABOVE STRATEGY WE ARE PURSUING LEGISLATION, PURSUING LITIGATION, PURSUING THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO TRUMP AND ASSOCIATES HAD PRONG 2025 WHICH WE ARE SEEING THEM IMPLEMENT ON A DAILY BASIS AND LOOKING TOWARDS PROJECT 2026.

WHERE WE ARE TELLING THE PUBLIC IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT AND THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ACTIONS THESE ARE NOT BLUE STATE, RED STATE AND PURPLE STATE ISSUES.

BUT TALKING ABOUT HOW WE SEE MORE SUCCESSES THERE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSES ON THINGS LIKE THE FEDERAL FUNDING FREEZE, BIRTH RIGHT CITIZENSHIP.

THE FIRING OF WORKERS.

ACCESS TO TREASURY.

JUDGES HAVE STEPPED IN BUT WE HAVE TO AMPLIFY THE VOICES AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE CALLING REPRESENTATIVES OR SHOWING UP TO PROTESTS AND RALLIES.

THAT OUR VOICES ARE HEARD.

I THINK WE'RE DOING ALL WE CAN GIVEN THAT WE ARE IN THE MINORITY.

BUT I THINK THAT AS LONG AS PUBLIC PRESSURE CONTINUES, WE'RE ALREADY SEEING SOME REPUBLICANS NOW SAYING MAYBE THIS IS TOO MUCH.

THERE WAS THE FIRST REPUBLICAN THAT CAME OUT YESTERDAY.

AND SAID THIS IS A STEP TOO FAR.

THIS MIGHT BE OVERREACH.

SO I THINK AS PUBLIC OPINION SHIFTS AND SEES WHAT IS HAPPENING, FORMER AMERICAN GOVERNMENT TEACHER HERE THERE IS A WAY IF THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WANT TO ELIMINATE AGENCIES OR FIRE EMPLOYEES THEY CAN DO IT.

I DON'T SUPPORT IT BUT WE HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS AND CHECKS AND BALANCES.

THE PRESIDENT HAS THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONTROL OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

HE CAN MOVE FORWARD ON THESE ACTIONS.

AND WHAT I SAY, JEFF IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT WE WERE ELECTED TO LOWER PRICES FOR HARD-WORKING AMERICANS THEY ARE FEELING THE PINCH AT THE GAS STATION AND GROCERY STORE IT'S ALMOST 50 DAYS INTO CONGRESS NOT ONE BILL HIT THE FLOOR TO LOWER COSTS.

INSTEAD WE'RE SEEING ACTIONS THAT DRIVE UP COSTS.

THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE LEADERSHIP BUDGET COULD PUT HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS FOR HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY DRIVING UP COSTS.

DRIVING UP THE COST OF LIVING.

THEY ARE PROPOSING TO ROLLBACK THE CAPS ON FEES FOR THINGS LIKE OVERDRAFTS AT BANKS, DRIVING UP THE COSTS.

PROPOSING TARIFFS, DRIVING UP THE COSTS.

WE ARE PUSHING FOR -- IT'S BEEN 48, 49, 50 DAYS TRACKING HOW LONG IT'S TAKING TO GET ACTION.

WE WANT TO BE BIPARTISAN BUT THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE TO DATE.

>> Jeff: MARYLAND HAS BIG TICKET PROJECTS THAT WOULD REQUIRE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THERE'S THE RED LINE THAT WOULD INVOLVE YOUR DISTRICT.

POTENTIALLY MOVING THE F.B.I.

HEADQUARTERS TO PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY.

THOSE THINGS SEEM TO BE LESS LIKELY AT THIS POINT.

BUT I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE KY BRIDGE.

WHERE THE MONEY WAS APPROVED AT THE END OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED, BUT IS IT?

HOW SURE ARE WE?

>> WE'RE PROUD OF THE WIN I WORKED WITH GOVERNOR MOORE AND MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AS BALTIMORE COUNTY EXECUTIVE BEFORE COMING TO CONGRESS TO GET THAT MONEY IN THE CR PASSED AT THE END OF THE LAST CONGRESS.

IT IS IN LAW.

IT IS FULLY FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT WOULD REQUIRE AN OUT RIGHT REVERSAL TO UNDO THAT.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE A BETRAYAL TO THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND AND ANYONE WHO EXPERIENCED AN UNFORTUNATE DISASTER LIKE THE COLLAPSE OF THE KEY BRIDGE.

WE HAVE THE POWER OF THE PURSE IN CONGRESS.

I THINK WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT FUNDING STAYS PUT.

AND THEN LARGELY, I'D SAY I KNOW THAT MARYLAND IS ALREADY FACING A SIGNIFICANT BUDGET DEFICIT TO THE EXTENT WE ARE PASSING ALONG THE CUTS THAT MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES ARE PROPOSING IN THEIR BUDGET OUTLINE AND THAT IS GOING TO EXACERBATE THE CHALLENGES BEFORE MARYLANDERS.

WE WILL DO ALL WE CAN TO KEEP FUNDING IN PLACE.

I FEEL CONFIDENT WE WILL BE ABLE TO O THAT.

BUT AGAIN, THERE ARE REAL IMPLICATIONS TO ALL OF THE DECISIONS BEFORE US AND HOW THAT WILL IMPACT MARYLANDERS AND INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE STATE.

>> Jeff: CONGRESSMAN JOHNNY OLSZEWSKI, SIR THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANKS.

>> Jeff: FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE WE'RE JOINED BY SAM JANESCH OF THE BALTIMORE SUN.

SAM, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU COVERED THE FAIR SHARE ACT HEARING.

WHAT IS IN THAT BILL?

>> THIS BILL IS A TAX REFORM PACKAGE, VERY SIMILAR TO THE ONE GOVERNOR MOORE PROPOSED THIS YEAR THAT PROPOSED IT LAST YEAR AND THEY SAY THE GOVERNOR BORROWED ELEMENTS FOR THIS PLAN.

IT WOULD INCREASE TAXES ON THE WEALTHY BY A TAX CUT LOWER INCOME FAMILIES AND RAISE TAXES ON CORPORATIONS TRYING TO CAPTURE MORE OF WHAT ADVOCATES AND LAWMAKERS CALL LOOPHOLES IN THE TAX CODE.

SO IT WOULD MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENT MOVES TO RAISE UP TO $2 BILLION A YEAR.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THE SO-CALLED LOOPHOLES INVOLVES SOMETHING CALLED COMBINED REPORTING WHICH IS AN IDEA THAT HAS BEEN KICKING AROUND ANNAPOLIS AT LEAST A DECADE INVOLVES CORPORATE TAXATION.

IT'S IN THE GOVERNOR'S BILL.

AND MAYBE WHAT HAS CHANGED TO PUT THIS ON THE TABLE IS THAT THE STATE HAS A BIG DEFICIT AND ALSO THERE'S ANGER IN MARYLAND ABOUT WHAT'S COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

THESE IDEAS LIKE THE ADVOCATES SAY AND LAWMAKERS ARE NOT NEW BUT WITH THAT BUDGET DEFICIT THIS YEAR, YOU KNOW THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID THAT HE IS MAKING $2 BILLION IN CUTS AT LEAST.

AND HAS ANOTHER BILLION DOLLARS TO MAKEUP HE IS LOOKING FOR THE TAX PACKAGE TO FILL IN THE GAPS.

AND YEAH, I MEAN WE'RE LOOKING AT A MOVING TARGET WITH THE DEFICIT NUMBER.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND OTHERS SAID WHAT IS HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON AND WITH THE CUTS TO FEDERAL WORKERS AND POTENTIAL STATE WHAT THE STATE GETS COULD ADD ANOTHER $900 MILLION TO A LITTLE OVER A BILLION DOLLARS MORE TO THIS PROBLEM THIS YEAR.

SO THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THE SOLUTIONS THAT THEY HADN'T LOOKED AT THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> Jeff: WE KNOW THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF DAYLIGHT BETWEEN THE POSITIONS OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS AND SENATES DEMOCRATS ON BUDGET ITEMS ARE THEY IN ALIGNMENT ON THIS?

>> I THINK IT'S STILL A MONTH AWAY UNTIL WE KNOW FOR CERTAIN BUT THEY ARE WORKING THIS YEAR.

AND THEY HAD SOME PROGRESS THIS WEEK WHERE THEY ANNOUNCED SOME AT LEAST INITIAL AGREEMENT ON SCALING BACK CUTS FOR DISABILITY SERVICES.

THAT WERE PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR.

AND THEY MADE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT TOGETHER.

THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BIT MORE AGGRESSIVE HERE WITH TRYING TO PURSUE TAX CHANGES AND REVENUE IDEAS.

SO I THINK WE MIGHT SEE THEM PROPOSE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BUT, YEAH, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF EFFORTS, I GUESS, IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS OF THE SESSION THIS YEAR.

>> Jeff: STAY TUNED.

SAM JANESCH THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: YOU CAN READ SAM'S REPORTING AT BALTIMORE SUN.COM.

>> NOW, WITH THE CIAA TOURNAMENT ABOUT TO BEGIN, CHARLES ROBINSON TELLS US ABOUT ABRAHAM MITCHELL, THE MAN WHO WAS KNOWN AS Mr. CIAA.

>> 50 YEARS AGO HIS NEPHEW PLAYED AT NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY.

NORFOLK CLAIMED HIM FIRST AND THEN COMING TO THE TOURNAMENT THEY HAVE DONE GREAT THINGS TO HONOR HIM CURRENTLY.

BECAUSE HIS NEPHEW PLAYED THERE AND HE BROUGHT HIM TO THE FIRST TOURNAMENT.

HE WAS A MORTICIAN.

HE MADE ALL OF HIS SUITS.

WE'VE HAD PARTNERS MAKE SUITS FOR HIM.

HE SMILED HE HAD ENERGY.

YOU WOULD THINK FOLKS WERE CHEERING FOR THE PLAYERS ON A GREAT PLAY.

IT WAS HIM BECAUSE HE HAD JUST CHANGED HIS OUTFIT TO A BOWIE STATE COLOR.

>> HIS OUTFITS BECAME STORIED DURING THE TOURNAMENT IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR MITCHELL TO GET AN UPDATE WHAT HE WAS WEARING.

THE LAST TIME HE WAS INTERVIEWED DURING THE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT WAS BY CLINTON YATES OF ESPN.

>> WHERE DO YOU GET THE OUTFITS FROM.

THERE IS A LOT OF DRIP?

YOU HAVE UMBRELLAS AND SHOES AND SOCKS WHAT IS HAPPENING?

>> MY EYES PICK THEM UP SOME PLACE AND I REDESIGN THEM.

>> WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR TODAY'S OUTFIT?

>> I THOUGHT IT.

I WASN'T TOLD TO DO IT OR ANYTHING.

I DRESSING LIKE THE TEAMS.

>> I SEEN HIM SINCE I WAS 18.

WHEN I WAS PLAYING AND THOSE BEFORE ME HAVE SEEN HIM.

AND HE TRULY WAS THE EPITOME OF WHAT STYLE AND CLASS AND LOVE IN THIS CONFERENCE REPRESENTS.

>> BALTIMORE HAS BEEN HOME TO THE CIAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.

EACH YEAR, THEY LEFT A CHANGING ROOM FOR Mr. CIAA.

A CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE WAS HELD IN HIS HOMETOWN OF SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: CHARLES THANK YOU WE'RE JOINED BY AMORY LECUYER, THE PRESIDENT OF BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY.

Dr. BREAUX THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE 2025 EDITION OF THIS TOURNAMENT?

>> FIRST OF ALL, JEFF, THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON TODAY.

I'M SO EXCITED THAT WE'RE GOING BACK TO CHARM CITY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING GREAT EXCELLENCE ON THE COURT.

LOOKING AT BEING UP IN THE CITY SO THAT WE SHOWCASE THE EXCELLENCE AMONG OUR MEMBER INSTITUTIONS OF OUR HISTORIC CIAA.

THIS YEAR, WE'RE CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN PARTICIPATING IN THE TOURNAMENT.

SO THAT'S EXTREMELY EXTRA SPECIAL.

TO THINK ABOUT WOMEN PLAYING ON THE COURT AND YOU SEE WHERE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL IS TODAY.

AND IN 50 YEARS WHERE WE'VE COME.

TO CELEBRATE SINCE 1975 WE'VE HAD WOMEN ON THE COURT IN OUR TOURNAMENT.

IT'S TRULY A WONDERFUL OCCASION.

SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING UP IN THE CITY AND THE CITY'S BEEN WOLF, AL HUTCHISON, THE MAYOR, LAST YEAR THE GOVERNOR TURNED OUT.

AND WE HAD JUST A GREAT TIME IN BALTIMORE.

>> Jeff: YOU KNOW, I HAPPEN TO NOTICE THAT BOTH YOUR MEN'S TEAM AND YOUR WOMEN'S TEAM ARE HAVING GOOD YEARS.

>> YES, THEY ARE.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT WHERE THEY ARE.

WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT THE HOME TEAM IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO BRING HOME THAT TROPHY.

I'M SHOWING ALL THAT HBCU LOVE AND CIAA LOVE ON THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD.

I WELCOME ALL MY CREEINGS IN.

BUT I AM A COMPETITIVE PERSON ALSO.

AND COME FROM A SPORTS FAMILY.

SO I'M REALLY EXCITED THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE UP IN THE CITY AND I THINK WE HAVE A REAL GREAT CHANCE OF HAVING A HOME TEAM BRING HOME AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE TROPHIES.

>> Jeff: THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.

THIS IS ABOUT HIGH LEVEL COLLEGE HOOPS BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT A LOT MORE THAN THAT, RIGHT?

>> OH, CERTAINLY IS.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL ECONOMIC BENEFIT FOR THE ENTIRE CITY AND THE REGION.

BECAUSE OUR FANS THEY COME IN FROM ALL ACROSS THE NATION, AROUND THE WORLD.

ALUMNI AND ORPHANS THAT HAVE BEEN COMING TO THE CIAA FOR GENERATIONS.

THEY ARE GOING TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL BUSINESSES, THE RESTAURANTS, THE HOTELS ARE EXCITED ABOUT US BEING IN THE CITY.

AND SO BUSINESSES HAVE A CHANCE TO FLOURISH.

AND BE SUPPORTED.

WE ALSO HAVE AN EDUCATION EXPO.

SO FOR ANY OF YOUR WATCHERS AND LISTENERS WHO HAVE A SCHOOL-AGED CHILD AND WANT THEM TO THINK ABOUT THAT JOURNEY THEY ARE ON EXPLORE OUR MEMBER INSTITUTIONS.

THERE IS A LOT WE'LL HAVE TABLES SETUP WHERE YOU CAN HEAR MORE ABOUT THE RESPECTIVE HISTORIES OF OUR MEMBER INSTITUTIONS.

IT IS A GREAT TIME TO THINK ABOUT EDUCATION.

IT IS A GREAT TIME TO CELEBRATE EDUCATION.

AND THEN WE ALSO GIVE BACK TO THE CITY.

WE PARTNER WITH SAMARITAN'S FEET.

WHERE OUR STUDENTS WILL BE OUT IN THE CITY AND THEY WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN GIVING OUT SHOES TO OUR CHILDREN IN NEED AND SCHOOLS IN THE AREA.

AND SO IT IS A GREAT TIME TO JUST HAVE A COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER AND JUST HAVE JOY AROUND SPORTS, BUT AROUND EXCELLENCE AND EDUCATION.

>> Jeff: Dr. BREAUX THE PRESIDENT OF BOWIE STATE ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE YOU THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND GOOD LUCK TO BOWIE STATE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND MAY I JUST ADD ONE FOOTNOTE.

THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR BOWIE STATE.

WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR ANNIVERSARY OF 160 YEARS AT BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY.

JEFF, YOU WILL REMEMBER THAT WE WERE FOUNDED ON THE CORNER OF CALVERT AND SARATOGA STREETS IN BALTIMORE.

SO FOR BSU THIS IS SPECIAL AS WELL, 160 YEARS.

>> Jeff: FOR MORE ON THE TOURNAMENT VISIT CIAA TOURNAMENT.ORG.

AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

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