ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MAD POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPOR OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

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

.

>> GOOD EVENING THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK IS A BALANCING ACT.

NANCY AMATA REPORTS ON GFER GOVERNOR'S PROMOSSED MIX OF TAXES AND CUTS TO RESOLVE THE $3 BILLION BUDGET GAP.

>> WE REFUSE TO BALANCE THIS BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF WORKING CLASS FAMILIES.

>> GOVERNOR WES MOORE SAYS HE PLANS TO CLOSE THE STATE'S $TWHRE BILLION BUDGET DEFICIT FOR 2026 BY FOCUSING ON GROWTH, KUTDING SPENDING BY $2 BILLION AND INCREASES TAXES FORKED WEALTHIEST MARYLANDERS ACCORDING TO THE BUDGET SECRETARY.

>> IT TURNS OUT THAT MARYLAND'S HIGHEST EARNING HOUSEHOLDS CURRENTLY PAY THE LOWEST SHARE OF THEIR INCOME IN MARYLAND TAX ES.

>> IT WOULD TAX ANYONE MAKING $500,000 OR MORE AT 6.25% AND THE RATE WOULD INCREASE TO 6.5% FOR THOSE MAKING OVER A MILLION DOLLARS.

IF PASSED, 80% OF MARYLANDERS WOULD EITHER GET A TAX CUT OR THEIR RATE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.

>> MARYLAND IS HAVING HIGHER INCOMES THAN MOST OF THE COUNTRY IT MEANS A LOT OF MODERATE INCOME PEOPLE WILL GET A TAX CUT MAKING $200,000 MIGHT GET A TAX CUT HERE WHICH IS UNIQUE.

>> EVERYBODY WILL LOOK AT THIS FROM THEIR OWN LENSES.

YEAH, FAIRNESS IN THE TAX CODE IS CERTAIN WHETHER I SOMETHING THAT SHOULD ALWAYS BE CONSIDERED.

I THINK HE BROUGHT FORTH THIS PROPOSAL AND AFTER WE DO ANALYSIS IF WE THINK THAT'S ACCURATE.

>> UNDER GOVERNOR MOORE'S PLAN WHICH WILL REQUIRE LAWMAKERS' APPROVAL THE BUDGET WILL EXPAND THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, ELIMINATE THE INHERITANCE TAX, LOWER THE CORPORATE TAX RATE AND EXPANDING THE APPLICATION OF THE TAX KNOWN AS COMBINED REPORTING.

IT WILL REQUIRE CUTTING $2 BILLION IN SPENDING AND REDIRECTING FUNDS TO HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMS.

THE PLAN INCLUDES A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE STATE ATAX ON TABLE GAMES AT CASINOS FROM 20% TO 25%.

AND THE TAX ON SPORTS BETTING WOULD RISE FROM 15% TO 30%.

MARYLANDERS WHO WANT TO BUY RECREATIONAL CANNABIS WOULD BE TAXED AT 15% UP FROM 9% WITH THE CHANGE GOING INTO EFFECT IN JULY OF 2026.

>> IT IS A BAIT AND SWITCH.

WE HEARD HOW THERE'S GOING TO BE CUTS AND MAYBE MODEST THINGS WITH TAXES.

THE GOVERNOR'S TRIED TO SELL THIS IS A TAX CUT SOMEHOW.

AND, YET, WHAT WE'RE FINDING THE MORE WE DIG INTO THE BUDGET THERE IS FEE AND TAX INCREASES ON MARYLANDERS AND THE BUDGET DEFICIT IS $3 BILLION NOT $2 BILLION.

WE NEED TO FIND A MUCH BETTER WAY OF PUTTING GOVERNMENT ON MORE OF A DIET.

>> OTHER REPUBLICANS SAY HISTORY SHOWS TAX INCREASES ON THE WEALTHIEST MARYLANDERS MAY BACKFIRE.

>> WE TRIED THIS IT WAS FORECASTED TO GENERATE $100 MILLION OF REVENUE AND LOST $250 MILLION.

THAT WAS 20 YEARS AGO.

SO MY FEAR IS OBVIOUSLY THE IMPACT WILL BE GREATER.

30% OF THE FILERS ACTUALLY DISAPPEARED FOR LACK OF A BETTER DESCRIPTION BECAUSE THEY MOVED.

THE INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE MEANS TO MOVE.

>> GOVERNOR MOORE IS HOPING TO BOOST THE STATE'S TRANSTATION PLAN BY PROPOSING VEHICLE RELATED FEES.

IF PASSED IT WOULD DOUBLE THE COST OF EMISSION TESTS AND REQUIRE MARYLANDERS TO PAY A 75 CENTS RETAIL DELIVERY FEE EVERY TIME THEY MAKE A PURCHASE FROM A LARGE COMPANY.

>> I RECEIVD HIS BUDGET AS AN OPENING CONVERSATION TO OUR LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

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

>> Jeff: THE GOVERNOR SAT DOWN WITH WITH US TO DISCUSS HIS DECISIONS ON TAXES AND SPENDING.

>> THIS BUDGET ACTUALLY HAS ABOUT $15 MILLION OF SAVINGS THIS YEAR ALONE BY MODERNIZING OUR STATE GOVERNMENT.

OUR FLEET MANAGEMENT OUR IT CONSOLIDATION AND REAL ESTATE PROCUREMENT.

AND THE THIRD PIECE IS WE'RE REFORMING THE TAX CODE THAT FOR MANY MARYLANDS THE TAX CODE WAS UNFAIR AND CONFUSING.

SO TWO-THIRDS OF MARYLANDERS ARE ABOUT TO GET A TAX CUT.

>> Jeff: THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH GOVERNOR MOORE IS COMING UP.

JUVENILE JUSTICE WAS BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK.

MPT ISUZU REPORTS THAT TSUNAMI REPORTS THAT SUE COPPIN REPORTS THAT LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS.

>> IF I WAS TO DESCRIBE THE REPORT IN ONE PHRASE IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY TROUBLING.

>> THAT REPORT BEFORE THE DISWISHAL COMMITTEE AN EVALUATION OF THE STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES A JOINTED COMMITTEE ASKED THE OFFICE OF PROGRAM EVALUATION AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY TO LOOK AT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DJS.

REVIEW THE OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT OF CONTRACTED COMMUNITY-BASED PROVIDERS.

EVALUATE YOUTH SUPERVISION OR COMPLAINTS AND REVIEW THE HISTORY OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN SPECIFIC YOUTHS AND DJS.

BEIRUT IT WAS WHAT WAS LEFT OUT THAT CONCERNS SENATOR CHRIS WEST.

>> THE ONE WORD ABSENT FROM THE REPORT WAS RECIDIVISM.

I COULD FIND NO INFORMATION IN THE REPORT ABOUT RECIDIVISM.

AND I WOULD THINK THAT EVALUATING WHETHER OR NOT THIS AGENCY IS BEING SUCCESSFUL THAT WOULD BE THE WORD THE FIRST WORD OUT OF MY MOUTH AS TO WHETHER IT'S DEALING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY DON'T RESIT VACCINATE.

>> SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES TOLD LAWMAKERS IT CAN BE CHALLENGING TO DEFINE A RECIDIVIST.

>> I AM NOT A LAWYER AND I DON'T MEAN TO PARS, BUT SENATOR, WHEN DO WE FIND SOMEONE HAS DONE SOMETHING UPON ARREST, UPON THE PROSECUTEDDER'S DECISION TO PROSECUTE OR UPON CONVICTION.

>> AMONG THE RECOMMENDATIONS THEY SHOULD MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DATABASE TO TRACKER OUTCOMES OF YOUTH IN PROGRAMS NOT FUNDED BY DJS.

IDENTIFY AND REPLICATE BEST PRACTICES FROM LOCAL OFFICES TO ENSURE EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF YOUTH THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

AND DJS OUT SHOULD SUPPORT THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC DATABASE OF ALL RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

LAWMAKERS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF STATE AT THE STATE'S JUVENILE FACILITIES.

>> THE THEME I'M HEARING FROM PEOPLE WITH BOOTS ON THE GROUND IS ASSAULTS ARE UP.

THERE'S -- IN FACILITIES.

THEIR STAFFING IS DOWN.

AND WE'RE NOT DOING IN THE SECRETARY IS NOT DOING HIS JOB TO PREPARE THEM TO GET MORE STAFF, TO BE SAFE AND HOLD THOSE JUVENILES ACCOUNTEDDABILITY.

>> ANOTHER CONCERN WHETHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

>> SOMETIMES, THE LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARD OR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OR THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD IS EVALUATING THOSE PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE NOT DONE AS GOOD A JOB AS WE SHOULD.

>> MIKE McKAY TOLD THE SECRETARY THINGS MUST CHANGE.

>> I WANT YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

I WANT YOUR DEPARTMENT TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

BUT PERCEPTION IS REALITY.

AND WE CAN'T JUST CONTINUE TO BE SAYING AND I'M NOT TRYING TO PUT WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH, WELL IT'S THE POLICE NOT DOING WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

IT'S NOT US DJS BECAUSE WE HAVE OUR HANDS TIED AND WE CAN'T DO THE PLACEMENTS AND THAT STUFF.

WE CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE.

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

>> Jeff: THERE IS A NEW CAUCUS IN TOWN.

THE FREEDOM CAUCUS.

MPT'S CHARLES ROBINSON REPORTS.

>> SO IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT MARYLAND HAS A GROUP WHERE THE PRIME OBJECTIVE IS TO RESTORE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY TO SAVE THE REPUBLIC.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE WAY YOU SAVE YOUR FREEDOM, YOU LIMIT THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF GOVERNMENT'S INTERFERING IN DECISIONS BY BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN HELP TO GROW THE ECONOMY.

>> WHAT THEY WANT IS BIPARTISAN COOPERATION FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NOT A FAR RIGHT FREEDOM CAUCUS.

WE DON'T NEED WHAT WASHINGTON HAS WE DON'T NEED THAT DYSFUNCTION AND WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO BRING, ANDY HARRIS IS TRYING TO BRING TO MARYLAND IS NOT BENEFICIAL TO REPUBLICANS AND IF REPUBLICANS WANT TO FOLLOW THE FAR RIGHT MEMBERS THEY WILL BECOME IRRELEVANT IN ANNAPOLIS AND THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR ANYONE.

>> CONGRESSMAN HARRIS IS THE LONE REPUBLICAN FROM MARYLAND BUT HE IS ALSO HEAD OF THE FREEDOM CAUCUS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

HE WAS JOINED AT THIS KICKOFF BY FORMER G.O.P.

GOVERNOR ROBERT EARLY.

>> IN DIFFICULT TIMES PEOPLE ARE CHALLENGED AND THAT MEANS LEADERS EMERGE AND FOLKS BEHIND ME ARE LEADERS EMERGING IN MARYLAND TODAY.

I'M VERY PROUD TO LEND MY VOICE THE VOICE TO THE GROUP.

AND JUST LET THEM KNOW THAT WE WISH THEM WELL IN THE CHALLENGING DAYS AHEAD.

>> WE BELIEVE MARYLAND IS WORTH SAVING.

WE ARE AFFILIATING BECAUSE THEY CAN HELP US DO OUR JOBS BAR AND REPRESENT OUR CITIZENS.

AND WE BELIEVE THERE'S BEEN A VOID IN CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP IN THIS STATE FOR QUITE SOMETIME AND WE'RE GOING TO FILL THAT VOID.

>> THE MARYLAND FREEDOM CAUCUS IS JUST ONE OF 13 FREEDOM CAUCUSES IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT THIS GROUP ONLY HAS SEVEN MEMBERS.

>> WE START OUT WITH A CORE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE COMMITTED AND DEMONSTRATE SUCCESS AND THAT IS HOW YOU GROW ANY GROUP.

LIKE WHEN YOU RUN A BUSINESS, I GET MORE CUSTOMERS BY DEMONSTRATING SUCCESS.

THE SAME WAY DEMONSTRATE SUCCESS LEGISLATIVELY OR PUSHING AN AGENDA FORWARD.

HOWEVER YOU ARE DEFINING SUCCESS.

>> WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS TRYING TO DO IS MOVE FURTHER TO THE RIGHT.

AND THAT'S NOT WHERE THE MAJORITY OF MARYLAND VOTERS ARE.

SO THEY MAY GROW THEIR POSITION WITH THE FAR RIGHT EXTREME MEMBERS OF THEIR PARTY BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO WIN OVER MODERATE VOTERS, IT'S NOT GOING TO WIN OVER DEMOCRATS AND IT'S NOT GOING TO WIN OVER THE MAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS WHO WANT TO SEE ANNAPOLIS WORK IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.

>> NEXT STEP FOR THE FREEDOM CAUCUS IS TO SET AN AGENDA, GET FORMAL RECOGNITION FROM BOTH CHAMBERS AND INCREASE THE SIZE OF ITS COLLECTIVE.

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

>> Jeff: THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS ROLLED OUT ITS AGENDA THIS WEEK.

FOCUSING ON EDUCATION, HEALTH, HOUSING AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> OUR KEY BLUEPRINT PRIORITY AS A BLACK CAUCUS HAS BEEN THE ISSUE OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IS MORE THAN LIP SERVICE.

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ACTUALLY PROVIDE WRAP AROUND SERVICES TO OUR SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY.

ALSO WE KEENLY FOCUSED AS WE HAVE IN PREVIOUS YEARS AROUND ELIMINATING HEALTH DISPARITIES.

IT IS UNACCEPTABLE IN A STATE LIKE MARYLAND WHERE WE HAVE HAD ADVANCEMENTS AND INNOVATIONS WHERE WE CONTINUE TO HAVE HEALTH DISPARITIES AND INEQUITIES.

>> Jeff: THE BLACK CAUCUS HAS 64 MEMBERS.

ROUGHLY ONE-THIRD OF THE LEGISLATURE.

OUR NEWSMAKER GOVERNOR WES MOORE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> SO GOOD TO BE WITH YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> Jeff: WHAT DO YOU WANT MARYLANDERS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PLAN?

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF MARYLANDERS ARE ABOUT TO GET A TAX CUT.

THIS IS A BOLD FUTURE FACING BUDGET.

THAT WE'VE JUST LAID OUT THAT REALLY HAD THREE AREAS.

WE PRIORITIZE CUTS.

REALLY MAKING SURE WE ARE DISCIPLINED ABOUT WHAT WE'RE SPENDING ON AND THERE WASN'T EFFECTIVE OR SUSTAINABLE IT WAS GOING TO GET CUT.

WE HAVE $2 BILLION WORTH OF CUTS.

WE'RE MODERNIZING GOVERNMENT THAT A LOT OF SYSTEMS THAT WE INHERITED WERE JUST SLOW AND DIDN'T MAKE SENSE.

SO WE'RE NOT JUST GOING TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SPEEDING UP GOVERNMENT, THIS BUDGET ACTUALLY HAS ABOUT $50 MILLION IN SAVINGS THIS YEAR ALONE JUST BY MODERNIZING OUR STATE GOVERNMENT.

OUR FLEET MANAGEMENT OUR IT CONSOLIDATION AND REAL ESTATE PROCUREMENT.

AND THE THIRD PIECE IS REFORM THE TAX CODE THAT FOR MANY MARYLANDERS THE TAX CODE WAS UNFAIR AND UNEVEN AND CONFUSING.

AND SO TWO-THIRDS OF MARYLANDERS ARE ABOUT TO GET A TAX CUT.

82% OF MARYLANDERS ARE EITHER GOING TO GET A CUT OR WATCH THE TAXES GO UNCHANGED.

WE HAVE CUT THE CORPORATE TAX RATE AND MAKING IT EASIER FOR BUSINESSES.

WE ELIMINATED THE INHERITANCE TAX AND FOR THE SECOND YEAR WE ARE NOT INCREASING SALES TAXES AND PROPERTY TAXES.

THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE WE WANTED TO MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE AND I THINK OUR BUDGET PLAN DOES THAT.

>> Jeff: YOU HAD A BIG HILL TO CLIMB HERE.

PROJECTED GAP.

AND WE'VE SEEN BIG BUDGET PROBLEMS BEFORE.

TYPICALLY IT'S DURING A RECESSION.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE OUT OF WORK AND THAT MEANS THEY ARE NOT PAYING THE INCOME TAX.

AND THE NEED FOR SOCIAL SERVICES GOES UP IN THAT SITUATION.

SO THIS GETS SQUEEZED.

IT IS NOT HAPPENING NOW.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 3%.

HISTORICALLY REALLY GOOD.

HOW DID WE GET INTO THIS MESS?

>> THIS IS THE WORST FISCAL CRISIS THIS STATE HAS SEEN IN 20 YEARS.

IT'S WORSE THAN THE FISCAL CRISIS WE SAW DURING THE GREAT RECESSION.

AND YOU ARE RIGHT AND THE REASON IS BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN NO GROWTH.

WE LOOK AT THE CRISIS THAT WE INHERITED ON THIS, WHERE OFTENTIMES THE MONEY THAT CAME IN FROM COVID MONEY.

ALL THAT MONEY DID WAS PAPER OVER THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT THAT WE INHERITED.

DLS INDICATED SINCE 2017 THAT WE HAD A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT AND IT WAS NOT DEALT WITH.

AND SO THIS WAS THE YEAR THAT WE SAID THE WAY WE'RE GOING TO FIX THIS IS BOTH CURTAIL SPENDING, BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THE SEVEN YEARS BEFORE I BECAME THE GOVERNOR OUR BUDGET INCREATIONED BY 70%.

OUR GDP GREW MY THREE.

SO WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GROWING THE ECONOMY.

AND SO THAT'S WHY ONE OF THE THINGS I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT WITH THIS BUDGET THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN A LONGTIME WE HAVE A GROWTH AGENDA.

AND IT MEANS INVESTING IN INDUSTRIES THAT MARYLAND HAS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN IT, MARYLAND HAS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD ON AND MAKING SURE THOSE INVESTMENTS IN THOSE AREAS ARE RECEIVING THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT IS NECESSARY AND REQUIRED.

>> Jeff: THE STATE HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO MAKE A BIG INVESTMENT IN K-12 EDUCATION.

THE KERWIN PLAN KNOWN AS THE BLUEPRINT, YOUR HITTING PAUSE A LITTLE BIT ON THAT.

TELL US THE THOUGHT PROCESS.

OVERALL IT'S SOMETHING YOU SUPPORTED.

AND THE ISSUE IS THE MONEY IS JUST NOT THERE.

>> I'M FULLY FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE BEST PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN AMERICA.

THIS YEAR'S BUDGET WE MAKE THE LARGE INVESTMENTS IN K-12 EDUCATION.

MY COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC EDUCATION IS NOT WANING ONE BITD.

THE THING THAT I KNOW IS WHEN YOU HAVE BIG AMBITIOUS PLANS LIKE THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE WHICH I BELIEVE IN DEEPLY.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT BIG AMBITIOUS PLANS THEY HAVE TO BE ADJUSTED AND THEY HAVE TO BE MODERNIZED.

I THINK ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY.

WHEN THAT WAS PASSED THAT HAS BEEN ADJUSTED 17 TIMES.

THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION HAS BEEN ADJUSTED OVER 200 TIMES SINCE IT WAS FIRST RATIFIED.

THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WITH BIG COMPLEX THINGS.

WE SAID THIS YEAR WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CONTINUING TO FOCUS ON THE BASICS OF READING AND MATH.

AND THE SCIENCE OF READING AND WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON TEACHER RECRUITMENT.

RIGHT NOW IN THE STATE WE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TEACHERS -- CERTIFIED TEACHERS SHORT.

I SAID IF WE'RE LOOKING AT THINGS LIKE COLLABORATIVE TIME WHICH IS TIME FOR OUR TEACHERS TO WORK TOGETHER WHICH I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THAT IS FANTASTIC.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE'S NO TEACHERS IN THE BUILDING?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF EDUCATORS SHORT.

LET'S GET THE BASICS RIGHT.

AND I'M THANKFUL THAT EVEN THE SCHOOLS AND OUR EDUCATORS THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT PLAN THAT THE ACCOUNTABILITY, THE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD HAS AGREED THAT WE SHOULD PUT A PAUSE ON COLLABORATIVE TIME BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO GET THE BLUEPRINT DONE.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE BEST PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM?

THE COUNTRY BUT WE NEED TO BE ISN'T THAT RIGHT ABOUT THE WAY WE DELIVER IT.

>> Jeff: VERY FEW WATCH YOU ARE GOING TO SHED A TEAR FOR HIGHER INCOME MARYLANDERS PAYING A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE INCOME TAX AND CAPITAL GAINS TAXES.

BUT I WONDER WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF GROWTH, IS IT SENDING A MESSAGE TO BUSINESS LEADERS HIGH TECH RECENT GRADUATES THAT MARYLAND IS A STATE THAT IF YOU DO HAVE THAT LIQUIDITY AT YOUR COMPANY YOU WILL BE PAYING A LOT MORE THAN IF YOU WERE HEADQUARTERING IN FLORIDA OR TEXAS?

>> NO.

BECAUSE I THINK THAT ONE, WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THINGS LIKE CUTTING THE CORPORATE TAX RATE AND ELIMINATING THE INHERITANCE TAX THAT WAS LOUD AND CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT WE WANT YOU HERE IN MARYLAND.

THAT WE ARE GOING TO FIGHT FOR YOU TO BE IN MARYLAND.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DOING REGULATORY REFORM AND PERMITTING REFORM AND PROCUREMENT REFORM THAT IS A MESSAGE THAT IS LOUD AND CLEAR TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN GET YOUR PERMITS QUICKLY AND YOU CAN GROW IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

BUT WE ALSO ARE ARE SENDING A MESSAGE THAT FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE DONE VERY, VERY WELL, WHO HAVE BENEFITED FROM BEING MARYLANDERS, AND BEING HERE, THAT, YES, THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ASKED TO PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BECAUSE WE WANT THE BEST PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN AMERICA.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HAVING SAFE STREETS AND WE'RE CONTINUING THIS HISTORIC DECLINE IN VIOLENCE WE'VE SEEN IN MARYLAND OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

WE WANT TO HAVE AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WORKS AND THAT IS SAFE.

AND WE'RE ASKING IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED WITH OUR BUDGET, NOT ONLY IS THE VAST MAJORITY OF MARYLANDERS GOING TO RECEIVE A TAX CUT, BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE REVENUE THAT IS DRIVEN WILL BE ASKED TO COME FROM THE TOP 1%.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE VERY WELL AND WE'RE SAYING INVEST IN THE FUTURE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF OUR STATE.

BECAUSE YOU'RE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BENEFIT HANDSOMELY AS MARYLAND'S GDP CONTINUES TO GROW AS ARE WELL.

>> Jeff: THOSE PEOPLE CAN AVOID PAYING TAXES EASILY.

A LOTTED OF CASES PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU SPEND HALF OF THE YEAR, 183 DAYS OUTSIDE THE STATE OF MARYLAND, YOU ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE INCOME TAX.

SO ARE WE GOING TO GET MORE OF THAT?

>> NO.

I THINK THE DATA SHOWS THAT THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN.

WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SMALL ADJUSTMENTS.

WE ARE NOT TALKING SEISMIC ADJUSTMENT THE ON THE TOP 1% OF OUR STATE.

>> Jeff: IT'S HALF OF A PERCENT.

>> WE ARE TALKING SMALL ADJUSTMENTS, BITS WE ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE.

AND WHAT IT WILL MEAN IN CREATING AN ECONOMY THAT IS GROWING AND THRIVING, CONTINUING TO HAVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN CAN BENEFIT FROM.

CONTINUE TO HAVE SAFE STREETS AND SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THAT IS YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS CAN PROSPER FROM RIGHT HAND MAKING SURE WE'RE NOT DOING THINGS LIKE LAYING OFF POLICE OFFICERS AND LAYING OFF FIRE FIGHTERS.

AND LAYING OFF PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO EVERYDAY ARE MAKING US SAFER.

WE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS WITH BUSINESS LEADERS AND I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY YOU HAVE SEEN FROM MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT THEY APPLAUD THE BUDGET THAT WE HAVE PULLED TOGETHER BECAUSE IT IS RESPONSIBLE, IT IS FISCALLY DISCIPLINED AND FOCUSED ON GROWTH.

>> Jeff: CRAZY TO THINK THIS BUT YOU ARE RUNNING FOR REELECTION NEXT YEAR AND I DON'T KNOW WHO YOUR REPUBLICAN OPPONENT IS GOING TO BE.

BUT I CAN GUARANTEE THEY Mr. PRINT UP SIGNS SAYING MOORE TAXES AND THEY WILL BRING UP THE NUANCE STUFF, THE FEE ON DoorDash DELIVERIES THE HIGHER FEE FOR GETTING YOUR VEHICLE EMISSIONS CHECKED.

YOU DON'T SEEM WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

>> I'M NOT.

I HOPE THEY MENTION THAT WE HAVE GONE THREE YEARS AND NOT RAISED SALINGS TAXESES NOT RAISED PROPERTY TAXES THEY ARE ABOUT TO GET A TAX CUT.

I HOPE THEY ALSO MENTION THE FACT THAT WHEN I WAS INAUGURATED WE WERE 43rd IN THE COUNTRY IN UNEMPLOYMENT AND NOW WE HAVE THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

I HOPE THEY MENTION THE FACT THAT MARYLAND HAD GONE EIGHT YEARS OF BALTIMORE CITY SEEING 300 HOMICIDES.

AND THE HOMICIDE RATES HAS DOUBLED AND NOW WE'RE SEEING AMONGST THE FASTEST DROPS IN HOMICIDES, VIOLENT CRIMES OF ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.

I HOPE THEY MENTION THE FACT THAT WE LED THE RECOVERY OF ONE OF THE GREATEST TRAGEDIES OF THE KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE THAT OUR STATE HAS EVER SEEN.

I HOPE THEY MENTION THE FACT WE'RE FINALLY WATCHING ECONOMIC MOMENTUM AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN OUR STATED.

SO WE'RE PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET DONE.

AND DOING ALL OF THAT WHILE ALSO BEING FISCALLY DISCIPLINED, FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND GROWING THIS ECONOMY.

WHICH, FRAMINGLY, WAS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM OUR STATE HAD BEFORE WE TOOK OVER.

WE WERE SPENDING BUT WE WEREN'T GROWING.

WE NEEDED A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MINDSET TO GROW THE ECONOMY AND I'M PROUD WHAT WE'VE GOTTEN DONE.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED THE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE KEY BRIDGE WHICH IS LOCKED IN.

A NEW PRESIDENT TAKES OVER AN OLD PRESIDENT FOR HIS BELATED SECOND TERM WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THE IMPACT OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO BE ON THE STATE OF MARYLAND?

I'M THINKING ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR THE NEW F.B.I.

HEADQUARTERS, POTENTIAL FOR THE RED LINE THAT SORT OF THING?

>> IT'S SIGNIFICANT.

THE IMPACT OF THE PRESIDENT IS CONSEQUENCES.

WE HAVE OVER 160,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND OR 230,000 IF YOU INCLUDE THE CONTRACTORS.

THAT ARE IN THE STATE AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE UNIFORM PERSONNEL THAT CALL MARYLAND HOME.

THAT YOU ARE RIGHT, A LOT OF THESE CORE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS, THERE'S ONE THING THAT IS TRUE IS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFTENTIMES IS THE LARGEST UNDERWRITER OF THOSE PROJECTS.

SO THIS CAN AND WILL HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ON THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

WHAT I KNOW FROM WHAT THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND CAN BE GUARANTEED WITH ME, IS I HAVE -- WE HAVE INTRODUCED 26 BILLS SINCE I'VE BEEN THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND.

WE HAVE NOT JUST GONE 26 FOR 26, BIPARTISAN.

WITH BOTH DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN SUPPORT.

THAT I WAS -- I DON'T COME FROM THE WORLD OF POLITICS I COME FROM THE BUSINESS WORLD AND THE MILITARY ONE THING I NEVER ASKED MY SOLDIERS WHAT IS YOUR POLITICAL PARTY IT NEVER MATTERED AND IT'S NOT GOING TO MATTER TO ME AGAIN.

I WILL WORK WITH ANYBODY WHO IS WORKING TO ADVANCE THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF MY STATE, AND I WILL PUSHBACK WHEN I FEEL LIKE THOSE INTERESTS OR BASIC RIGHTS OR FREEDOMS ARE BEING TESTED OR VIOLATED.

BUT I WILL -- WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE IN THIS MOMENT NO MATTER WHO SITS IN THE OVAL OFFICE THAT THE STATE OF MARYLAND IS GOING TO THRIVE.

>> Jeff: IT WAS A MONTH OR TWO AGO THAT YOU THREW OUT AN IDEA THAT POPULAR WITH THE PUBLIC.

THE IDEA OF BEING ABLE TO BUY BEER AND WINE IN YOUR SUPERMARKET.

IT LANDED DOWN STAIRS IN THE LEGISLATURE LIKE A STALE, FLAT CAN OF IRON CITY BEER.

THIS THING IS INTRODUCED EVERY YEAR AND NEVER GOES ANYWHERE.

IS IT DEAD?

>> NO, IT'S NOT DEAD.

AND I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THIS IS REALLY CONTINUING TO HEAR WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING.

MARYLAND IS ONE OF THREE STATES IN THE COUNTRY THAT DOES NOT ALLOW BEER INSIDE OF ITS GROCERY STORES.

IT IS ONE OF THE REASONINGS WE HAVE FOOD DESERTS BECAUSE YOU HAVE GROCERY STORES WHO THEY UTILIZE BEER AND WINE FOR THEIR MARGINS.

WHEN THEY ARE CHOOSING WHICH NEIGHBORHOODS THEY ARE GOING TO AND IF THEY ARE STAYING AWAY FROM THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS OR THE PLACES WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE BEER AND WINE SALES ONE OF THE REASONS A LOT OF COMMUNITIES THEY ARE GETTING THEIR GROCERIES FROM CORNER STORES WHICH IS UNFAIR.

THERE ARE A LOT OF NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE TO GO GET BEER AND WINE THROUGH BULLET-PROOF GLASS.

AND IT'S JUST CONVENIENCE.

BECAUSE IF SOMEONE WANTS TO BUY DINNER AND I'D LIKE TO GET A BOTTLE OF WINE, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO MULTIPLE STOPS TO DO IT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THE PEOPLE CONTINUE TO ASK FOR.

AND CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR.

I'VE BEEN CLEAR I HAVE A LOT OF CLEAR PRIORITIES IN THIS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA MAINLY FOCUSING ON GETTING OUR ECONOMY MOVING AND HAVING A GROWTH AGENDA BEER AND WINE IS NECESSARILY ONE OF MY ADMINISTRATION'S BILLS.

BUT I DO THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD TAKE UP AND TAKE SERIOUSLY.

>> Jeff: GOVERNOR WES MOORE WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS SO MUCH, JEFF.

>> Jeff: THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

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

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