>> Jeff: LAWMAKERS JITTERY OVER THE RACETRACK RESCUE.

>> THE MTRA BELIEVES IN THIS LEGISLATION IS ENACTED, IT WILL POSITION THE INDUSTRY TO SUCCEED FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS.

>> WE ARE COMMITTED TO TRYING TO SALVAGE WHAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THE HORSE INDUSTRY IS VIABLE.

>> Jeff: A BILL ON BOOK BANS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO PROTECT LITERATURE, LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS.

I THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY AN OVER REACH AND I THINK IT IS TACTORRED AT CARROLL COUNTY.

>> Jeff: AND DEBATING TRANSPORTATION FUNDING.

>> YOU JUST CAN'T GOING TO THE WELL AND RAISING FEES AND TOLLS.

>> THIS IDEA THAT SOMEHOW ALL THIS MONEY, YOU KNOW, FROM TOLL ADJUSTMENTS IS GOING TO GO JUST INTO TRANSIT, THAT IS JUST NOT TRUE.

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING, THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK, TACKLING TAXES.

THE HOUSE YESTERDAY PASSED A BUDGET WITH MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS IN NEW REVENUES THAT ARE NOT IN THE SENATE VERSION.

A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WILL WORK ON DIFFERENCES, BUT SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON SAID TODAY THE SENATE POSITION IS CLEAR.

>> THE SENATE DID NOT CONSIDER RAISING TAXES FOR A PLAIN AND OBVIOUS REASON.

THERE IS NO NEED TO ASK MARYLANDERS TO PAY MORE WITHOUT A CLEAR AND OBVIOUS PURPOSE IN THIS MOMENT.

>> Jeff: DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR YESTERDAY CENTERED ON THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF RAISING REVENUES.

>> THIS IS WHERE WE ARE, TRYING TO RESTORE OUR ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH TRANSIT INVESTMENT AND ROAD INVESTMENT, SAFETY AND INVESTING IN OUR WORKFORCE.

WE PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD TO TRY NOT TO PUT BROAD TAX AND FEE INCREASES ON THE TABLE.

EVERYTHING IS SURGICALLY ALIGNED WITH A VERY SPECIFIC REASON.

SOME OF THESE FEES HAVEN'T BEEN REVISITED FOR YEARS.

>> AND WHO IS CUTTING THEIR BUDGET?

EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND BECAUSE OF INFLATION.

THAT'S WHO IS CUTTING THEIR BUDGET.

AND THIS BILL TAKES MORE OF THEIR MONEY IN ADDITION TO HOW INFLATION IS CUTTING INTO THEIR BUDGET.

I'M HEARING IT EVERY DAY FROM THE CITIZENS.

>> THE BILL PASSED 89-45.

MORE ON THE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING DEBATE LATER IN OUR PROGRAM.

LAWMAKERS GOT THEIR FIRST DETAILED LOOK THIS WEEK AT THE PLAN FOR A STATE TAKEOVER OF PLIMICO RACETRACK.

THERE MAY BE CHALLENGES AHEAD AS THE BILL MAKES ITS WAY THROUGH THE STRETCH RUN OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SUE COPIN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THE PLAN BEFORE THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE WAS THE FOURTH IN FIVE YEARS OR DEALING WITH MARYLAND RACING.

BUT THE CHAIR OF MARYLAND'S THOROUGHBRED RACETRACK OPERATING AUTHORITY TOLD LAWMAKERS IT'S DIFFERENT THIS TIME.

>> WE WILL BE INVESTING, UNENCUMBERED BY THE PAST, AT A TIME WHEN THE INDUSTRY IS UNDERGOING CHANGE AND MAKING INVESTMENTS FOR THOSE CHANGES AND AT A TIME WHEN OUR TRIPLE CROWN PARTNERS IN KENTUCKY AND NEW YORK ARE DOING EXACTLY THE SAME THING.

THE MTROA BELIEVES IF THIS LEGISLATION IS ENACTED, IT WILL POSITION THE INDUSTRY TO SUCCEED FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS.

>> Reporter: UNDER THE DEAL, A NON-PROFIT THAT WILL CARRY THE NAME OF THE HISTORIC 345EUR8D JACKSON CLUB MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB... >> THE NOT FOR PROFIT MODEL ALLOWS US TO PLOW BACK INTO THE HORSE RACING INDUSTRY ALL THE PROCEEDS FROM THE HORSE RACING INDUSTRY WITHOUT FIGHTING FOR THAT PROFIT LINE.

AND IT ALLOWS THE STATE TO BENEFIT FROM THE INVESTMENT THAT IT IS MAKING.

I MEAN FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, WE WILL ACTUALLY MAKE MONEY ON THE PREAKNESS STAKES BECAUSE WE INVESTED IN THE FACILITY RATHER THAN BUILDING SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE WHO OWNS IT, OPERATES IT AND TAKES THE PROFIT.

>> THE CURRENT OWNER WILL OWN THE RIGHTS TO THE PREAKNESS, THE STATE WILL RUN IT UNDER A LICENSING ARRANGEMENT THAT CALLS FOR PAYING THE $3 MILLION LICENSING FEE IN ADDITION TO 2% OF THE HANDLE FOR BOTH THE PREAKNESS AND BLACK EYED SUSAN RACES STARTING IN 2027.

SOME COMMITTEE MEMBERS ASKED WHAT IS IN IT FOR THE COMMUNITIES AROUND THE TRACK?

>> YOU KNOW, I SEE THIS MENTION OF THERE BEING AN MOU WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

BUT I DON'T SEE ANY MENTION OF EXPLICIT COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT.

>> THE IDEA HERE IS TO HAVE THE COMMUNITY HAVE OWNERSHIP OVER IT AND PRIDE IN IT AND INVOLVEMENT IN IT AND THEN IT WILL WORK.

BUT THE OTHER SIDE IS, YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO INVEST IN SCALE IN MY OPINION.

THE HARBOR AND OTHER PLACES, YOU PUT MONEY DOWN AND YOU CREATE A HUB OF ECONOMICS THAT PEOPLE THEN COME AND INVEST AROUND IT.

THAT'S WHAT I HOPE WE WILL SEE.

YOU ARE RIGHT.

THERE IS A LOT OF DEVELOPABLE LAND AROUND THERE.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO WANT TO COME RATHER THAN BEGGING THEM TO COME AND IF WE GET THIS RIGHT, THEY WILL WANT TO COME.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS OF THE HARNESS INDUSTRY RACING CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF ONE OF THEIR TRACKS WHICH COULD MEAN A CUT IN DEDICATED SLOT SUBSIDIES USED FOR TRACK IMPROVEMENTS.

>> WE RACE 108 OUT OF 365 DAYS AND TO FURTHER REDUCE THAT BY MOVING TO RUN RACETRACK WILL HURT THAT AND TAKING AWAY THE MONEY WILL DEVALUE THE PROPERTY.

>> SENATE PRESIDENT BILL FERGUSON SAID THE BILL COULD GO DOWN TO THE WIRE.

>> THERE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT MORE CONVERSATIONS NEEDED BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS SOME APPREHENSION WITHIN OUR MEMBERSHIP.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO TRYING TO SALVAGE WHAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT THE HORSE INDUSTRY IS VIABLE IN MARYLAND, BUT IT DOESN'T COME WITH A BLANK CHECK.

>> THE BILL HAS UNTIL MIDNIGHT APRIL 8 TO CROSS THE LEGISLATIVE FINISH LINE.

AT THE STATEHOUSE, SUE COMIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: BOTH CHAMBERS PASSED A BILL TO CREATE STATE STANDARDS FOR THE BOOKS ON THE SHELVES IN LOCAL LIBRARIES.

NANCA YAMADA HAS THAT STORY.

>> WHAT THIS WOULD DO IS, WE ARE GOING TO PROTECT LITERATURE, LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS.

>> Reporter: DELEGATE DANA JONES SAYS HER BILL, THE FREEDOM TO READ ACT WOULD DO JUST THAT BY PROTECTING LITERARY MATERIAL IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN MARYLAND FROM BOOK BANS AND CENSORSHIP.

>> WE HAVE TO ADOPT A STATE STANDARDS FOR LIBRARIES.

IT'S OUTLINED IN THE BILL AND IN OUR COUNTY LIBRARIES, WE WERE EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE DIFFERENT WAYS WHERE BOOKS WERE BEING TAKEN OFF THE SHELVES.

AND LET'S REMEMBER THE BOOKS BEING TAKEN OFF THE SHELVES WERE BOOKS BY TONI MORRISON, JUDY BLUME, HANDMADEN'S TALE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT SURVEY BY THE MARYLAND STATE LIBRARY AGENCY, SINCE 2018, MARYLAND PUBLIC LIBRARIES HAVE SEEN A 133% INCREASE IN FORMAL CHALLENGES TO THEIR COLLECTIONS.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, CAROL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS VOTED TO RESTRICT THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANY BOOK OR INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS CONTAINING WHAT IS CONSIDERED SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONTENT.

>> I THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY AN OVERREACH AND I THINK IT IS TARGETED AT CARROLL COUNTY.

>> DELEGATE APRIL ROSE WANTS TO MAKE IT CLEAR, WE ARE NOT BANNING BOOKS.

WE ARE REMOVING MATERIAL FROM SCHOOL LIBRARIES THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE AGE OF THE CHILDREN.

AND I FULLY SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL BOARD AND OUR SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE PROCESS THAT THEY HAVE AND HOW THEY DO IT.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW EACH COUNTY AND SCHOOL BOARD HAS THE ABILITY TO DECIDE WHAT IS ON THEIR SHELVES.

BUT SHOULD THIS BILL PASS, SCHOOL AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO EXCLUDE MATERIAL BASED ON AN AUTHOR'S ORIGIN, BACKGROUND OR VIEWS OR BECAUSE OF POLITICAL OR IDEOLOGICAL DISAPPROVAL.

>> AS A MOTHER MYSELF, I WANT THE PARENTAL CHOICE TO CHOOSE AS A FAMILY WHAT BOOKS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR MY CHILD.

AND THIS BILL WILL ALLOW PARENTS TO CHOOSE WHAT IS BEST, BOTH FOR THE READING LEVEL AND THE MATURITY LEVEL OF THEIR CHILD.

>> A CHILD IS IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY BY THEMSELVES.

TYPICALLY THE PARENT IS NO THE THERE WITH THEM TO GO OVER WHAT THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR CHILD READING.

>> Reporter: THE BILL WOULD PROTECT LIBRARIANS FROM BEING DISMISSED FOR FOLLOWING STANDARDS.

THE COMPTROLLER COULD WITH HOLD FUNDING AND ANYONE WHO ATTEMPTS TO STEAL OR DAMAGE MATERIALS COULD FACE UP TO ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS FINE.

>> Jeff: SAD NEWS ABOUT THE LONGEST SERVING CHAIR OF THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE.

FORMER MONTGOMERY COUNTY STATE SENATOR LARRY LEVITAN DIED THIS WEEK AT THE AGE OF 90.

AFTER 16 YEARS CHAIRING BUDGET AND TAX, HE WORKED AS A LOBBYIST AND SERVED AS CHAIR OF THE JUDICIAL COMPENSATION COMMISSION.

THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES BESTOWED SOME AWARDS THIS WEEK.

LONG TIME CONGRESSMAN WAS GIVEN THE SPEAKER'S MEDALLION.

HE IS RETIRING AT THE END OF THIS TERM.

THE THOMAS KENNEDY AWARD WENT TO RUSHER AND BAKER, THE FORMER PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND FORMER DELEGATE WAS HONORED FOR HIS WORK PROMOTING ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT.

BALTIMORE DELEGATE WAS GIVEN THE FOUNDERS AWARD.

THAT RECOGNIZES A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE FOR STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

MEANTIME IN THE SENATE, THE FIRST CITIZEN AWARD WAS PRESENTED TO REVEREND Dr. TONY DRAPER FOR HER LEADERSHIP OF THE AFRO AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.

THE PAPER WAS FOUNDED IN 1892 BY HER GREAT GRANDFATHER JOHN H. MURPHY, SR. >> Jeff: JOINING US FOR THE ANNAPOLIS JORN FACEOFF, THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

DELEGATE SOLOMON, CO-CHAIR OF THE TRANSIT CAUCUS, WHICH IS ENDORSING SOME NEW REVENUES FOR TRANSPORTATION.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY ARE YOU BACKING?

>> THANK YOU, JEFF.

IT'S A REAL PLEASURE TO BE ON THE SHOW.

LONG TIME FAN YOU KNOW, THE REASON WE PUT OUR STATEMENT OUT AND WE ARE BACKING THIS PACKAGE IS IT ADDRESSES A PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW WHICH IS A TREMENDOUS SHORTFALL IN THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND.

FRANKLY ONE THAT WAS REALLY LEFT ON GOVERNOR MOORE'S DESK.

YOU KNOW, WE HAD THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR RESPONSIBLE FOR HUGE SHORTFALLS IN THE PURPLE LINE, YOU KNOW, OVERRUNS AND COMMITMENTS ON THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS TUNNEL.

HUGE CUTS IN TOLLS THAT BLEW HOLES IN OUR TRANSPORTATION TRUST FINANCED AND THIS IS A RESPONSIBLE PACKAGE THAT YOU KNOW, I THINK TARGETS THE EXPENSES TO THE PLACES WHERE YOU KNOW, THE USERS OF ROADS ARE REALLY PAYING.

AND PUTS THE MONEY RIGHT BACK INTO REPAIRING OUR ROADS, BRIDGES, UPGRADING OUR BUSES, UPGRADING OUR TRANSIT SYSTEMS AND REALLY MOVING PEOPLE FROM POINT A TO POINT B.

>> WHAT IS IN THERE IN TERMS OF REVENUE?

THERE WOULD BE TOLL INCREASES.

ARE YOU DOING ANYTHING WITH THE GAS TAX.

AND THERE IS SOMETHING ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

>> THE GAS TAX IS NOT TOUCHED.

THERE IS SURCHARGE ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

REALLY THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE OFTEN SOME OF THE HEAVIEST VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.

AND SO OBVIOUSLY IF YOU ARE NOT PURCHASING GASOLINE, WHICH IS SORT OF THE NUMBER ONE, YOU KNOW, WAY THAT WE GET MONEY INTO THE TRUST FUND AND YOU ARE USING A LOT OF-- PUTTING A LOT OF WEAR AND TEAR ON OUR ROADS WITH THE WEIGHT OF YOUR CAR, WE FEEL IT'S A REASONABLE EXPECTATION TO PUT A FEE ON THOSE VEHICLES.

THERE IS ALSO A NEW CHANGE IN THE WAY THAT REGISTRATION FEES ARE CHARGED AND THAT'S DONE NOW BY WEIGHT.

WEIGHT CLASS OF VEHICLE, EXCLUDING, I BELIEVE HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THERE IS A REALLY SOLID ARGUMENT THERE THAT IF YOU ARE CHOOSING TO BUY A LARGER, HEAVIER CAR, YOU ARE CAUSING MORE DAMAGE TO THE ROADS.

YOU ARE WEARING DOWN OUR ROADS AND OUR HIGHWAYS QUICKLER AND OUR BRIDGES AND WE ARE ADOPTING BEST PRACTICES THAT HAVE BEEN USED IN OTHER PLACE AS ROUND THE COUNTRY TO, YOU KNOW, TO RESPONSIBLY FILL IN THE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.

>> AND ON TOLL INCREASES, THERE IS BROKENWOOD MYSTERIES A LITTLE TRUMPIAN THAT WE ARE GOING TO GET GERMANY AND FRANCE TO PAY FOR IT.

THIS IS TARGETED OUT OF STATE DRIVERS, RIGHT?

>> THIS IS AN ES PASS.

THE OTHER IMPORTANT POINT TO MAKE ONE THAT IS GLOSSED OVER TOO OFTEN IS GOVERNOR HOGAN'S CUTS OF THE TOLLS DURING HIS ADMINISTRATION LITERALLY BLEW A $500 MILLION TOLL IN OUR TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND OVER 10 YEARS.

WHETHER YOU LOVE THEM OR HATE THEM, WE HAVE MADE A DECISION IN THIS STATE, YOU KNOW, DECADES AGO THAT WE FUND OUR TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENTS THROUGH TOLLS.

AND NO MATTER IF WE TOOK OBJECTION OR NOT, TOLLS WERE GOING TO HAVE TO GO UP IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO SIMPLY TO COVER THE ACTUAL DEBT SERVICE WE HAVE ON OUR TOLL FACILITIES BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR DID WHAT WAS EXPEDIENT INSTEAD OF RESPONSIBLE.

THAT IS A GREAT PLACE TO BRING IN THE DELEGATE.

HOW DOES THIS PLAY WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

>> WELL, I REMEMBER WHEN THERE WAS A DISCUSSION TO DO WITH TOLLS HAVING TO DO WITH THE BRIDGE GOING OVER TO CECIL COUNTY AND BASICALLY EVERYBODY WAS OUTRAGED AT THE TIME.

AND THIS WAS SEVERAL YEARS AGO SO WHAT IS HAPPENING IS WE ARE BASICALLY PUTTING TRANSIT ON THE BACKS OF THE FOLKS THAT GET TO AND FROM THEIR JOBS BY A VEHICLE.

AND BASICALLY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS, FOR SEVERAL YEARS, THE HIGHWAYS THE HIGHWAY USER FEES HAVE BEEN VERY LOW IN THE 20s AND THE TRANSIT FEES HAVE BEEN, THE HIGH 40S AND WILL BE 50 IF WE CONTINUE ON THIS PROJECT.

THE PROBLEM IS THOUGH, IF YOU LOOK AT THE FAIR BOX RECOVERY, THAT HAS BEEN, HAS GONE DOWN FOR ALL OF THE DIFFERENT SERVICES, AREAS, THE BALTIMORE AREA, THE METRO, THE LIGHT RAIL, SO NOW THEY'RE DOWN INTO THE TEENS.

SO BASICALLY, RIGHT NOW, FOR 2023, BALTIMORE AREA FAIR BOX RECOVERY WAS 9%.

BALTIMORE CORE COMMUTER BUS 17, 13% THE METRO, LIGHT RAIL 12.

MARK TRAIN 15.

WASHINGTON COMMUTER BUS 15.

SO BASICALLY, THERE NEEDS TO BE -- IN OTHER WORDS, IF WE WANT EQUITY THERE NEEDS TO BE EQUITY THAT EVERYBODY PAYS SOMETHING.

AND BASICALLY WHEN WE ARE ALLOWING NOBODY TO PAY FOR THE COST OF IT, BECAUSE THERE WAS A BALTIMORE BANNER ARTICLE THAT SAID THE GENTLEMAN SAT ON THE TRAIN, IT'S ANECDOTAL, AND NOBODY PAID-- HE WATCHED AND NO ONE WAS PAYING ANY FARES.

>> LET ME GET DELEGATE SOLOMAN TO RESPOND.

ON THE IDEA THAT IT IS HOGAN'S FAULT, THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND HAS A BIG SHORTFALL, I MEAN HE DID CUT TOLLS.

>> WELL, BUT NOW YOU WANT TO RAISE TOLLS WHEN PEOPLE ARE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING BREAD AT THE GROCERY STORE BECAUSE IT'S COSTING-- DEPENDING ON THE TYPE YOU GET ON AN AVERAGE, MAYBE $4 A LOAF WHEN IT USED TO COST MAYBE $2.

EVERY TIME I GO TO THE GROCERY STORE, AND I'M VERY FRUGAL AND I GO TO THE BEST PLACE I CAN GO TO GET BREAD AND MILK AND THINGS, AND I STILL GET UPSET WHEN I SEE IT'S A PENNY HERE OR A PENNY THERE.

AND THAT ALSO OUR FUEL PRICES AS FAR AS YOUR ELECTRICITY IS GOING UP.

THE COST OF GAS IS EXTREME.

ALSO OIL, HEATING HOYLE.

SO THE POINT-- HEATING OIL.

MARYLAND HAS A LOT OF SENIORS THAT LIVE ON FIXED INCOMES SO I'M JUST SAYING THAT YOU CAN'T JUST KEEP GOING TO THE WELL AND RAISING FEES AND TOLLS AND THINGS BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO HURT FOLKS.

>> DELEGATE SOLOMON, THE IDEA HERE IS THAT IT IS NOT GOING TO HURT FOLKS IN MARYLAND.

IF YOU STAY WITHIN THE STATE BORDERS.

BUT TO THE OTHER STATES, DO THEY RETALIATE?

DO I GET CHARGED MORE ON THE JERSEY TURNPIKE?

>> SO, YOU KNOW, I'LL QUICKLY TOUCH ON THAT.

THERE ARE STATES THAT PROVIDE DISCOUNTS TO THEIR RESIDENTS FOR PURCHASING AN IN-STATE EZ-PASS.

I WANTED TO GET BACK TO A COUPLE OF THE COMMENTS.

WHERE I REPRESENT OBVIOUSLY OUR MAJOR TRANSIT SYSTEM IS THE METRO.

THE METRO BUDGET RELEASED WILL INCLUDE A 12.5% FARE INCREASE IN THE WAY TO COVER THE SHORTFALLS IN METRO'S BUDGET.

THAT IS GOING TO FALL ON MY CONSTITUENTS AND DIRECTLY ON RESIDENTS ACROSS THE STATE WHO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO WILL TAKE THE MARK SYSTEMS INTO THE DC AREA, DRIVE TO A METRO STATION TO FINISH THE LAST PART OF THE COMMUTE.

SO THE OTHER PIECE ON FAIR BOX RECOVERY, YOU KNOW, TRANSIT SYSTEMS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT SORT OF A NEW NORMAL AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

BUT PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC METRO FAIR BOX RECOVERY WAS ABOVE AVERAGE.

IT WAS IS MORE THAN 50%.

IT WAS ABOVE AVERAGE WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER SIMILAR SYSTEMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S REALLY AN UNFAIR DICHOTOMY TO SAY THIS IS ROAD USERS VERSUS, YOU KNOW, TRANSIT USERS.

THE PACKAGE THAT WE ARE ADVANCING HERE THIS WEEK, INCLUDES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES.

AGAIN, THIS IS ABOUT MAKING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE SOUND AND, YOU KNOW,PART OF THE 21st CENTURY, AND FRANKLY, YOU KNOW, I'LL POINT TO A PROJECT IN MY DISTRICT THAT GOT CUT, YOU KNOW, AT LEAST THE CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS GOT TAKEN OUT OF THE TRANSPORTATION LONG-TERM PLAN.

IT IS A ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT BUT IT WILL NOT ONLY BENEFIT ROAD USERS.

IT WILL BENEFIT PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS, MAKE THE COMMUNITY SAFER OVERALL AND IT WILL SPUR, WE THINK, A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF, YOU KNOW, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE SILVER SPRING CORRIDOR.

SO THE IDEA THAT SOMEHOW ALL THIS MONEY, YOU KNOW, FROM TOLL ADJUSTMENTS IS GOING TO GO JUST INTO TRANSIT IS JUST NOT TRUE.

AND AGAIN, IT BENEFITS EVERYBODY WHEN WE HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WORKS.

>> Jeff: I JUST HAVE 30 SECONDS BUT YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

>> WELL, I THINK THERE IS A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY BECAUSE MOST OF THE MONEY THAT IS-- THAT KERWIN NEEDS IS GOING TO TRANSPORTATION AND NOT TO THE BLUEPRINT.

AND SO THIS IS A SHELL CAME.

THIS IS A SHELL GAME AND THAT'S WHY IT LACKS TRANSPORTATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

BECAUSE IT IS SORT OF LIKE A SHELL GAME IS WHAT IS GOING ON HERE AND THAT IS REALLY A SHAME BECAUSE WE ARE NOT BEING TRANSPARENT WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING.

YOU KNOW, WE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON KERWIN, THE BLUEPRINT, AND NOW WE ARE LETTING MOST OF THE MONEY GO TO TRANSPORTATION.

>> >> Jeff: DELEGATE SOLOMON, IN A COUPLE OF SECONDS, IS THAT OKAY THAT IF WE ARE TAKING MONEY FROM THE TOLL REVENUES AND USING IT FOR HIGHWAYS AND TRANSIT, IS THERE ANY PROBLEM THERE?

>> NO, I MEAN, AGAIN, WHEN YOU HAVE A STATE-- I'LL PULL THE QUOTE FROM OUR GREAT CHAIR BEN BARNES HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

WE ARE NOT-- I'M NOT SURE WHO IS GOING TO WANT TO INVEST IN A STATE THAT IS NOT INTERESTED IN INVESTING IN ITSELF.

WHEN IT COMES TO INFRASTRUCTURE AND WHEN IT COMES TO BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN OUR STATE, HAVING ROADS AND BRIDGES AND TRANSIT SYSTEMS THAT MOVE PEOPLE FROM HOME TO WORK IS ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE PREDICTORS OF WHY BUSINESS SETTLES IN OUR STATE.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF.

♪ ♪ >> FOR THE POLITICAL ROWBL ROUNDTABLE THIS WEEK, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

DWIGHT, YOU COVERED A CANDIDATES FORUM FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR THE U.S. SENATE, THE SEAT THAT BEN CARDIN IS GOING TO WHAT WERE THE TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS FORUM?

DID YOU HEAR ANY MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANDIDATES.

>> THE FORUM WAS HOSTED BY THE PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY BRANCH OF THE NAACP AND IT WAS HELD IN FORT WASHINGTON, MARYLAND, WHICH IS A COUNTY EXECUTIVE ALSO BROOKS HOME TURF, IF YOU WILL.

AND BOTH OF THE CANDIDATES SPENT ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE THE AUDIENCE THERE IN A CHURCH.

AND PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY EXECUTIVE SPOKE ABOUT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY BEING HEARD, TOP PRIORITY WHILE DAVID TRONE, CITED THE OPIOID CRISIS AND A COMBINATION OF ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH AS HIS TOP THING TO TACKLE.

SO THOSE WERE SOMETHING THAT STOOD OUT OFF THE BAT.

>> AND WE GOT SOME NEW DATA ON THE RACE THIS WEEK.

>> WE DID AND IT SHOWS THAT LARRY HOGAN STILL HOLDS A COMMANDING LEAD WHEN IT COMES TO VOTERS AND I THINK THAT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE DESPITE THE STATE BEING PREDOMINANTLY HELD BY DEMOCRATS, HE STILL ENJOYS A SIZEABLE ELECTORATE AMONG THE DEMOCRATS.

HE JUMPED IN THIS RACE IN THE LAST MINUTE AND THAT HAS NOT DIMINISHED HIS STANDING AMONG MARYLANDERS.

HE HAS BEEN SENDING OUT P MESSAGES PRIOR TO HIS COMING IN THAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR A THIRD WAY, IF YOU WILL, REMIND YOURSELF HE IS NO THE A FAN OF DONALD TRUMP.

AND HE HAS SAID SO ON MANY OCCASIONS.

AND WHAT HE WANTS TO TRY AND DO IS TO SPLIT THE VOTE, IF YOU WILL, BETWEEN THE TWO DEMOCRATS WHO ARE RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE AND HIMSELF, AND I THINK HE IS KIND OF FOUND A WAY TO KIND OF ENERGIZE, IF YOU WILL, THIS SLEEPING GIANT IN THE STATE.

>> Jeff: A LOT OF TIME BETWEEN NOW AND DECEMBER.

SPEAKING OF TIME, BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME, DWIGHT, I DID WANT TO BRING UP THE STORY THAT YOU WROTE ABOUT THE STATE SONG.

WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A STATE SONG SINCE THE PREVIOUS VERSION THAT CONDEMNED LINCOLN WAS DETHRONED.

WHEREVER DOES THAT STAND.

>> A REPUBLICAN DELEGATE REPRESENTING HARTFORD COUNTY, SUSAN McCOMUS BROUGHT A BILL THIS YEAR TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO CHOOSE A NEW STATE LONG.

AND I JUST LEARNED THIS WEEK THAT THIS BILL, BEING ONE OF 1500 BILLS PROPOSED IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, DID NOT ADVANCE OUT OF COMMITTEE AND SO AT LEAST FOR THIS YEAR, IT LOOKS LIKE MARYLAND WILL BE WITHOUT A STATE SONG.

ONE OF ONLY TWO STATES IN THE COUNTRY WITHOUT ONE, FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER YEAR.

>> Jeff: OUR CHANGES TO DWIGHT AND CHARLES.

NOW THE CLUB SPORT OF RUGBY IN THE D.M.V.

JUST GOT AN UPGRADE TO A PROFESSIONAL TEAM.

CHARLES ROBINSON TAKES US TO THE GNAWING TRAL EVENT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

>> I'M ROB,.

>> DOM,.

>> JEFF.

>> MEET THE MEMBERS OF THE POTOMAC EXILE CLUB.

THEY HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR WEEKEND OF PUSHING AND SHOVING TO SEE HOW MEMBERS OF OLD GLORY D.C.

PLAY THE GAME.

>> TACKLE FOOTBALL IN THE BACKYARD.

YOU JUST CAN'T PASS THE BALL FORWARD.

IT'S LATERAL CITY EVERY WAY.

>> FOUR EXTRA GUYS.

>> THE TEAM HAS PLAYED IN LEESBURG, VIRGINIA.

THEIR NEW HOME IS THE MARYLAND SOCCER PLEX IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

>> BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH AN INTERNATIONAL POPULATION IN THE DC AREA, THERE IS ALWAYS BEEN A VERY ACTIVE CLUB RUGBY COMMUNITY AROUND HERE, SOME TERRIFIC MEN'S AND WOMEN'S RUGBY TEAMS IN OUR AREA, AND WE THINK THAT MAKES A GREAT ENVIRONMENT FOR US TO BUILD ON.

>> THE FUNDAMENTALS OF RUGBY ARE SIMPLE.

THERE ARE TWO TEAMS WITH 15 PLAYERS.

PLAY CONSISTS OF TWO SFOWRT-MINUTE HALFS.

LIKE ITS AMERICAN COUNTERPART, YOU SCORE BY TAKING THE BALL ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

FIVE POINTS FOR CROSSING THE END ZONE AND AN EXTRA TWO POINTS FOR KICKING THE BALL THROUGH THE GOAL POST.

THE ONLY OTHER TIME YOU CAN SCORE IS KICKING DURING A MAJOR VIOLATION.

UNLIKE AMERICAN FOOTBALL, THERE ARE NO FORWARD PASSES, THUS THE REASON IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE IS PITCHING LATERALLY OR BACKWARDS.

SO THE CROWD THAT'S HERE FOR THIS RUGBY MATCH IS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE.

A LOT OF THEM PLAY CLUB RUGBY.

THEY SAY IT'S A LOT LIKE BACKYARD FOOTBALL AND SOCCER.

ON THIS DAY, THE CHICAGO HOUNDS SCORE.

AT THE MARYLAND SOCCER PLEX, I'M CHARLES ROBBIN'SON.

>> Jeff: THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

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

JRK.