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 CHALLENGE TO SENATE LEADERSHIP.

>> IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR WE TO SIT BACK AND ACT LIKE WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

>> Jeff: ARE THERE FLAWS WITH OUR VOTING SYSTEMS?

>> WE HAVE TO EXPLAIN THAT THE PROCESS FOR VOTING RIGHTS IS SACRED AND SECURE AND MARYLAND ELECTIONS ARE SAFE, SECURED, VERIFIED AND TRANS PARENT.

>> Jeff: AND HOMEMADE MACHINE GUNS.

>> IT'S TIME WE STOP THIS SENSELESS VIOLENCE THAT IS PREVENTEDDABLE.

>> THESE MACHINE GUNS ARE CAPABLE OF FIRING 20 ROUNDS PER SECOND WITH A SINGLE PULL OF THE TRIGGER.

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

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK UNDER PRESSURE WHAT DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATORS ARE FEELING AS THE GOVERNOR AND OTHERS PRESS FOR A VOTE ON A NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP.

THE NEW MAP WOULD LIKELY MEAN DEFOUGHT FOR THE STATE'S LONE REPUBLICAN IN CONGRESS THAT WOULD COUNTER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EFFORTS TO ADD REPUBLICAN SEATS.

DELEGATE WILSON.

>> I HOPE THEY UNDERSTAND EACH OF OUR SENATORS THAT HISTORY IS WATCHING AND THERE IS NO WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO FIGHT WITH EVERY TOOL WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A DEMOCRACY LEFT FOR OUR CHILDREN.

>> Jeff: GOVERNOR MOORE WENT ON NATIONAL CABLE TURNING UP THE HEAT ON SENATE LEADERS.

>> I'M THANKFUL FOR THE COURAGEOUSNESS IN THE HOUSE TO MOVE WHEN THE SITUATION DEMANDS IT AND THE ASK IS SIMPLE, DEBATE AND DISCUSS AND TAKE THE VOTE.

>> Jeff: YESTERDAY ONE SENATE DEMOCRAT PROBING RANKS.

>> IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR WE TO SIT BACK AND ACT LIKE WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

AND THEREFORE, Mr.

PRESIDENT AND COLLEAGUES I RESPECTFULLY TAKE MY LEAVE TO MAKE MY PROTEST MOMENT POSSIBLE.

>> Jeff: SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON THIS MORNING.

>> WE CANNOT PASS TO A MAP THAT LEADS TO A 6-2 RESULT.

THE TIMING THE CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE HERE IN MARYLAND IS THE BASIS BY WHICH WE CAME TO THIS CONCLUSION.

>> Jeff: WE WILL HAVE MORE LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE VOTED TO RESTRICT I.C.E.

IN THE STATE THEY HAVE AGREEMENTS WITH EIGHT COUNTIES TO TURNOVER PRISONERS WANTED BY I.C.E.

>> WITH THE 287G YOU HAVE A FORMALIZED PROCESS.

YOU DO HAVE ACCESS TO DATA AND YOU HAVE FUNDING AS WELL, TOO, IF YOU ENTER INTO THAT AGREEMENT?

>> AND YOU HAVE MANDATED REQUIREMENTS TO REPORT ON EVERYBODY SO THERE IS NO DISCRETION AT ALL INVOLVED WHICH IS YOUR POINT.

BUT THERE'S NO DISCRETION YOU WILL SWEEP IN FOLKS THAT WERE UNINTENDED FOR THE POLICY.

>> WELL, I THINK THERE'S POSSIBLY TWO WAYS OF LOOKING AT IT.

THERE IS A FORMALIZED PROCESS WHAT YOU DO, DO, IF THE COUNTIES ARE CHOOSING THEIR OWN, DOESN'T THAT OPEN THAT UP MORE FOR MAKING THOSE DECISIONS AND POSSIBLY DISCRIMINATING AGAINST SOMEBODY?

>> SENATOR, NO.

DISCRIMINATION WOULD REMAIN ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

BUT IT DOES PREVENT THOSE AGREEMENTS THE COUNTIES WILL DEVELOP THEIR OWN POLICIES.

>> Jeff: THE SENATE APPROVED AN ANTI-MASKING BILL THE HOUSE WILL HOLD A HEARING ON THAT THIS MONTH.

GUN CONTROL ADVOCATES WERE IN ANNAPOLIS SUPPORTING A MEASURE TO MAKE IT HARDER TO CONVERT LEGAL WEAPONS INTO MACHINE GUNS.

NANCY YAMADA HAS THE STORY.

>> THESE MACHINE GUNS ARE CAPABLE OF FIRING 20 ROUNDS PER SECOND WITH A SINGLE PULL OF THE TRIGGER.

>> THE SENATOR TOLD LAWMAKERS THAT WHILE MACHINE GUNS ARE ILLEGAL UNDER FEDERAL AND STATE LAW TOO MANY PISTOLS ARE BEING CONVERTED INTO MACHINE GUNS BY USING A CONVERTER KNOWN AS A GLOCK SWITCH.

>> AS STATED IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE DANGER POSED BY A FIREARM MODIFIED IN THIS MANNER IS DIFFICULT TO OVERSTATE.

END QUOTED.

ONCE THE TRIGGER IS DEPRESSIONED ON ONE OF THESE FIREARMS WILL CONTINUE TO FIRE UP TO 1200 ROUNDS PER MINUTE.

>> THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE NEW HANDGUNS SOLD IN MARYLAND TO MEET SAFETY STANDARDS TO PREVENT EASY MODIFICATIONS THAT CAN BE CREATED WITH 3-D PRINTERS OR BOUGHT ON-LINE.

EARLY ARE IN THE DAY.

>> IT'S TIME WE STOP THIS VIOLENCE.

>> THE RESPONSE SORE OF THE HOUSE BILL RALLIED THE CROWD ON LAWYERS MALL.

MEMBERS OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION AND STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION HELD ADVOCACY DAY WHILE CALLING FOR CHANGE.

>> I'M TIRED OF OPENING MY PHONE AND LOOKING AT THE NEWS SEEING MY GENERATION RIPPED APART.

>> THEIR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS ARE MAKING AN IMPACT.

>> THERE IS A COUPLE EXAMPLES ACROSS THE STATE A 25% DROP IN GUN VIOLENCE WHEN YOU THINK OF HOMICIDES.

AND ALSO BALTIMORE IS AN EXAMPLE OF NEARLY A 50-YEAR LOW WHEN IT COMES TO GUN HOMICIDES.

WITH PARTNERSHIP AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL, THAT SO MUCH CAN HAPPEN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SAVING LIVES.

>> BACK AT THE HEARING LAWMAKERS HEARD FROM OPPONENTS OF THE BILL AMONG THEM MARYLAND SHALL ISSUE.

HE IS UNEQUIVOCALLY AGAINST CONVERTED PISTOLS.

>> WHAT YOU CANNOT DO IS PENALIZE A MANUFACTURER THAT MAKES A LAWFUL FIREARM.

AND THEN PUNISH THAT MANUFACTURER BECAUSE A CRIMINAL IS ILLEGALLY CONVERTING THAT LAWFUL DEVICE INTO AN ILLEGAL ITEM.

>> REPUBLICAN ON THE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE BELIEVES MARYLAND'S GUN RESTRICTIONS ARE MISSING THE MARK.

>> IT'S DISAPPOINTING WE HAVE NOT TAKEN STEPS TO HOLD THOSE ACCOUNTABLE THAT ARE POSSESSING THE ILLEGAL FIREARMS WITHOUT PROPER VETTING AND WE'RE PENALLIZING OVERWHELMINGLY, THE LEGAL FIREARM OWNERS WHO ARE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS AND WANT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND FAMILIES.

>> THOSE WHO LOST LOVED ONES TO GUN VIOLENCE... >> PAIN DOES NOT REQUEST YOUR PERMISSION TO SHOW UP AND VIOLENCE IS NOT WAITING FOR POLICY TO CATCH UP.

>> THEY VOW TO CONTINUE ON.

I'M NANCY YAMADA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WITH THE NATIONAL FOCUS ON VOTING RIGHTS AND VOTING SECURITY, MARYLAND LAWMAKERS HEARD FROM STATE ELECTIONS OFFICIALS AS SUE COPPIN REPORTS.

>> STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR TOLD MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE GOVERNMENT LABOR AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE THAT HIS TOP GOAL IS 100% VOTER REGISTRATION AND 100% TURNOUT.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY MARYLANDER HAS THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE THEIR VOTE AND IS MAKING SURE THAT THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD.

>> THE BOARD IS DOING MORE TO GET THAT MESSAGE OUT TO VOTERS AROUND THE STATE.

>> WE HAVE TO EXPLAIN THAT THE PROCESS FOR VOTING RIGHTS IS SACRED AND SECURE AND MARYLAND ELECTIONS ARE SAFE, SECURE, VERIFIED AND TRANSPARENT.

AND PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THEM OTHERWISE IS SPREADING LIES.

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF NEW EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS.

INCLUDING A NEW VOTING SYSTEM, A NEW VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM, THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN APP FOR THE PUBLIC TO HAVE READY ACCESS TO VOTER INFORMATION.

AND A GROW YOUR OWN SCHOOL PROGRAM TO CREATE A CAREER PATHWAY FOR ELECTION VARIES IN ORDER TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF WHAT HE CALLS A CRISIS DUE TO A LACK OF REPLACEMENTS.

ONE IMPROVEMENT IN PLACE AN IN-HOUSE CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER FOR THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

>> I WANT THE SECURITY LANDSCAPE IS THERE BECAUSE IT KEEPS US AS A NONPARTISAN INDEPENDENT AGENCY THERE AND BUILDING OUT OUR SECURITY TEAM IS VITAL MOVING FORWARD HERE.

>> AND THERE WERE QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE.

INCLUDING ONE ABOUT CHANGES BEING MADE IN POSTMARK DEADLINES FOR MAIL-IN BALLOTS.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING THAT THE SBE IS TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE DO PROPER VOTER COMMUNICATION AND AWARE THEY NEED TO GET THEIR BALLOTS IN THE MAIL EARLIER?

>> YES, WHEN WE MAIL OUT THE PACKET WE HAVE CHANGED THE LANGUAGE TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE AWARE DUE TO A CHANGE IN THE POSTMARK RULE THAT VOTERS SHOULD VOTE A LITTLE BIT EARLIER OR IF NOT IF YOU WANT TO WAIT CLOSER TO ELECTION DAY UTILIZE ONE OF THE DROP BOXES OR YOU HAVE TO GO INTO THE POST OFFICE AND ASK FOR I APOSTMARK TO ENSURE THAT YOUR VOTE WILL BE COUNTED.

>> AND A QUESTION ABOUT A LEGAL CHALLENGE FOR THE BOARD.

>> THE LAWSUIT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW IS OVER REDACTED VOTER INFORMATION.

DO YOU SHARE UP REDACTED VOTER INFORMATION WITH ERIC AND THE 21 OTHER STATES THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ASKING FOR?

>> THAT'S PART OF THE STATE LAW.

>> SO YOU DO SHARE THAT.

>> STATE LAW ALLOWS US TO DO THAT.

>> STATE LAW ALLOWS ME TO DO THAT.

>> IT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO DEAL WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NUCHT.

>> YES.

>> THEY ARE WORKING TO PUT IN PLACE A SYSTEM THAT OTHERS WILL LOOK TO.

>> I WANT TO MAKE MARYLAND A NATIONAL MODEL AND STANDARD.

TO MAKE US THE SHINING STAR ACROSS THE NATION HERE.

>> I'M SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE" [♪♪] >> Jeff: JOINING US FOR THE ANNAPOLIS FACE OFF HOUSE DELEGATE LEADER DAVID MOON AND JASON BUCKEL.

THE SUPREME COURT THIS WEEK CLEARED THE NEW CALIFORNIA MAP AS THEY HAD DONE WITH THE TEXAS MAP.

SO DELEGATE MOON, THE NEW MAP YOU HAVE PASSED WOULD NOT HAVE ISSUES IN FEDERAL COURT WOULD IT HAVE AN ISSUE IN STATE COURT?

>> I THINK ANYONE WHO TAKES AN HONEST READING OF MARYLAND LAW AND LOOKS AT THE LONG HISTORY OF COURTING A LOOK AT REDISTRICTING UNDERSTANDS YOU WILL NOT FIND A WORD IN THE CONSTITUTION OR CODE THAT HAS MARYLAND ATTEMPTING TO REGULATE CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND THAT IS THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER.

WE BELIEVE THAT INTERPRETATION IS GOING TO HOLD-UP IN COURT.

>> Jeff: DELEGATE BUCKLE?

>> YOU KNOW, DAVID AND I CAN AGREE ON A LOT OF THINGS, WE WILL HAVE TO AGREE TO DISAGREE.

I PRACTICE LAW FOR A LIVING AND I READ THE JUDGE'S OPINION AFTER THE LAST ROUND OF REDISTRICTING WHERE THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY TRIED TO DO SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO TODAY AND HER OPINION WAS CLEAR.

THAT SHE FOUND IT TO BE AN IMPERMISSIBLE EXAMPLE OF PART SIP GERRYMANDERING UNDER MARYLAND LAW.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THEN AND OTHER DEMOCRATIC LEADERS TRULY BELIEVED THEY ARE SINGING A SONG NOW GEE THAT WILL NOT STAND UP.

THEY DIDN'T THINK THAT A FEW YEARS AGO.

THE MAP THEY WANT TO THROW OUT.

I THINK THERE IS A REAL RISK AND SENATOR FERGUSON BELIEVES THERE IS A REAL RISK HAD AT THAT TIME A MARYLAND APPELLATE COURT COULD THROW THIS MAP OUT.

AND SET THE ENTIRE PROCESS BACK IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

>> Jeff: IS THAT WHY THERE ARE TWO PARTS TO THIS BILL?

THERE'S THE NEW MAP AND THEN THERE IS A REFERENDUM ON A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD BASICALLY UNDO THE JUDGE'S DECISION FROM FOUR YEARS AGO?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT IS INSTRUCTIVE.

IF MY COLLEAGUES -- IF MY COLLEAGUES BELIEVED THAT THE JUDGE'S OPINION HAS NO VALUE AND THERE IS NO WAY AN APPELLATE COURT WOULD UPHOLD IT WHY DO THEY NEED TO SAY THAT HER OPINION HAS TO BE TAKEN OUT OR HAS TO BE NEGATED THROUGH A REFERENDUM.

THE REASON IS BECAUSE THERE IS CONCERN THAT OTHER JUDGES WOULD FIND THE SAME RESULT THAT SHE DID.

>> WELL, I THINK THE WAY I WOULD DESCRIBE IT IS THE VOTERS HAVE ONCE REJECTED THE VERY INTERPRETATION OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION THAT YOU ARE PROPOSING.

I THINK THE JUDGE MAYBE MISSED THAT POINT IN THE CHRONOLOGY OF TIME HERE.

AND WE ARE, IN FACT, MAKING SURE THAT NO ONE ELSE CAN MAKE THAT SAME MISINTERPRETATION OF THE CURRENT TEXT.

NOTABLY YOU, YOURSELF, HAD A BILL ATTEMPTING TO INSERT CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING STANDARDS INTO THE STATE CODE AND CONSTITUTION ITSELF.

I THINK THAT IS EVIDENCE THAT THOSE STANDARD DOSE NOT EXIST.

STANDARDS DO NOT EXIST.

>> AS I SAID ON THE FLOOR I THINK YOU HAVE TO CLARIFY THE LAW.

WHAT MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES WANT TO DO THEY WANT TO CLARIFY THE LAW AND SAY THERE ARE NO STANDARDS AND THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT.

AND WE WANT TO SAY WHAT THE JUDGE SAID YOU HAVE TO HAVE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS SIMILAR TO OUR LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS THEY HAVE TO REFLECT COMMUNITIES.

THERE SHOULD BE NO DOUBT THAT THAT SHOULD BE MARYLAND'S LAW.

>> Jeff: HERE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU BOTH MAY AGREE ON SHOULD CONGRESS ACT TO BAN MID-CYCLE REDISTRICTING?

IN OTHER WORDS THE WAY IT WORKS THERE IS A CENSUS AND EVERYBODY HAS TO REDRAW THE LINES AND 10 YEARS LATER WE REPEAT IT.

THIS IS IN-BETWEEN THE 10-YEAR CENSUS?

>> I BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD.

I THINK WE'VE SAID THAT.

I THINK THAT WE'RE IN AN ARMS RACE AND MUTUALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION BETWEEN BLUE STATES AND RED STATES TO TRY TO CHANGE THE LINES EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS TO GENERATE A PREDETERMINED RESULT IS A BAD IDEA.

IT IS A BAD IDEA FOR MARYLAND AND I THINK IT IS A BAD IDEA FOR THE COUNTRY.

>> Jeff: IN FAIRNESS, THIS STARTED IN A RED STATE?

>> IT DID.

AND IT QUICKLY WAS UNDERTAKEN BY THE LARGEST STATE IN THE UNION.

YOU KNOW, I THINK CALIFORNIA HAS WORKED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS A STATE OF 40 MILLION PEOPLE, THERE ARE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF REPUBLICANS THERE AND NOT HARDLY ANY OF THEM WILL HAVE A VOICE.

IT IS NOT ONE PARTY IS INNOCENT IN ALL OF THIS.

BUT THERE HAS TO COME A POINT WHERE IT STOPS OR IT WILL NEVER STOP.

>> Jeff: DAVID, JUMP IN ON THAT.

AND WE'VE HEARD A LOT ON THE SUBJECT OF POLITICAL RED LINING.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?

>> WELL, LOOK, I THINK POLITICAL RED LINING IS EXACTLY WHAT STARTED ALL OF THIS IN TEXAS.

THEY HAD A PRESIDENT TRUMP CAME OUT WITH AN EXPLICIT DEMAND THAT TEXAS FIND HIM FIVE MORE VOTES IN THE U.S.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THEY COMPLIED.

THIS IS NOT A SURPRISE TO ME, BECAUSE TEXAS DID THIS IN 2003.

AND THEY SCRATCHED OUT SIX MORE VOTES FOR THEIR PARTY IN THE VERY NEXT U.S.

HOUSE ELECTION.

AND THIS IS WHERE I WANT TO CENTER THIS WHOLE CONSIDERS, BECAUSE I -- CONVERSATION, BECAUSE I SAID ON THE FLOOR YOU WOULD HAVE THE LINES CHANGE A COUPLE ARE HAVERS AND NOT IMPACT ANYTHING BUT IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT FOR MARYLAND TO GET INTO THIS BECAUSE IF WE DO NOT, WHAT MESSAGE ARE WE SENDING TO TEXAS IN 2043 WHEN THEY TRY THIS AGAIN?

THEY WILL LOOK AT HISTORY RIGHT NOW AND SAY, ALL OF THE STATES STAND DOWN WHEN WE DO THIS.

IF WE WANT TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE 2040 CYCLE AND I THINK THAT IS WHERE WE'RE AT, WE DO NEED TO FIGHT BACK NOW AND WE NEED CONGRESS TO TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS AND END THIS.

I HAVE BASKETBALL WAITING FOR THE PERSON IN MARYLAND WHO IS SUPPOSEDLY THE TARGET OF OUR MID-DECADE REDISTRICTING PROPOSAL TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THIS.

IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET.

THE LONELY COSPONSORS ON THE MID-DECADE BAN IN CONGRESS ARE FROM CALIFORNIA, AND VIRGINIA AT THE MOMENT.

>> Jeff: DELEGATE BUCKLE?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR'S USE OF THE PHRASE POLITICAL RED LINING IS UNFORTUNATE.

IT NOTES AND HE SEEMS TO DO THIS FREQUENTLY OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS IT KA NOTES HE VIEWS EVERYTHING THROUGH A RACIAL LENS AND THE BALTIMORE BANNER AND USING EXPERTS AND COMPUTER MODELS DID AN ANALYSIS AND CONCLUDED THAT THE MAP THAT WAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES CREATES FEWER MAJORITY MINORITY DISTRICTS IN MARYLAND THAN THE MAP WE HAVE TODAY.

IT, IN FACT, MAKES IT LESS LIKELY YOU WILL HAVE MEMBERS OF MINORITY COMMUNITY BLACK MARYLANDERS, HISPANIC MARYLANDERS, HAVE AN EASIER PATH TO GET ELECTED BY MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY OR PEERS OF THEIR ETHNIC GROUP.

WHEN THAT IS THE REALITY TO USE THE PHRASES LIKE POLITICAL RED LINING, IS THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE, IS KIND OF DISINGENUOUS.

IT'S DESIGNED TO FIRE UP A GROUP OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR THAT ANGLE BUT IT HAS NO BASIS IN REALITY WHATSOEVER.

>> Jeff: DAVID, I DO WANT TO NOTE -- >> I HAVE TO CORRECT YOU ON THAT.

>> Jeff: WHERE HE MADE THE POINT THIS NEW MAP HAS MORE COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS OVERALL AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ELECT MORE MODERATES TO CONGRESS?

>> NOT ONLY IS ALL OF THAT TRUE, BUT I WOULD ACTUALLY STRONGLY CONTEST DELEGATE BUCKLE'S CHARACTERIZATION OF THINGS HERE.

THAT TEXAS MAP ACTUALLY WAS FOUND BY A FEDERAL COURT TO BE -- TO HAVE BEEN DRAWN EXPLICITLY WITH RACE IN MIND AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS IT WAS STRUCK DOWN IN THAT INITIAL REVIEW.

SO THERE IS ACTUALLY QUITE A SPECIFIC RECORD ABOUT TEXAS AND SOME OF THE OTHER MAPS BEING EXACTLY TARGETING PEOPLE FOR RACIAL REASONS.

I THINK THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION IS TURNED ON ITS HEAD AND THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THAT THESE DISTRICTS BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS AND THE REPUBLICANS CAN'T EXPECT THAT THEY ARE JUST GOING TO SWEEP THE ELECTIONS EVERY YEAR.

IF YOU HAVE BAD YEARS, MANY OF THESE DISTRICTS BECOME COMPETITIVE.

IF YOU GO BACK TO THE 90s, THE GINGRICH REVOLUTION YOU WILL SEE REALIGN THES EVERY 10, 20 YEARS WE FACE A POLITICAL REALIGNMENT.

IT'S PARTICULARLY WHY YOU HAVE PLACES LIKE TEXAS CHANGING THEM MID-GAME BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET IT RIGHT.

I WOULD REJECT AGAIN THAT THESE ARE GEARED TOWARDS ANY POLITICAL OUTCOME BUT CLEARLY ON THE OTHER STATES THE RACIAL OUTCOME WAS A PRIMARY FACTOR WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO DO.

>> Jeff: DELEGATE, THE LAST WORD A SENTENCE OR TWO?

>> WELL, I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT TRUE THAT THIS WAS NOT DESIGNED FOR A PARTISAN OUTCOME.

I WAS IN HEARING DELEGATE MOON WAS IN THE HEARING ON THE BILL, BOTH DELEGATE WILSON THAT SPONSORED THE BILL AND GOVERNOR MOORE MADE CLEAR WE ARE DOING THIS TO PRODUCE ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

THEY ARE NOT DRAWING THE MATCHES THAT THE RACES BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE THEY ARE DRAWING THE MAPS SO ANDY HARRIS CANNOT SERVE IN CONGRESS AND THE EASTERN SHORE DOESN'T HAVE A VOICE, REPUBLICANS DO NOT HAVE A VOICE AND ANOTHER VOTE FOR JEFFERIES IN 2027 AND IT'S OBVIOUS THERE IS NO SENSE TRYING TO ARGUE AROUND THAT.

>> Jeff: WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE IT, JEFF.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: NOW, FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE WE'RE JOINED BY HANNAH GASKILL OF THE DAILY RECORD.

AT OUR TAPING TIME IT APPEARS THERE IS A BATTLE GOING ON BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.

THE GOVERNOR ON SOCIAL MEDIA SALUTING SENATOR ELLIS WHO HAS TAKEN THE STAND THAT HE'S PARTIALLY BOYCOTTING SENATE PROCEEDINGS UNLESS THE REDISTRICTING BILL MOVES.

YOU ASKED THE SENATE PRESIDENT ABOUT THAT THIS MORNING?

>> RIGHT.

SO SENATOR ELLIS HAS SAID THAT HE WILL BE ATTENDING FLOOR SESSIONS BUT IN PROTEST WON'T BE CLICKING THE GREEN BUTTON TO SIGNAL THAT HE IS THERE SO THE BODY CANNOT HAVE A QUORUM.

THE BODY THE SENATE NEEDS 24 PEOPLE TO HAVE A QUORUM I'M NOT SURE THAT IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM.

AND FERGUSON ALSO SAID IF YOU ARE THERE IN A SEAT IT IS A QUORUM.

I DON'T KNOW HOW EFFECTIVE THIS PROTEST WILL BE.

BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS SOME INNER CONFLICT IN THE SENATE.

THOUGH, THE SENATE PRESIDENT SAID THAT MOST OF THE CAUCUS IS STILL WITH HIM.

>> Jeff: FOR PEOPLE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE RULES COMMITTEE, IT'S KIND OF THE OBLIVIAN COMMITTEE WHEN THE ROCHE MOTEL BILLS ENTER AND THEY SELDOM LEAVE.

INTERESTINGLY, SENATOR ELLIS IS THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE ROSTER THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON AND A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICANS IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE A MAJORITY VOTING TO MOVE THIS BILL, IF THE SENATE PRESIDENT DOESN'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN.

>> RIGHT.

I MEAN, FERGUSON HAS NOT OUT RIGHT SAID THE BILL IS DEAD BUT HE SAID ON RECORD THAT THE BILL IS IN RULES COMMITTEE WHERE QUOTE IT WILL SIT END EQUITY.

SO I DON'T ANTICIPATE IT HOFFING FORWARD BUT IT'S DAY 67 -- WE HAVE 67 DAYS LEFT.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> Jeff: GOT IT.

SPEAKING OF THE SENATE THERE IS A BILL YOU HAVE BEEN REPORTING ON THAT WOULD CHANGE THE PROCESS OF CHARGING JUVENILES AS ADULTS IN CERTAIN CASES.

WHAT WOULD THAT DO?

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 33 OFFENSES FOR WHICH CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 14 CAN BE -- ARE AUTOMATICALLY CHARGED AS ADULTS.

SENATOR WILL SMITH WHO CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE IS SPONSORING A BILL THAT WOULD LOWER THE NUMBER OF OFFENSES TO 22.

THOSE CHILDREN WOULD START THEIR CASES THEIR ENTRY INTO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WOULD BE IN JUVENILE COURT RATHER THAN ADULT CRIMINAL COURT.

>> Jeff: WOULD IT CHANGE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE CHARGED AS ADULTS OR CHANGE THE PROCESS?

>> IT WOULD CANING THE PROCESS.

BUT I THINK IT WOULD CHANGE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE CHARGED AS ADULTS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT CHILDREN CHARGED AS ADULTS ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES, AND SENATOR SMITH, 80% OF THOSE CASES ARE EITHER DISMISSED OR WAIVED DOWN FROM ADULT COURT TO JUVENILE COURTNEY WAY.

IT DOESN'T CHANGE A BUNCH IT JUST SHORTENS THE PROCESS.

>> Jeff: AND THE LONGSTANDING DYSFUNCTION AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES IS AN ELEMENT OF THIS DISCUSSION?

>> RIGHT.

THIS BILL WAS SPONSORED BY THE DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR, I BELIEVE.

IT DIDN'T MOVE FORWARD.

THERE WAS A LOT OF CONTROVERSY OVER THE FORMER HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES, REPUBLICANS DESCRIBED HIM AS RADICAL, THOUGHT HIS PRACTICES WERE RADICAL.

HE WAS EITHER OUSTED OR LEFT THE JURY IS STILL OUT ON THAT ONE OVER THE SUMMER.

AND REPLACED BY A VETERAN OF THE AGENCY, I THINK HAS MORE TRUST FROM THE LAWMAKERS.

SO WE COULD SEE THIS MOVE FORWARD THIS YEAR.

>> Jeff: HANNAH GASKILL JOINING US FROM ANNAPOLIS, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: YOU CAN READ HANNAH GASKILL'S REPORTING AT "THE DAILY RECORD".COM.

AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

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

JOIN US NEXT WEDNESDAY FOR THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

MPT WILL CARRY HAD AT THAT TIME SPEECH LIVE AT NOON WITH A REPLAY AT 7:00 P.M.

YOU CAN WATCH ON THE GO AT MPT.ORG/STATE OF THE STATE.

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

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

[♪♪]