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: THE TRUMP IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN WHAT IT MEANS FOR MARYLAND.

>> BIRTH RIGHT CITIZENSHIP IS SOMETHING THAT IS SPELLED OUT AND CLEAR IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

>> IMMIGRATION IS A NATIONAL ISSUE.

IT IS NOT A STATE ISSUE.

>> Jeff: AMBITIONS FOR EDUCATION IN A TIME OF TIGHT BUDGETS.

>> I DON'T SEE A BIG REASON FOR MON MENTAL PIVOT.

>> AND THE CIAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT RETURNS TO BALTIMORE.

>> WE HAVE THE STANDARDS WHAT WE NEED.

>> OUR MAJOR OBJECTIVE IS TO TELL OUT THE ARENA.

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

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING, THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK, SHOCKWAVES WHICH ARE EMANATING FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IN HIS FIRST WEEK IN OFFICE ISSUING DOZENS OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

AS NANCY AMATA REPORTS MANY WILL AFFECT MARYLAND.

>> I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF MARYLANDERS THAT RELY ON FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE CONCERNED, WILL I CONTINUE TO HAVE A PLACE IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Reporter: WITH THE RETURN OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> SHOULD PEOPLE LOSE THEIR JOBS WE WILL HELP.

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT FEDERAL WORKERS IN MARYLAND AFTER THE PRESIDENT SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO REMOVE JOB PROTECTIONS FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CAREER CIVIL SERVANTS AND REQUIRE TELLING BACK TO THE OFFICE AND TERMINATE PROGRAMS AND POSITIONS RELATED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

>> IF WE LOOK WHAT HE IS DOING HE IS MORE FOCUSED ON CULTURE WARS THAN SERVING ISSUES.

>> THE U.S. WILL OF GOVERNMENT WILL NO LONGER RECOGNIZE TRANSGENDER PEOPLE'S IDENTITIES.

TOP OF MIND FOR THE GOVERNOR CONCERN FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WHO FEAR MASS DEPORTATIONS.

>> WE WILL SUPPORT AND PROTECT MARYLANDERS.

AND WHILE WE WILL ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GOING TO FOLLOW THE LAWS, WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT MARYLANDERS ARE PROTECTED.

>> HERE IN MARYLAND WE REALLY DO VALUE EVERY PERSON NO MATTER THEIR ORIGIN.

THE LATINO CAUCUS IS FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE WE PUSH POLICIES THAT PROTECT PEOPLE.

>> THIS SESSION HE WANTS TO CONVINCE LAWMAKERS TO END I.C.E.

CONTRACT WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROTECT PEOPLE'S DATA INCLUDES THEIR I AM GLATION STATUS.

>> WE ARE WORKING ON A BILL TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MAKING IT CLEAR HERE IN MARYLAND CHURCHES, HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS, THESE ARE PLACES WHERE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOT ATTACKING OR CENTERING AROUND THEIR RAIDINGS.

WE WANTS TO HAVE CLEAR GUIDANCE HOW TO DO THEIR WORK HERE IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

>> Reporter: TO THAT END, JATION SON BUCKLE CONTENDS.

>> IMMIGRATION IS A NATIONAL ISSUE IT IS NOT A STATE ISSUE.

IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES, PARTICULARLY REAL CRIMES WE'RE TALKING VIOLENCE AND REPEAT OFFENDERS AND THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THAT IS A FEDERAL, NATIONAL ISSUE TO ALLOW THE APPROPRIATE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES TO COME AND GO THROUGH THE DEPORTATION PROCESS.

>> Reporter: BALTIMORE MAYOR SCOTT SAYS BALTIMORE IS NOT A SANCTUARY CITY BUT POLICE WILL NOT BE FOCUSED ON ENFORCING FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW IN ANNAPOLIS IN ADDITION TO PROTECTING UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS SOME LAWMAKERS SAY MARYLAND MUCH PUSHBACK ON THE PRESIDENT'S CONTESTED EXECUTIVE ORDER TO END BIRTH RIGHT CITIZENSHIP.

>> BIRTH RIGHT CITIZENSHIP IS SPELLED OUT AND CLEAR IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

AND TO PASS AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT YOU KNOW WOULD BE CHALLENGED AS BLATANTLY ILLEGAL SPEAKS TO WHAT HE'S FOCUSED ON AND THE DIVISION HE IS ATTEMPTING TO SOW AMONGST AMERICANS.

>> Jeff: HOW MUCH WILL THE STATE'S BUDGET WOES AFFECT PLANS TO BOOST SPENDING ON EDUCATION.

SUE COPPIN HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEES GOT A PROGRESS REPORT THIS WEEK HOW THINGS ARE GOING WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BLOOD BLUT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE ARE IT WAS THE PLAN TO IMPROVE MARYLAND'S PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> MENTALLY, THE BLUEPRINT RESHAPES STRUCTURES OF OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN MARYLAND PARTICULARLY FOR OUR AT PROMISED STUDENTS THROUGH EQUITY BY DESIGN.

WE ARE PLEASED TO REPORT PROGRESS ACROSS ALL FIVE PILLARS AMONG THIS REFORM LAW.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE POURED OF EDUCATION, NOTED THAT MARYLAND IS ENTERING ITS FOURTH YEAR OF THE BLUEPRINT'S IMPLEMENTATION AFTER BEING ENACTED IN 2021.

>> WE ARE CLEAR EYED IN OUR SHARED AND DEEP COMMITMENT TO THE BLUEPRINT.

THE PROMISE THAT IT CARRIES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE CORE GOAL OS AND STRATEGIES OUTLINED IN THE PLAN.

THE BLUEPRINT POINTED US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOUR YEARS AGO AND IN ORDER TO STAY ON THAT TRAJECTORY WE MUST CONTINUE TO ADAPT THE BLUEPRINT TO MEET THE REALITIES OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN 2025.

>> Reporter: THE LEGISLATURE'S REVIEW OF THE BLUEPRINT COMES AS THE STATE IS HAVING TO DEAL WITH A PROJECTED DEFICIT OF $3 BILLION.

LAST MONTH, THE GOVERNOR SUGGESTED THERE COULD BE REVISIONS COMING FOR THE BLUEPRINT.

AND ON THE DAY OF THIS BLUEPRINT UPDATE, THE GOVERNOR REVEALED HIS PLAN IN A 60-PAGE BILL CALLED THE EXCELLENCE IN MARYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACT.

BUT LEGISLATION CALLS FOR SLOWING THE GROWTH OF PER PUPIL FUNDING STARTING IN 2026.

IT WOULD REVISE COLLABORATIVE TIME WHICH GIVES TEACHERS OUT OF CLASS TIME TO WORK ON CURRICULUM, GRADING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

IT ALLOWS THE STATE TO BEGIN A RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN AND IT WOULD STOP ANNUAL FUNDING INCREASES TO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS RECEIVING CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY SCHOOL GRANTS.

THE GOVERNOR'S LEGISLATION IS RAISING CONCERNS.

>> I DON'T SEE A BIG REASON FOR MONUMENTAL PIVOT WHEN WE ARE THREE YEARS INTO A 10-YEAR PLAN.

WE'RE ALREADY SEEING THINGS PAY OFF IN BALTIMORE CITY WITH KINDERGARTEN READINESS, PRE-K BALTIMORE CITY STUDENTS WENTZ THROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE HAVING HIGHER 0 KINDERGARTEN READINESS BEYOND THE STATE AVERAGE BECAUSE THE EARLIEST LEARNERS ARE GETTING THE FULL PROMISE OF THE BLUEPRINT AT THE BEGINNING NOT MIDWAY OR TOWARDS THE END.

APPRECIATE THE EFFORT, BUT OTHER THAN GROWIN OUR TEACHING CORE I'M NOT INTERESTED IN REDUCING SUPPORTS AROUND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

>> SHE IS WITH THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND.

>> WE ARE INTRIGUED BY WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT OUT.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FULLY DIGEST IT YET.

IT REFLECTS A LOT OF THE PRIORITIES WE HAVE HEARD COME OUT OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND OUT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT WHO WE KNOW HAS A HISTORY OF SUCCESS.

I THINK THAT WE ARE SO INVESTED IN THE WORK, THAT ANYTHING THAT IS PERCEIVED A LITTLE BIT OF A U-TURN ON BLUEPRINT IS A CONCERN TO US.

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

>> Jeff: A NEW BUDGET CONCERN HAS EMERGED A POTENTIAL BILLION DOLLAR LIABILITY FOR ABUSE SUFFERED BY JUVENILES HELD IN STATE FACILITIES.

THE RECENT EXPANSION OF LEGAL RIGHTS FOR VICTIMS OF ABUSE BY RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS HAS ALSO OPENED THE DOOR FOR LAWSUITS AGAINST THE STATE WHICH SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS WE'LL HAVE TO FIND THE MONEY INTEREST THESE ARE REAL COSTS WITH REAL HORRIFIC SCENARIOS WHAT HAPPENED TO JUDGE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VIOLATED IN THE STATE'S CUSTODY.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE IT RIGHT.

WE HAVE TO DO IT OBVIOUSLY IN A WAY THAT IS SUSTAINABLE AND THAT IS PRACTICAL AND THOUGHTFUL.

AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN DO THIS IN THE MIDST OF SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS.

OF COURSE, THIS IS A DELICATE BALANCE IF YOU ARE IN NEGOTIATION AS FOR SETTLEMENTS OFFERS GO BACK AND FORTH WE HAVE TO BE PURPOSEFUL IN OUR APPROACH.

LOOK, THESE ARE VICTIMS THAT DESERVE COMPENSATION AND WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK.

>> Jeff: JOINING US THIS WEEK FOR THE ANNAPOLIS FACE OFF ARE SENATOR JIM ROSAPEPE, BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMITTEE AND SENATOR JUSTIN READY THE MINORITY WHIP IN THE STATE SENATE.

GENTLEMEN THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

YOU HAVE HAD A WEEK TO LOOK AT THE DETAILS OF THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

I WILL START WITH YOU, JIM ROSAPEPE WHAT ARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS?

>> I THINK IT'S THOUGHTFUL AND VERY PROGRESSIVE AND VERY WELL DONE.

$2 BUDGET CUTS FOR EVERY $1 INCREASES.

THE REVENUE PROPOSALS ARE AGGRESSIVE WHICH IS OVERDUE IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

OUR TAX SYSTEM FOR TOO LONG HAS BEEN TOO AGGRESSIVE AND TOO MANY BIG CORPORATIONS USE LOOPHOLES.

A THIRD OF THE BIG CORPORATIONS PAY NO TAXES AT ALL AND HE MOVED TO CHANGE THAT.

AT THE SAME TIME HE CUTS TAXES ON SMALL BUSINESS.

HE CUTS TAXES ON THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS.

AND HE CONTROLS SPENDING.

WE HAD A HEARING EARLIER THIS WEEK ABOUT THE DEVELOPED DISABLED OUT OF CONTROL.

UNCONTROLLED SPENDING AND IT'S BECAUSE IN THIS STARTED UNDER THE PREVIOUS HOGAN ADMINISTRATION.

THEY HAVE BEEN NOT ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT OR TO THE LEGISLATURE WHY THEY KEEP COMING IN EVERY YEAR WITH HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN COSTS THEY DIDN'T PREDICT.

THE STAFFER FOR OUR FISCAL STAFF SAID IT IS A BLACK BOX IN THE ADMINISTRATION.

THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

>> Jeff: SENATOR READY, THE BIG PICTURE WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN TAKEAWAYS?

>> WHEN I HEARD THERE WAS GOING TO BE $2 BILLION IN CUTS I SAID THAT'S GREAT BUT IT IS A $3 BILLION DEFICIT AND WHAT WE'VE HAD WITH THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET IS OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN TAX INCREASES, TAX FEE AND OTHER CHARGE INCREASES TO DOUBLE DOWN ON WHAT IS ALREADY BEEN 300 FEE IN TAX INCREASES SINCE HE BECAME GOVERNOR.

AND WHEN WE DIG INTO THE DETAILS IT'S NOT $2 BILLION IN CUTS THE DEPARTMENT AANALYSIS SAYS THE $3 BILLION DEFICIT CAUSED BY OVERCOMMITTING TO SPENDING LONG-TERM NOW COMING DUE.

40% OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED THE GAP IS REDUCTIONS IN SPENDING INCREASES.

AND THEN ABOUT 40% IS TAXES AND 20% IS MOVING MONEY AROUND.

WHICH IS FINE, THAT IS PART OF MANAGING A BUDGET BUT IT'S HARDLY THE THING WE NEED.

MARYLANDERS ARE OVERBURDENED, OVERTAXED OUR ECONOMY IS NOT GROWING BECAUSE WE HAVE PUNISHED THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THIS STATE FOR TOO LONG.

AND IT'S TIME FOR US TO, I THINK, HAVE GOVERNMENT GO ON THE DIET AND GET THINGS BACK UNDER CONTROL MORE FULLY.

I WAS GLAD TO SEE A NOD TO SOME TAX RELIEF IDEAS FOR CERTAIN BUSINESSES.

BUT BY RAISING INCOME TAXES ON SO-CALLED HIGH EARNERS YOU ARE RAISING INCOME TAXES ON PEOPLE RUNNING SMALL BUSINESSES AND USING PASS THROUGH FEES.

A LOT OF SMOKE AND MIRRORS UNFORTUNATELY.

>> Jeff: LET'S FOCUS IN ON THE TAX INCREASE FOR HIGHER INCOME MARYLANDERS.

YOU KNOW, NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE WILL BE TOO CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

BUT SENATOR READY, WHY WOULD YOU BE OPPOSED TO RAISING TAXES ON THE STATE'S TOP EARNERS?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, IT WON'T WORK.

WE TRIED THIS THE STATE DID YEARS AGO UNDER THE LAST GOVERNOR WHO RACKED UP FEES AND TAX INCREASES AND THEY HAD A MILLIONAIRES TAX.

AND THE MILLIONAIRES LEFT THE STATE.

THE STATE PROJECTED IN 2007 WHEN THEY RAISED THE MILLIONAIRES TAX THEY WOULD GET ABOUT $100 MILLION IN REVENUE AND THEY LOST $200 MILLION.

PEOPLE MAKING 700,000 CAN EASILY RELOCATE.

ONCE YOU RAISE THE TAX BEYOND WHAT THEY ARE PAYING IN VIRGINIA IT IS EASIER FOR SOMEONE TO BY THE THE BULLET AND MOVE TO VIRGINIA.

SO, YEAH, THAT ISSUE.

AND ONCE AGAIN THE GOVERNOR'S STATED GSTATED GOAL IS TO AND YT DO THAT TO THE COMPANIES THAT MIGHT BE IN THAT HIGHER BRACKET.

THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO GO.

>> Jeff: ARE WE GOING TO LOSE ANY OF THE MARYLANDERS WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THIS TAX INCREASE?

ARE THEY GOING TO GO TO FLORIDA?

>> THERE'S NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THAT.

THOSE ACCUSATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE OVER THE YEARS.

CLEARLY PEOPLE MOVE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

NOBODY LIKES TO PAY TAXES.

I DON'T LIKE TO PAY TAXES.

SENATOR READY DOESN'T LIKE TO PAY TAXES.

SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY TAXES BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ROADS AND HEALTHCARE, WE HAVE TO HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND THAT'S COST MONEY.

AND THE TAX PROPOSAL OF THE GOVERNOR IS WHO IS GOING TO PAY IT?

MORE OF THE WORKING CLASS?

WE DON'T WANT THAT.

WORKING PEOPLE PAY TOO MUCH IN TAXES.

IT CUTS TAXES FOR THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF WORKING PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

IT ONLY RAISES REVENUE FROM THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT.

AND I BEG TO DIFFER THE OWNER OF THE AVERAGE PLUMBING COMPANY IS MAKING A MILLION A YEAR I WISH THEY WERE.

>> Jeff: JIM, I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FOCUS INSTEAD OF THE BIG PICTURE INCOME TAX RATE ON THE NUANCE FEES IN THERE.

SERVE 5 CENTS FOR A -- 75 CENTS FOR A DoorDash DELIVERY.

THAT STUFF IS NOT PROGRESSIVE?

>> AND THAT IS FOCUSED ON TRANSPORTATION TIED TO TRANSPORTATION.

THE 75 CENTS IS RELATED TO USING THE ROADS.

LIKE A USER FEE.

SOME PEOPLE WILL SUPPORT IT AND SOME WON'T.

MY POINT IS BROADLY, THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL MAKES THE SYSTEM MORE PROGRESSIVE AND CUTS TAXES FOR SMALL BUSINESS AND WORKING PEOPLE.

THAT IS THE BIG PICTURE AND WE WILL ARGUE ON INDIVIDUAL PIECES BUT BIG PICTURE HE IS MAKING THE SYSTEM MORE PROGRESSIVE A LONGTIME COMING.

>> Jeff: EXPLAIN TO OUR VIEWERS THE DETAIL OF COMBINED REPORTING DEBATED BY THE LEGISLATURE IT NEVER PASSES.

AND LAYMAN'S TERMS WHAT IS IT AND WHY HASN'T IT GOTTEN THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE, AND WILL IT THIS TIME?

>> IS THAT FOR ME?

>> Jeff: SURE.

>> A HANDFUL OF BIG COMPANIES DON'T WANT TO PAY THEIR SHARE OF TAXES.

COMBINED REPORT SOMETHING THE LAW IN 30 STATES.

IT SAYS YOU CAN'T USE CORPORATE SHELL GAMES TO AVOID TAXES IN MARYLAND.

BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES IN OTHER STATES.

BIG CORPORATIONS, THESE ARE NOT SMALL BUSINESSES IN MARYLAND.

SMALL BUSINESSES IN MARYLAND HAVE BEEN CARRYING THE LOAD BECAUSE THE BIG BUSINESSES HAVE AVOIDED THE TAXES I APPLAUD THE GOVERNOR FOR TAKING ON THE BIG BOYS.

>> Jeff: BUT IT'S NEVER GOTTEN THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

>> I THINK BECAUSE WES MOORE HAS A VISION OF MAKING THE SYSTEM MORE FAIR BY MAKING THE CORPORATIONS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE AND I HOPE SENATOR READY WILL JOIN US IN CLOSING THE LOOPHOLES TO LOWER TAXES ON SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> Jeff: IS IT A LOOPHOLE?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT THERE'S PROS AND CONS TO COMBINED REPORTING.

BUT IT'S INSTRUCTIVE OF THIS BUDGET HE LIKES TO TALK ABOUT CUTTING TAXES FOR PEOPLE AND CUTTING THE CORPORATE TAX BY A QUARTER OF A PERCENT, I LIKE THAT I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA.

AND AT THE SAME TIME SOME OF THE SAME CORPORATIONS, IT'S LIKE YOU ARE GETTING MONEY BACK YOU ARE NOT MAKING THE STATE MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY DOING COMBINED REPORTING AND CUTTING THE TAXES A QUARTER PERCENT.

IT IS AN INTERESTING ARGUMENT YOU MADE A GREAT POINT, JEFF, THE IDEA THAT MIDDLE CLASS FOLKS ARE GETTING A TAX CUT.

BY THE TIME THEY ARE DONE PAYING HIGHER TAX GAS PRICES AND CAR REGISTRATION FEES WAS [INAUDIBLE] AND MAKES YOU PAY A PENALTY IF YOU PAY INSTALLMENTS.

THERE ARE ALL THE REGRESSIVE THINGS.

AND PEOPLE LET'S BE CLEAR, PEOPLE WILL SAY I'M GETTING A TAX CUT BUT MY ASSESSMENTS HAVE GONE UP, MY ELECTRICITY BILL IS OUT OF CONTROL BECAUSE OF THE OVERRELIANCE ON RENEWABLE ENERGY.

AND IT IS A BUDGET THAT SAYS WE'RE GOING TO TAKE HERE AND YOU GET A TAX CUT AND RAISE FEES AND TAXES HERE WHEN THE ISSUE AS MY FRIEND TALKED ABOUT, IF YOU HAVE A BUDGET THAT IS A DISABILITIES BUDGET AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUDGET THAT IS OUT OF CONTROL, WHY ARE WE ASKING TAXPAYERS TO PAY MORE TAXES?

WHY DON'T WE FIX THE PROBLEMS WITH THE THINGS THAT NEED FOR RETRENCHED BEFORE WE GO TO THE TAXPAYERS AND SAY GIVE US MORE MONEY.

>> Jeff: A SENTENCE OR TWO FROM EACH OF YOU ON THIS.

IS THERE ANYTHING IN THIS PLAN THAT YOU ARE CERTAIN IS NOT GOING TO COME OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE IN ITS CURRENT FORM?

>> PLEASE GO FIRST.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT SENATOR JIM ROSAPEPE EXPRESSED SUPPORT AND DEMOCRATS AND THE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE LIKE THE IDEA OF FINDING WAYS TO RELIEVE THE TAX BURDEN.

MY FEAR IS THE FAR LEFT HOUSE OF DELEGATES WILL BE ADDING TAX THE CUTS SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE GOOD ABOUT TRIMMING BACK SPENDING.

THAT WOULD BE MY CONCERN THAT WE WON'T GET THE REAL CUTS THAT ARE NEEDED TO REALLY GET THE BUDGET BACK IN BALANCE PUTTING ASIDE THE TAX DISCUSSION, THAT IS A CONCERN I HAVE.

>> Jeff: LOOK INTO YOUR CRYSTAL BALL AT THE END OF THE SESSION WHAT IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT IN THIS PLAN?

>> WHAT IS NOT GOING TO BE DIFFERENT IS WE WILL HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET.

WHAT MAY BE DIFFERENT IS SOME OF THE BUDGET CUTS MAYBE DIFFERENT THAN THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED AND SOME OF THE REVENUE PROPOSED BUT WE KNOW WE WILL HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET.

>> Jeff: SENATORS WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: THREW A RENEWED EFFORT TO TACKLE RUN AWAY PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES.

THE AFFORDABILITY BOARD WAS CREATED IN 2019 TO CAP PRICES ON CERTAIN DRUGS IN GOVERNMENT PAID PLANS.

THE BOARD, HOWEVER, HAS YET TO GENERATE SAVINGS.

SUPPORTERS WANT THE MISSION EXPANDED TO APPLY TO ALL MARYLANDERS.

SIMILAR LEGISLATION DID NOT ADVANCE OUT OF COMMITTEE LAST YEAR.

>> FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE, SUE COPPIN IS JOINED BY MADDI O'NEILL WHO WRITES FOR THE BALTIMORE BANNER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

MADDI O'NEILL YOU REPORTED ON CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST A FORMER LEGISLATIVE AIDE.

WHAT WAS THE STORY ON THAT?

>> SURE.

SO THERE WAS A LEGISLATIVE AIDE WHO WORKED FOR SENATOR WILL SMITH FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND CHAIRS THE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE.

THE ALLEGATIONS WERE BROUGHT BY THE OFFICE OF THE STATE PROSECUTOR AND THEY CHARGED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE AIDE USED HER ACCESS TO THE SENATOR'S PERSONAL, I GUESS IT WAS HIS OFFICE E-MAIL ADDRESS AND HIS E-MAIL ACCOUNT, WHICH SHE WAS GRANTED ACCESS TO AS A MEMBER OF HIS STAFF.

SHE USED THAT TO AWARD HERSELF $20,000 IN DOLLARSHIP MONEY SHE WAS NOT ENTITLEETED TO.

SHE HAD NOT APPLIED FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS.

SHE HAD THE MONEY SENT TO HER COLLEGE WHERE SHE WAS ATTENDING FOR A MASTER PROGRAM A UNIVERSITY.

BUT, YEAH, SHE E-MAILED THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION DIRECTLY TO SAY I HAVE BEEN AWARDED THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THEY DISPERSED IT.

SENATOR SMITH SAID HE WAS TREMENDOUSLY DISAPPOINTED AND HE REFERRED THE CASE OVER TO THE OFFICE OF THE STATE PROSECUTOR AS SOON AS HE LEARNED OF THE ISSUE.

>> Jeff: SUE WILL RECALL THE LEGISLATIVE SCHOLARSHIPS WERE CONTROVERSIAL BECAUSE THE ALLEGATION IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A SLUSH FUND THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF GUARDRAILS HOW LEGISLATORS WOULD DECIDE HOW TO ALLOCATE THE MONEY IT'S FALLEN OUT OF THE NEWS IN THE PAST DECADE OR SO?

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

IN MOST CASES, THEY'VE SETUP COMMITTEES TO HELP DETERMINE WHO IS MOST DESERVING OF THE AWARDS WITH OTHER FACTORS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION OF THE YES, THAT WAS A LONGSTANDING MEASURE BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE THEY WORKED OUT ISSUES OF CONCERN.

>> AND SENATORS HE HAD A COMMITTEE SETUP TO DETERMINE WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE AND RECEIVE THESE SCHOLARSHIPS.

AND THIS LEGISLATIVE AIDE ONE OF HER DUTIES WAS INTERACTING WITH THAT COMMITTEE AND SHE USED THAT ACCESS TO AWARD HERSELF THE SCHOLARSHIP OR TO SAY I'VE WON THE DOLLARSHIP.

>> Jeff: WE HEARD A SOUND BOO BY THE FROM THE -- SOUNDBYTE FROM THE SENATE PRESIDENT ABOUT THE ACT THAT IS GOING TO RESULT IN THOUSANDS OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE FOR ALLEGED ABUSE IN DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES FACILITIES.

DO WE KNOW WHAT THE NUMBER IS?

THE TIGHT BUDGET YEAR THEY ARE QUITE CONCERNED?

>> WE'RE HEARING THE NUMBER 3500.

THERE ARE 3500 CLAIMS AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES AND THEREFORE AGAINST THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

LAWMAKERS ARE VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY OPEN THE STATE UP TO SIGNIFICANT LIABILITY IN TERMS OF MONEY.

EACH CLAIM COULD BE WORTH UP TO $890,000.

IN A TIGHT BUDGET YEAR THAT IS CONCERNING.

WE HEARD SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON EARLIER SAY IT'S -- IT WAS CHAIRMAN WILL SMITH SAY THAT IT'S POSSIBLE THERE WILL BE LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO PUT AN END DATE ON THE WINDOW OPENED THE REVIVAL WINDOW TO ALLOW FOR OUT OF DATE SEXUAL ABUSE CLAIMS TO BE BROUGHT IN CIVIL COURT.

>> Jeff: YOU CAN READ MADDI O'NEILL'S WORK IN THE BALTIMORE BANNER.

>> THE CIAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT IS RETURNING TO BALTIMORE.

CHARLES ROBINSON HAS THE STORY.

>> A MAJOR OBJECTIVE THIS YEAR IS TO SELLOUT THE ARENA AT LEAST FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT.

THAT REALLY SHOWS THE PRESIDENTS THAT THE CITY IS SERIOUS ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT.

THESE ARE 13 SCHOOLS WHO ARE ARE UNDER RESOURCED AND THEY NEED FUNDING AND BY US GETTING THE FAN BASE TO COME OUT AND SELLOUT THE ARENA WILL MAKE A BIG STATEMENT.

>> THE PRESSURE PUTTING ON A COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT WAS THERE IN THE BEGINNING WHEN COVID MADE THE TOURNAMENT VIRTUAL.

SIX YEARS LATER, IT'S GROWN BEYOND EXPECTATIONS.

>> WE HAVE THE STANDARDS OF WHAT WE NEED.

WE NEED THE HOTEL COMMUNITY TO BE TOGETHER.

WE NEED THE BUILDING TO GIVE US ACCESS.

WE NEED THE RESTAURANTS TO BE ONBOARD.

WE NEED PROMOTERS TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS WITH THE STATE IF THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO AGAIN.

I MEAN THERE IS REVENUE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE HAD FOR EVERYONE.

>> WHEN WE MEASURE IT IT'S HEADS AND BEDS, FOOD AND BELLY, CREDIT CARD AND BUTTS IN SEATS.

THAT IS THE MEASUREMENT STANDARD IN WHICH WE'RE HELPING TO DRIVE THE ECONOMY THROUGH THE EVENTS AND IT GOES BACK TO THE HEART, BACK TO THE BELLY AND BACK TO THE THINGS THAT MAKE ALL SPORTS IMPORTANT THE CIAA EMBODIES THAT BETTER THAN MOST AND BETTER THAN MANY.

>> THIS YEAR, THE TOURNAMENT WILL CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF WOMEN'S BASKETBALL.

AS AN ALL ADVERTISING SLOGAN SAID YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY.

HERE ARE THE NUMBERS, 70% IN HOTEL OCCUPANCY.

OVER 100 BLACK BUSINESSES WERE A PART OF THE TOURNAMENT REASONING $1.4 MILLION.

THE CITY IS ALSO EXPECTING TO DELIVER $1.6 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO MEMBER INSTITUTIONS.

WHAT IS NO JOKE, TOURNAMENT CREATED 32.5 MILLION DOLLARS IN REVENUE.

>> EACH YEAR THE CIAA TOURNAMENT TRIES TO BRING BLACK BUSINESSES INTO THE FOLD AND THIS YEAR, IS NO DIFFERENT.

THE EMPANADA LADY IS THE HOST OF THE BALTIMORE SCAVENGER HUNT THEY CAN VISIT THE BLACK BUSINESSES IN BALTIMORE.

>> I'VE LEARNED THAT PREPARATION SAVES TIME AND MONEY.

IT'S BETTER TO BE STAFFED AND EXTRA FOOD AND MORE DRINKS TO EXECUTE SEAMLESSLY AND BALTIMORE IS A CITY OF LOVE.

LIKE WE COME OUT.

WHEN IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE AND SOMETHING GOING ON WHEN IT'S SPORTS WE POP OUT.

>> BALTIMORE CREATED AN ADDED VALUE BEYOND BASKETBALL HOLDING WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS, STUDENTS AND ALUMNI IN AND AROUND THE EXPERIENCE.

BY UPPING THE STAKES FOR HOSTING THE TOURNAMENT, CITIES LOOKING TO REPLICATE WHAT WE ARE DOING, IS NO EASY TASK.

>> WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL MODEL.

THE CIAA PRESIDENT AND THE COMMISSIONERS SEE THAT MODEL BUT OUR COMPETITION SEES THE MODEL AND THAT IS OKAY.

>> THE RFP HAS BEEN SENT OUT AND BALTIMORE LET IT BE KNOWN THEY ARE INTERESTED.

BUT THEY WON'T BE ALONE TRYING TO CAPTURE THE MAGIC OF CHARM CITY.

>> BALTIMORE CITY I'M CHARLES ROBINSON.

>> Jeff: YOU CAN SEE OUR RECENT PROGRAMS AT MPT.VIDEO.TV AND THE APP AND SOCIAL MEDIA AT MPT NEWS.

WE ARE BACK MONDAY WITH "DIRECT CONNECTION" AND YOUR CHANCE TO ASK THE EXPERTS THAT IS MONDAY EVENING LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY.