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: OLD HILLTOP SOON UNDER NEW MANAGE MANY.

>> WE ARE GOING TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO CAP THE COSTS.

WHAT DOES IN THE EXIST IS A BLANK CHECK FOR THE INDUSTRY.

>> Jeff: A SKIRMISH OVER TAXES.

>> WHAT SERVICES INCLUDED WILL BE DEBATED.

>> I DOUBT WE WILL TAKE THE BILL UP.

>> Jeff: AND CLOSING THE GENDER PAY GAP.

>> WOMEN ARE CROWDED IN A DISPROPORTIONATELY REPRESENTED IN LOW PAID SERVICE SECTOR JOBS.

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

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.

THE LEADERS OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES THIS MORNING PRESSING THEIR CASE FOR GETTING MOVING ON A MAJOR INCREASE IN TAX REVENUES.

>> WE CAN NO LONGER RELY ON QUICK FIXES OR SHORT-TERM APPROACHES.

THEY WILL ONLY LAND US RIGHT BACK IN THE SAME PLACE NEXT YEAR.

AT THIS POINT, WE KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION IS.

AND IT'S FINALLY TIME THAT WE JUST SAY IT.

THE ANSWER IS REVENUES.

>> Jeff: THE SENATE PASSED ITS VERSION OF THE BUDGET, SENDING THE BILL TO THE HOUSE.

SENATE LEADERS REITERATED THEIR STANCE THAT NEW REVENUES ARE NOT NEEDED NOW AND GOVERNOR MOORE SAID THE SAME THING ON AN INTERVIEW.

AMONG THE REVENUE OPTIONS FAVORED BY HOUSE LEADERS AN EXPANSION OF THE SALES TAXPAYERED WITH A RATE CUT.

NANCY AMATA EXPLAINS HOW THAT WOULD WORK.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO HARM THE BOTTOM LINE OF THE STATE.

BUT RIGHT NOW OUR ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS IS IN DANGER.

OUR SCHOOLS ARE FALLING FURTHER BEHIND NATIONAL AVERAGES.

OUR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION IS LAGGING.

OUR NEIGHBORS.

>> IT'S FOR THAT REASON THAT DELEGATE DAVID MOON SAYS LAWMAKERS NEED TO COME UP WITH MUCH-NEEDED REVENUE TO OFFSET $3 BILLION IN LOOMING DEFICITS.

AT STAKE ARE THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE, THE STATE'S EDUCATION REFORM PLAN AND MUCH-NEEDED TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

DELEGATE MOON'S IDEA IS TO LOWER THE STATE SALES TAX FROM 6% TO 5%.

BUT EXPAND THE STATE'S SALES TAX TO INCLUDE A VARIETY OF SERVICES.

>> WHICH SERVICES WE INCLUDE COULD BE DEBATED.

BUT IF WE PUT ALL OF THEM IN IT WOULD RAISE $3 BILLION AND SOME OF THEM IN, OBVIOUSLY THAT WOULD BE LESS.

BUT THAT WOULD BE ONE WAY TO ADDRESS SOME OF OUR DEFICITS WITH ONE LARGE BILL AS OPPOSED TO THE DOZENS TOGETHER PIECES OF DOZENS OF BILLS THAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING.

>> THE SALES TAX APPLIES TO CONSUMER GOODS.

UNDER THE BILL SERVICES LIKE LANDSCAPING, DRY CLEANING AND GETTING A MASSAGE OR HAIRCUT COULD BE TAXED TOO.

>> IT IS NOT THAT DIFFICULT JOB TO DRIVE 15 OR 20 MILES TO GET CAREY PAIRS TO GET SERVICES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE BILL OUTSIDE THE STATE.

>> BUSINESS OWNERS OPPOSING THE LEGISLATION PACKED A HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE HEARING THIS WEEK TESTIFYING FOR THE BETTER PART OF THREE HOURS.

>> CAR WASH CUSTOMERS TO PAY ENCOURAGE DRIVEWAY WASHING.

WASTEWATER FROM DRIVEWAY WASHING RUNS INTO THE STORM SEWER UNTREATED AND INTO THE STREAMS AND RIVERS TO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.

>> A SIMILAR BILL FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> I DOUBT WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THE BILL UP.

THE STATE'S BUDGET IS BALANCED.

SO WE'VE DONE OUR JOB WE'VE PASSED A BALANCEDDED BUDGET NO NEED FOR TAX INCREASES THIS YEAR.

>> ALL IDEAS NEED TO BE EXPLORED AND MOON WARNS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF BEING SHORT-SIGHTED.

>> SOME OF OUR FRIENDS ARE ATTEMPTING TO BALANCE THE BUDGET WITH ONE-TIME TRICKS THAT BASICALLY ARE GOING TO LEAVE US UNPREPARED IF THERE IS A RECESSION.

ON ONE HAND WE HAVE COLLEAGUES WHO WOULD LIKE TO DELETE OUR RAINY DAY FUNDS IN ORDER TO MEET OUR IMMEDIATE BUDGET NEEDS.

BUT THAT JUST PUTS US WORSE OFF NEXT YEAR WHERE THE PROBLEMS HAVEN'T BEEN FUNDAMENTALLY ADDRESSED.

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

>> Jeff: STATE LEADERS RELUCTANTLY SIGNED OFF ON A COST OVERRUN ON THE PURPLE LINE.

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS APPROVED AN ADDITIONAL $400 PLUS MILLION FOR THE LIGHT-RAIL PROJECT.

BRINGS OVERRUNS TO $4 BILLION.

THE PROJECT IS YEARS BEHIND SCHEDULE.

DEMOCRATS ON THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS BLAMED MISMANAGEMENT BY FORMER GOVERNOR HOGAN'S ADMINISTRATION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR HOGAN SAID THAT IS JUST POLITICS.

>>> ANOTHER $400 MILLION CHECK FROM THE TREASURY WILL REBUILD PANDEMIC PANDEMIC RACE COURSE AND VICE-PRESIDENT A HORSE TRAINING CENTER.

THE STATE GETS OWNERSHIP OF PIMLICO AND IT KEEPS OWNERSHIP OF THE PRAKNESS BRAND AND LAUREL RACE COURSE WILL CLOSE OPENING UP A PARCEL FOR DEVELOPERS.

>> AS WE LOOK TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CAPPING ANY COST EXPOSURE IN THE FUTURE.

AND IF WE DO ENGAGE IN THIS NEW PROCESS FOR THOROUGHBRED HORSERACING IN MARYLAND THAT IT IS STABLE.

BECAUSE WE CAN'T KEEP GOING THROUGH THIS LOSING THE FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE OVER AND OVER.

>> Jeff: THE DEAL NEEDS LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL TO UPDATE A PREVIOUS AGREEMENT.

THE BILL WAS FILED YESTERDAY WITH LESS THAN A MONTH TO GO IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>>> THIS PAST TUESDAY WAS EQUAL PAYDAY.

WHICH MARKS HOW FAR INTO THE YEAR THE AVERAGE WOMAN HAS TO WORK IN ORDER TO EARN THE SAME AMOUNT THAT MEN EARNED IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

AT THE STATE HOUSE IT WAS MARKED WITH A CALL TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO CLOSE THAT PAY GAP AS SUE COPPIN REPORTS.

>> MARYLAND'S LABOR SECRETARY SAYS THINGS ARE IMPROVING, BUT THE PAY GAP BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN CONTINUES.

>> OUR OVERALL GAP BETWEEN WOMEN'S AND MEN'S EARNINGS IS SMALLER THAN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

BUT AVERAGING DATA FROM 2018-2022 THIS MEANS THAT WOMEN WORKING FULL-TIME IN MARYLAND EARN 86 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR FOR WHAT MEN EARN.

>> THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S LATEST REPORT BASED ON INFORMATION FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU SHOWS THAT LATINO WOMEN ARE HIT ESPECIALLY HARD.

>> THIS GAP IS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT RACE AND GENDER.

LATINO WOMEN IN MARYLAND EARN HALF OF WHAT NON-HISPANIC MEN EARN.

AND BECAUSE MARYLAND WAGES ARE HIGHER THAN A LOT OF PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT PERCENTAGE GAP REALLY ADDS UP OVER A LIFETIME WITH LATINOS EARNING 1.8 MILLION LESS OVER A CAREER THAN WHITE MEN.

>> AND THERE ARE ADDITIONAL FACTORS FOR THE WAGE GAP.

>> WOMEN ARE CROWDED IN A DISPROPORTIONATELY REPRESENTED IN LOW PAID SERVICE SECTOR JOBS, HOME HEALTHCARE AND RETAIL AND FOOD SERVICE AND OTHER AREAS.

THEY OFTEN DON'T RECEIVE THE SAME EDUCATION OR TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.

AND HIGHER PAYING FIELDS AND THEY CAN FACE CHALLENGES IN NEGOTIATING FOR SALARIES.

>> THERE ARE HOUSE AND SENATE BILLS THAT SUPPORTERS SAY WILL INCREASE SALARY TRANSPARENCY FOR JOB SEEKERS AND HELP CLOSE THE SALARY GAP.

>> HB649 AND SENATE BILL 525 REQUIRES EMPLOYERS TO SET A MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM HOURLY RATE OR MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM SALARY IN GOOD FAITH AND PROVIDE THIS RANGE ON ALL JOB POSTINGS FOR INTERNAL AND PUBLIC POSTINGS.

SO WHAT I REALLY LIKE ABOUT THIS BILL IS THAT ALL PARTIES ARE INFORMED ABOUT THE NEGOTIATION CONTEXT.

AGAIN, THIS CREATES A MORE EQUAL PLAYING FIELD.

>> SHE OWNS A GIFT SHOP IN FEDERAL HILL SAYS SHE'S ALL FOR INCREASING SALARY TRANSPARENCY.

>> AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER I WEAR MANY HATS AND I NEED TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS.

AND I AM NOT WASTING TIME FROM THE APPLICANT'S TIME.

I KNOW WHAT MY WAGES ARE WHAT I CAN PAY.

AND THEY KNOW AHEAD OF TIME.

>> WHILE MARYLAND LAW ALREADY PROHIBITS EMPLOYMENT AND WAGE DISCRIMINATION BY GENDER, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MILLER SAYS PASSING THE TRANSPARENCY LEGISLATION WILL BE ANOTHER BIG STEP FORWARD IN ELIMINATING THE PAY GAP.

>> BY IMPROVING TRANSPARENCY WE CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND WHY THE PAY GNDER GAP PERSISTS AND HOW IT CONTINUES TO GROW.

IT IS SAID SUNLIGHT IS THE BEST DISINFECTANT.

AND WE ARE ABOUT TO POUR A WHOLE LOT OF SUNLIGHT ON THE GENDER PAY GAP.

AND WE NEED TO GET THIS LEGISLATION ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> AT THE STATE HOUSE I'M SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: MARYLAND'S ROAD TO GREEN ENERGY IS A BIT ROUGHER THAN SOME EXPECTED.

CHARLES ROBINSON HAS THIS REPORT.

>> AS DATA CENTERS AND TECH INDUSTRIES COME TO MARYLAND, THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT WE BELIEVE WE DO NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN JOBS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

WE DO NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN ECONOMIC GROWTH AND FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE AND WE DO NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN TECH INDUSTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

>> WITH EVERY NEW IDEA THAT SHOWS UP IN MARYLAND AS BEING THE NEXT TECH INNOVATION, IT HAS ITS TRADE-OFFS.

SOME THINGS HAVE POTENTIAL AND OTHERS SHOW PROMISE.

THE TARGET OF HAVING A 100% CLEAN ENERGY BY 2035, HAS BECOME A PIPE DREAM.

A SOURCE FOR A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTALISTS IS BALTIMORE RESPECT CO.

THIS IS WHERE THEY BURN TRASH AND TURN IT INTO ENERGY.

BUT IS THAT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY?

THE MEMBERS OF THE MARYLAND LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS POINT TO THESE TYPES OF CONTRADICTIONS AS THEY WATCH ENVIRONMENTAL BILLS COME UP FOR HEARINGS.

IT'S CLEAR THE TRACK RECORD FOR GETTING LEGISLATORS ONBOARD ISN'T A GIVEN.

>> BECAUSE THE ALTERNATIVE IS WORSE.

IF WE DON'T BELIEVE IN THE SYSTEM AND IF WE DON'T HAVE HOPE, AND IF WE DON'T HAVE A VISION, WE MIGHT AS WELL NOT COME TO WORK ANYMORE.

AND THIS MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS GOVERNOR, THE STATE OF MARYLAND HAS SHOWN A COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT TO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY, TO FIGHTING CLIMATE FOR YEARS.

DO I WISH IT WAS FASTER?

YES.

DO I WISH IT WAS MORE?

YES.

DO I WISH THEY WOULD NOT TAKE SEVEN YEARS TO PASS A NO-BRAINER BILL?

YES.

BUT WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS AND WE'RE STARTING TO SEE REAL STRIDES AND WE ARE PEA GOING TO REMAIN HOPEFUL BECAUSE ANYTHING EVERYTHING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

>> THE TIMETABLE FOR CORRECTING IS IN THE FUTURE.

BUT IT WILL LIKELY BEGIN WITH TWEAKING LANGUAGE TO MAKE SURE BILLS AREN'T WATERED DOWN SO THEY DON'T HAVE THE DESIRED EFFECT OF HAVING CLEAN ENERGY.

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

>> Jeff: OUR NEWSMAKER THIS WEEK IS I JAKE DAY THE SECRETARY OF THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

Mr. SECRETARY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU AND THE GOVERNOR SHARED A BYLINE ON AN OP-ED TALKING ABOUT HOUSING SAYING MARYLAND IS FACING A HOUSING CRISIS.

TELL US ABOUT THAT CRISIS?

>> JEFF, GLAD TO BE WITH YOU.

YOU ARE RIGHT.

THERE IS A HOUSING CRISIS.

WE ARE FACING A SHORTAGE OF 96,000 HOUSING UNITS AND THAT IS A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE.

THAT SHORTAGE COMES FROM 15 PLUS YEARS SINCE THE 2008 FINANCIAL RECESSION, 15 PLUS YEARS OF NOT BUILDING ENOUGH HOUSING AND THE IMPACTS ARE FELT BY EVERY FAMILY IN THE STATE.

THEY AFFECT RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS ALIKE.

AND A HOUSING SUPPLY CRISIS LED TO A HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS.

>> Jeff: WELL, YOU HAVE A PACKAGE OF THREE BILLS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THE HOUSING EXPANSION AND AFFORDABILITY ACT, THE RENTERS RIGHTS AND STABILIZATION ACT, AND THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCING ACT.

CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE THUMBNAIL OF WHAT THEY WOULD EACH DO?

>> SURE.

THE REASON THERE ARE THREE BILLS IS WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE FACETS TO GETTING OURSELVES OUT OF THIS CRISIS.

AND THE BARRIERS TO PRODUCING ENOUGH HOUSING ARE FALL INTO TWO CATEGORIES.

FIRST, FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND SOME ARE MACROECONOMIC BUT THE ONES THAT WE CAN ADDRESS BY BRINGING MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS INTO THE STATE BY UNLOCKING TOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN ARTIFICIALLY LIMITED IS SORT OF BUCKET NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO IS REGULATORY BARRIERS.

THERE ARE SO MANY HURDLES THAT ARE ESTABLISHED BY LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT TO EXPEDIENT DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING THAT WE WANT TO TRIM.

AND YES, THERE IS A LOT OF RED TAPE.

SOME OF IT WAS ONCE THERE FOR GOOD REASON.

BUT MANY OF THOSE TOOLS ARE MISUSED.

AND ALSO THERE ARE REGULATIONS THAT LET'S BE FRANK, WERE CREATED IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE A HOUSING SHORTAGE.

AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS THOSE WITH THE SECOND PIECE.

THE THIRD AND FINAL PIECE THE RENTERS RIGHTS AND STABILIZATION ACT, ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME TO BUILD HOUSES.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEE A DRAMATIC UPTICK IN THE PRODUCT AND IS OF HOUSING UNITS IN 12 MONTHS OR AN EXPANSION IN THE NUMBER OF UNITS AVAILABLE IN 24 MONTHS.

IT TAKES A LONGTIME TO BUILD.

SO RENTERS NEED RELIEF TODAY.

PEOPLE WHO ARE SUBJECT TO A TURBULENT RENTAL MARKET AND PEOPLE HAVING TROUBLE PERHAPS THEY ARE UNSHELTERED HAVING TROUBLE ENTERING INTO RENTING AT ALL AND THOSE WHO MIGHT WANT TO TRANSITION FROM REPRESENTING TO OWNERSHIP.

A REALLY TOUGH POSITION TODAY.

AND THE RENTERS RIGHTS AND HOUSING STABILIZATION ACROCANTHOSAURUS KNOWLEDGES AND SEEKS TO ADDRESS THAT.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED THE PREROGATIVES OF LOCAL OFFICIALS WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING.

I SHOULD POINT OUT YOU USED TO BE ONE OF THE LOCAL OFFICIALS AND THEY TEND TO GUARD THEIR AUTHORITY CAREFULLY WHEN IT COMES TO ZONING AND DENSITY AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

ARE YOU PROPOSING TO HAVE THE STATE TAKE SOME OF THAT POWER?

>> SO, JEFF, REALLY, I TAKE THIS FROM THE VANTAGE POINT OF NOT ONLY A FORMER PLANNER, A CITY PLANNER, BUT ALSO A FORMER PLANNING COMMISSIONER.

AND A CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

AND THE MAYOR.

AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND MUNICIPAL THE ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

AND WHAT I BELIEVE IS THAT THIS UNLOCKS OPPORTUNITY AND CREATES NEW PATHWAYS FOR HOUSING TO BE BUILT IN THE RIGHT PLACES AND THE PLACES WHERE WE WANT HOUSING TO BE BUILT AS A STATE.

THIS DOESN'T RESTRICT OR TIE THE HANDS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BUT RATHER ENABLES THEM TO ACHIEVE GROWTH IN THE WAY THEY WANT IT DONE.

THIS IS A BILL THE HOUSING EXPANSION ACT THAT RESPECTS THE UNDERLYING ZONING AND WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO INCENTIVIZE, DEVELOPERS TO DO MORE IN THOSE PLACES THAN THE MARKET HAVE ALLOWED.

SO I BELIEVE THIS IS REALLY A KICKSTARTER TO EFFORTS THAT MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES OTHERWISE ARE UNABLE TO ENGENDER THEMSELVES UNABLE TO KICK START THEMSELVES.

I DON'T VIEW IT AT ALL AS A USURPATION OR RESTRICTION.

I LOOK AT IT AS AN EXPANSION OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE.

>> Jeff: IS THERE STILL TENSION BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS IN MARYLAND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED AND THE AMOUNT OF HOUSING THAT IS BEING BUILT?

WE USED TO FOCUS ON SMART GROWTH.

AND SORT OF LIMITING IN SOME WAYS THE DENSITY AND PUSHING IT INTO CERTAIN AREAS.

DO YOU SEE THAT TENSION?

ESPECIALLY WHERE YOU ARE FROM ON THE EASTERN SHORE?

>> WELL, JEFF, IT IS STILL EXISTS.

AND WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHERE WE BUILD.

MARYLAND HAS PROUD LEGACY OF SMART GROWTH.

AND THE TERMINOLOGY CHANGES AND ADAPTS WITH TIME.

BUT WE DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO REJECT THAT HANDLE OF LEADERSHIP THAT WE ONCE HAD WE WANT TO PICK IT BACK UP.

I THINK WHAT THIS BILL DOES AND WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSING PACKAGE DOES, IT SAYS THAT WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE HISTORY AS A STATE OF USING STATE AUTHORITY TO SAY YOU KNOW THERE ARE CERTAIN PLACES WE SHOULDN'T BUILD.

AND SO WE WILL ESSENTIALLY DOWN ZONE ACROSS THE STATE TO ENSURE WE DON'T BUILD IN THE WRONG PLACES AND ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE AREAS WHERE AGRICULTURE SHOULD BE THRIVING.

AND WE NEVER FINISHED THAT EQUATION.

WE DID HALF THE JOB.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN IS WE HAVE TO INCENTIVIZE BUILDING HOUSING IN THE RIGHT PLACES AROUND TRANSIT STOPS AND AREAS WHERE INFRASTRUCTURE DOES EXIST AND WHERE DENSITY CAN BE SUSTAINED.

AND THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL DOES.

>> Jeff: LOTS OF OTHER HOUSING LEGISLATION PENDING IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO MENTION THAT YOU'RE EITHER SUPPORTIVE OF OR DON'T WANT TO SEE MOVE FORWARD?

>> WELL, I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE GOVERNOR'S THREE HOUSING BILLS COMPLIMENT THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

WHICH DRAMATICALLY INCREASED THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR REDEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION EFFORTS AROUND THE STATE.

THE RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADDRESSING VACANT BUILDINGS IN BALTIMORE CITY AND BEYOND.

AND THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR FINANCING DEVELOPMENT OF I AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR FAMILIES WITH LIMITED MEANS.

AND SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE VOTERS TO CALL THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN THE MARYLAND HOUSE AND SENATE AND SAY WE WANT THIS.

WE NEED THIS.

WE ARE DESPERATE NEED OF ADDITIONAL HOUSING AND BUDGET IS AN IMPORTANT COMPLIMENT TO THE GOVERNOR'S THREE BILLS.

I ALSO WOULD SHARE THAT WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS SO FAR IN GETTING THE JUST COMMUNITIES ACT MOVING FORWARD.

WE HAVE A LEGACY NOT ONLY IN MARYLAND BUT IN AMERICA, OF MAKING POLICY DECISIONS THAT CAST A DIFFERENT COURSE FOR SOME FAMILIES BASED ON THEIR RACE.

AND SOME NEIGHBORHOODS BASED ON THE PREPONDERANCE OF THE RACE OF THOSE WHO LIVE THERE AND IT'S IMPORTANT WE DIAL BACK THAT WORK AND THAT WE DELIBERATELY COUNTERACT THOSE STEPS THAT WERE TAKEN GENERATIONS AGO AND THAT WE CHART A DIFFERENT COURSE.

THE STATUS QUO HASN'T WORKED.

SO THE JUST COMMUNITIES ACT GEOGRAPHICALLY FOCUSES OUR INVESTMENTS AND EFFORTS IN DOING RESTORATIVE WORK FOR BLACK AND BROWN FAMILIES IN MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: HOW WOULD THAT WORK?

AND HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD IT BE?

IF YOU ARE TRYING TO UNDO OFTEN DESCRIBED AS THE BLACK BUTTERFLY IN BALTIMORE CITY, USED TO BE SEGREGATED BY LAW AND THEN IT SORT OF STAYED THAT WAY.

HISTORY OF RACIAL BIAS IN HOUSING.

HOW DO YOU TACKLE THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK YOU TACKLE IT BY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT GOVERNMENT HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ESTABLISHING THAT FRAMEWORK.

WE MADE DELIBERATE DECISIONS IT WAS NOT BURE ROCKSY THAT GOT US THERE IT WAS DECISIONS OF THE PEOPLE IN POWER.

THE ONLY THING THAT UNWINDS THAT ARE DECISIONS FROM PEOPLE IN POWER.

YOU MENTIONED RED LINING.

RED LINING IS ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND REINFORCED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, BY THE WAY, THAT ESTABLISHED AGAIN A DIFFERENT COURSE FOR CERTAIN FAMILIES IN MARYLAND.

THERE ARE OTHER EXAMPLES.

URBAN HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION HAD A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORHOODS AND EFFORTS THAT SEEMINGLY REINVESTED IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS, WHAT THEY DID WAS THEY DEMOLISHES AND FOR DOWN MANY OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AND ROBBED WHAT LITTLE WEALTH WAS LEFT AND CULTURE LEFT IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS.

SO I THINK NOW WE LOOK AT OURSELVES AND SAY HOW DO WE REINVEST AND RETARGET RESOURCES A CONCENTRATION OF DOLLARS IS A PART OF THAT PICTURE.

YES.

THE REST OF THAT PICTURE IS BY WORKING COLLABORATIVELY THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESSES TO LISTEN TO THE FOLKS WHO LIVE IN THOSE PLACES.

THIS IS BOTH PEOPLE CENTERED AND PLACE CENTERED WORK.

WE DON'T WANT TO CAUSE PEOPLE TO DO SO WELL THEY HAVE TO LEAVE THESE PLACES.

WE DON'T WANT TO CAUSE PROPERTY TO DO SO WELL THAT IT DISPLACES THE PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE.

IT'S BALANCING ACT AND THIS IS ONE STEP IN THAT PROCESS.

WE WILL TARGET RESOURCES THAT EXIST IN STATE PROGRAMS AS A RESULT OF THIS LEGISLATION.

>> Jeff: JAKE DAY IS MARYLAND'S HOUSING SECRETARY JOINING US FROM HIS OFFERINGS IN CAMBRIDGE.

SIR, WE APPRECIATE THE TIME.

THANK YOU.

>> JEFF, I APPRECIATE YOURS, THANK YOU.

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

BRENDA THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

YOU HAVE BEEN COVERING JUVENILE JUSTICE.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

AT THIS POINT IT'S PASSED THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

BUT IN DIFFERENT FORMS?

>> YES.

THAT IS CORRECT, JEFF.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

SO RIGHT NOW, I THINK OVER THE PAST WEEK, WITH CROSSOVER APPROACHING ON MONDAY, BOTH CHAMBERS HAVE HIT PAUSE SLIGHTLY AT LEAST PUBLIC SENSE THEY HAVE HIT PAUSE ON JUVENILE JUSTICE AND THEY ARE WORKING OUT DIFFERENCES ON THE BILL BEHIND THE SCENES AND THEY ARE LAST I HEARD TRYING TO AVOID GOING TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

>> Jeff: OKAY.

BEFORE WE GET TO THE DIFFERENCES LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BIG STUFF THE COUPLE, TWO, THREE, HEADLINE IMPACTS OF THIS LEGISLATION.

WHAT WOULD IT DO?

>> OKAY.

SO LET'S START WITH MORE CHARGES FOR THOSE THAT ARE AGED 10-12.

UNDER CURRENT LAW, ANYONE UNDER 13 UNLESS THEY HAVE COMMITTED A CRIME OF VIOLENCE, IS NOT ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH A CRIME.

NONVIOLENT CRIMES ARE DIVERTED FOR THAT AGE GROUP.

BUT THE LEGISLATURE WENT BACK ON THAT A LITTLE BIT AND THEY INCLUDED SOME OF THE NONVIOLENT CHARGES SUCH AS THIRD DEGREE SEX OFFENSE, FIREARMS LIKE POSSESSING A FIREARM, STEALING A CAR, AND [INAUDIBLE].

SO THAT WAS A POINT OF CONTROVERSY BECAUSE THEY HAD WALKED BACK SOME OF THE WORK THEY HAD DONE A FEW YEARS AGO DURING THE JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM COUNCIL WHO SAID THAT DIVERTING THOSE KIDS OF THOSE AGES WHO COMMIT NONVIOLENT CRIMES IS ACTUALLY WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM AND WHAT IS BEST FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

SO ANOTHER ASPECT, THIS THESE LAW ALSO DETERMINE WHO CAN BE DETAINED.

AND IT INCREASES THE CHANCES THAT A CHILD COULD BE DETAINED IF THEY REPEAT A CRIME OR WHILE THEY ARE UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES SUPERVISION OR WHILE THEY ARE IF THEY HAVE COMMITTED ANOTHER CRIME WITHIN A TWO-YEAR PERIOD.

>> Jeff: THIS IS CAUSED SOME PUSHBACK FROM ADVOCATES FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

THERE WAS A SMALL DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK CALLING ON THE GOVERNOR TO VETO THIS BILL IF IT IS ULTIMATELY APPROVED.

THEY SAY IT'S REGRESSIVE.

THEY SAY IT'S GOING TO PUT 10-YEAR-OLDS IN CAGES A DIRECT QUOTE.

AND YOU KNOW, WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE, GIVEN THE FIRST ROUND OF JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM, THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF SENSITIVITY TO THAT.

YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON IT?

THIS PASSED WITH FEW NO VOTES.

>> OKAY.

HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT MARYLAND'S JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AT EVERY POINT IN THE SYSTEM FROM ARREST TO PROBATION TO BEING INCARCERATED IN A JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY, THERE IS AN OVERREPRESENTATION OF BLACK YOUNG MEN.

SO THERE HAS BEEN A LACK OF DATA ON BOTH SIDES REALLY TO SAY WHAT THE HARMS WILL BE OR WHAT THE POSITIVE EFFECTS WILL BE OF THIS LEGISLATION.

AND THAT WAS REVEALED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AN INDEPENDENT ANALYST FOUND THAT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH DATA TO SAY WHETHER THE EFFECTS WERE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE.

IT WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT BLACK CHILDREN.

>> Jeff: HOW MUCH OF THE IMPETUS FOR ACTION THIS YEAR HAD TO DO WITH THE INSTITUTION, THE BURE ROCKSY AT DJS DROPPING THE BALL IN SOME CASES OR BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE PROSECUTORS AND DJS?

>> WHAT I HAVE HEARD MOST OFTEN EVEN FROM LAWMAKERS THEMSELVES, IS THAT THERE IS A AND THIS IS DIRECTLY FROM SENATOR FERGUSON A CRIME PERCEPTION PROBLEM THAT JUVENILES COMMIT A FRACTION OF THE OVERALL CRIME.

LESS THAN 10% OF OVERALL CRIME.

>> Jeff: YOU CAN READ BRENDA'S REPORTING AT THE BALTIMORE BANNER.COM.

AND THAT IS STATE "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK.

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