THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MAD POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPOR OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: A SUPER WEEKEND FOR SPORTS BETTING.

>> PEOPLE SHOULD PLAY WITH THE MONEY THEY HAVE.

>> GAMING IS HERE IT ALREADY EXISTS WE CAN'T PUT THE GENIE BACK IN THE BOTTLE BUT WE CAN REGULATE IT.

>> Jeff: SPARKING DISCUSSION ON THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.

>> WE HAVE TO PROVIDE MORE MARYLAND MADE ENERGY AND WE NEED IT CLEANER THAN THE ENERGY WE PRODUCE TODAY AND WE NEED IT NOW.

>> WHAT IS MISSING FOR URGENCY HOW WE CAN HELP RATEPAYERS.

>> Jeff: AND FEDERAL WORKERS FACING DECISIONS.

>> THE DEAL IS YOU RESIGN NOW AND WE'LL KEEP PAYING YOU FOR THE NEXT SIX, SEVEN OR EIGHT MONTHS.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS LEGAL.

>> CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO TH GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRC.

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG FORRY A CALL FOR COURAGE.

THOSE WERE GOVERNOR MOORE'S WORDS AS HE DELIVERED HIS THIRD STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

THE SPEECH COMES AS THE STATE FACES A $3 BILLION DEFICIT AND ACTIVIST NEW ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON.

>> WE MUST PROVE THAT WHEN MARYLAND WAS TESTED THAT WE COLLECTIVELY MET THIS MOMENT.

AND WHILE THERE ARE MANY OPINIONS ABOUT HOW WE ENDED UP IN THIS CRISIS, LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NEVER A QUESTION ABOUT WHO SOLVED IT.

THAT WHEN CRISES COME, WE CONFRONT TESTIMONY.

THAT WE CONFRONT THEM WITH COURAGE.

TOGETHER.

AND IN THIS MOMENT, WE MUST MARSHALL THE COURAGE TO MOVE IN PARTNERSHIP TO BUILD A STATE WHERE OUR ECONOMY IS GROWING TO BUILD A STATE WHERE OUR PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED TO BUILD A STATE WHERE OUR CHILDREN NO LONGER BEING BORN INTO POVERTY AND BUILD A STATE WHERE MARYLAND BECOMES THE STANDARD OF WHAT ABUND DEPARTMENT OPPORTUNITY ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE.

[APPLAUSE] >> Jeff: THE REPUBLICAN POSITION ON THE STATE OF OUR STATE WAS DELIVERED BY HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JASON BUCKLE.

>> GOVERNOR MOORE CLAIMS HIS BUDGET IS A MIX OF TAX CUTS FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS, TAX INCREASES FOR ONLY THE WEALTHIEST MARYLANDERS AND REAL SPENDING REDUCTIONS.

HOWEVER, GOVERNOR MOORE'S SPENDING CUTS ARE NOT WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE THE LARGEST CUT IN THE BUDGET IS NOT A CUT AT ALL.

BUT MERELY A DECISION NOT TO PUT $420 MILLION INTO THE RAINY DAY FUND OUR STATE'S SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

HE ALSO SHIFTS $145 MILLION OF SPENDING ON TO THE BACKS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHO WILL, AS A RESULT, LIKELY BE ENFORCED TO INCREASE LOCAL TAXES.

THE TRUTH IS WE ARE SPENDING MORE ON EDUCATION, MORE ON HEALTHCARE, MORE ON MASS TRANSIT AND MORE ON STATE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE COSTS THAN LAST YEAR.

>> Jeff: THE SPEECHES CAN BE SEEN AT MPT.ORG.

>>> A YEAR AGO NEXT MONTH, THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSED AFTER BEING HIT BY A SHIP.

THIS WEEK PHOTOS OF THE REPLACE AND SPAN WERE RELEASED.

THE CABLE DESIGN WILL BE WIDER AND IT WILL BE TALLER TO ACCOMMODATE POTENTIALLY EVEN BIGGER CARGO VESSELS.

THE APPROXIMATELY $2 BILLION COST WILL BE PAID BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNDER LEGISLATION SIGNED LATE LAST YEAR.

LAWMAKERS IN MARYLAND ARE LOOKING AT WHETHER THE EXPLOSION IN SPORTS BETTING IS AFFECTING COLLEGE ATHLETES.

NANCY AMATA HAS MORE.

>> WE ARE SEEING A RISE IN SUICIDE ATTEMPTS BY YOUTH OR GETTING INTO TROUBLE WITH PROBLEM GAMBLING.

>> PROPONENTS TOLD THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE THAT TOO MANY MARYLANDERS HAVE BEEN HARMED BY GAB BELLING AMONG THE MOST AT RISK.

>> A SURVEY FOUND THAT 58% OF 18-22-YEAR-OLDS HAVE BET ON SPORTS.

>> BILL'S SPONSOR SAYS HER BILL WOULD BAN THE USE OF CREDIT CARDS FOR MOBILE BETTING.

>> WE DON'T ALLOW CREDIT CARDS FOR OTHER TYPES OF GAMING.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO GO INTO DEBT.

THEY CAN USE DEBIT CARDS BUT PEOPLE SHOULD PLAY WITH THE MONEY THEY HAVE.

>> OTHERS TESTIFIED THAT GAMBLING COST THEM FAR MORE THAN MONEY.

>> I WISH I SEEN THE DAMAGE THE LIFESTYLE MAY HAVE CAUSED ME IT WOULD HAVE SAVED ME FROM TWO FAILED MARRIAGES.

>> HE IS A PEER SUPERVISOR WITH THE MARYLAND CENTER OF EXCELLENCE ON PROBLEM GAMBLING.

HE SUPPORTS THE BILL WHICH WOULD RAISE THE AGE FOR FANTASY BETTING FROM 18 TO 21.

IT WOULD ALSO BAN WHAT IS KNOWN AS PROP BETTEDS IN COLLEGE SPORTS.

>> I THINK IT'S DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT ALLOWS YOU TO BET ON MULTIPLE PLAYS THROUGHOUT THE GAME.

IF YOU START LOSING YOU CAN START BETTING MORE RECKLESSLY ON PLAYERS' STATS, THE UNDER OVER IN THE SECOND HALF.

IT OPENS UP THE DOORS FOR MANY, MANY MORE PLAYS THROUGHOUT THE GAME.

AND YOU ARE GETTING MORE DOPAMINE HITS IF YOU LOOK AT THE SIGNS OF ADDICTION AS WELL.

IT'S LIKE A DRUG TO THE BRAIN.

>> ONE PROPONENT TOLD LAWMAKERS ENDING PROP BETS IN COLLEGE SPORTS WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDndING HARASSMENT OF COLLEGE ATHLETES.

>> IN 2024 THE NCAA PRESIDENT NOTED THAT 10-15% ATHLETES REPORTED BEING HARASSED THE ATHLETES REPORTED EXPERIENCING DEATH THREATS OR DEMANDS FOR MONEY FROM UNHAPPY BETTERS.

>> THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE THE STATE LOCALRY AND GAMING CONTROL COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH A EXCLUSIONARY LIST FOR PROBLEM GAMBLERS THEY WILL BE CONTACTED TO GET HELP AT A TIME WHEN LAWMAKERS WILL BE CONSIDERING LEGALIZING REGULATED ON-LINE GAMBLING.

>> AS YOU KNOW WE HAVE A HUGE STRUCTURAL BUDGET DEFICIT.

THE STATE IS LOOKING AT THE A LOT OF NEW REVENUE STREAMS MY ARGUMENT WE NEED TO REDUCE SPENDING AND DO CUTS BUT AT THE SAME TIME GAMING IS ALREADY HERE.

IT ALREADY EXISTS.

SO WE CAN'T PUT THE GENIE BACK IN THE BOTTLE ESPECIALLY IN THE SPORTS GAMING ON-LINE BUT WE CAN REGULATE AND IT SET OFF EXIT RAMPS TO IF SOMEONE IDENTIFIES THEY HAVE A PROBLEM OR A FAMILY MEMBER, GIVE THEM A WAY TO GET THE COUNSELING THEY NEED AND GET OFF THE SPORTS GAMING ADDICTION.

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

>> Jeff: WITH CONSTITUENTS NOW RECEIVING RECORD WINTER UTILITY BILLS, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS THIS WEEK UNVEILED PROPOSALS TO TRY TO HASTEN THE ARRIVAL OF CLEANER AND POSSIBLY CHEAPER POWER.

SUE COPPIN HAS THE LATEST.

>> WE HAVE TO PROVIDE A PATH TOWARDS MORE MARYLAND MADE ENERGY.

WE NEED IT CLEANER THAN THE ENERGY WE PRODUCE TODAY AND WE NEED IT NOW AND THAT IS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

>> BILL FERGUSON JOINED WITH LEADERS IN PRESENTING THE PACKAGE OF BILLS.

>> WE NEED TO ACT TODAY.

WE NEED TO CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY GENERATION, TO ALLEVIATE STRESS ON OUR POWER SYSTEM.

WE NEED TO SECURE OUR ENERGY GRID AS WE TRANSITION TO CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE FUTURE AND IT BECOMES MORE ENERGY INDEPENDENT.

>> THERE ARE THREE BILLS IN THE PACKAGE.

THE NEXT GENERATION ENERGY BILL WHICH REQUIRES THE STATE'S PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO SEEK BIDS AND APPROVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW INSTATE DISPATCHABLE GENERATION CAPACITY THAT ALLOWS A DPRID OPERATOR TO MAKE GRID ADJUSTMENTS.

THE ACT AIMS TO REMOVE LOCAL ROADBLOCKS TO SOLAR GENERATION AND BATTERY STORAGE.

AND SETS STANDARDS FOR SOLAR INSTALLATION AND GIVES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THE ABILITY TO ENROLL PRESCRIBERS.

AND THE RESOURCE ACT CASSY AND PLANNING ACT TO CREATE AN INDEPENDENT OFFICE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND ADVICE ON ENERGY POLICY.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE OFFICE WILL NOT BE ANOTHER LAYER OF GOVERNMENT.

IT WILL BE THE GLUE THAT HOLDS THE PIECES TOGETHER.

IT WILL COORDINATE WITH THE ENTITIES WORKING ON ENERGY POLICY, THE MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION, THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, THE POWER PLANT RESEARCH PROGRAM, THE MARYLAND CLEAN ENERGY CENTER, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

TO IDENTIFY THE GAPS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ONLY SOMEONE ON THE TOP LEVEL LOOKING IN CAN SEE.

>> AND NUCLEAR POWER IS A PART OF THE PLAN AS WELL.

>> THIS BILL MUST INCREASE MARYLAND'S POSITION IN ADVANCING NEW NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY.

WE'RE ESTABLISHING A NEW PROCESS FOR NEW NUCLEAR ENERGY INVESTMENTS IN OUR STATE WORKING WITH SURROUNDING STATES TO REDUCE THE CONSTRUCTION RISK INVOLVED AND WE'LL PURSUE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND MARYLAND'S MILITARY INSTALLATIONS FOR NEW NUCLEAR SITES INCLUDING SMALL MODULAR REACTORS.

>> BRITTANY BAKER IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK.

>> I WAS SURPRISED LEADERSHIP UNDERSTANDS WE CAN'T WALK BACK FROM OUR CLIMATE MANDATE.

AND THEY REALLY WERE LEANING INTO THAT MESSAGING.

>> SENATOR READY SAID MORE IS NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE CONTINUING PROBLEM OF HIGH UTILITY BILLS.

>> WE KNOW WHAT CAN BRING AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE ENERGY TO THE STATE IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.

NATURAL GAS IS IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE THE MAJOR FOCUS RIGHT NOW.

BUT THE ONE THING MISSING IS ANY SORT OF URGENCY HOW WE CAN HELP RATEPAYERS.

>> LAWMAKERS CALLED THEIR APPROACH PRAGMATIC AND ONE THAT DOES TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> IT IS THIS WORK THAT WILL PROTECT MARYLAND ENERGY CONSUMERS.

THAT WILL DRIVE DOWN ENERGY COSTS.

AND THAT WILL ENSURE THAT OUR FAMILIES KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

>> AT THE STATE HOUSE, SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

[♪♪] >> Jeff: NOW NEWSMAKER IS MARYLAND'S FOURTH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN DEMOCRAT GLENN IVEY SIR THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK ON MPT.

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE ARE ANXIOUS TO TALK ABOUT BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE CONTEXT OF ALL THE ANTI-D.E.I.

ORDERS THAT ARE COMING OUT.

BUT I WANT TO START WITH YOUR DISTRICT AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS SO MANY OF WHOM WORK FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THEM?

>> A LOT OF CONCERN.

WE HAVE A DISTRICT PRINCE GEORGE'S WITH STAN ANY HOYER.

THERE'S LIKE 45, TO 50,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES JUST IN MY PART OF THE DISTRICT ALONE.

THE IMPACT COULD BE HUGE.

AND THEY ARE WORRIED, THEY ARE CONCERNED, THEY ARE CONFUSED BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF FALSE INFORMATION AND ACCURATE INFORMATION PRESSURE FOR THEM TO LEAVE SERVICE AND THE LIKE.

AND A LOT OF THREATS, TOO, FRANKLY.

SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE WE GET ACCURATE INFORMATION OUT TO THEM.

WORKING WITH THE UNIONS AND ADVOCACY GROUPS TO FILE LITIGATION TO BLOCK UNFAIR EFFORTS TO REMOVE THEM FROM OFFICE BECAUSE MOST OF THE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES HAVE PROTECTIONS THEY HAVE RIGHTS THAT ARE BEING TRAMPLED ON IN SOME WAYS.

SO WE'RE REACHING OUT TO COURTS TO PROTECT THOSE RIGHTS.

AND THEY ARE STEPPING UP THEY ARE GRANTING INJUNCTIONS IN CASE AFTER CASE AFTER CASE.

>> Jeff: AT OUR TAPING TIME WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE TOOK THE EARLY OUT OFFERS.

BUT YOU HELD A TOWN HALL FOR PEOPLE IN FEDERAL SERVICE WHO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

WHAT WAS YOUR MESSAGE?

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN EXPLAINING TO PEOPLE THAT THEY SHOULD NOT TAKE THE DEAL.

BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH UNCERTAINLY AROUND IT INCLUDING WHETHER IT'S LEGAL OR NOT.

I MEAN, BASICALLY, THE DEAL IS PROPOSED IS YOU RESIGN NOW, AND WE'LL KEEP PAYING YOU FOR THE NEXT, SIX, SEVEN EIGHT MONTHS.

I DON'T THINK IT'S LEGAL.

AND I'M SURE MONEY HAS NOT BEEN APPROPRIATED FOR NO SHOW JOBS.

THEY ARE OKAY FOR THE SOPRANOS BUT NOT FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT'S ILLEGAL.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE PEOPLE NOT RESIGN, NOT GIVE UP THEIR RIGHTS, BECAUSE THEY MIGHT BE WALKING INTO SOMETHING WHERE IF THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T COME THROUGH, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT IT CAN, THEY DON'T HAVE ANYWAY TO ENFORCE THE PROMISES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE IN THESE SO-CALLED DEALS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE CAN ALWAYS FIGURE OUT LATER AS THIS MOVES THROUGH THE COURTS, HOW THEY CAN LEAVE IF THEY WANT TO LEAVE, WHETHER THEY CAN STAY.

AND I THINK THE VAST MAJORITY SHOULD BE ABLE TO STAY IN PLACE.

AND WE NEED THEM TO STAY IN PLACE.

IF YOU HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE WALK AWAY, THE FUNCTIONS THAT WOULD COLLAPSE.

ONE QUICK EXAMPLE.

WE HAD THIS HORRIFIC AIR COLLISION AND TRAGEDY ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO HERE IN THE DC AREA.

ALL OF THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS GOT THE SAME OFFER THAT THEY COULD RESIGN IMMEDIATELY IF THEY WANTED TO.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THEY DID?

I MEAN, THE AIR TRAFFIC PROBLEM YOU'D HAVE NO AIR FLIGHT CAPABILITY HERE IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

AND IT TAKES SEVERAL YEARS TO TRAIN THESE PEOPLE SO THEY ARE UP AND READY TO TAKE THE JOB.

SO LET'S BE MORE SOPHISTICATED AND SMART THE WAY WE GO ABOUT THIS AND FOR INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES STAY THE COURSE.

DON'T RUSH INTO ANYTHING WHERE YOU MIGHT BE GIVING AWAY YOUR RIGHTS.

>> Jeff: YOUR THOUGHTS ON ELON MUSK?

OBVIOUSLY VERY SUCCESSFUL TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTOR.

NOT CLEAR THAT THAT SKILL SET TRANSLATES TO THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> YEAH, SO FAR IT'S BEEN A DISASTER.

YOU KNOW, HE'S SORT OF A BULL IN A CHINA SHOP.

WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING BASICALLY, HE AND HE HAS SIX LATE TEEN, EARLY 20ISH, YOU KNOW, GUYS WHO GO INTO THESE FEDERAL AGENCIES AND JUST START RIFLING THROUGH FILES THAT INCLUDES PERSONNEL FILES THAT INCLUDES FINANCIAL FILES.

PENDING LITIGATION.

I MEAN, AND NONE OF THESE GUYS HAVE ANY TYPES OF SECURITY CLEARANCES THAT WE ARE AWARE OF TO BE HANDLING THINGS LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS FOR EMPLOYEES, PERSONALS PERSONALS TO AND INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION BIG ISSUE IS CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.

THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES PENDING AGAINST ELON MUSK AND HIS COMPANIES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR EXAMPLE WITH OSHA WHICH IS WHERE HE WAS TRYING TO GO INTO YESTERDAY.

YOU TALK ABOUT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST GETTING ACCESS TO THE FILES OF PENDING MATTERS, IS OUTRAGEOUS.

SO WE'VE SOUGHT EFFORTS TO BLOCK THESE THINGS IN COURT.

SO FAR IT LOOKS LIKE THOSE ARE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

AND YOU KNOW WE'LL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

THEN THE LAST POINT ON THIS, DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE ARE DEMANDING THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ISSUE A SUBPOENA TO ELON MUSK AND HAVE HIM COME IN AND TESTIFY SO HE CAN EXPLAIN WHAT HE IS DOING.

>> Jeff: BUT YOU DON'T HAVE THE VOTES TO FORCE THAT?

>> NO.

THE REPUBLICANS HAVE TO DO IT.

BUT LAST YEAR, THE REPUBLICANS THEY WERE THROWING SUBPOENAS AROUND LIKE CONFETTI AT A PARADE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THEY HAD THE ATTORNEY GENERAL COME IN, THEY HAD ALL KINDS OF LINE PROSECUTORS COME IN.

PROSECUTORS THAT WERE HANDLING THE SPECIAL PROSECUTION INVESTIGATIONS.

LOW LEVEL THEY DRAGGED ALL OF THEM IN.

WE SHOULD HAVE ELON MUSK COME IN SO HE CAN ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO HEAR.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE CONTEXT OF SHUTTING DOWN ALL SORTS OF D.E.I.

PROGRAMS, OBSERVANCES, AND NOT JUST IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> I WAS TALKING TO A COMPANY YESTERDAY I WILL LEAVE IT NAMELESS AT THIS POINT, THAT IS CONFUSED WHAT THEY ARE AND ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO.

YOU GOT BUSINESSES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, THAT ARE WORRIED THAT IF THEY DO ANYTHING TO EVEN RECOGNIZE BLACK HISTORY MONTH THEY MAYBE VIOLATING THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

AND THAT'S RIDICULOUS.

YOU KNOW.

HAVING BLACK HISTORY MONTH THERE'S NO CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATION, THERE'S NO REVERSE DISCRIMINATION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S SILLY TO TRY AND BLOT OUT HISTORY THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD LEARN AND EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW.

THIS IS AN OUTGROWTH OF THE FLORIDA BOOK BAN EFFORTS TRYING TO TAKE BOOKS OFF OF SHELVES LIKE TONY MORRISON ONE OF THE GREAT WRITERS OF ALL TIME, PULITZER PRIZE WINNER TOO.

AND THEY ARE TRYING TO TAKE HER BOOKS OFF THE SHELVES.

SO KIDS IN SCHOOLS CAN'T READ THEM.

IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE, YOU KNOW, WISE UP AND GET PUSHBACK FROM THE PUBLIC.

WE DON'T NEED THESE THINGS.

AND BY THE WAY, HE DIDN'T GET ELECTED FOR THIS KIND OF STUFF.

HE WON THE ELECTION BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMY.

BUT HE'S NOT FOCUSING ON IT AT ALL.

WE'D LIKE TO SEE THEM GET BACK TO REDUCING INFLATION, REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT, GAS PRICES, GROCERY PRICES, THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE WANT TO BE FOCUSING ON.

BUT HE IS NOT TAKING ANY STEPS TO ADDRESS THOSE THINGS RIGHT NOW AND WE NEED WANT HIM TO CHANGE HIS FOCUS AND SHIFT TO THAT.

>> Jeff: CONGRESSMAN GLENN IVEY, SIR, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: NOW FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE WE ARE JOINED POSSIBLY FOR THE LAST TIME BY JOSH KURTZ, THE COFOUNDER OF MARYLAND MATTERS.

JOSH, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU JEFF.

>> WITH THAT LITTLE DIRE SOUNDING TEASE AT THE TOP WE'LL SET THAT ASIDE.

THE STATE OF THE STATE, WHAT WERE YOUR TAKEAWAYS?

>> WELL, I WAS STRUCK BY HOW IT WAS A PRETTY SOMBER AND SOBERING SPEECH.

GOVERNOR MOORE HAS BEEN WARNING FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW THAT THE STATE IS FACING TWO MAJOR STORMS ONE IS THE BUDGET SHORTFALL THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR A WHILE AND THE OTHER IS THE UNCERTAINTY EMANATING OUT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH THE NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

AND HE REALLY KIND OF LAID OUT BOTH CHALLENGES PRETTY STARKLY.

THE SPEECH STARTED WITH A REFERENCE TO A DISASTER.

THE PLANE CRASH OUTSIDE OF REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT.

AND HE ENDED WITH A REFERENCE TO THE KEY BRIDGE FALLING ANOTHER DISASTER.

AND WHILE THESE WERE MEANT TO ILLUSTRATE HEROISM AND RESILIENCE THEY WERE -- IT KIND OF LENGTH THEMSELVES TO THE FEELING OF A SOMBER MOMENT FOR THE STATE AND A CHALLENGING MOMENT.

>> Jeff: HAD THE SAME IMPRESSION.

THAT HIS TRADEMARK LEVEL OF POSITIVITY WAS STILL THERE.

MAYBE DIALED BACK A NOTCH BY THE FISCAL CHALLENGES AND OTHER THINGS.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN HE STILL HAS AN AMBITIOUS AGENDA.

AND HE STILL HAS PLANS FOR ACCOMPLISHING THINGS.

BUT YOU KNOW, THERE WERE NOT A LOT OF THINGS HE COULD SUGAR COAT EITHER.

>> Jeff: INTERESTING WE'RE ABOUT 10 DAYS PAST THE POINT IN THE SESSION LAST YEAR WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION ROLLED OUT ITS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE YEAR.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S DELAYED OR IT'S NOT COMING AND THERE'S JUST GOING TO BE A SMATTERING OF BILLS?

>> I'M INCLINED TO SAY MORE OF THE LATTER AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF FOCUS ON JUST BUDGETARY STUFF AND ANCILLARY ISSUES.

THE LEGISLATURE ITSELF HAS A FEW BIG AGENDA ITEMS BUT EVEN THOSE DON'T SEEM AS NUMEROUS AS THEY ARE MOST YEARS.

I THINK THERE IS A RECOGNITION THEY HAVE TO BUCKEL DOWN AND DEAL WITH THE BUDGET AND HONESTLY, THERE'S THIS LOOMING THREAT OF A FEDERAL SHUT DOWN IN MID-MARCH WHICH COULD SCRAMBLE THINGS EVEN MORE.

I THINK THERE IS A RECOGNITION HERE THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE A LOT OF LAST-MINUTE ADJUSTMENTS IN THE FINAL WEEKS AND DAYS OF THE SESSION AND EVERYBODY'S SORT OF NERVOUS AND MINDFUL ABOUT THAT.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NEWS BUSINESS AND YOUR NEWS BUSINESS.

A FEW DAYS AGO YOU POSTED A STORY ON MARYLAND MATTERS THAT WAS HEADLINED TIME FOR SOMETHING NEW.

>> RIGHT.

>> Jeff: THIS IS A MID-LIFE CRISIS, RIGHT?

>> I'M -- I WISH I COULD STILL SAY I WAS IN MID-LIFE.

>> Jeff: I'D LIKE TO THINK SO.

>> NO.

YOU KNOW THIS HAS BEEN THE PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHT OF MY CAREER LAUNCHING MARYLAND MATTERS AND GET TO GO OFF THE GROUND AND RUNNING IT FOR MANY YEARS.

IT'S BEEN A DECADE LONG PROJECT AND IT'S BEEN ALL WE'VE BEEN PUBLISHING FOR ALMOST EIGHT YEARS AND I STARTED WORKING ON IT A COUPLE YEARS BEFORE THAT.

WHILE HOLDING A FULL-TIME JOB IN WASHINGTON D.C.

SO IT'S JUST BEEN ALL ENCOMPASSING AND PLAIN AND SIMPLE I'M READY FOR A BREAK.

AND I CAN STEP AWAY KNOWING THAT WE HAVE A GREAT CREW IN PLACE.

AND, YOU KNOW, ANOTHER PERSON OR TWO WILL BE COMING ON SOON.

AND IT WILL BE GREAT AND IT WILL BE GREAT TO WATCH.

AND I STILL MAY CONTRIBUTE MATERIAL FROM TIME TO TIME.

BUT I JUST HAD TO GET OFF THE DAILY HAMSTER WHEEL FOR A WHILE.

>> Jeff: HATS OFF TO YOU FOR CREATING THAT HAMSTER WHEEL.

THE STATE AS ALL STATES NEEDS FRESH MEDIA IMPARTIAL MEDIA LIKE YOU HAVE CREATED AND YOU'VE ASSEMBLED TERRIFIC WRITERS THERE.

I REMEMBER ABOUT A DECADE AGO, WE MET FOR A CUP OF COFFEE.

>> I REMEMBER.

>> ON CAPITOL HILL WHEN YOU WERE STARTING TO THINK ABOUT THIS AND I ATTEMPTED TO LAUNCH A NEW MEDIA THING NATIONALLY THAT FLOPPED AND WAS SKEPTICAL THAT YOU WERE GOING TO GET THIS GOING.

BUT YOU DID.

AND ASIDE FROM DOGGED DETERMINATION WHAT WAS THE SECRET?

>> I WISH I COULD SAY THERE WAS A SECRET BECAUSE I FEEL WE BLUNDERED INTO THINGS HALF THE TIME AS MUCH AS ANYTHING.

BUT I THINK THE FACT THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SUCCEED KNOCK WOOD I SHOULD MENTION WE ARE A NONPROFIT, PROBABLY WORTH MENTIONING.

I THINK THERE WERE ENOUGH PEOPLE WHO SAW THE VALUE IN SHEDDING LIGHT ON WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE STATE HOUSE.

AND ALL THE YEARS I'VE COVERED MARYLAND FOR DIFFERENT PUBLICATIONS, YOU KNOW, THE NUMBER OF REPORTERS FOCUSING ON STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS SHRUNK TO FRIGHTENING SMALL LEVELS.

SO THIS WAS JUST AN ATTEMPT TO FILL A VOID AABILITY AND I THINK.

.

ENOUGH PEOPLE OUT THERE AND SOME GENEROUS FOUNDATIONS THAT RESPONDED TO IT.

AND NONPROFIT NEWS IS ONE MODEL FOR SUCCEEDING BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S THE ONLY MODEL AND IT HAS INHERENT FLAWS BUT IT'S BEEN WORKING FOR US THANKFULLY.

>> Jeff: AND DESPITE THE HEADWINDS FOR LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE AND THE EMPTY PRESSROOMS IN MANY STATE CAPITOLS AROUND THE COUNTRY, I LOOKED AT THE PRESSROOM AND IT WAS FULL THIS WEEK PARTLY DUE TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM, THE BALTIMORE BANNER AND THE SUN HAS PEOPLE AND THE WASHINGTON POST.

IT SEEMS LIKE COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, THE MARYLAND STATE HOUSE HAS A STRONG PRESS CORPS AT THE MOTION AND IT'S GOOD FOR JOURNALISM AND GOOD FOR DEMOCRACY.

>> I GUESS I WOULD POINT OUT, JEFF, YOU WERE HERE THIS WEEK DURING THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS WHEN THERE ARE MORE REPORTERS IN ANNAPOLIS THAN MOST DAYS.

BUT EVEN SO, THERE ARE YOU ARE RIGHT, THERE ARE MORE OF US HERE THAN IN MANY STATE CAPITOLS AND WE WELCOME THE PRESENCE AND ADMIRE OUR COMPETITORS.

AND THE MORE EYES WHAT GOES ON THE BETTER.

>> Jeff: YOU HAVE A REPUTATION FOR HAVING GREAT SOURCES AND A LONG MEMORY ABOUT MARYLAND TELL US SOMETHING EITHER WE DON'T KNOW OR YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO OVER THE NEXT YEAR?

>> WOW.

>> Jeff: PUTTING YOU ON THE SPOT.

>> YOU ARE.

I WOULD SAY THIS...

I AM VERY INTERESTED IN OUR GOVERNOR'S NATIONAL PROFILE.

AND YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY KIND OF ASSUMES OH, HE'S GOING TO BE A PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER IN 2028.

I GUESS I ACCEPT THAT CONVENTIONAL WISDOM BUT I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN SEEING FIRST OF ALL HE HAS TO RUN FOR REELECTION IN 2026.

AND ALSO WHAT KIND OF TEAM IS HE PUTTING TOGETHER?

HOW IS HE GETTING PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF RUNNING?

AND FRANKLY, HOW DOES THAT COMPARE WITH POTENTIAL DEMOCRATIC COMPETITORS?

THERE IS A LOT TO WATCH WITH OUR GOVERNOR AND THAT'S ONE THING I WILL BE SORRY TO BE MISSING ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> Jeff: I WILL NOTE IN YOUR FAREWELL ARTICLE YOU SAID YOU WILL BE STARING AT THE PACIFIC OCEAN FOR TWO WEEKS.

WHICH SOUNDS LIKE FUN BUT I WILL POINT OUT THAT SPA CREEK IS TERRIFIC THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> I DON'T DISAGREE YES.

>> Jeff: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ WHAT JOSH AND HIS COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN WRITING VISIT MARYLAND MATTERS.ORG.

AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

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

[♪♪]