THIS IS STATE CIRCLE.

WELCOME TO STATE CIRCLE.

COMING UP TONIGHT, A CENTURY OF SERVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND CELEBRATING MARYLAND'S HISPANIC COMMUNITY.

BUT WE BEGIN THIS WEEK WITH A RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

POLLING SHOWS A WIDE GAP FOR THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE TO OVERCOME.

CAN NEXT WEEK'S DEBATE MARK A TURNING POINT?

JOIN JOINING US FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE, AARON COX OF THE WASHINGTON POST AND WILLFORD OF MARYLAND MATTERS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

AARON, THE WASHINGTON POST POLL ON THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

IT IS HARD PRESSED TO FIND A WAY TO BE COMPETITIVE.

WE HAVE WEST MORE AHEAD BY 32 APPOINTS AT THE MOMENT WITH ONLY 9% OF VOTERS UNDECIDED.

AND HIS FAVOR BILL RATINGS MUCH, MUCH HIGHER THAN THE REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER DAN COX AND IT IS SO MUCH BROWNED TO COVER.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, A POLL IS DEFINITELY A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO DO AND A CONTRACT WITH A FUTURE ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO.

BUT THE DYNAMICS OF THIS RACE ARE SUCH THAT IT SEEMS REALLY, REALLY UNLIKELY THAT DAN COX WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE UP THAT DIFFERENCE THERE IS A DEBATE COMING UP NEXT WEEK, WEDNESDAY AT MPT'S STUDIOS AND SOMETIMES THE DYNAMICS OF A RACE WILL CHANGE IF SOMETHING STRANGE OR IMPORTANT HAPPENS IN A DEBATE.

THINKING ABOUT WHAT THE TWO CANDIDATES NEED TO ACCOMPLISH HERE, DAN COX NEEDS TO MAKE UP SOME GROUND HE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO SOW THE QUESTIONS IF-- AND IF HE IS A TRUMP ALIGNED CANDIDATE WHO IS TOO RADICAL FOR A STATE THAT CONSISTENTLY ELECTS DEMOCRATS STATEWIDE.

SO HE HAS A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN ONE DEBATE.

CAN IT BE DONE?

WE'LL SEE.

WESTMORE ON THE OTHER HAND NEEDS TO CONTINUE DO WHAT HE IS DOING, RIGHT?

WHICH IS SEEMS LIKE HE LISTENS TO EVERYBODY.

SEEMS LIKE HE IS SOMEONE WHO CAN MOVE THE STATE FORWARD AND PERHAPS NOT TAKE ANY OF THE BAIT THAT DAN COX THROWS AT HIM AS SOMEBODY PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT.

>> THE RECENT POLL SHOWS THE COMPTROLLER RACE APPEARS TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE EVERYONE THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

TWO WELL KNOWN FIGURES THERE.

YOU COVERED CANDIDATES FORUM YESTERDAY, I BELIEVE.

HOW DID THAT GO?

>> WENT ALONG PRETTY SMOOTHLY.

THEY GAVE THEIR VIEW POINTS, ON WHO WOULD BE THE BEST IN BEING THE STATE'S TAX COLLECTOR.

BUT IT WAS A COUPLE OF DIFFERENCES THAT DID COME OUT AND IT'S NOT BASED ON AGE.

AND YOU HAVE ONE IN REGARDS TO-- JOSH KURTZ ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF A COMPANY AND WHETHER A PENSION FUND SHOULD DIVEST FROM FOSSIL FUEL INTERESTS.

GLASSMAN SAID NO AND ANY ACTION SHOULD NOT BE ALTERED BASED ON A POLITICAL WHIM.

AND DELEGATE LAIRMAN, IF YOU FOLLOW, SHE CO-CHAIRED THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON PENSIONS WHICH WENT AND VOTED TO DIVEST RUSSIA BECAUSE THE COUNTRY INVADED ON UKRAINE THIS YEAR SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PERSON WHO IS ALWAYS LOOKED AT BATTLING CLIMATE CHANGE AND HAVE STREAMLINED IT FOR MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES.

THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT THERE.

>> BOTH OF THE STATEWIDE POLLS HAVE LOOKED AT THE MARIJUANA REFERENDUM, THE FULL LEGALIZATION OF NOT QUITE FULL LEGALIZATION THAT'S GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT.

IT POLLS REALLY WELL.

YOU WERE AT A CANNABIS DISPENSARY ON ASSIGNMENT, I SHOULD SAY, WESTMORE WAS THERE.

WHAT WAS THE TAKEAWAY FROM THAT.

>> WESTMORE WAS THERE AND LET ME MENTION, USUALLY DON'T WANT TO NAME DROP BUT THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

MARIANNE MELODIES PENSRY IN CAPITAL HEIGHTS, ONE OF THE FEW BLACK OWNED DISPENSARIES IN THE WHOLE STATE OF MARYLAND SO THAT IS A BIG DEAL AND WESTMORE WAS TALKING TO ONE OF THE CO-FOUNDERS OF THE COMPANY AND TALKING TO OTHER BLACK ENTREPRENEURS IN REGARDS TO WHAT CAN THE STATE DO BETTER IN THE PROCESSES IN MAKING SURE MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES HAVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

THEY WERE GIVEN A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND HE WOULD GIVE FEEDBACK, IF ELECTED, WHAT CAN THE ADMINISTRATION DO AND DURING THAT, WHEN WE WERE THERE, THAT'S WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE ACTIONS TO PARDON THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH PRIOR OFFENSES OF SIMPLE MARIJUANA POSSESSION AND, OF COURSE, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF BLACKS AND LATINO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SAID THAT HAS ATTACKED AND HURT A LOT OF MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

SO WE WILL SEE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE QUESTION ON THE BALLOT, ON WHETHER TO APPROVE RECREATIONAL USE OF MARIJUANA WHICH LOOKS LIKE THAT WILL HAPPEN.

>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD BE A GOOD QUESTION FOR OUR GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE NEXT WEEK.

AND IT'S INTERESTING HOW THAT WOUND UP ON THE BALLOT BECAUSE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DIDN'T LACK FOR THE AUTHORITY TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA OR CANNABIS AND STILL SENT IT TO THE VOTERS.

>> SOME OF IT IS THE POLITICS AND SOME OF IT IS THAT IT IS EASIER TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS WHEN YOU KNOW IT IS DEFINITELY GOING TO HAPPEN.

THERE IS NO COMPROMISE ON WILL WE WON'T WE.

WHEN YOU WALK IN WITH A MAJORITY OF VOTERS SAYING YES, THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO DO, THEN YOU CAN WORK OUT THE DETAILS SECOND.

AND THAT GOES TO THE POINT THAT WILL WAS JUST MAKING, IF WE ARE GOING TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, AT WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DOES THE MARYLAND STATE GOVERNMENT HAVE TO LOOK AT THE WAY PAST MARIJUANA POLICIES HAVE HARMED COMMUNITIES AND HOW DO THEY WANT TO FIX IT.

SO ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE LAWMAKERS SENT IT TO VOTERS IS TO GIVE THEM SPACE TO BE ABLE TO SHORT, SHOULD WE, SHOULD WE NOT QUESTION OUT FROM HOW DO WE FIX PAST HARMS.

>> AND THINKING ABOUT WHAT THE PRESIDENT DID YESTERDAY IN PARDONING, NOT A HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE BUT PEOPLE WHO REPUBLIC CONVICTED OF SIMPLE POSSESSION ON FED CHARGES MAYBE A QUESTION FOR THE NEXT GOVERNOR AS WELL.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT COULD HAPPEN IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND FOR PEOPLE CONVICED ON STATE POSSESSION CHARGES.

THE STATE'S ATTORNEY AND CERTAIN JURIES JURISDICTIONS HAVE ASKED TO ROLL BACK THESE PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS.

>> RIGHT, AND I THINK ONE OF THE BIG QUESTIONS, AT LEAST IN MARYLAND IS ONE OF LOGISTICS AND DO YOU AUTOMATICALLY WIPE EVERYBODY'S RECORD HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

DO YOU HAVE PEOPLE APPLY TO HAVE IT EXPUNGED AND WHAT OTHER SORTS OF FIX DOZEN WE GIVE PEOPLE WHO ARE HARMED BY THE POLICIES NOW THAT SOCIETY HAS KIND OF DEEMED THAT HAVING A JOINT IN YOUR POCKET ISN'T SOMETHING YOU SHOULD GO TO JAIL FOR OR PAY A FINE FOR OR HAVE IT FOLLOW YOU AROUND FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

>> YOU HAD A STORY RECENTLY ABOUT THE KERWIN PLAN FOR EDUCATION APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE, NOW KNOWN, PARDON ME, AS THE BLUEPRINT.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

WHAT'S NEXT?

>> DOUGH WEENT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GO INTO THE DETAILS AND HOW NAUSEOUS IT CAN BE.

BUT LET ME TRY AND SUMMARIZE IT AS BEST I CAN.

BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE ACCOUNTABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION BOARD IS HANDLING IT TO MAKE SURE THE ROLLOUT GOES WELL AND THE PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED SOMETIME THIS MONTH, POSSIBLY NEXT WEEK.

FOR MARYLANDERS TO GIVE THEIR VUPTS ON VIEW POINTS ON IT AND YOU HAD THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE GO OVER IT.

ONE LITTLE ASPECT FROM ONE MEETING LAST WEEK IS WHEN THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, HE DID A 40 MINUTE DISSERTATION AND HE IMPLEMENTED AND ASKED IF THERE COULD BE A NEW TIMELINE.

I DON'T WANT TO GO OVER ALL THE DATES BUT LET ME PUT IT THIS WAY.

ONE OF THEM WOULD GO BACK TO PHASE IN ALL THE WAY TO MARCH 2024.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN BUT HE PROPOSED IT IN ORDER TO HELP PRINCIPALS ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS TO BE ABLE TO INTEGRATE IT THE RIGHT WAY.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S MOTIVATING VOTERS AND THE BIGGEST THING IS MORE PEOPLE CITED THE ECONOMY AS THEIR BIGGEST CONCERN THAN OTHERS, BUT SECOND TO THAT, ONE OUT OF FIVE PEOPLE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THREATS TO DEMOCRACY; WHICH IS SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, FIVE YEARS AGO WE WOULD NOT EVEN BE DISCUSSING, THAT DEMOCRACY WAS PART OF THE SOCIAL CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE THAT JUST WORKED.

PEOPLE DIDN'T THINK ABOUT ELECTIONS, ABOUT HOW ELECTIONS HAPPENED AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THREATS TO DEMOCRACY ARE DEMOCRATS AND WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION SO IN MARYLAND WE HAVE DAN COX SOWING DOUBTS ABOUT HE WOULD ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IF THEY CHANGE WHEN THEY START COUNTING THE MAIL-IN BALLOTS THAT ARE SO POPULAR SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY SURPRISED ME IS HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THAT AS A TOP OF MIND ISSUE THAT ARE CONCERNED THAT DEMOCRACY AS WE KNOW IT, IS SOMEHOW UNDER THREAT RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT'S STILL IN THE COURTS AS TO EXACTLY WHEN THE COUNTING OF THE BALLOTS WILL BEGIN, BUT AS YOU SAY, MAIL-IN VOTING EXTREMELY POPULAR.

>> RIGHT, IT GIVES YOU PLENTY OF TIME TO DO IT AT YOUR OWN PACE, AT YOUR HOUSE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE OFF WORK.

YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, MAKE A CHOICE HERE, MAKE A CHOICE THERE.

I MEAN WE ARE LOOKING AT UPWARDS OF HALF A MILLION VOTES BEING CAST THIS WAY WHEN IN YEARS PAST IT WAS A FRACTION OF THE TOTAL OUTCOME.

>> AARON AND WILL, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> OUR THANKS TO ERIN AND WILL, THE GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE AIRS WEDNESDAY EVENING AT 7 CLOCK ON MPT.

OUR NEWSMAKER THIS WEEK IS EMILY SCAR, DIRECTOR OF THE MARYLAND PUBLIC INTEREST GROUP.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A NEW REPORT OUT.

IT'S TITLED WASTING OUR WATERWAYS.

WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THAT?

>> YEAH, SO THE WASTING OUR WATERWAYS WE PUT OUT FOR MARYLAND PIRG FOUNDATION LOOKS AT INVENTORY FROM THE TOXIC RELEASE NEGOTIATE SHOWING THAT INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES ARE DUMPING TOXIC CHEMICALS INTO OUR WATERWAYS WITH LEADING TO DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS.

>> WHEN WE THINK ABOUT SAVING THE BAY IN PARTICULAR, WE HAVE BEEN SAVING THE BAY FOR DECADES AND DECADES AND MANY OF US IN THE BACK OF OUR MIND OF THE 60s OR 70s MAY BE A CHEMICAL PLANT, A PIPE COMING OUT AND DROPPING SOMETHING ICKY DIRECTLY INTO A RIVER OR STREAM.

IS THAT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

SO WE ESTABLISHED THE CLEAN WATER ACT 50 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH AND CERTAINLY THERE ARE MANY FACILITIES THAT HAVE CLEANED UP THEIR ACT.

OUR WATERWAYS ARE CLEANER BUT AS OUR REPORT SHOWS, THERE IS STILL 94,000 TONS OF TOXIC-- POUNDS OF TOXIC CHEMICALS DUMPED INTO MARYLAND'S WATERWAYS EVERY YEAR AND THAT IN ITSELF IS A PROBLEM.

>> WHAT WATERWAYS IN PARTICULAR?

ARE THERE HOTS SPOTS AROUND THE STATE?

>> THERE ARE TWO KEY HOT SPOTS YOU CAN SEE IN OUR REPORT.

THE FIRST IS THE BRANDIWINE CHRISTINA WATERSHED WE SHARE WITH DELAWARE AND PENNSYLVANIA.

THAT'S ACTUALLY THE THIRD MOST POLLUTED WATERSHED IN THE COUNTRY.

AND THE OTHER HOT SPOT IS THE RIVER WATER WATERSHED.

TWO OF THE MOST POLLUTING INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES IN THE STATE ARE HOUSED THERE.

THAT'S RIGHT OUTSIDE OF BALTIMORE, CURTIS BAY, AN AREA THAT SUFFERS CONTAMINATION IN THE AIR AND THE WATER.

>> ARE ANY OF THESE LEGAL PERMITTED DISCHARGES OR IS IT A SITUATION LIKE WE HAD WITH THE BACKWATER SEWAGE PLANT WHERE THEY HAD A PERMIT TO RELEASE CERTAIN NUTRIENTS INTO THE BAY AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THEY WERE VASTLY EXCEEDING IT.

>> RIGHT, SO THE DATABASE ITSELF DOESN'T SAY WHETHER OR NOT THE DISCHARGES ARE PERMITTED.

I CAN SAY IT'S PROBABLY SOME OF BOTH.

RANKED HIGH ON THE LIST HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO COMPLAINTS OR REGULATION BY THE E.P.A.

SO VALLEY PROTEINS IS ON THAT LIST WHICH HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS QUITE A BIT.

BUT WHETHER OR NOT THE DISCHARGES ARE PERMITTED, IT IS CLEAR WE SHOULD HAVE STRICTER LIMITS ON WHAT IS BEING DISCHARGED SO WE ARE NOT POLLUTING OUR WATERWAYS IN SUCH A SERIOUS MANNER.

>> THE REPORT TALKS ABOUT WHAT ARE KNOWN AS FOREVER CHEMICALS.

WHAT ARE THOSE?

>> PFOS ARE CHEM CHEMICALS USED IN THE INDUSTRY TO MAKE THINGS WATERPROOF PROOF, GREASE RESISTANT AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THEM.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE TOXIC TO HUMAN HEALTH AND THE E.P.A.

HAS SAID THEY CAN CAUSE DAMAGE EVEN IN LOW DOSES OVER TIME.

THE OTHER THING THAT MAKES THESE PFOS FOREVER CHEMICALS DANGEROUS IS THAT THEY DON'T BREAK DOWN IN OUR BODIES OR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEY BUILD UP OVER TIME SO WE HAVE TO BE PARTICULARLY CAREFUL ABOUT PFOS CONTAMINATION.

THE STATE HAS BEEN SAMPLING AND FOUND LEVELS OF PFOS IN LOTS OF MARYLAND'S DRINKING WATER.

>> IN THE DRINKING WATER ITSELF.

>> YEAH, WHEN THEY HAVE DONE TESTING AT THE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS.

OVER 70% OF THE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS THEY TESTED DID HAVE PFOS OF SOME LEVEL IN THEM.

>> IN THE REPORT, IT SUGGESTS THE E.P.A.

SHOULD GET RID OF WHAT IS CALLED THE DE MINIMIS EXCEPTION FOR REPORTING OR DISCHARGING PFOS CHEMICALS.

THAT MEANS A LITTLE BIT IS OKAY AND YOU PROBABLY DON'T SHARE THAT VIEW.

>> CORRECT.

THE E.P.A.

DIDN'T REQUIRE ANY REPORTING AT ALL UNTIL 2020 SO THIS REPORT WE LOOK AT LOOKS AT DATA FROM THAT YEAR AND WE ARE SERIOUSLY CONCERNED THERE IS UNDERREPORTING OF THE PFOS THAT IS BEING DUMPED.

WE DON'T REALLY KNOW THE EXTENT OF PFOS IN OUR WATERWAYS AND WHAT INDUSTRIES ARE DUMPING IN MARYLAND OR ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE HOPE THAT DATA WILL GET BETTER BUT THEY'RE ONLY REQUIRING REPORTING OF A VERY SPECIFIC SMALL SET OF PFOS AS WHEN I SAID THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF THESE CHEM CHEMICALS THAT ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE REPORTED AT ALL.

SECOND TO LAST WHEN IT CAME TO TOXICITY WEIGHTED RELEASES.

IN OTHER WORDS SOME OTHER STATES HAVE GREATER AMOUNTS OF THE REALLY BAD STUFF.

AM I READING THAT RIGHT?

FOR TEXAS AND LOUISIANA.

AND IF WE ARE GOING FOR THE BEST, THAT'S A GOOD SIGN BUT WHEN I LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS, I WAS STILL SEEING FACILITIES DUMPING UP TO 20 POUNDS OF LED INTO OUR WATER AND THAT'S A REAL PROBLEM.

>> HOW MUCH ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT AGRICULTURAL RUNOFF INTO THE BAY?

THAT'S BEEN A LONG-TERM ISSUE WITH THE POULTRY INDUSTRY AND CHICKEN WASTE BEING USED AS FERTILIZER, WASHING INTO THE DAY AS A NUTRIENT.

DO YOU CONSIDER THAT TO BE IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS LEAD OR ONE OF THESE FOREVER CHEMICAL SNRZ.

>> YEAH, I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON NITRATES BUT NITRATES IN THE BAY HAVE MASSIVE IMPACTS ON OUR ECOSYSTEM AS WELL AS HUMAN HEALTH AND THIS REPORT DOES LOOK AT SOME NITRATE EMISSIONS, PARTICULARLY THE VALLEY PROTEINS PLANT BUT THE TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASED INVENTORY ONLY LOOKS AT INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES SO OUR BIG AGRICULTURE OR FARMING OPERATIONS ARE NOT EVEN CONSIDERED IN THIS REPORT.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF ATTENTION OF RUNOFF INTO THE BAY PARTICULARLY FROM THE LARGE FARMS AS THERE SHOULD BE BUT THIS REPORT DOESN'T COVER ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT EMISSIONS OR DISCHARGES.

>> HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT RIGHT NOW IN THE UNITED STATES BROADLY AND MARYLAND IN PARTICULAR.

I'LL TAKE THE FIRST ONE.

RIGHT NOW JUST THIS WEEK, THE SUPREME COURT IS TAKING UP A CASE TO CONSIDER THE CLEAN WATER ACT PROTECTIONS AND IT COULD SEVERELY ROLL BACK THE PROTECTIONS WE ARE SEEING BY LIMITING THE WATERWAYS THAT ARE COVERED AND THAT WOULD BE A HUGE STEP BACKWARDS ON CLEAN WATER.

ALL OF OUR RIVERS AND STREAMS ARE CONNECTED SO WE SHOULD BE EXPANDING PROTECTIONS RIGHT NOW, NOT ROLLING IT BACK.

AND THEN STATEWIDE, I THINK THERE IS A LOT MORE WE COULD BE DOING, SPECIFICALLY TO LIMIT THESE DISCHARGES WE CAN ENACT STRONGER RULES OR SET OUR OWN PERMITS SO THAT WE ARE DOING BETTER TO PROTECT MARYLANDERS FROM THESE TOXIC CHEMICALS.

>> LASTLY, IS IT TOO SOON TO ASK YOU TO LOOK AHEAD TO THE NEW LEGISLATURE CONVENING IN JANUARY AND WHAT MIGHT BE ON YOUR AGENDA?

>> WE HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK ON PFOS.

WE WORKED TO DRAMATICALLY REDUCE THE USE IN THE STATE AND PRODUCTS BEING SOLD.

LONG-TERM FOR PFOS AND ALL TOXIC CHEMICALS WE COULD BE DOING MORE TO ENSURE INDUSTRIES ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE THEY'RE CAUSING AND WHETHER THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE OR NEW ADMINISTRATION, THERE IS MORE THEY COULD BE DOING TO ADDRESS TOXIC PFOS CHEMICALS AHEAD OF THE FORTUNATE.

WE COULD BE LISTING THEM AS A TOXIC CHEMICAL AND IMPOSE REGULATIONS TO RESTRICT DISCHARGE TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW WHERE PFOS ARE COMING AND GETTING INTO OUR WATER.

>> EMILY, DIRECTOR OF THE MARYLAND PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> A SPOKESPERSON FOR U.S.G.

CORPORATION LISTED IN THE REPORT AS A MARYLAND POLLUTER DISPUTED THAT AK ACCUSATION SAYING IN A STATEMENT THAT OUR MANUFACTURING FACILITIES USE GYPSUM TO HELP PROVIDE PEOPLE A PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ACHIEVING OUR STAICT SUSTAINABILITY GOALS.

THE SAYING THE U.S.G.

PLANT IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS LAWS AND PERMITS.

A MAJOR MILESTONE FOR A LEADER IN PEDIATRIC CARE IN OUR REGION, NANCY HAS THE STORY.

>> WE ARE HOPING SHE WILL BE ABLE TO GO HOME SOON.

SHE HAS BEEN IMPROVING.

SHE TOOK HER FIRST WHOLE BOTTLE THIS MORNING.

THAT WAS A BIG STEP.

>> REBECCA MITCHELL OF WESTMINSTER SAID HER DAUGHTER MAYA BORN NINE WEEKS PREMATURE HAS MADE GREAT STRIDES SINCE ARRIVING AT MOUNT WASHINGTON PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL AFTER SHE STRUGGLED WITH FEEDING.

>> IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE OVERWHELMING.

BUT HONESTLY, THE STAFF, THE NURSES, THE DOCTORS, MAKE IT BEARABLE, FOR SURE.

TO KNOW, TO HAVE TO GO HOME EVERY DAY WITHOUT OUR BABY IS HEART BREAKING, BUT BEING ABLE TO LEAVE HER HERE IN THEIR CARE IS REALLY THE ONLY THING THAT'S BEEN ABLE TO GET US THROUGH THIS.

>> SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IS WHAT MOUNT WASHINGTON PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL HAS BEEN OFFERING THE COMMUNITY FOR A CENTURY.

ON THIS DAY, THE CELEBRATION WAS ALSO A TIME TO REFLECT WE GREW FROM 150 EMPLOYEES TO OVER 600 EMPLOYEES.

WE GREW FROM SEEING MAYBE 5,000 TO 6,000 PATIENTS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO NOW CLOSE TO 10,000 PATIENTS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.% >> I PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

SHELDON STEIN SAID THE MAJORITY OF THEIR PATIENTS TODAY ARE BORN PREMATURE, HAVE CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OR VICTIMS OF TRAUMA OR GUN VIOLENCE.

AS HE RETIRES AFTER 27 YEARS, HE LOOKS AHEAD TO THE NEXT CENTURY.

>> I BELIEVE THAT MOVING FORWARD, THIS HOSPITAL IS GOING TO BE CONTINUED TO BE CHALLENGED WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, GOING TO BE CHALLENGED WITH CARING FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE BORN EARLIER AND EARLIER, WHO HAVE UNBELIEVABLE MEDICAL PROBLEMS.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE WONDERFUL TECHNOLOGY AND PHYSICIANS AT THESE ACUTE CARE OPENS HOSPITALS THEY'RE ABLE TO SAVE THE LIVES OF THESE VERY, VERY YOUNG PREMATURE BABIES.

>> WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO NEED A PLACE LIKE THIS THAT CAN MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF OUR POPULATION.

>> Dr. DAVID HACKHAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOSPITAL BOARD SAID MOUNT WASHINGTON PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL'S LONGEVITY IS PROOF POSITIVE THAT PROVIDING QUALITY CARE TO INFANTS, CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IS VITAL.

>> KIDS HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS.

THEY'RE DIFFERENT THAN ADULTS IN EVERY SINGLE WAY IMAGINABLE.

EMOTIONALLY AND OF COURSE PHYSICALLY.

THEY'RE STILL GROWING AND THEY JUST WANT TO BE KIDS WHAT MOUNT WASHINGTON PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL DOES SO WELL IS REHAB.

ONCE THE ACUTE INJURY OR ILLNESS IS TAKEN CARE OF AT ONE OF OUR PARTNER HOSPITALS, THE ROAD TO RECOVERY JUST BEGINS.

AND A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL LIKE MOUNT WASHINGTON IS BEST SUITED TO ALLOW THAT ROAD TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> A GROWING COMMUNITY OF MARYLANDERS IS RECOGNIZED DURING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.

CHARLES ROB ROBINSON LOOKS AT THE COMMUNITY AND ITS ENTREPRENEURIAL ROOTS.

>> THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF BROADWAY AVENUE IN BALTIMORE'S UPPER FELLS POINT IS OFTEN PUPGHT WAITED BY SPANISH.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS ONCE THE LANDING SPOT FOR THOSE FLEEING EASTERN EUROPE.

THESE DAYS RESIDENTS ARE LIKELY TO COME FROM THE LATIN AMERICA DIASPORA WITH A NEW ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT.

>> SO LATINO AND HISPANIC ENTREPRENEURS COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES.

IT'S NOT JUST ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

IN FACT, THEY'RE TRYING TO LIVE OUT THE AMERICAN DREAM.

MARIA RODRIGUEZ HAS HAD TO REINVENT HERSELF SEVERAL TIMES.

THIS EVENT IS HER BABY.

THE MARYLAND HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCHEON IN COLLEGE PARK.

MANY ARRIVE NOT SPEAKING ENGLISH, BUT LEARN THE LANGUAGE AND FOUND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO NAVIGATE THE AMERICAN SYSTEM.

>> BEING PART OF THE BUSINESS CONFERENCE GIVES YOU THE NETWORKING WHERE YOU CAN MOVE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO REINVENT THINGS.

SOMEBODY ALREADY DID IT.

SO PROGRAMS LIKE THIS, ACTIVITIES LIKE THIS IS WHAT IS BUILDING THE BRIDGE, THAT CONNECTION.

>> A NUMBER OF THOSE AT THIS LUNCHEON ARE TRAIL BLAZERS.

ONE OF THOSE HONORED WAS DELEGATE JOSLIN KENYA MELD.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT WHEN WE ARE IN THE ROOM THAT WE BE HEARD, THAT OUR VOICE MATTERS, THAT IT'S COUNTED, YOU KNOW.

WHEN YOU HAVE A BUSINESS, WHEN YOU HAVE A CABINET, HOW MANY LATINOS ARE THERE.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE US IN THE ROOM, THEN WE ARE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION AND WE CAN CONTRIBUTE A LOT.

>> AS YOU SCAN THE CONTRIBUTORS AND THOSE IN ATTENDANCE, YOU QUICKLY REALIZE THERE ARE A LOT OF FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS.

>> THEY SEE A LATINA IN THIS ROLE, THEY CAN SAY WELL, I WANT DO WHAT SHE IS DOING.

>> TO UNDERSTAND HOW FAST THE LATINO COMMUNITY IS GROWING, THE LATEST CENSUS SHOWED THAT IN MONTGOMERY, AND PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, HISPANICS NOW MAKE UP 20% OF THE POPULATION AND NEARLY 40% OF THE SPANISH SPEAKING STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> AND THAT IS OUR PROGRAM FOR THIS WEEK.

FOR THE LATEST ON MARYLAND'S POLITICAL STAGE.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN SEE VIDEOS OF OUR RECENT PROGRAMS ONLINE, VIDEO.MPT.TV AND YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON TWITTER@MPT NEWS.

WE ARE BACK MONDAY WITH DIRECT CONNECTION, ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEW OVER THE COUNTER HEARING AIDS AS MONDAY EVENING LIVE AT 7 P.M. FOR ALL OF US AT MPT, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD