THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY GETS TO WORK.

>> I DON'T KNOW A BUSINESS MODEL THAT WORKS THAT WAY.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE CHOICES ON THE THINGS YOU ARE GOING TO INVEST IN.

>> BUDGET PRESSURES TOP THE AGENDA.

>> AND NOW POTENTIALLY YOUR TAX AND FEES ARE GOING TO GO UP.

THIS IS NOT RIGHT.

>> OUR TOP PRIORITY IS TO PROTECT MARYLANDERS.

>> Jeff: AND NEW FACES TAKING ON NEW CHALLENGES.

>> I'M SO THANKFUL TO LIVE IN A TIME WHEN YOU CAN BE JUDGED BY YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND NOT DISQUALIFIED FOR THE CHARACTERISTICS THAT YOU CANNOT CHANGE.

CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEI GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRC.

WELCOME TO MPT'S 44TH SEASON OF PROVIDING WEEKLY COVERAGE OF YOUR LEGISLATURE AT WORK.

I'M JEFF SALKIN AND THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> HI, EVERYBODY.

HAPPY OPENING DAY.

>> Jeff: THIS WEEK LAWMAKERS FROM AROUND THE STATE RETURNED TO ANNAPOLIS FOR THE START OF THE 90-DAY SESSION.

ON THE AGENDA, JUVENILE JUSTICE, A SHORTAGE OF ELECTRICITY, AND HOW THE NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WILL AFFECT THE STATE.

BUT A THREE BILLION DOLLAR HOLE IN THE STATE BUDGET TOPS THE AGENDA.

GOVERNOR MOORE UNVEILING A GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY PROGRAM.

>> MARYLAND WILL FOCUS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH.

AND MARYLAND'S GOING TO WIN.

BUT, THAT ALSO HAS TO HAPPEN BY MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE MODERNIZING OUR SYSTEMS.

IT ALSO HAS TO HAPPEN BY MAKING SURE WE'RE GOOD STEWARDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

IT ALSO HAS TO HAPPEN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING FISCALLY DISCIPLINED THE WAY WE'RE APPROACHING OUR WORK AND WE'RE BEING SOUND STEWARDS OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENTS AND THE SEATS WE ARE NOW SITTING IN.

>> Jeff: THE GOVERNOR WILL PRESENT HIS BNG PROPOSAL LATE NEXT WEEK.

EDUCATION ADVOCATES ARE FOCUSED ON SAFEGUARDING BILLIONS IN PROMISED NEW SPENDING ON SCHOOLS.

SUE COPPIN HAS MORE.

>> IT WAS GOVERNOR MOORE WHO SUGGESTED THERE COULD BE CHANGES AHEAD IN A SPEECH LAST MONTH TO THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES.

>> WE WILL IMPLEMENT THE PARTS OF THE BLUEPRINT THAT WE KNOW WORK INCLUDING INVESTMENTS IN PRESCHOOL AND EARLY EDUCATION AND A FOCUS ON EARLY LITERACY AND FOCUS ON TUTORING.

WE WILL FOCUS ON CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION THAT WE HAVE STRONG PIPELINES AND BUILT OUT STRONG PIPELINES.

AND WE WILL PAUSE THE ELEMENTS THAT NEED A CLOSER LOOK OR REQUIRE LAYING A STRONGER FOUNDATION FOR FULL IMPLEMENTATION.

>> SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON SAYS DESPITE A STATE BUDGET SHORTFALL OF $3 BILLION, HE EXPECTS NO CHANGE IN FUNDING FOR THE BLUEPRINT THIS YEAR, WHICH HE SAYS IS FUNDED THROUGH 2027.

>> ANY CHANGE WE MAKE TO EDUCATION TODAY DOESN'T IMPACT TODAY'S BUDGET.

IT WILL HELP IN THE OUTYEARS BUT DOESN'T HELP TODAY.

THAT SAID WE SHOULD BE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS THE ISSUE WITH THREE-YEAR-OLDS WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH PRIVATE PROVIDERS IN THE SYSTEM AND WE DON'T HAVE PHYSICAL SPACE FOR THE THREE-YEAR-OLDS TO BE EDUCATED IN THE PUBLIC SYSTEM WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE REALITY OF WHAT IMPLEMENTATION LOOKS LIKE AND WE SHOULD AND WILL DO THOSE TYPES OF THINGS THIS YEAR.

>> ONE OF THE GOVERNOR'S SUGGESTIONS IS TO PUT ON HOLD A BLUEPRINT PROGRAM REFERRED TO AS COLLABORATIVE TIME GIVING MORE TEACHERS TIME OUT OF CLASS TO WORK ON CURRICULUM, GRADING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT REQUIRES HIRING TEACHERS.

>> HE DID MENTION COLLABORATIVE TIME AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT A NUMBER OF TIMES MAYBE A 60-40 SPLIT AND MENTIONING THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS THAT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE SCALED BACK A LITTLE BIT.

AND WE AGREE WITH THAT.

BUT THERE ARE BIGGER CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE MADE AND HOPEFULLY WE ADDRESS THEM.

>> HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

>> IF WE CAN'T HIRE ALL THE TEACHERS WE NEED THIS YEAR TO STAFF UP FOR THE COLLABORATIVE TIME, THEN, YEAH, THAT IS AN AREA WE CAN TALK ABOUT AND WHAT WE'D LOVE TO SEE ARE EFFORTS MADE TO IMPROVE THE PIPELINE OF EDUCATORS COMING INTO THE FIELD.

IF WE'VE IDENTIFIED THAT STAFF SOMETHING AN ISSUE LET'S ADDRESS IT.

>> ALSO WEIGHING IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND WHICH HAS SENT THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS A LIST OF 30 RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH THEY'D LIKE TO SEE IMPLEMENTED THIS YEAR.

THAT LIST INCLUDES REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON PRE-K TEACHERS AND PROGRAMS TO COMPLETE TWO DIFFERENT ACCREDITATIONS.

MAINTAINING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND PROVIDING LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN BUDGETING.

FOR LUMPLY IT COMES DOWN TO MAKING SURE STUDENTS GET THE EDUCATION THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

>> WE WANT TO GROW MARYLAND'S ECONOMY, TOO.

WE ARE NOT DIFFERENT FROM SMALL BUSINESS IN THAT.

I THINK OUR PIECE OF IT AND THE MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNOR AND OUR LEGISLATORS IS THINK LONG-TERM AND THINK ABOUT THOSE INVESTMENTS.

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

>> Jeff: LATER IN THE PROGRAM WE'LL HEAR FROM HOUSE SPEAKER ADRIENNE JONES WE HEARD FROM SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON AND NOW NANCY AMATA WILL THE PERSPECTIVE FROM THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE AISLE.

>> AND NOW, THE CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST.

>> JESSE IS REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE SAY 34-RD'S $3 BILLION BUDGET DEFICIT WAS PREDICTABLE.

>> MANY OF OUR MEMBERS BACK HERE, MANY OF THEM WERE HERE TRYING TO PATIENTLY IN A CALM AND VERY THOUGHTFUL WAY EXPLAIN WHY MANY OF THESE POLICIES WERE A BAD IDEA AT THE TIME.

AND IT FELL ON DEAF EARS.

>> THE REALITY IS WE'VE PUT FORWARD A BUTCH OF PROGRAMS AND PROPOSALS WHEN I SAY WE THE DEMOCRATIC SUPER MAJOR OVER THE VETO OF A FORMER GOVERNOR PUT FORWARD PROGRAMS THAT WE CANNOT AFFORD.

>> THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS SAYS IT'S UNITED IN THE OPPOSITION TO RAISING TAXES.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY IF YOU ARE AN EVERYDAY MARYLANDER AND YOUR GROCERY PRICES ARE OUT OF CONTROL, YOUR GAS PRICES ARE OUT OF CONTROL AND YOUR ENERGY PRICES ARE GOING UP 40% SOME KICKING IN THIS YEAR AND NOW POTENTIALLY YOUR TAX AND FEES ARE GOING TO GO UP.

THIS IS NOT RIGHT.

AND WE KNOW IT'S NOT RIGHT BECAUSE WE ARE SURROUNDED BY OTHER STATES GET TO GO DONE THE RIGHT WAY.

>> DELAWARE, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA VERGE AND PENNSYLVANIA HAVE BUDGET SURPLUSES MARYLAND WILL BE DEBATING BUDGET CUTS THEY ARE EYEING THE CLIMATE REDUCTION PLAN A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO IMPLEMENT.

>> WE ARE DRIVING MARYLANDERS' ENERGY PRICES THROUGH THE ROOF AND DRIVING BUSINESSES ABILITY THEIR COSTS THROUGH THE ROOF BECAUSE OF THE IDEA THAT SOMEHOW IF WE GET TO THE NET ZERO EMISSIONS IN MARYLAND WE CAN SAVE THE PLANET.

MARYLAND COULD GO DARK TOMORROW AND IT WOULD MAKE ZERO IMPACT ON THE CLIMATE.

>> THEY SAY IT'S TIME TO INCENTIVIZE ENERGY PRODUCTION IN MARYLAND AND CUTS WILL NEED TO BE MADE FOR THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE THE AMBITIOUS EDUCATION FUNDING PLAN.

>> UNDER THE BLUEPRINT THE 60/40 SPLIT IS UNSUSTAINABLE.

WHAT DOES THAT TRANSLATE TO?

WE HAVE TO HIRE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS MORE TEACHERS AND SPEND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN MORE MONEY.

>> WITH THE REELECTION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP G.O.P.

LAWMAKERS HOPE THAT DEMOCRATS WILL SEE THAT CONSTITUENTS WANT COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS FROM LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> WE ARE VERY SERIOUS ABOUT OUR PROPOSALS.

WE DO NOT WANT TO BE IN THE POSITION THAT WE ONLY POINT TO THE PROBLEMS AND THE CHALLENGES.

WE ARE IN POSITIONS WHERE WE CAN OFFER SOLUTIONS.

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

>> Jeff: WHERE DO MARYLAND VOTERS STAND ON THESE ISSUES?

A NEW POLL OFFERS CLUES.

A GONZALES POLL FINDS GOVERNOR MOORE WITH SOLID NUMBERS 61% FAVORABLE.

IF FORMER GOVERNOR HOGAN WILL PLANNING TO CHALLENGE Mr. MOORE THE INCUMBENT GOVERNOR WOULD START WITH A 14% LEAD.

VOTERS HAVE POCKETBOOK CONCERNS WITH OVER THREE IN FOUR MARYLANDERS OPPOSING ANY INCREASE IN THE SALES TAX.

OUR NEWSMAKER THIS WEEK SAT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE DELEGATES ADRIENNE JONES.

MADAM SPEAKER THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND IF IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO SAY IT HAPPY NEW YEAR.

>> THANK YOU AND THANKS FOR INVITING ME.

>> Jeff: LET'S START WITH YOUR PRIORITIES FOR THIS 90-DAY SESSION.

WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND?

>> TO BE HONEST THIS UP COMING SESSION THAT WE STARTED IN ON WEDNESDAY, IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY.

WITH THE UNCERTAINTY FELT BY SO MANY RIGHT NOW.

OUR TOP PRIORITY IS TO PROTECT MARYLANDERS.

AND I KNOW YOU KNEW THAT I USED TO SERVE ON HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS.

AND AS A FORMER MEMBER OF THAT COMMITTEE, I UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BUDGET AS A TOOL TO PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE MARYLANDERS.

AND HOUSE HAS THE BUDGET FIRST THIS YEAR AND WE GOT TOUGH BUDGET AND REVENUE DECISIONS TO MAKE AFTER WE'VE HEARD OVER THE LAST -- >> Jeff: INDEED WE HAVE.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE HEADLINE NUMBER IS THIS $3 BILLION PROJECTED DEFICIT.

HOW DO YOU EXPECT THE HOUSE SINCE YOU DO HAVE THE BUDGET FIRST TO HANDLE THAT?

>> WE'RE GOING TO I DON'T DO ANYTHING SINGULAR BECAUSE I HAVE MY CHAIRS THAT THEIR AREA OF -- THAT THEY WILL BE DEALING WITH.

BUT WE DO HAVE THE BUDGET FIRST THIS YEAR.

WHICH I ALWAYS LIKE WHEN WE DO.

AND WE ARE MY CHAIRS BECAUSE I MET INDIVIDUALLY EACH ONE, AND WE DO REALIZE WE GOT TOUGH BUDGET AND REVENUE DECISIONS TO MAKE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO GET BACK AGAIN, BUT THE MAIN THING WE STILL WANT TO -- WE DO PLAN TO PROTECT THE INVESTMENTS WE MADE IN EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND TRANSPORTATION.

THOSE THREE AREAS HAVE BEEN COMING UP QUITE A BIT FROM CONSTITUENTS AND PEOPLE WE MIGHT RUN INTO.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL BE COMING UT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION.

THIS OTHER GUY THAT GOT IN HERE.

SO WE NEED TO -- WE PLAN TO AND WE HAD DISCUSSIONS TO LOOK AT ALL OUR OPTIONS TO KEEP THE COMMITMENTS WE'VE MADE TO PROTECT MARYLANDERS.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK ON.

AND THE URGENCY AROUND ENERGY PRICES AND CLIMATE DEMANDS, WE'RE GOING TO DO AN ALL OF THE ABOVE APPROACH.

AND WE MUST DO BETTER.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AS WELL.

YOU CAN EXPECT A JOINT EFFORT FROM THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE THIS SESSION TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SPOKE TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE WE WILL CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, TREATMENT TO REDUCE EMERGENCY ROOM WAIT TIMES AND TO MAKE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS MORE AFFORDABLE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO DEFEND THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ONCE AGAIN.

IT WILL BE UNDER CONSTANT ATTACK BY THE NEW FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION.

AND SOME NEW GUY IN THERE.

SO WE WILL -- THE GUY WHO CAME BACK.

WE WILL FIERCELY GUARD OUR HEALTHCARE DOLLARS AND WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING WE ARE GOING TO BUILD ON OUR EFFORTS FROM LAST SESSION TO MAKE HOUSING AND RENTALS MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THOSE STARTING OUT.

UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT THE THEME IS TRYING TO HELP THE EVERYDAY CITIZEN WHO A LOT OF TIMES DO NOT KNOW WHO THEY SHOULD BE REACHING OUT AND SOMETIMES THEY GET FRUSTRATED.

>> Jeff: MADAM SPEAKER, LET ME COME BACK TO THE BUDGET FOR A SECOND.

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR HAS TALKED ABOUT SLOWING DOWN THE PLANNED INCREASES IN EDUCATION SPENDING UNDER THE KERWIN PLAN CALLED THE BLUEPRINT.

IS THAT SOMETHING THE HOUSE WOULD GO ALONG WITH?

>> FOR ME, IS THE OLD EXPRESSION THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS.

SO I WOULD HAVE TO -- I HEARD THAT SAME THING AS YOU.

BUT I NEED MORE FURTHER DETAILS BECAUSE WHAT MAY BE SATISFACTORY IN ONE AREA MAY NOT BE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LEFT HAND KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT HAND IS DOING.

I DO PLAN TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED YOU ARE A COMMITTEE.

I WILL GIVE YOU OLD ANNAPOLIS LOWER IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A TAX INCREASE YOU DON'T DO IT IN THE FOURTH YEAR OF AN ELECTED TERM.

BECAUSE THAT IS AN ELECTION YEAR.

IF REVENUES WILL BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO THE BUDGET SHORTFALL THIS IS THE YEAR.

LAST YEAR, THE HOUSE WAS MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT NEW REVENUES THAN THE SENATE.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS STILL THE CASE?

WHAT'S ON THE TABLE FROM YOUR SIDE OF THE STATE HOUSE?

>> WELL, I ALWAYS LOVE IT WHEN WE HAVE THE BUDGET FIRST WHICH WE DO.

AND WE'RE PLANNING TO HAVE A PACKET THAT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE PUBLIC ET CETERA.

SO I THINK THAT YOU'LL HEAR FROM US FIRST.

YOU WILL HEAR FROM THE SENATE.

AND WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAE AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO BEYOND THAT PART OF THE BALANCED BUDGET BUT WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO EACH OTHER THE SENATE AND THE ADMINISTRATION.

SO WE CAN HAVE SOMETHING THAT MAKES SENSE FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS.

BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL OUR CONSTITUENTS WHETHER YOU ARE IN THE SENATE, HOUSE OR THE GOVERNMENT.

>> Jeff: LET ME IN OUR REMAINING FEW MINUTES LET ME TOSS OUT ISSUES.

THE GOVERNOR RECENTLY SAID HE WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF LEGALIZING THE SALE OF BEER AND WINE IN GRCERY STORES, POPULAR WITH THE PUBLIC JUST FOR CONVENIENCE IF NOTHING ELSE.

WENT OVER LIKE A LEAD BALLOON IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WHY IS THAT SUCH AN UNPOPULAR IDEA IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

>> WELL, YOU GOT TO REMEMBER THE GOVERNOR IS ONE PERSON.

AND WE HAVE MEMBERS FROM ALL OVER.

AND THE KEY PERSON YOU NEED TO TALK TO AS ONE OF MY COMMITTEE CHAIRS IS CHAIR WILSON.

YOU KNOW, AND THAT SHE HAS BEEN THE MOST VOCAL, BUT THAT IS A KEY PERSON THAT YOU NEED TO TALK TO REGARDING THAT.

BECAUSE, YOU THOUGH, YOU GUESSED IT.

>> Jeff: ONE FINAL QUESTION BEFORE WE GO.

WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT LEGISLATION, LEGISLATORS WE SEE A LOT OF LOBBYISTS ON THE PROGRAM, BUT THE LEGISLATURE IS A PUBLIC INSTITUTION.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN GET INVOLVED AND CAN COME TESTIFY AND I IMAGINE YOU WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO THAT ON WHATEVER THEIR TOP CONCERNS ARE.

>> OH, YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

BECAUSE EACH COMMITTEE THE KEY COMMITTEE THEY HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITIZENS TO COME IN AND TESTIFY THAT THEY LIKE A PARTICULAR BILL THAT CAME IN OR SUBJECT MATTER OR THEY DON'T.

BUT THEY DO HAVE THAT AND IT'S VERY CRITICAL FOR US AND ME AS A LEADER OF THE CHAMBER THAT I REPRESENT THAT WE NEED TO HEAR THEIR VOICES.

AND YOU NEVER WANT TO LOCK OFF SOMEONE SAYING WELL, WE DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT.

NO, NO, NO.

AND SOME -- BECAUSE I'VE SPOKEN TO SOME WHO COME DOWN HERE AND SOMETIMES THEY HAD SOME IDEAS THAT MAKE SENSE.

AND THEN THE OTHER SIDE THAT I SAID I DON'T THINK THAT YOU WANT TO DO THAT.

BUT THE MAIN THING THE FACT THAT THEY ARE EXPRESSING THEIR -- WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THEM AND THEY ARE HOPING THEY ARE HOPEFULLY THAT WE MAY AGREE AND IF WE DON'T AGREE I'LL DIPLOMATICALLY SAY OKAY, THIS WAS YOU'RE SAYING THIS MEANS X, WHY AND Z, OH, I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THAT.

THEY DO SHARE THEIR VOICES WITH US IN THE PARTICULAR COMMITTEE CHAIRS ET CETERA.

>> Jeff: MADAM SPEAKER, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE QUITE WELCOME.

THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU.

>> Jeff: LOT OF COMINGS AND GOINGS AMONG THE STATES 188 LAWMAKERS.

THE SENATE RECOGNIZED FORMER SENATOR YESTERDAY SHE WAS RECENTLY SELECTED TO SERVE AS BALTIMORE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.

FILLING THE POSITION HELD BY SWORN IN MEMBER OF CONGRESS JOHNNY OWE KRZYZEWSKI.

ON HAND ANOTHER SENATOR WHO HOLDS THE STATE'S THIRD DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL SEAT.

CHARLES ROBINSON CAUGHT UP WITH SOME OF THE STATE'S NEWEST LAWMAKERS.

>> I DO SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT.

>> DO SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT.

>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> AND THAT I WILL BE FAITHFUL AND BEAR TRUE ALLEGIANCE.

>> AND THAT I WILL BE FAITHFUL -- >> NEWLY MINTED SENATOR IS ONE OF THE MANY LEGISLATORS WHO WERE APPOINTED DURING THIS YEAR'S ELECTION.

>> I WANT TO UPLIFT EVERY WOMAN WHO IS CAPABLE AND ABLE TO DO THIS JOB BUT BY WAY OF THEIR GENDER, BY FACTOR OF THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN THEY WERE OVERLOOKED AND WEREN'T GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR DECADES AND DECADES AND GENERATIONS AND GENERATIONS.

I'M THANKFUL TO LIVE IN A TIME WHERE YOU CAN BE JUDGED BY YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND NOT DISQUALIFIED BY CHARACTERISTICS THAT YOU CANNOT CHANGE.

>> IN THE SENATE THERE WILL BE FOUR NEW SENATORS TWO OF THEM HAVE BEEN SELECTED AND SWORN IN.

THESE NEWCOMERS MOVED FROM THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES TO THE UPPER CHAMBER GIVING THEM THE NEEDED EXPERIENCE TO SHEPPARD LEGISLATION.

IN THE HOUSE, THERE ARE NEW FACES SINCE LAST SESSION.

DELEGATES THERESA A DEMOCRAT WAS APPOINTED.

LA TOYA HAS BASKETBALL NOMINATED TO BE A REPUBLICAN DELEGATE REPRESENTING NORTHEASTERN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY.

DELEGATE BERRY BEAUCHAMP WILL REPRESENT THE NORTH SHORE.

>> THEY ARE BRINGING NEW ENERGY, THEY ARE BRINGING NEW LIFE EXPERIENCES AND NEW PERSPECTIVES.

AMONG THE CROP WE HAVE COMING IN, WE HAVE AN IMMIGRANT WHO CAME TO THE COUNTRY WHEN SHE WAS NINE YEARS OLD.

WE HAVE A SOCIAL WORKER, OWNER OF A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

SOMEONE WITH EXPERTISE IN CYBERSECURITY AND IT.

THESE ARE ALL RELEVANT AND IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVES TO BRING TO THE ASSEMBLY.

>> OUTSIDE THE LEGISLATURE, A PAIR OF JURISDICTIONS, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY AND BALTIMORE COUNTY FILLED THEIR VACANCIES WITH TEMPORARY APPOINTEES.

KATHY WILL BE THE FIRST WOMAN COUNTY EXECUTIVE IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.

>> AND BALTIMORE COUNTY THEY WERE LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY WHO WAS INTERIM WHO WASN'T INTERESTED IN SEEKING THE POSITION OUT RIGHT.

I THINK THAT MAYBE LIMITED THE FOLKS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN IT.

WHEN IT COMES TO KATHY, YOU HAVE SOMEONE WITH DECADES OF IMPORTANT EXPERIENCE IN THE MARYLAND SENATE ESPECIALLY WORKING WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

IT IS HER HOME.

I THINK SHE FELT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING SHE COULD DO.

>> IT IS A CRITICAL TIME.

IN OUR GOVERNMENT IN OUR NATION.

AND I THINK I'M PREPARED TO DO WHAT I NEED TO DO.

>> SOME OF THESE APPOINTMENTS DON'T SIT WELL THERE HAVE BEEN RUMBLINGS VOTERS DON'T ALWAYS HAVE A SAY IN WHO REPRESENTS THEM.

THE COST FOR CONDUCTING THE RUNOFFS ARE SEEN AS PROHIBITIVE.

FOR THE STATUS QUO REMAINS IN PLACE.

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

>> Jeff: JOINING US NOW FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE IS BRENDA OF THE BALTIMORE BANNER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FIRST FEW DAYS OF THE SESSION, WE'VE HEARD MAYBE IT'S MORE AGAIN RATTLES ABOUT THE BUDGET PROBLEMS AND THE CRISIS FACING THE STATE.

NEXT WEEK WE'LL HEAR SPECIFICS, RIGHT?

>> YES.

THAT'S RIGHT.

THE SESSION OPENED UP THIS WEEK ON WEDNESDAY.

AND KIND OF DARKENING THE DOORWAY WAS THIS BUDGET CRISIS THAT THEY ALL KNEW COMING IN THEY WOULD HAVE TO RESOLVE BY THE END OF THE SESSION.

THEY ALWAYS KNEW THAT STRUCTURAL DEFICIT WAS COMING BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS GOING TO BE QUITE THIS BIG.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT A $3 BILLION HOLE IN THE BUDGET AND TALKED ABOUT USING A MIX OF SPENDING CUTS AND RAISING REVENUE WHICH MEANS TAXES TO FIX IT.

>> Jeff: YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES HAD A SIT DOWN WITH THE GOVERNOR PRESESSION.

ANY CLUES WHAT HE'S THINKING ABOUT EITHER ON THE CUTS OR THE REVENUES?

>> WELL, WE DID HAVE A SIT DOWN AND YOU KNOW WE HEARD PRETTY MUCH WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD BEEN HEARING ALL DAY LONG.

THE GOVERNOR CAME OUT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AT AN EVENT AND SAID HE HAS PROPOSED $2 BILLION WORTH OF SPENDING CUTS IN HIS BUDGET.

THAT DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR THE OTHER ONE BILLION.

HE HAS TO HAND THE LEGISLATURE A BALANCED BUDGET.

AND WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE THAT ON WEDNESDAY.

>> Jeff: HE HAD AN EVENT THIS MORNING ANNOUNCING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ON FINDING GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCIES.

IT SOUNDS LIKE AT BEST THAT IS A VERY SMALL PART OF THE SOLUTION?

>> IT IS A SMALL PART OF THE SOLUTION.

HE HAS PUT $50 MILLION PRICE TAG ON THIS HE IS EXPECTING TO SEE CUTS BY LOOKING FOR WAYS THE GOVERNMENT CAN IMPROVE ITS SPENDING DECISIONS.

SO ONE EXAMPLE THAT HE USED WAS THERE MAYBE CARS THAT THE GOVERNMENT OWNS THAT ARE SITTING IN A PARKING LOT WITH 1200 MILES ON THEM.

OR MAYBE ONE AGENCY IS BUYING LAPTOPS FOR A THOUSAND DOLLARS AND ANOTHER AGENCY IS BUYING THE SAME LAPTOP FOR 1400.

LOOKING FOR THE MISMATCHES AND RECONCILING THEM.

>> Jeff: ONE ISSUE THAT HAS NOT FULLY AFFECTED CONSUMERS YET IS THE COMING INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF ELECTRICITY.

IT IS AN EXTRAORDINARILY COMPLICATED MATTER.

BUT LEGISLATORS KNOW IT'S GOING TO HIT THEIR CONSTITUENTS PRETTY SOON AND THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT THEY CAN DO IN THE SHORT-TERM?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND TOP OFFICIALS HERE HAVE SAID THAT IT IS ON THEIR MINDS AND AFTER THE BUDGET, SOME ARE EXPECTING THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES.

WE'RE HEARING THAT THERE WILL BE A JOINT CHAMBER PACKAGE FROM THE LEADERSHIP OF BOTH HOUSES THAT ADDRESSES THIS.

AND WE HEARD THIS MORNING FROM SENATE PRESIDENT BILL FERGUSON IT'S GOING TO INVOLVE MAKING IT EASIER FOR ENERGY SUPPLIERS TO COME ON-LINE AND ADD TO THE POWER GRID.

>> Jeff: IN JUST A SENTENCE OR TWO, GIVE ME A PREVIEW OF THE BANNER IS DOING AN IN-PERSON EVENT IN ANNAPOLIS NEXT TUESDAY?

>> YES.

SO WE'RE HOSTING AN EVENT AT THE GRADUATE IN ANNAPOLIS AND THE DOORS OPEN AT 7:00 A.M. AND IT IS A MORNING EVENT TO GIVE FOLKS A PEEK INSIDE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND WE'LL PREVIEW CONVERSATIONS OUR JOURNALISM REALLY.

AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON, THE COMPTROLLER AND SPEAKER JONES ABOUT WHAT'S COMING UP IN THE SESSION AND VERY MUCH WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO BRENDA FOR THE BALTIMORE BANNER FOR MORE ON THE EVENT VISIT THE BALTIMORE BANNER EVENTS.COM/LEGISLATIVE.

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".

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