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.

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

>> Jeff: FEDERAL LAYOFFS DRAW PROTESTS AND A NEW TAX PROPOSAL.

>> TAKE A LOOK WHAT IS GOING AND IN WASHINGTON AND I ASK YOU LOOK THERE.

>> ANOTHER IDEA THAT WILL HURT MARYLAND'S ECONOMY.

>> WE WOULD NOT BE DOING OUR JOB IF WE DID NOT VET THIS IDEA.

>> Jeff: HOW MUCH DOES YOUR CAR KNOW ABOUT YOU?

>> INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE TRACKING DATA FROM THE DEVICES WITHIN THE CAR.

>> THERE'S LITTLE AS PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE LOSS AS SOMEBODY'S DRIVING HABITS.

>> >> Jeff: AND NEARING THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE.

>> IT WILL BE HIGHER AND LONGER.

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

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK IS A WRITE DOWN.

STATE REVENUE PROJECTIONS WERE REVISED TO FACTOR IN THE ECONOMIC SHOCK OF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LAYOFFS OF FEDERAL WORKERS.

THE BOARD OF REVENUE ESTIMATES EXPECTS A $280 MILLION REDUCTION IF TAX COLLECTIONS MOSTLY IN THE BUDGET YEAR BEGINNING JULY FIRST.

ALREADY FACING A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS THIS WEEK INTRODUCED A NEW BUSINESS TAX PROPOSAL AS NANCY AMATA REPORTS.

>> THE SITUATION GETS WORSE EVERYDAY WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

GOUGING OUR TAX BASE.

SO WE'RE JUST AGAIN TAKING A LOOK AT ADDITIONAL OPTIONS.

>> DELEGATE DAVID MOON SAYS HIS BILL TO ASSESS A 2.5% TAX ON BUSINESS TO BUSINESS SERVICES WOULD RAISE MORE THAN $1 BILLION.

ROUGHLY A THIRD OF THE STATE'S UNPRECEDENTED BUDGET DEFICIT.

>> PART OF THE REASON FOR IT IS A LOT OF THE ECONOMY MOVED FROM PROFESSOR MANUFACTURING AND GOODS TO SERVICES.

IT IS A REFLECTION HOW THINGS ARE DONE NOW.

>> IF PASSED THE TAX WOULD AFFECT BUSINESSES THAT HIRE ANOTHER BUSINESS FOR SERVICES SUCH AS ACCOUNTING AND TAX PREPARATION, IT SERVICES, PHOTOGRAPHY AND PRINTING SERVICES AND LAND SCAPING.

>> THIS IS A SITUATION WE FIND OURSELVES IN.

SO WE WOULD NOT BE DOING OUR JOB IF WE DID NOT VET THIS IDEA.

>> HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIR SAYS THE BUSINESS TO BUSINESS TAX PROPOSAL WOULD ELIMINATE THE GOVERNOR'S IDEA TO SCRAP ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS WHICH SOME SAY COULD LEAD TO TAX HIKES FOR MIDDLE INCOME EARNERS.

>> WE ARE TARGETING LARGER CORPORATIONS LARGER BUSINESSES.

WE'RE NOT TRYING TO HIT EVERYDAY CITIZENS.

WE ARE NOT HITTING GOING TO GET YOUR HAIR DONE AND NOT GETTING YOUR NAILS DONE.

WE ARE HITTING A COMPANY A CORPORATION USES ACCOUNTING OR PAYROLL SERVICE ANOTHER BUSINESS SERVICE SO THAT IS WHAT WE WOULD BE TAXING.

>> I THINK IT IS JUST ANOTHER IDEA THAT WILL HURT MARYLAND'S ECONOMY.

OUR NEIGHBORING STATES DON'T HAVE THESE TAX SCHEMES AND THAT IS WHAT IT IS.

>> OPPOSED TO THE BILL IS MINORITY LEADER JASON BUCKLE.

AND OTHER REPUBLICANS SAY CUTS ARE NEEDED NOT TAX HIKES.

>> THEY CANNOT CHANGE THE BLUEPRINT THEY WILL NOT CHANGE MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY AND THEY WILL DO DO ANYTHING WITH OUR WORKFORCE AND ALL THE COSTS AND THE FEES AND EXPENSES PUT INTO IT.

SO WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING TO DO IS CHARGE PEOPLE WITH MORE TAXES.

IT'S NOT A CREATIVE IDEA, IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

EVERY TAX A BUSINESS HAS TO PAY THEY WILL PASS ON TO CONSUMERS.

>> RAISE PRICES OR CUT JOBS ACCORDING TO MARY CANE THE PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SHE WARNS THIS TAX MAKES MARYLAND A MORE EXPENSIVE PLACE TO DO BUSINES CONSIDERING COMPANIES TO CONSIDER VIRGINIA AND DELAWARE WHERE THEY WOULDN'T FACE THE COSTS.

WE SHOULD BE WORKING TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES NOT DRIVING THEM AWAY.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE UPSET THAT MARYLAND BUSINESSES MAYBE SQUEEZED MORE TO BRIDGE THE BUDGET GAP.

>> LOOK WHAT IS GOING ON IN WASHINGTON AND ASK THEM TO DIRECT THEIR IRE THERE.

>> NANCY AMATA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTORS RALLIED AT THE STATE HOUSE EARLIER THIS WEEK.

THEY WERE PART OF A 50-STATE ACTION RESPONDING TO MASS LAYOFFS OF FEDERAL WORKERS AND THE POLICY CHANGES OF THE SECOND TRUMP TERM.

DEMONSTRATORS CARRIED SIGNS SAYING THAT AMERICA HAS NO KINGS.

LEGISLATION TO DEAL WITH STAFFING SHORTAGES AT MARYLAND HOSPITALS WAS HEARD THIS WEEK.

ADVOCATES SAY THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE HAVE THE NATION'S LONGEST EMERGENCY ROOM WAITING TIMES.

SUE COPPIN REPORTS.

>> NURSES, GENERAL TRANSPORT, NUTRITION WORKERS ARE SHORT STAFFED.

PATIENT CARE IS THE NUMBER ONE GOAL OF EVERY HOSPITAL.

BUT SHORT STAFFING IS HURTING THE QUALITY OF CARE.

>> ANDRE JOHNSON IS A BALTIMORE HOSPITAL WORKER FOR 26 YEARS.

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, HIS DEPARTMENT HAD 730 WORKERS.

LAST YEAR, THAT NUMBER DROPPED TO 400.

>> WE ARE DANGEROUSLY SHORT STAFFED AND IT IS AFFECTING MORALE.

AND YOU KNOW MORALE AFFECTS THE WORKOUT PUT, PEOPLE ARE TAKING PROBLEMS HOME THAT THEY DON'T TAKE PROBLEMS HOME AND BRINGING PROBLEMS TO WORK.

>> AND THE PROBLEM IS ONLY EXPECTED TO GET WORSE.

>> BY 2032 MARYLAND WILL NEED 97,000 MORE WORKERS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SENIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

MEDICAID CUTS WILL WORSEN THIS WORKFORCE SHORTAGE AND LEAVING SENIORS WITHOUT THE CARE THEY DESERVE.

>> THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND ADVOCATES WANT LAWMAKERS TO PASS A PACKAGE OF BILLS THEY SAY WILL FIX THE STATE HE ABROKEN CARE SYSTEM.

SENATE BILL 720 THE SAFE STAFFING ACT OF 2025 WOULD REQUIRE HOSPITALS TO CREATE STAFFING COMMITTEES TO ADDRESS WHAT ARE CONSIDERED UNSAFE STAFF TO PATIENT RATIOS.

SENATE BILL 920 CALLS FOR CREATING AN ADVISORY GROUP IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW THAT WOULD INCLUDE BOTH HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND THE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO WORK ON RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FAIR PROVIDER REIMBURSEMENT RATEDS AND WAGES.

AND SENATE BILL 748 WILL IMPROVE THE COLLECTION OF DATA ABOUT AND RAISE AWARENESS CONCERNING ALZHEIMER'S IN THE STATE.

A BILL THAT SUE WHOSE MOTHER HAD ALZHEIMER'S SAY IS MUCH-NEEDED.

>> IN THESE TIMES WHERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FUNDING AT THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL, IT'S CRUCIAL SO CRUCIAL WE KEEP ALZHEIMER'S AND OTHER DEMENTIAS AT THE TOP.

IT IMPACTS COMMUNITIES AND STATES AND BUDGETS SO MUCH IN A NEGATIVE WAY.

WE NEED TO KEEP A FOCUS ON IT.

>> AND SHE IS NOT ALONE IN HER CONCERN ABOUT HOW ACTION IN WASHINGTON COULD IMPACT MARYLAND.

>> FEDERAL MEDICAID DOLLARS FUND TO STATES TO FUND HOMECARE AND NURSING HOME CARE AND THE PROGRAMS ARE AT RISK IF THE PROPOSED CUTS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WERE TO HAPPEN.

>> FOR NOW ANDRE JOHNSON IS HOPING STATE LAWMAKERS WILL MOVE FORWARD ON THE LEGISLATION BEFORE THEM ADDRESSING THE CONCERNS OF CAREGIVERS AND ADVOCATES.

>> FIRST OF ALL PASS THE BILL.

AND NOT JUST PASS THE BILL, HAVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO MAKE SURE THE HOSPITALS ARE STAFFING WITH THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE.

I DON'T EXPECT A QUICK FIX OVERNIGHT.

I DON'T.

BUT THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> IN ANNAPOLIS, SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: MARYLAND'S MINIMUM WAGE STANDS AT $15 BUT SOME WORKERS MAKE LESS.

THIS WEEK ADVOCATES FOR 20 DOLLAR MINIMUM WAGE WERE IN ANNAPOLIS THEY ALSO PUSHED FOR THE END OF AN EXCEPTION IN THE MINIMUM WAGE LAW SOME WORKERS WHO EARN TIPS CAN HAVE A BASE PAY UNDER $4 AN HOUR.

LEGISLATION WOULD PUT THAT QUESTION ON NEXT YEAR'S BALLOT.

>>> NOW YOU'VE HEARD OF SMART CARS.

WHAT KIND OF DATA ARE THOSE VEHICLES RECORDING?

CHARLES ROBINSON GOES BEHIND THE WHEEL TO SEE HOW YOUR INFORMATION IS BEING USED.

>> A LOT OF THESE INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE TRACKING DATA FROM THE DEVICES THAT ARE USED WITHIN THE CAR.

I KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT TESLA USES WHEN THEY HAVE THEIR AUTO INSURANCE THEIR CAR IS IS TRACKING THE USAGE OF THE CAR ITSELF.

AND HOW FAST THEY GO HOW LONG THEY ARE USING A CAR AND THEY USE THAT DATA AND INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THE RATE OF THAT CAR INSURANCE HOLDER.

>> THE COLLECTION OF HARD DATA IS CALLED TELEVANS SYSTEMS.

SENATOR WASHINGTON HAS INTRODUCED SENATE BILL 984, IT WOULD PROHIBIT INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM USING YOUR DRIVING HABITS TO SET RATES.

ON NEWER MODEL CARS THEY CAN IDENTIFY WHERE YOU ARE LOCATED THROUGH GPS BUT THEY ARE ALSO COLLECTING DATA ON HOW FAR YOU DRIVE, WHERE YOU DRIVE, AND HOW OFTEN YOU DRIVE.

UNDER CURRENT LAW THERE'S NOTHING PROHIBITING CAR AND INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM GATHERING THE INFORMATION.

IN MANY INSTANCES THERE ARE DISCOUNTS THAT ARE PROVIDED AS INCENTIVES OR PARTICIPATION.

WEIGHING IN ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS ISSUE, ARE STATE REGULATORS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES.

>> THERE IS A REQUIREMENT FOR PERIODIC AUDIT OF THE SYSTEMS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE WORKING CORRECTLY AND ACCURATELY.

AND THEN THERE'S ALSO A REALLY GOOD CONSUMER PROTECTION.

THERE IS A REQUIREMENT OF A PROCESS BY WHICH THE POLICYHOLDER CAN CORRECT OR APPEAL TELEMATICS DATA THAT THE POLICYHOLDER BELIEVES IS WRONG.

WE SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE.

IN PARTICULAR.

AND FOLKS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN TELEMATICS PROGRAMS OFTEN HAVE LIMITED ABILITIES TO APPEAL OR CHALLENGE DATA WITH THEIR CARRIER.

>> THIS INFORMATION IS HIGHLY PREDICTIVE IT IS INFORMATION ABOUT SOMEBODY'S DRIVING RECORD.

THERE'S VERY LITTLE THAT IS AS PREDICTIVE OF FUTURE LOSS AS SOMEBODY'S DRIVING HABITS.

SO IT IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT WE THINK INSURANCE COMPANIES SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AGAIN WITH FULL DISCLOSURE AND SUBJECT TO MARYLAND LAW.

>> THE BILL UNDER CONSIDERATION IN THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE WOULD PROVIDE FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO HOW THE DATA IS BEING USED.

SENATOR WASHINGTON NOTED INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE QUICK TO RAISE RATES.

RATHER THAN REDUCE RATES BASED ON USAGE.

I'M CHARLES ROBINSON WITH "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: OUR NEWSMAKER THIS WEEK IS MARYLAND'S SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION, PAUL WIEDEFELD.

SIR, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> NICE SEEING YOU AGAIN, JEFF.

>> Jeff: THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE IS COMING UP THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

WANTED TO START WITH YOUR GENERAL THOUGHTS ON A VERY SAD OCCASION.

>> JUST THAT.

YOU KNOW, I THINK ABOUT THE FAMILIES OF THIS AND THE TERRIBLE TRAGEDY WE HAD ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO ON THE BELTWAY WHERE WE LOST SIX WORKERS AS WELL.

YOU JUST FEEL FOR THE FAMILIES.

OBVIOUSLY WHAT WE DO WE TRY TO WORK THROUGH EVERYTHING WE HAVE TO DO FROM AN OPERATIONS PERSPECTIVE.

BUT THAT IS NOT THE REAL ISSUE.

IT'S WHAT THE POOR FAMILIES ARE GOING THROUGH.

>> Jeff: AND WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE PORT WHERE A LOT OF FAMILIES EARN A LIVING?

THERE WAS FEAR AFTER THE BRIDGE CAME DOWN BLOCKED THE CHANNEL FOR WEEKS THAT THE SHIPPING BUSINESS MIGHT MIGRATE ELSEWHERE.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN TERMS OF CARGO LEVELS?

>> THAT ACTUALLY IS BOUNCING BACK VERY WELL.

OBVIOUSLY IT'S DIFFERENT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO TAKE THOSE WEEKS OUT BUT THAT BOUNCED BACK.

THE CRUISE BUSINESS BOUNCED BACK EXTREMELY WELL.

BECAUSE WHAT WE FOUND THE PEOPLE THAT USE THE CRUISE TERMINAL THEY WANT TO GET BACK TO BALTIMORE.

THE QUALITY OF THAT EXPERIENCE IS DIFFERENT THAN PORTS.

THAT IS GOOD.

AND THERE WAS AN IMPACT FOR PEOPLE THAT THEIR INCOMES AND BUSINESSES DEPENDED UPON WORK AT THE PORT.

LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR LED AN EFFORT TO EASE THAT PAIN.

BUT I THINK THAT IS ALL BACK IN STRIDE NOW.

SO THOSE ARE ALL GOOD SIGNS FOR THE FUTURE.

AND I THINK WE'RE JUST AROUND THE CORNER FROM SOME REALLY BIG THINGS HAPPENING AT THE PORT OF BALTIMORE PARTICULARLY WITH THE DOUBLE STACKED TUNNEL WHEN THAT OCCURS AND SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES HAPPENING AT TRADE PORT ATLANTIC AND PORTS AMERICA ALL VERY, VERY GOOD SIGNS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

>> Jeff: TOO SOON FOR THE TRUMP TARIFFS TO BE CAUSING RIPPLES AT THE PORT?

>> BUSINESS IN GENERAL LOVES CERTAINTY.

THAT IS JUST THE WAY BUSINESS WORKS.

ANY UNCERTAINTY, UNCERTAINTY BEFORE WE GET TO CERTAIN -- YOU SAW THE TARIFF BETWEEN CANADA AND MEXICO AND THE PULLBACK ON THE AUTO SIDE UNCERTAINTY IN GENERAL IS NOT GOOD FOR BUSINESS AND THAT WILL PLAY OUT AT THE PORTED OF BALTIMORE AND IN THE STATE.

>> Jeff: PART OF SECURING THE PORT'S FUTURE IS REBUILDING THE KEY BRIDGE.

OF COURSE, THE LAST CONGRESSIONAL LOCATED ABOUT $2 BILLION FOR THAT.

IT WAS SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN.

SO THE QUESTION IS IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, IS THERE ANY WORRY THAT THAT MONEY COULD SOMEHOW GET CLAWED BACK?

>> YOU KNOW, THE PROCESS THAT WE'RE USE SOMETHING THE SAME PROCESS THAT IS USED FOR EMERGENCIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

WHETHER IT'S THE HURRICANES OR SOME OF THE FIRES THAT WE'VE HAD WE ARE LARGE INSTANCE OCCUR THAT NO POSSIBLE LOCAL OR STATE COULD ANTICIPATE.

WE DIDN'T HAVE $2 BILLION PLUS SITTING AROUND TO BUILD A NEW BRIDGE.

THAT WASN'T IN THE CARDS.

SO AND THEN THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT IT HAS FROM BOTH THE STATE AND FOR THE COUNTRY, IS SOMETHING THAT HISTORICALLY THE COUNTRY HAS DEALT WITH.

WE HAVE A COMMITMENT FROM CONGRESS AND FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF 100% FUNDING OF THE NEW BRIDGE SO THAT IS WHAT WE'RE ANTICIPATING.

>> Jeff: CAN THAT CONTINUE TO BE A TOLL BRIDGE IF IT WAS FULLY FINANCED BY THE FEDS?

AND YOU CAN'T REALLY TAKE THE TOLL OFF, BECAUSE THEN YOU WOULD PULL A LOT OF TRAFFIC OUT OF THE TUNNELS AND AFFECT REVENUES FOR THE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, RIGHT?

>> THE COMMITMENT IS THAT IT WILL BE A TOLL BRIDGE.

MEANING SO ONCE IT REOPENS, WE WILL NOT GET FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR THAT BRIDGE UNLIKE 695 THE BELTWAY.

WHERE WE GET FEDERAL DOLLARS.

WE GET FEDERAL DOLLARS AND MONEY AT 90%, 10% STATE SPLIT.

BUT WE WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR THOSE FUNDS.

THIS IS A SPECIAL CASE FOR AN UNEXPECTED EMERGENCY AS THE SITUATION HERE.

>> Jeff: SO ONE-TIME THING?

>> IT IS A ONE-TIME THING JUST FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION NOT FOR THE MAINTENANCE OR ANY OF THAT.

>> Jeff: WE'VE SEEN THE DESIGN PHOTOS FOR THE NEW BRIDGE, A CABLE STAYED DESIGN.

VERY STATE-OF-THE-ART, VERY PRETTY.

HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT TAKES TO BUILD SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> WE'RE STILL FINALIZING THE DESIGN.

I DO NEED TO PUT THIS IN PERSPECTIVE.

UNDER THAT PROCESS TO APPLY FOR THE FEDERAL DOLLARS WE HAD TO COME UP WITH AN ESTIMATE AND SCHEDULE IN 13 DAYS AFTER A TRAGEDY.

WE DID THE BEST WE COULD.

WE LOOKED AT LET'S DO SOME BASIC UNIT COSTS NOW WE HAVE TRUE ENGINEERING CAPABILITIES, FIRMS THAT ARE DOING THAT WORK AND THE DESIGN BASICALLY IS NOT THE SAME BRIDGE THAT WAS THERE.

IT'S GOING TO BE HIGHER AND LONGER.

ALL THAT WILL COME OUT.

WE'LL BE UPDATING THAT LATE SPRING, EARLY SUMMER THOSE COSTS AND SCHEDULES.

IT WILL UNDERGO WHAT WE CALL AN INDEPENDENT COST ESTIMATE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE WHAT THAT WILL COST AND THE SCHEDULE.

THERE WILL BE MORE TO COME ON THAT.

I THINK WE HAVE TO PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE OF THE INITIAL DOLLARS PUT OUT THE NUMBERS WERE PUT OUT WERE IN THAT CONTEXT AND THAT IS THE PROCESS THAT WORKS TO GET IN LINE TO GET THAT INITIAL DOLLARS IF YOU RECALL TO REMOVE THE DEBRIS THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

>> Jeff: WHEN YOU SAY LONGER, YOU MEAN THE MAIN SPAN, THE SHIPPING CHANNEL, SO THE MAIN SUPPORTS WILL BE FURTHER APART WHICH ALLOWS THE NEWER, BIGGER CARGO SHIPS TO GET THROUGH HOPEFULLY MORE SAFELY.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER DEFENSES AGAINST RUN AWAY FREIGHTER BUILT INTO THIS DESIGN?

>> YES.

WHAT WE'LL DO IS USE THE LATEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS TO DO THAT.

IN TERMS OF THE LENGTH OF THE BRIDGE, THE PREVIOUS BRIDGE IS 1.7 MILES THIS WILL BE TWO MILES LONG.

THE APPROACHES.

THE PREVIOUS BRIDGE WAS 1805 FOOT ABOVE WATER LEVEL THIS WILL BE 230.

AGAIN THINKING OF BUILDING A BRIDGE FOR 100 YEARS YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE MARINE MARKETPLACE.

YOU SEE IT TODAY ON THE CRUISE SHIPS.

SOME OF THE CRUISE SHIPS ARE SO LARGE NOW.

FOR US TO MEET THAT FUTURE DEMAND WE WANT TO BUILD A BRIDGE THAT SUPPORTS THAT.

THAT IS WHAT WILL COME OUT IN THE FINAL COST AND SCHEDULE.

>> Jeff: STATE HAS BEEN PLANNING FOR SOMETHING CALLED THE RED LINE FOR A FEW DECADES.

MAYBE MORE THAN THAT.

IT'S BEEN STOP AND START AND THE GOVERNOR WAS VERY ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT IT, BUT IT WOULD DEPEND ON FEDERAL MONEY AND THAT PICTURE WOULD SEEM TO BE CLOUDY RIGHT NOW IS THAT ABOUT RIGHT?

>> WELL, THERE IS A PROCESS WHERE WE'RE COMPETING NATIONALLY FOR FEDERAL DOLLARS.

SO WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE THAT PROCESS.

IT HASN'T CHANGED.

COULD IT CHANGE?

OF COURSE.

RIGHT NOW IT HASN'T WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE THE PATH WE'RE ON AS THINGS CHANGE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

AS YOU KNOW, THINGS ARE CHANGING QUICK THERE.

WHETHER HOW MUCH OF THAT IS STICKS AND DOESN'T STICK, I THINK IS FOR DEBATE RIGHT NOW.

AS TIME GOES WE'LL GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING WHERE THAT CONSTITUENTS.

SITS THAT APPLIES TO EVERYTHING, OR TRANSIT A LOT IS IN FLUX AS YOU KNOW.

>> Jeff: SO THE RED LINE WAS IS DESIGN FOR LIGHT-RAIL IN THE BALTIMORE REGION.

THE PURPLE LINE LIGHT-RAIL IN THE WASHINGTON DC INNER SUBURBS.

PEOPLE KNOW IT'S BEEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR GOING ON EIGHT YEARS.

THERE WAS A HALT.

IT STARTED AGAIN.

THERE'S YEARS MORE WORK.

BUT I KNOW YOU'VE TAKEN SOME STEPS TO HELP THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES ALONG THE RIGHT-OF-WAY THERE?

>> YES.

THERE IS A NUMBER OF THINGS.

A.

THAT PROJECT IS GOING WELL.

WE'RE OVER 75% DONE IN TERMS OF CONSTRUCTION AND SOON WE WILL BE TESTING THE VEHICLES.

YOU WILL SEE THAT THINGS BECOMING REAL.

AND I WILL WARN YOU THAT THAT CAN TAKE ITS OWN PATH.

IF YOU ONLY NEED TO LOOK AT THE SILVER LINE WHERE SOME OF THE TIME IT TOOK TO GET THAT PROJECT RIGHT BECAUSE OF THE SYSTEMS WERE TO MAKE SURE IT ALL WORKS CORRECTLY AND SAFELY.

THAT DOES TAKE TIME.

THAT IS NOT CONSTRUCTION THAT IS BASICKICLY THE SYSTEMS TO MAKE SURE IT RUNS CORRECTLY.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE, WITH THE CONTRACTOR IS PROVIDE RELIEF FOR SOME OF THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE IN FRONT OF A BUSINESS AND YOU ARE TEARING UP PARKING AND STREETS, CLEAR IT'S GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT.

WE TRIED TO BE BEST NEIGHBORS AS WE CAN.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS YOU KNOW DURING THE CONSTRUCTION ARE TOUGH.

THAT'S A REALITY.

THE ONLY NEED TO -- AND JEFF YOU REMEMBER THIS -- THE BUILDING OF THE METRO IN DC AS YOU CAN RECALL, GREW UP JUST ABOUT EVERY STREET IN THE DISTRICT AT ONE-TIME NOW YOU LOOK AT IT AND YOU COULDN'T IMAGINE THAT CITY WITHOUT IT.

>> Jeff: INDEED.

PAUL WIEDEFELD MARYLAND'S SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> NICE SEEING YOU JEFF, THANK YOU.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: NOW FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE SUE COPPIN IS JOINED BY BRYAN SEARS OF MARYLAND MATTERS.

THANK YOU AND LET'S DIG IN A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THE $300 MILLION PROXIMATE BUDGET WRITE DOWN.

BRIAN HOW BIG A DEAL IS THAT?

>> LOOK, I THINK UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN A YEAR THAT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE ONE WE'RE IN NOW, I'VE SEEN BUDGET WRITEDOWNS LIKE THIS WHERE THEY ARE EASILY ABSORBED WITHIN THE EXISTING BUDGET.

BUT THIS IS NOT A NORMAL YEAR.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A $3 BILLION DEFICIT.

AND THE FOR THOSE OF US WHO SAT THROUGH THE GOINGINGS ON IN THE GREAT RECESSION THIS FEELS MORE URGENT BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON THAT THROW THIS GREAT BIG QUESTION MARK INTO THE BUDGET EQUATION.

>> I WAS NOT THERE FOR THE BOARD OF REVENUE ESTIMATES MEETING.

HOWEVER WHAT I READ ABOUT IT WAS THE STATE TREASURER WAS VERY DIRECT AND BLUNT ABOUT HOW DIFFICULT THINGS ARE AND LIKELY GOING TO BE.

>> Jeff: BEFORE WE HAD THE WRITE DOWN NEWS, THINGS WERE NOT IN ALIGNMENT IN TERMS OF WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO DO, WHAT THE HOUSE WANTS TO DO AND WHAT THE SENATE WANTS TO DO.

>> THAT IS TRUE.

AND THAT'S CORRECT THEY ARE STILL NOT.

THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE ARE EACH GOING TO WORK ON THEIR OWN VERSION OF THE BUDGET.

THERE ARE SOME AGREEMENTS ON THINGS THAT THEY WANT TO DO, PARTICULARLY WITH THE GOVERNOR'S TAX PROPOSAL.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE SPECIFICALLY AT HIS EFFORTS TO THE GOVERNOR'S EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT BACK.

AND THEY ARE ALSO THEY COME TO SOME AGREEMENT ON RESTORING SOME OF THE CUTS AT LEAST IN THE 2025 BUDGET FOR DDA.

BUT THEY HAVEN'T REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON '26.

I THINK THERE ARE THINGS UP IN THE AIR.

>> THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, JEFF, LET'S NOT FORGET THERE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT TO PASS A BUDGET BY THE 90TH DAY OR THE 87TH DAY TECHNICALLY.

AND THERE IS SUCH UNCERTAINTY THAT THE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR HAS BEEN CHANGED BECAUSE THE UNCERTAINTY IS JUST THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

>> Jeff: WHAT ABOUT THE REVENUE PROPOSAL?

WE HAVE THIS NEW PROPOSAL FOR KIND OF A BUSINESS TO BUSINESS SALES TAX.

AND BROIIAN YOU HAVE REPORTED ON A PRO PEED TAX ON SUGARY DRINKS WHICH COULD AFFECT ME AS WE ARE STARTING TO GET INTO SLURPY SEASON.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPETING PROPOSALS.

I WILL SAY THAT THE B TO B SALES TAX THAT IS ONE WE HAVE SEEN OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS.

IT IS ALWAYS BEEN BROUGHT UP LATE IN THE SESSION.

BUSINESSES COME DOWN AND THEY SUCCESSFULLY BEAT IT BACK.

THIS ONE IS A SLIGHTLY TAMED DOWNWARD PROPOSAL WHERE IT'S GOING TO AFFECT SOME SPECIFIC BUSINESSES.

AND JUST BUSINESS TO BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS RATHER THAN A SALES TAX ON SERVICES.

IT IS A 2.5% PROPOSED SALINGS TAX.

SALES TAX.

I THINK THERE IS AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

WHAT ENDS UP IN THE FINALIST IS ANYONE'S GUESS.

IT WAS PROPOSED FAIRLY LATE IN THE SESSION.

IT GOT OUT OF RULES IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE ON THE SAME DAY THIS WEEK.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS PRIMED FOR HEARINGS IN ONE OF THE CHAMBERS.

MY GUESS IS IN THE HOUSE FIRST AS THEY ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE BUDGET.

AND HAVE IT TO THE SENATE IN ABOUT A WEEK-AND-A-HALF.

AND WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS FROM THERE.

THE OTHER ONE THAT YOU MENTIONED WAS THE SUGARY DRINK TAX A TAX OF TWO CENTS PER OUNCE ON SUGARY DRINKS IF YOU DRINK DIET SODAS OR THINGS THAT DON'T HAVE SODAS IN IT YOU ARE NOT SAFE.

IT IS -- THEY SAY THEY BELIEVE THEY WOULD RAISE ABOUT $500 MILLION OR SO WITH THAT TAX.

THAT HAD A HEARING EARLIER THIS WEEK.

AND IT'S REALLY ANYBODY'S GUESS WHERE THAT ONE GOES.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, YOU HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S TAX PROPOSAL WHERE HE PROPOSES TO GIVE A TAX CUT ON AVERAGE OF $173 TO ABOUT 6 IN 10 MARYLAND TAXPAYERS BUT IT IS GOING TO RAISE TAXES ON MARYLAND'S HIGHEST EARNERS.

AND IT REMOVES ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS AND THERE ARE THINGS THAT THEY DO THAT THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE TAKING A CAREFUL LOOK AT.

>> JEFF, WE SHOULD MENTION THE REVISIONS IN THE BLUEPRINT THAT THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED.

THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE HAVE TAKEN A STAND AND IT WILL NOT IMPACT ON THIS BUDGET BECAUSE THE BLUEPRINT IS FUNDED FOR A YEAR OR TWO OUT.

BUT THE GOVERNOR HAS COME IN WITH A PROPOSAL TO DELAY SOME THINGS, SLOW DOWN SOME THINGS AND MAKE OTHER REVISIONS.

AND AGAIN, NO ONE IS SURE WHERE THAT'S GOING TO GO.

>> Jeff: YOU CAN READ BRIAN'S WORK AT MARYLAND MATTERS.ORG.

AND THAT IS STATETATE FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

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

[♪♪]