"DIRECT CONNECTION" IS MADE BY MPT TO SERVE ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

*] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

WE ARE ELIVE TONIGHT FROM THE MARYLAND STATE HOUSE FOR THE FINAL NIGHT OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

PLEASED TO BE JOINED BY THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND, GOVERNOR WES MOORE.

SIR, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Jeff: WE SHOULD BEGIN WITH THE KEY BRIDGE RECOVERY.

WHAT IS THE LATEST?

>> SO THE LATEST IS REALLY TWO-FOLD.

BECAUSE WE HAVE A STATE THAT IS STILL MOURNING.

BECAUSE WE HAVE SIX FAMILIES THAT ARE STILL VERY MUCH LIVING A NIGHTMARE.

AND WE HAVE THREE SOULS THAT ARE UNACCOUNTED FOR.

AND I'VE LAID OUT REALLY FOUR DIRECTIVES.

THE FIRST IS THAT WE NEED TO BRING A SENSE OF CLOSURE AND COMFORT TO THESE FAMILIES.

THE SECOND IS WE'VE GOT TO REOPEN THE CHANNEL.

THE THIRD IS WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE PORT WORKERS, THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND THE FIRST-RESPONDERS AND THE FOURTH IS WE HAVE TO REBUILD THE KEY BRIDGE.

WHILE WE KNOW THAT THE STATE IS VERY MUCH MOURNING WITH THESE FAMILIES, WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE PROGRESS THAT IS BEING MADE ON BEING ABLE TO REOPEN THE CHANNEL THAT IS REAL.

IT IS NOT LOST ON BE THAT TWO WEEKS AGO RIGHT NOW, THE KEY BRIDGE WAS STILL STANDING.

AND THAT MORNING WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CALL, AND AFTER SEEING WHAT I SAW THAT FIRST MORNING WHICH WAS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF STEEL IN THE WATER AND THE KEY BRIDGE THE ONLY BRIDGE I'VE KNOWN FOR BALTIMORE WAS NOW GONE.

IF SOMEONE WOULD HAVE SAID TWO WEEKS LATER WE WOULD HAVE TWO CHANNELS OPEN UP TO 14 FEET THAT WE WOULD BE PULLING HUNDREDS OF TONS OF STEEL OUT OF THE WATER FOR PROCESSING.

I WOULD HAVE SAID THAT SOUNDS GREAT, BUT UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'VE GOT BECAUSE THIS IS ARGUABLY LLOYDS OF LONDON SAID THIS IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE MARITIME CATASTROPHE AS EVER AND A COMPLEX OPERATION TAKING PLACE.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> Jeff: YOU'RE ON CAPITOL HILL TOMORROW TALKING ABOUT THE KEY BRIDGE.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE THERE?

>> MY MESSAGE IS THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.

THIS IS AN AMERICAN ISSUE.

AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO JUST IMPACT THE STATE OF MARYLAND OR THE CITY OF BALTIMORE THIS WILL IMPACT EVERYONE OF US.

BECAUSE THE FARMER IN KENTUCKY, THIS MATTERS TO THEM BECAUSE THE LARGEST PORT IN THE COUNTRY FOR AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT IS THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

THAT THE AUTOMAKER IN OHIO THIS MATTERS TO THEM BECAUSE THE LARGEST PORT IN THE COUNTRY FOR NEW CARS AND TRUCKS IS THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

THE RESTAURANT IN TENNESSEE THIS MATTERS BECAUSE THE LARGEST PORT IN THE COUNTRY FOR SPICES AND SUGARS IS THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

IT'S LETTING CONGRESS KNOW IN THIS MOMENT WE CANNOT SUCCUMB TO PARTISANSHIP.

WE HAVE A PATRIOTIC RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN OPEN UP THESE CHANNELS, REOPEN THE PORT OF BALTIMORE, AND REBUILD THIS BRIDGE BECAUSE 36,000 PEOPLE WENT OVER THAT BRIDGE EVERYDAY TO GO FROM WHERE THEY LIVE TO WORK, WHERE THEY LIVE TO WHERE THEY WORSHIP, WHERE THEY LIVE TO WHERE THEY GO TO SCHOOL.

WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE SHARE SAFE.

>> Jeff: IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE GOVERNOR, SEND US AN E-MAIL NOW.

THE E-MAIL ADDRESS WILL BE ON THE SCREEN.

LIVE QUESTIONS@MPT.ORG.

TALKING ABOUT THE BUSINESS SIDE, THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS TO MARYLAND AND THE NATION.

I WANT TO COME BACK TO THAT.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE HUMAN SIDE OF THIS.

YOU HAVE MET WITH THE FAMILIES OF THE MEN WHO WERE ON THE TOP OF THE BRIDGE.

IT WAS EIGHT, I BELIEVE.

AND SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE BALTIMORE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND HAVE REACHED OUT HAVE DONE SO MANY THINGS TO HELP.

THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED, THEY HAVE BEEN PART OF FUNDRAISERS AND ORGANIZED FUNDRAISERS.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO THIS HAS BEEN IS THIS.

>> I MEAN WATCHING THE LEVEL OF HUMANITY THAT OUR STATE HAS SHOWN HAS BEEN SPECTACULAR.

BECAUSE, I THINK, MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THESE WERE MARYLANDERS.

AND THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE WORKING REMARKABLY DIFFICULT JOBS.

THEY WERE FILLING POTHOLES SO THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ALL OF US WHO WERE SLEEPING THE NIGHT BEFORE WHEN THEY DROVE OVER THE KEY BRIDGE THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY.

THAT'S THE JOB THEY WERE DOING.

A JOB THEY KNEW WAS DANGEROUS BUT THEY DID NOT THINK HAD TO BE DEADLY.

I REMEMBER THE FIRST DAY WHEN WE WERE ON THE GROUND I WAS SPEAKING WITH THE FAMILIES AND ASKING THE FAMILIES AND THEY WERE TELLING ME ABOUT THE LOVED ONES IT WAS A SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION.

AND THE THING THEY WANTED ME TO REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEIR LOVED ONES WAS THAT THEY WERE FATHERS.

OR BROTHERS.

OR THEY WERE COUSINS OR SONS.

THEY WANTED ME TO REMEMBER MORE THAN ANYTHING THE HUMANITY.

AND I TOLD THEM I WOULD SPARE NO EXPENSE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD BRING THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS BACK HOME WHEN IT WAS A SEARCH AND RESCUE WHEN WE TRANSITIONED TO A RECOVERY MISSION, I TOLD THEM I MADE THE SAME PROMISE.

I WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN BRING A SENSE OF CLOSURE AND A SENSE OF COMFORT TO THESE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE HURTING SO DEEPLY RIGHT NOW.

>> Jeff: WHERE DID THE SLOGAN COME FROM MARYLAND TOUGH, BALTIMORE STRONG.

DOES THAT PREDATE THIS?

OR WAS IT INVENTED BY SOMEBODY ON THE FLY?

>> NO, IT WAS LITERALLY AS WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE REMARKS PREPARING FOR THE FIRST PRESSER, I REMEMBER GOING THROUGH AND WORKING WITH OUR SPEECHWRITER AND ACTUALLY MADE A LINE STRIKE AT IT RIGHT THERE MARYLAND TOUGH, BALTIMORE STRONG.

>> Jeff: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?

>> IT MEANS THIS IS A RESILIENT COMMUNITY.

AND THAT THE STRENGTH OF THE BALTIMORE IS ON FULL DISPLAY.

BUT SO IS THE TOUGHNESS OF OUR STATE.

AND THE FACT THAT OUR STATE IS WILLING TO RALLY AROUND THE STATE'S LARGEST CITY.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME FOR PEOPLE TO REMEMBER HOW IMPORTANT BALTIMORE IS TO THE MARYLAND STORY.

AND I TELL PEOPLE THEY SAY OF COURSE YOU SAY THAT YOU ARE A BALTIMOREAN.

NO, BECAUSE I'M GOOD AT MATH.

THE STATE'S LARGEST CITY.

AND THE BALTIMORE RENAISSANCE BEFORE THIS WAS REAL.

WE NOW WE WENT EIGHT STRAIGHT YEARS OF HAVING 300 PLUS HOMICIDES IN THE CITY OF BALTIMORE.

IN MY FIRST YEAR OF OFFICE WE CUT THE HOMICIDE RATE WORKING WITH OUR JURISDICTIONS AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WE CUT THE HOMICIDE RATES TO 10-YEAR LOWS.

THAT BALTIMORE NOW HAS THE EIGHTH FASTEST GROWING ECONOMY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

SO THE BALTIMORE MOMENTUM AND THE RENAISSANCE IT IS REAL.

AND EVEN THOUGH THE BRIDGE WAS A BLOW, IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP THE MOMENTUM OF OUR STATE'S LARGEST CITY.

SO EVEN THOUGH WE GET KNOCKED DOWN, WE ARE MARYLAND TOUGH.

WE GET BACK UP.

AND EVEN THOUGH WE GET KNOCKED DOWN WE ARE BALTIMORE STRONG.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD AND THAT IS WHAT IT MEANS.

>> Jeff: THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIGGER ECONOMIC CHALLENGE THAN I THINK MANY REALIZE AT THIS POINT.

THE STATE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE HUGE INVESTMENTS IN THE PORT.

ALL THE DREDGING, THE NEW TRAINS THE THINGS THAT IS HAPPENING NOW ENLARGING THE TUNNEL TO HANDLE DOUBLE STACKED CONTAINERS.

SOME OF THE BUSINESS, I IMAGINE IN TALKING TO EXPERTS IS GOING TO COME BACK FAST.

THE THINGS LIKE THE ROLL ON ROLL OFF, FARM EQUIPMENT THAT YOU TALK ABOUT.

THE THINGS WHERE THERE IS A CAPITAL INVESTMENT HERE BUT THE CONTAINER BUSINESS THAT IS FLUID IT'S ALMOST A COMMODITY TAKING THE CONTAINERS OFF A BOAT AND PUTTING THEM ON A TRAIN AND THEY CAN DO THAT IN NORFOLK AND ONE OF THE EXPERTS SAID THAT THE COST OF ENSURING A VESSEL TO GO INTO THE PORT OF BALTIMORE IS GOING TO GO UP BECAUSE OF THE PERCEPTION OF RISK.

THE KEY BRIDGE CAN'T FALL DOWN AGAIN BUT MAYBE THE BAY BRIDGE WILL SCARE PEOPLE.

HOW DO YOUR PEOPLE IN THE PORT ADMINISTRATION SEE THAT CHALLENGE?

>> WE KNEW THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE AND WE'VE BEEN AGGRESSIVE TO DEAL WITH IT.

I HAVE EXERCISED EVERY LEVER THAT WE CAN EXERCISE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION BOTH OF TAKING CARE OF OUR PEOPLE, AND THEN ALSO ENCOURAGING THE BUSINESSES TO COME BACK STRONG.

AND THAT INCLUDES LAST FRIDAY, I SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT ALLOWED $60 MILLION THAT IS GOING TOWARDS SUPPORTING WORKERS AND BUSINESSES IN THE PORT.

THAT WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF PASSING AND I WILL SIGN A PIECE OF LEGISLATION CALLED THE PORT ACT WHICH FOCUSES ON SUPPORTING OUR PORT WORKERS AND ALSO PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE CHILDREN OF PEOPLE WHO LOSE THEIR LIVES IN THESE TRANSPORTATION DISASTERS.

AND THEN ALSO WE LAUNCHED SOMETHING CALLED THE MARYLAND TOUGH BALTIMORE STRONG ALLIANCE.

AND THAT'S OVER 80 ORGANIZATIONS PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS WHICH DONATED NORTH OF $15 MILLION GOING TOWARDS PORT WORKERS IT IS AN ALLIANCE OF COMPANIES WHO HAVE SAID WE ARE NOT GOING TO LAYOFF OUR WORKERS WHO SAID WE ARE NOT GOING TO MOVE OUR BUSINESSES EVEN IF WE HAVE TO TEMPORARILY MOVE OUR BUSINESSES TO THE PORT OF NEW YORK OR NEW JERSEY WE ARE GOING TO BRING THEM BACK TO BALTIMORE AND TO THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

THIS IS A REALLY BIG DEAL.

SO IT'S PARDON PART OF THE REASON WE HAVE BEEN AGGRESSIVE, THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, AND THE WHITE HOUSE HAS BEEN AGGRESSIVE IN PUSHING THE BUSINESSES TO SAY NOW IS THE MOMENT WHEN WE NEED YOU TO DOUBLE DOWN ON MARYLAND.

NOW IS THE MOMENT WE NEED YOU TO DOUBLE DOWN ON BALTIMORE AND THE RESPONSE WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR FROM OUR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERS, IT'S BEEN OUTSTANDING AND WE NEED IT TO CONTINUE.

>> Jeff: AN E-MAIL QUESTION RASHID IN HAGERSTOWN WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT THE GENTLEMEN WORKING ON THE BRIDGE THEY WERE IN THEIR VEHICLES TAKING A BREAK WAITING FOR THE CONCRETE TO HARDEN.

HE WANTS TO KNOW IF ALL OF THE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN LOCATED.

I BELIEVE ONE WAS AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS WERE RECOVERED?

>> THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU RASHID.

AND ACTUALLY A FEW OF THE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN LOCATED.

BUT WE'RE STILL GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF ANALYZING ARE THERE OTHER VEHICLES UNACCOUNTED FOR THAT WE KNOW EITHER WORK SITE VEHICLES OR VEHICLES THAT BELONGED TO THE OTHER WORKERS.

SO WE'RE STILL VERY MUCH IN THE PROCESS OF DECIPHERING THROUGH BUT THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN RECOVERED.

>> Jeff: THIS IS A QUESTION FROM ANNE.

AND ANNE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A FERRY USED.

PROBABLY NOT ACROSS THE PATAPSCO RIVER I'M GUESSING SHE IS TALKING ABOUT PARALLEL TO THE BAY BRIDGE TALKING ABOUT HOW IT IS A TOURIST ATTRACTION AND WHERE IT GOES FROM DELAWARE TO NEW JERSEY IS THERE ANY CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT?

LONGSTANDING CONVERSATION ABOUT A THIRD CROSSING?

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL ABOUT A FERRY?

AND SHE HAD A PS.

DID YOU GET TO SEE THE ECLIPSE?

>> WELL, I WILL TAKE THE SECOND QUESTION FIRST.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, ANNE.

I DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO SEE THE ECLIPSE.

WE HAVE BEEN BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH TODAY.

UNFORTUNATELY I MISSED THE ECLIPSE I HAVE TO WAIT 20 YEARS BEFORE IT COMES BACK?

BUT ON THE FERRY, IT IS A REALLY INTERESTING IDEA.

BECAUSE THE THING WE HAVE TO DO IN THIS MOMENT IS THIS IS A CHANCE FOR US TO BE THOUGHTFUL AND CREATIVE.

I'M FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE WE CAN INCREASE TRANSPORTATION ASSETS FOR PEOPLE IN OUR STATE, FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE WE CAN REALLY INVEST IN CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR ME, THOUGH, IS THIS HAS GOT TO BE SAFE.

SAFETY HAS GOT TO BE AT THE CORE OF EVERYTHING WE DO WHEN IT COMES TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ALL AROUND THE STATE.

SO WHETHER IT IS THE INVESTMENTS WE HAVE MADE IN THE RED LINE AND OUR COMMITMENTS TO GETTING THE RED LINE DONE WHEN IT COMES TO EAST-WEST TRANSIT OR EXPLORING FERRIES THAT CAN GET PEOPLE FROM WHERE THEY LIVE AND ACROSS THE RIVER OR THE BAY.

THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AND EXPLORING.

BUT I'M FOCUSED ON CREATING INCREASED TRANSPORTATION ASSETS.

AND MAKING SURE WE ARE INVESTING IN CRITICAL INFRASRUCTURE AND MAKING SURE THAT ABOVE ALL THEY ARE SAFE.

>> Jeff: E-MAIL QUESTION FROM KATE.

CONCERNS EDUCATION THE NEED FOR UNIVERSAL EARLY CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION.

AND THE NEED FOR STUDENT-CENTERED AS OPPOSED TO ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF EDUCATION.

BROADLY ON EDUCATION, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ADDRESS THOSE CHALLENGES?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, KATE.

AND IF WE GET EDUCATION RIGHT, EVERYTHING ELSE IS GOING TO BE DETAILS IN OUR STATE.

IF WE GET EDUCATION WRONG, THEN EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST DETAILS NOTHING IS GOING TO MATTER.

AND IT'S THE REASON THAT WE HAVE MADE IN THIS BUDGET HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION AND THAT IS BOTH LOOKING HOW WE THINK ABOUT K-12 EDUCATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION.

AND THAT DOESN'T JUST MEAN FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES THAT MEANS TRADE PROGRAMS AND APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS BECAUSE WE HAVE MADE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN OUR TRADE PROGRAMS AS WELL.

K-12 AND EARLY EDUCATION IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE 80% OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT HAPPENS IN A CHILD BY THE TIME THE CHILD IS FIVE YEARS OLD.

WHY WE HAVE KIDS IN OUR STATE STARTING SCHOOL AT FIVE IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

BY BEING ABLE TO START SCHOOL EARLIER, BY BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH PARENTS AND PREPARE PARENTS TO BE THEIR CHILDREN'S FIRST EDUCATORS BY MAKING SURE WE'RE MAKING THE PROPER INVESTMENTS, IT IS GOING TO MEAN WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE THE LATER INVESTMENTS IN REHABILITATION OR FRANKLY A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE HAVING WHEN IT COMES TO JUVENILE SERVICES AND JUVENILE JUSTICE.

YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO INVEST EARLY.

IT'S THE REASON WE HAVE MADE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN EARLY EDUCATION IN OUR STATE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.

>> Jeff: WELL, THAT IS A NICE PIVOT POINT FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

LET'S START THERE.

I WANT TO COME BACK TO THE BUDGET.

LET'S START WITH YOUR AGENDA.

THE TOP TWO OR THREE ITEMS YOU WANTED TO GET DONE AND HOW IT WENT?

>> WE HAD FOUR PRIORITY AREAS.

FOR THIS SESSION.

AND THE FOUR REALLY WE ARE GOING TO MAKE MARYLAND SAFER.

WE ARE GOING TO MAKE MARYLAND MORE AFFORDABLE.

WE ARE GOING TO MAKE MARYLAND MORE COMPETITIVE.

AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MAKE MARYLAND THE STATE THAT SERVES.

AND I'M REALLY PROUD TO REPORT THAT WE MADE PROGRESS ON ALL FOUR OF THOSE THINGS TO DO THAT WE INTRODUCED 16 PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT COVERED ALL FOUR AREAS.

AND WE'RE CLOSE NOW IT'S NOT DONE YET BUT IT'S LOOKING LIKE NOT ONLY FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW DID WE GO PERFECT WE WILL GO 16 FOR 16 AND WE WILL GO 16 FOR 16 WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

WE GOT DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN SUPPORT ON EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR BILLS.

AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MAKING THE STATE MORE SAFE, THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE HAVING NOW A VICTIMS COMPENSATION BECAUSE ONE OF THE BEST WAYS OF NOT JUST SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF CRIME BUT CLOSING CASES IS MAKING SURE THE VICTIMS FEEL SUPPORT THAT MARYLAND IS THE FIRST STATE?

THE COUNTRY THAT HAS A CENTER FOR GUN VIOLENCE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IT FROM A HEALTH PERSPECTIVE WE KNOW THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WE HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO GUN VIOLENCE IT IS A MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGE.

THAT WE NOW IF YOU LOOK AT MAKING MARYLAND MORE AFFORDABLE WE MADE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN CHILDCARE AND ALSO PUT TOGETHER THE MOST AGGRESSIVE HOUSING PACKAGE IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MAKING MARYLAND MORE COMPETITIVE WE FOCUS ON PERMITS AND REGULAR STORE REFORM BECAUSE IT SHOULD NOT BE DIFFICULT FOR A SMALL BUSINESS TO GROW AND STAY IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND AND MAKING INVESTMENTS LIKE DATA CENTERS AND INDUSTRIES OF THE FUTURE, AI THAT MARYLAND CAN AND SHOULD COMPETE IN.

AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CONTINUING TO MAKE MARYLAND THE STATE IS SERVES, WORK ZONE SAFETY LIKE WHAT WE SAW TWO WEEKS AGO.

IT MEANS SUPPORT OCTOBER YOUR FIREFIGHTERS.

IT MEANS BEING A STATE THAT PROVIDES ADDITIONAL PAID TIME OFF FOR PEOPLE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND ALSO STATE EMPLOYEES BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE USING THEIR PAID TIME OFF TO DO THEIR MILITARY DUTY AND THAT IS NOT FAIR.

WE ARE PROUD OF THE PROGRESS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE ON THE ABILITY TO MAKE MARYLAND SAFER AND MORE AFFORDABLE AND MORE COMPETITIVE AND CONTINUE TO MAKE IT THE STATE IT SERVES AND WE DID IT BIPARTISAN, WHICH IS VERY, VERY EXCITING.

>> Jeff: GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND GETS AMPLE TIME TO LOOK AT LEGISLATION THAT IS PASSED DOWNSTAIRS AND DECIDE WHETHER TO SIGN IT OR VETO IT.

JUVENILE JUSTICE WAS ONE OF THE MORE HOTLY DEBATED ISSUES IN THIS SESSION.

AND WHAT EMERGE SECOND A BILL THAT WILL ADD A LITTLE BIT OF ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY, MAYBE FOR PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 13 WHO ARE IMPLICATED IN CRIMES.

DO YOU SUPPORT THAT?

THIS BILL AS IT CAME OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE WITH DEMOCRATS VOTING NO, IS THAT SOMETHING YOU CAN SIGN?

>> IT IS SOMETHING I CAN SIGN AND I WILL SIGN.

AND I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS BILL HAPPEN.

I CAME IN SAYING THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A YEAR WHEN WE HAD TO FIX THE ISSUE.

AND THE ISSUES THAT WERE TAKING PLACE WITHIN OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM WITH OUR CHILDREN IN NEED SERVICES.

AND I TOLD THE LEGISLATURE THAT THIS WAS ALSO GOING TO BE A TIME WHEN I WAS NOT GOING TO -- THE WAY I WORK I DON'T ASK OR URGE OR PLEAD.

I SAY LET'S WORK TOGETHER AND GET SOMETHING DONE.

HAVE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTS TO DO THIS FOR YEARS AND WE'RE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER AND GET SOMETHING DONE AND AT THE CORE OF IT IS GOING TO BE ACCOUNT BILL.

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO VIOLATE THE LAW THERE HAVE TO BE CONSEQUENCES FOR PEOPLE VIOLATING THE LAW.

AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE SYSTEMS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPORTING THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO END UP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAW AND BRING THEM BACK.

SO I'M THANKFUL THAT THIS BILL, THIS PACKAGE THAT HAS BEEN CREATED THIS IS FOCUSED ON AND HAS ACCOUNTABILITY AT ITS CORE.

I APPRECIATED WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE IN ORDER TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AND THIS IS A BILL THAT I WILL SIGN, BECAUSE I KNOW THIS IS A BILL THAT WILL HELP TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER AND HELP GET OUR CHILDREN THE SUPPORTS THAT THEY NEED PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO NEED TO GET BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

>> >> Jeff: THERE WAS A STRAND OFF BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE ABOUT REVENUES.

THE HOUSE WAS IN FAVOR OF ACTING MORE AFFIRMATIVELY NOW TO RESOLVE SOME OF THE FORECAST BUDGET DIFFICULTIES IN COMING YEARS.

THE SENATE DIDN'T WANT TO, BUT THEN THEY AGREED ON A BILL THAT WILL RAISE A FEW HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS FAIR AMOUNT OF IT FROM MOTORISTS TERMS OF REGISTRATION FEES.

THERE IS ALSO A FEE ON AN UBER RIGHT OR A LYFT RIDE.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE PACKAGE THAT CAME OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE?

>> I THINK THAT THE PACKAGE AND IT IS A BIPARTISAN BUDGET AMENDMENT AND I THINK IT'S STRONG AND IT SUPPORTS WHAT WE ARE HOPING FOR.

THE BUDGET THAT I INTRODUCED DID NOT HAVE ANY TAX INCREASES.

AND I WAS CLEAR FROM JUMP STREET THAT THE BAR FOR ME WAS GOING TO BE VERY HIGH FOR ANY REVENUE INCREASES.

AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT IS NOT THIS YEAR.

AS LONG AS I'M THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND THE BAR FOR ME ON TAXES AND REVENUES IS VERY HIGH.

>> Jeff: THE ISSUES ARE GOING TO GET CLOSER TO THAT BAR BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF SPENDING THAT IS BAKED INTO THE KERWIN BLUEPRINT, STARTS TO ESCALATE.

YOU WILL HAVE BAD CHOICES YOU WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN A GENERAL TAX INCREASE IN THE NEXT SESSION, GENERAL TAX INCREASE IN THE FOLLOWING SESSION WHICH WOULD BE A ELECTION YEAR OR BACKING AWAY FROM THE BLUEPRINT PROMISES TO SOME DEGREE.

>> AND WE CAN ALSO THINK ABOUT THE APPROACH WE TOOK FOR THIS YEAR.

THE APPROACH WE TOOK FOR THIS YEAR WAS WE SAID WE'RE GOING TO BE MAKE STRATEGIC CUTS WHERE WE NEED TO MAKE CUTS.

WE ARE GOING TO BE SMART ABOUT OUR USAGE OF DEBT AND THE UTILIZATION OF MARYLAND'S AAA BOND RATING AND WE WERE GOING TO THINK ABOUT USER FEES IN A WAY IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE USING SERVICES, THAT PEOPLE SHOULD PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE FOR THE SERVICES THEY ARE USING.

FOR EXAMPLE, LOOKING AT THE TOBACCO USER FEE.

THE REASON THAT WE ADDED ON A SLIGHT TOBACCO USER FEE WAS TOBACCO AND NICOTINE IS A LEADING CAUSE OF THE RISE OF WHAT WE'RE WATCHING IN HEALTHCARE COSTS.

FOR A PERSON USING TOBACCO THERE IS A SLIGHT INCREASE IN A USER FEE.

OR THE PERSON WITH AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE THAT WE HAVE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE USER FEE, BECAUSE ELECTRIC VEHICLES AREN'T PAYING INTO A GAS TAX.

IF THEY ARE USING THE ROADS BUT NOT PAYING INTO THE GAS TAX.

BUT THE THING WE KNOW THIS IS NOW THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW OUR SECOND BUDGET WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN CHILDCARE, HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, HISTORY IRK INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING AND WE DIDN'T RAISE SALES TAXES WE DIDN'T RAISIN COME TAXES OR CORPORATE INCOME TAXES WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE A BOLD BUDGET WITHOUT RAISING BROAD-BASED TAXES.

AND FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT SMOKERS OR VAPORS, GUESS WHAT?

THAT FEE DOESN'T APPLY TO YOU.

FOR THE PERSON WHO DOES NOT HAVE WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE REASON WE HAD GUNS AND AMMO AND HOW THAT IS GOING TO WORK SHOCK TRAUMA MANY OF THE VICTIMS ARE VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE.

BUT IF YOU ARE NOT BUYING A FIREARM OR NOT BUYING AMMUNITION THAT FEE DOESN'T APPLY TO YOU.

SO WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE A BOLD BUDGET FOR THE STATE AND NOT HAVE BROAD-BASED TAX INCREASES.

BECAUSE WE'RE ABLE TO BE THOUGHTFUL AND BOLD AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE ARE COMING TO LEARN ABOUT OUR ADMINISTRATION.

>> Jeff: WE HEARD FROM THE SENATE PRESIDENT THAT THE PIMLICO BILL A STATE TAKEOVER OF RACING AT PIMLICO IS GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.

THE THING THAT POPPED UP AT THE LAST-MINUTE IS THE IDEA THAT CHURCH CHURCH CHURCHILL DOWNS MAYBE OFFERING A BID FOR THE RACING ASSETS.

WHAT WOULD YOU SUPPORT?

>> I THINK THE BILL THEY ARE WORKING ON IS A SMART BILL.

AND BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE BILL DOES TWO THINGS; IT PROVIDES A MEASURE OF CERTAINTY TO THE INDUSTRY.

IT PROVIDES A MEASURE OF CERTAINTY TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT PROVIDES A MEASURE OF CERTAINTY TO PARK HEIGHTS.

THIS HAS GOTTEN ME ABOUT THESE DEALS THAT HAPPENED WHEN IT CAME TO PIMLICO.

IS THAT WE HAVE CONTINUED TO WATCH A CONVERSATION ABOUT A RACING INDUSTRY WHILE COMPLETELY IGNORING THE COMMUNITY AROUND IT.

WHILE LEAVING THE COMMUNITY BEHIND.

AND SO THE THING I KNEW WE WERE NOT GOING TO DO IN THIS SESSION WE WERE GOING TO THE SAME WAY THAT WHEN WE CRAFTED THE DEAL FOR THE ORIOLES WE ARE GOING TO CREATE WINNERS ON AND OFF THE FIELD.

IN THIS ONE WE ARE GOING TO CREATE WINNERS ON AND OFF THE TRACK.

THAT THIS DEAL IS A SMART DEAL.

IT IS A DEAL THAT KEEPS THE INDUSTRY SOMETHING THAT THE STATE DOESN'T JUST RELY ON AND THE STATE IS PROUD OF.

AND IT DOES NOT LEAVE PARK HEIGHTS BEHIND AND THAT WAS A CORE CRUCIAL PIECE OF THIS DEAL.

THAT'S WHY I THINK WHAT IS BEING DEBATED RIGHT NOW IS I THINK IT IS A GOOD DEAL AND A SMART DEAL.

I'M GRATEFUL TO THE RACING AUTHORITY FOR THE WORK THEY DID FOR THE PAST YEAR AND AS LONG AS THIS IS THE DEAL THAT MAKES IT THROUGH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE TONIGHT I LOOK FORWARD TO SIGNING THE DEAL.

>> Jeff: PAT WANTS TO KNOW WILL THE PURPLE LINE EVER GET COMPLETED?

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS WHICH MEETS RIGHT HERE HAD TO SWALLOW HARD AND SPEND MORE MONEY ON IT.

>> SWALLOW VERY HARD.

THE PURPLE LINE AND IT REALLY HAS BEEN A BOONDOGGLE OF A PROJECT.

BECAUSE WE'RE NOW LOOKING AT A TRANSIT LINE WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT TRANSIT LINE, BUT IS NOW ALMOST DOUBLE IN TERMS OF BEING OVERRUN IN COSTS AND TWICE THE TIME THAT IT WAS FIRST INDICATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE.

THIS IS THE FRUSTRATION THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAD ABOUT THE WAY THAT POLITICS PLAYED INTO THESE CONVERSATIONS.

AND WHY YOU HAD A RED LINE THAT WAS KILLED.

AND A PURPLE LINE THAT HAS BEEN MISMANAGED.

THERE WAS A SENSE OF FRUSTRATION.

THE THING I PROMISED PEOPLE IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO GET THE PURPLE LINE DONE.

>> Jeff: I HAVE 20 SECONDS.

I WANT TO TELL OUR VIEWERS WE HAVE A FRIEND WHO WAS ON THE SAME SOUTHWEST FLIGHT COMING BACK FROM SARASOTA AND THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND WAS IN THE MIDDLE SEAT.

MAN OF THE PEOPLE.

WE'RE PROUD OF IT.

>> I WAS SITTING NEXT TO I ASKED MY DAUGHTER WHICH SEAT AND SHE WANTED THE WINDOW AND I WILL TAKE THE MIDDLE.

>> Jeff: GREAT PARENTING.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE".

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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