>> CONNECTING MARYLANDERS.

TO THEIR GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE."

WE BEGIN THIS WEEK WITH THE MOST BASIC ELEMENT OF A DEMOCRACY, COUNTING THE VOTES.

COURT ACTION IS SPENDING ON A POTENTIAL CHANGE IN VOTE COUNTING PROCEDURE FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION, AS NEABS NANCY YAMADA REPORTS.

>> MARYLAND IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION THAT SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITS COUNTING ELECTION MAIL-IN BALLOTS UNTIL TWO GAYS AFTER ELECTION DAY.

>> Nancy: SENATOR SHERYL DAGAN TRIED TO CHANGE THAT BUT GOVERNOR HOGAN VETOED HER BILL THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED MARYLAND'S BALLOTS TO BE PROCESS AND COUNTED EIGHT DAYS BEFORE THE JULY PRIMARY.

THE END RESULT.

>> OUR LOCAL BOASTERS BOARDS OF ELECTION, THE STAFF AND BOARD WERE WORKING SO HEART R. HARD BUT THEY WERE REALLY RESTRICTED SO IT TOOK WEEKS AND WEEKS TO PLOW THROUGH ALL OF THOSE BALLOTS.

>> Nick: EYEING THE GENERAL ELECTION THE STATE BOARD IS SEEKING THE COURTS TO ALLOW THEM EARLIER PROCESSING OF THE BALLOTS.

>> IF THE COURT DOESN'T MOVE FORWARD AND IF GOVERNOR HOGAN INSISTS ON NOT DOING A EXECUTVE ORDER, WHICH WOULD BE THE FALLBACK POSITION, THERE WILL BE EXACTLY TWO WEEKS BETWEEN THE STARTING OF COUNTING THE BALLOTS, THE MAIL-IN BALLOTS AND THANKSGIVING DAY, AND AFTER THANKSGIVING WEEKEND, ONE WEEK LATER THE COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS, CROWN EXECUTIVES, COUN COMMISSIONERS ARE TO BE SWORN IN.

>> Nancy: NEARLY HALF A MILLION PEOPLE REQUESTED MAIL-IN BALLOTS THIS YEAR WHICH IS THE HIGHEST NUMBER EVER RECORDED HERE IN MARYLAND.

THOSE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO INCREASING VOTER TURNOUT SAY DELAYS IN ELECTION OUTCOMES HAVE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES.

>> WHEN YOU VOTE AND YOU DON'T HEAR FOR WEEKS WHAT THE RESULTS ARE, YOU'RE -- YOU GET CONFUSED.

GOART ARE, WHY DON'T WE KNOW WHO IS DISABILITY LEADING GOING TO BE LEADING US THROUGH THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND SO WE WANT TO AVOID THAT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ESPECIALLY IN THE CURRENT APPLICABLE CLIMATE, THIS SORT OF DEAD SPACEY WHERE WE DON'T HAVE RESULTS SORT OF LEAVES TIME FOR PEOPLE TO PROPAGATE CONSPIRACY THEORIES ABOUT OUR ELECTION.

>> Nancy: MORGAN DRAYTON IS THE POLICY AND ENGAGEMENT MANAGER FOR COMMON CAUSE, MARYLAND.

SHE SAID PEOPLE NEED TO BE DEFENDANT HAVE CONFIDENT IN THE PRO AND THE OUTCOME.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GIVING OUR STATE BOARD ALL THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO COUNT BALLOTS QUICKLY EXPAK RATTLE AND GET RESULTS BACK TO US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> Nancy: SENATOR KAGAN AGREES.

SHE SAID PROCESSING MAIL-IN BALLOTS IS A TEDIOUS PROCESS.

>> THEY HAVE TO BE ALL SCANNED, OPENED, SCANNED.

THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY ONE OF THEM IS LEGALLY QUALIFIED, THAT THE OATH HAS BEEN SIGNED, THAT THEY'RE POSTMARKED IN TIME SO THEY CAN BE LEGALLY COUNTED.

THERE'S A LOT OF PIECES.

IT'S NOT NEARLY AS SIMPLE AS JUST COUNTING A BALLOT.

>> Nancy: I'M NANCY YAMADA FOR "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: JOINING US FOR THE "POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE" THIS WEEK, STATE SENATORS CORY McCRAY, DEMOCRAT OF BARM AND STEVE HER SHE, REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING THE URN EASTERN SHORE.

NEITHER OF YOU HAS A GENERAL ELECTION OPPONENT SO LET ME BE THE FIRST TO CONGRATULATE ON YOU YOUR RE-ELECTION.

>> THANK YOU, AND CONGRATULATIONS, STEVE.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU, AND CORY, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AS WELL.

IT'S CERTAINLY A GOOD FEELING.

HARD FOUGHT PRIMARY OVER HERE, BUT HAPPY TO GET PAST THAT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO JANUARY.

>> Jeff: SENATOR McCRAY, YOU DIDN'T HAVE A PRIMARY, EITHER, DID YOU?

>> I THINK WE DID THE WORK DURING THE FOUR YEARS, THE PEOPLE SAW THAT AND KIND OF, YOU KNOW, WAS ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT A GOOD TEAM TOGETHER IN THE 45TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.

>> Jeff: THERE YOU GO.

AS BOTH OF YOU LOOK OUT FROM YOUR ROCKING CHAIRSOVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AT THE GENERAL ELECTION, I'LL START WITH SENATOR HER SHE.

WHAT RACES DO YOU FIND MOST INTRIGUING?

>> OBVIOUSLY ITALY THE MARQUEE EVENT IS THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT ALL EYES ARE FOCUSED ON.

WE'RE CERTAINLY -- I'M DOWN AT THE MAKO CONFERENCE NOW.

THERE'S LOTS OF CONVERSATION GOING ON ABOUT THAT.

AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT, AND ACTUALLY WE'LL SEE HOW THAT AFFECTS DOWN BALLOT RACES, AND THERE'S LOTS OF CONCERNS AMONGST OUR PARTY THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE EITHER ONE OF TWO THINGS.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THE TURNOUT FOR REPUBLICANS THAT WE'RE HOPING FOR AND EXPECTING TO WIN SOME DOWN BALLOT RACES, AND WE'RE ALSO GOING TO SEE I THINK A LARGE ADVANTAGE FROM WES MOORE'S CAMPAIGN WITH RESPECT TO FUNDRAISING AND BEING ABLE TO SPEND MONEY, GET THE MESSAGE OUT THAT WE COULD GET DROWNED OUT IN SOME OF THE THESE DOWN BALLOT RACES.

>> Jeff: LET'S STAY WITH THAT FOR A SECOND BECAUSE YOUR REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR CALLED THE GOVERNOR NOMINEE THIS WEEK, MENTALLY UNSTABLE WAS THE QUOTE.

OBVIOUSLY DELEGATE COX TRIED TO IMPEACH GOVERNOR HOGAN.

NO LOVE LOST THERE.

SO YOUR WORRY SAIS REPUBLICAN IS THAT A LOT OF HOGAN REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO STAY HOME?

>> I THINK WHAT IS A VERY DIVIDE PRIMARY AND IT IS GOING TO TAKE A LOT TO UNIFY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO GET BEHIND ONE CANDIDATE, AND, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT DELEGATE COX HAS COME A LITTLE BIT MORE OBVIOUSLY FROM THE EXTREME RIGHT ON SOME ISSUES, ALTHOUGH THAT WAS VERY APPEALING TO REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS, HE MIGHT HAVE TO CHANGE HIS MESSAGE SOME TO SEE IF HE CAN GET SOME MORE MODERATE REPUBLICANS AND CROSSOVER DEMOCRATS TO MAKE THIS RACE COMPETITIVE.

>> Jeff: YOU LIVE ON THE EASTERN SHORE WHERE THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, CONGRESSMAN HARRIS TRYING TO RETAIN HIS SEAT, STRONG CHALLENGE FROM HEATHER MIZEUR.

THE DISTRICT WAS REDRAWN.

IF HOGAN REPUBLICANS STAY HOPE, IS THAT COMPETITIVE?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK THAT ONE IS AS COMPETITIVE, JEFF.

AS WE SAW WHEN A MAP WAS DRAWN, I MEAN, IT ORIGINALLY DID CROSS OVER THE BAY BRIDGE AND GO INTO ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, CAME DOWN A LITTLE BIT MORE IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.

THEY TIGHTENED THE MAP UP.

IT'S VERY MUCH A CONSERVATIVE DISTRICT.

REPUBLICAN DISTRICT.

I DON'T REAL SEE THAT DISTRICT AND THAT RACE BECOMING MUCH IN PLAY AT ALL.

>> Jeff: SENATOR McCRAY, I'LL LET YOU JUMP IN ON ANY OF THAT OR PICK A RACE THAT YOU'RE EXCITED ABOUT IN THE FALL.

>> I'LL START WITH HOME FIRST IN THE 45th DISTRICT BECAUSE MY GEL DELEGATES HAVE A RACE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY CONTINUE TO GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

TWO NEW DEMOCRATIC FRESHMEN, JACKIE ADDISON AND KAILEY JUNG, SO WE'LL START AT HOME.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION WITH WES MOORE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER, JEFF, THAT I NEVER HAD ANYTHING BUT A LARRY HOGAN EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION, SO THIS WILL BE ALL NEW TO ME FROM THAT STANDPOINT.

I HAVE MY GOOD FRIEND BROOKE ON THE BALLOT FOR MARYLAND STATE COMPTROLLER.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT ANTHONY BROWN POSSIBLY BEING OUR NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: ANNAPOLIS COULD LOOK A LOT DIFFERENT.

TO POTENTIAL AT THE STATE'S FIRST BLACK GOVERNOR, FIRST BLACK ATTORNEY GENERAL.

DELEGATE LEARMAN WOULD BE THE FIRST FEMALE COMPTROLLER.

HOW DO YOU SEE THAT?

>> AS HISTORICAL.

I THINK THAT THE STATE OF MARYLAND IS VERY DIVERSE, AND I THINK IT IS STARTING TO REPRESENT ITS DIVERSITY IN THESE DECISION MAKING POSITIONS.

AS YOU STATED, BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS IS GOING TO LOOK VERY, VERY DIFFERENT.

IF THERE'S A COMPTROLLER BROOKE LEARMAN, A GOVERNOR MOORE AND A TREASURER DAVIS, YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE LOOKED LIKE WHEN ATTORNEY GENERAL -- I THINK THAT IT LOOKS MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF WHAT THE STATE OF MARYLAND COULD BE AND IS AT THIS MOMENT.

>> Jeff: SENATOR HERSHEY, DO YOU SEE ANY OF THOSE STATEWIDE RACES COMPETITIVE?

>> YOU KNOW, JEFF, I'D LIKE TO SAY EVERYTHING IS COMPETITIVE AND YOU DON'T TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED.

I'M SURE WES MOORE IS NOT GOING TO TAKE HIS RACE FOR GRANTED.

NEITHER WILL BROOK OR BROOK ON ANTHONY BROWN OR ANYBODY.

AT THE SAME TIME I THINK BARRY GLASS GLASSMAN IS GOING TO PUT UP A GOOD RACE FOR THE COMPTROLLER.

AGAIN, NOTHING -- THE VOTES HAVE NOT BEEN CAST YET.

I THINK IT'S -- YOU KNOW, I ALSO THINK IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR, AT LEAST WES TO COME OUT AND BE ABLE TO TALK TO ALL OF THE VOTERS WITH RESPECT TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK HE'S GOT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SOMEWHAT FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS GOVERNOR HOGAN AND BE A MORE MODERATE, PRAGMATIC GOVERNOR AND REALLY FOCUS ON THE WORK OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND GOVERNOR, AND I THINK HE'S GOT THAT OPPORTUNITY IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO KIND OF CONVEY THAT MESSAGE RATHER THAN A VERY PROGRESSIVE MESSAGE THAT HE MAY HAVE HAD TO USE TO GET THROUGH HIS OWN PRIMARY.

>> Jeff: YOU KNOW, SENATOR McCRAY, WATCHING THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR PLAY OUT, AND IT WAS A GREAT RACE, ANNISE EXCITING RACE, IT WAS A CLOSE RACE, I DON'T REMEMBER A LOT OF DIVISION ON ISSUES.

IS THERE ANY LIKE PARTICULAR ISSUE THAT YOU THINK A POTENTIAL GOVERNOR MOORE IS ON THE HOOK, THE COMMITTED TO PURSUE?

>> I THINK THAT WE HAD SOME PHENOMENAL CANDIDATES FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S RACE AND I THINK IN MY COMMUNITIES ARE EK IN OPPORTUNITY IS VERY HIEWBLG, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

YOU DON'T GET TO THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES TO WITHOUT K THROUGH 12 BEING ABLE TO PRESENT THOSE TYPES OF OPPORTUNITIES.

I THINK THE ENVIRONMENT, WHETHER IT'S WATERWAYS AND TREES A AND THANKS OF THAT NATURE IS SUPER IMPORTANT, ABOUT IT HEARD A NUMBER OF THESE ISSUES BERK LATE TO THE TOP DURING THAT PIECE OF IT.

PERCOLATE TO THE TOP.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS IS THAT EQUITABLE DECISIONS CAN BE MADE FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

I WHACHED AS SO MANY COMMUNITIES THAT I REPRESENT, SOUTH CLIFFT TON PARK, BEREA THAT HAVE BEEN DISINVESTED FOR DECADES ON TOP OF DECADES, ON TOP OF DECADES, AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEIZE TO MAKE SURE THE INEQUITABLE POOSES ARE DOWN TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> IS THERE A PIECE LEGISLATION TO DO THAT?

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

>> FOLLOW UP ON KIRWAN AND SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND THE IMPLEMENTATION FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN WHETHER IN BALTIMORE OR ON THE EASTERN SHORE.

HI WHEN WE LOOK AT THE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, WHAT DOES THE BIRLDZ LOOK LIKE?

THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS UNIVERSALLY DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE BUILDINGS THAT THEY LOOK LIKE MATTER.

WHAT DOES THE WAGE THAT A PERSON IS MAKING?

WHAT DOES THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FROM THAT STANDPOINT?

NIECE ARE BIG ISSUES, JEFF, THAT ARE DEFINITELY AT THE TOP OF MIND OF THE VOTERS IN MY DISTRICT.

>> Jeff: ONE INNING THING I'M INTRIGUE BY IS WHETHER HAVING A REPUBLICAN IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR HAS ACTUALLY LIKE CHANGED THINGS FROM A, CERTAINLY FROM A PARTISAN STANDPOINT, BUT FROM A APPLICABLE STANDPOINT, THE LEGISLATURE, SUPER MAJORITIES OF DEMOCRATS, ROUTINELY OVERRODE HOGAN VETOES, SO IS ANYTHING REALLY GOING TO BE ANY DIFFERENT?

>> I THINK DEFINITELY, AND I'M JUMPING IN, STEVE, SO DON'T WANT TO DOMINATE BUT I THINK A LOT OF THE BILLS THAT I PUT FORWARD WERE VETOED, AND WE WORKED SIGNIFICANTLY HARDER.

I THINK ABOUT VOTING RIGHTS IN MY FIRST YEAR NOT HOUSE WHERE I HAVE A HEAVY CONCENTRATION OF FOLKS HAD TO WERE ON PAROLE OR PROBATION BUT GOT THE RIGHT TO VOTE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2016.

I WOULD HOPE THAT THAT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN AS HARD GOING FORWARD WITH ISSUES LIKE THAT.

I DID $15 MIDGE.

MINIMUM WAGE MAKING SURE FOLKS TONIGHT ON THE HAVE TO WORK TWO OR THREE JOBS IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN.

THE PUBLIC TRAFFICS WTD TRANSPORTATION ACT.

ALL OF THESE BILLS WERE VETOED SO, JEFF, I HOPE GOING FORWARD THE NEXT FOUR YEARS THAT IT WON'T BE AS TOUCH TOUGH.

WHILE THEY GOT DONE IT WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WORK AND ORGANIZING AND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CAPITAL THAT WAS SPENT TO GET THOSE UP.

>> Jeff: SENATOR HERSHEY ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT?

RIGHT NOW THE STATE SENATE, IS IT 32-15 DEMOCRAT-REPUBLICAN?

>> YES.

>> YEAH, JEFF, BUT I GO BACK AND I THINK AGAIN A LOT OF LEGISLATION THAT SENATOR McCRAY JUST TALKED ABOUT CERTAINLY DID GET PASSED AND IT DID GET PASSED OVER THE GOVERNOR'S VETO, BUT THE GOVERNOR HAD A VERY, VERY STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE, AND HE WAS ABLE TO REALLY GET OUT A VERY WELL-CRAFTED MESSAGE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DID NOT HAPPEN OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS WAS WE DIDN'T RAISE TAXES.

YOU KNOW, WE INCREASED FEES ON REALLY ANYTHING OF ANY SUBSTANCE, AND THAT WAS BY AND LARGE BECAUSE GOVERNOR HOGAN WAS NO GOING TO ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VETOED.

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN OVERRIDDEN.

BUT HE I THINK WOULD HAVE MADE LEGISLATOR PAY THE PRICE FOR DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

FORTUNATELY WE HAD SOME THINGS THROUGH THE ECONOMY THAT HELPED US THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO GO THERE, BUT I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG CONCERNS THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE, IS THAT PROTECTION OF THE TAXPAYERS, DOES THAT GO AWAY UNDER A DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR OR ARE WE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO WORK WITHIN THE MEANS OF THE REVENUE THAT WE'RE COLLECTING AND NOT HAVE TO GO FORWARD WITH RAISING TAXES.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO SENATORS HERSHEY AND McCRAY.

AS WE APPROACH MPT'S HBCU WEEK WE ARE JOINLD BY RONALD MASON, THE PROPERTY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

PRESIDENT MASON, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> Ronald Mason, Jr.: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: TO BEGIN WITH, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT MAKES UDC UNIQUE AMONG HBCUs.

>> Ronald Mason, Jr.: THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS.

LET ME START WITH THE FACT THAT WE ARE THE ONLY PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL, ACTUALLY ENVISION BY GEORGE WASHINGTON IN HIS FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS WHEN HE SAID THAT THERE WERE TWO THINGS IMPORTANT TO SECURE THE FUTURE OF THE DEMOCRACY HE WAS CREATING.

ONE WAS A MILITARY ACADEMY AND ARE ONE WAS A STRONG PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL.

AND SO WEST POINT CAME TO MILITARY ACADEMY.

UBC BECAME THAT PUBLIC UNIVERSITY.

WE'RE ALSO THE ONLY CONGRESSIONALLY MANDATED HBCU.

WE WERE NOT IN THE ORIGINAL HIGHER EDUCATION ACT WHICH WAS 1965.

WE DIDN'T COME INTO EXISTENCE UNTIL 1976.

AND SO CONGRESS SPECIALLY DESIGNATED US AN HB HBCU.

WE'RE THE ONLY EXCLUSIVELY URBAN LAND GRANT UNIVERSITY IN AMERICA.

WE HAVE ONE LAND GRANT SERVICE AREA.

THAT'S THE DISTRICT COLUMBIA.

WE ARE AN ENTIRE STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION, FROM WORKFORCE THROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE INTO BACHELOR'S UP TO Ph.D. AND LAW DEGREES ALL IN ONE SEAMLESS HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM.

AND THEN FINALLY, WE'RE ALSO ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT THE MOST AFFORDABLE UNIVERSITY IN THE DMV, WHICH MEANS THAT WE'RE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY AMERICAN THAT WONTS TO COME THROUGH OUR DOORS.

>> Jeff: FOR AN INSTITUTION THAT YOUNG, I KNOW YOU'RE PROUD OF THE LATEST U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT RANKINGS.

>> Ronald Mason, Jr.: YEAH, WE ARE BECAUSE WE ARE YOUNG BUT THAT'S AN ADVANTAGE IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING HIGHER EDUCATION ENVIRONMENT.

OUR LAW SCHOOL, WHICH GOES BACK TO ANTI APT OCTOBER LAW SCHOOL THAT BECAME UDC LAW SCHOOL IS RANKED NUMBER 5 IN THE DRY TILED WITH YALE FOR ITS CLINICAL PROGRAMS WHICH ARE PROGRAMS THAT PUT STUDENTS IN REAL LIFE SITUATIONS IN COURT.

ALSO, OUR UNIVERSITY WAS RANKED NUMBER 30 MANAGING AMONG ALL HBCUS IN THE COUNTRY WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE BEEN RANKED.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT UDC BUT THEY'RE STARTING TO SEE WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO.

BUT REAL RANKINGS THAT WE'RE PROUD OF BESIDES THOSE ARE AFFORDABLE SCHOOLS.NET WHICH RANKED EXCUSE BASED ON QUALITIERS AS WELL FOOSHT.

SO OUR BUSINESS SCHOOL WAS RANKED NUMBER ONE.

OUR ENGINEERING SCHOOL WAS RANK NUMBER 7 AND OUR MEDICAL ENGINEERING SCHOOL WAS RAIRCHGHTD NUMBER ONE IN THE COUNTRY.

WHEN YOU CAN OFFER QUHAWLT AND AFFORDABILITY IT REALLY CUSS EMPHASIZE OUR ROLE AS THE PUBLIC UNIVERSITY ENVISIONED BREW THE FOUNDING FATHERS.

>> Jeff: YOUR STRATEGIC PLAN IS TITLED "THE EQUITY IMPERATIVE."

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> Ronald Mason, Jr.: WELL, THAT'S BY DESIGN, YOU KNOW.

IF ANYBODY'S BEEN WATCHING THE NEWS THE PAST FEW YEARS, YOU CAN SEE THAT THIS GREAT DEBATE ABOUT WHAT IS AMERICA AND WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF AMERICA THAT GOES BACK TO THE BEGINNING REALLY IS STARTING TO COME MORE AND MORE TO A HEAD.

AS AMERICA, A NATION FOR A PLIF LEGEND FEW, AN EXTENSION EUROPE OR IS IT A NATION OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE WHERE WE ARE ALL CREATED EQUAL WITH INY ALIENABLE RIGHTS?

WE THINK THAT THE PUBLIC UNIVERSITY AND THE NATION CAPITOL SHOULD BE ON THE QUECTD SIDE OF THAT CONVERSATION, AND SO WE'RE CREATING THE KIND OF INSTITUTION THAT UNDERSTANDS THE IDEA AND THE DREAM THAT WE CALL AMERICA AND IS FRANK STUDENTS TRAINING STUDENTS AND ESTABLISHING PROGRAMS THAT CAN DISSEMINATE AND SPREAD KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT THAT IDEA IS AND EMPOWER PEOPLE TO FIGHT FOR THAT IDEA AS AMERICA CONTINUES TO GROW.

>> Jeff: I KNOW YOU'RE NOT WAITING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO TURN 18 BEFORE YOU'RE TRYING TO EMPOWER AND CONNECT WITH THEM AND EXPOSE THEM TO WHAT U UDC HAS TO OFFER.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

REMEMBER I MENTIONED THAT WE ARE AN ENTIRE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND SO WE DO WORKFORCE TRAINING FREE TO EVERY DISTRICT RESIDENT.

WE HAD AN OPEN ADMISSIONS COMMUNITY COLLEGE, YOU KNOW, WHICH CATERS TO STUDENTS WHO IN SOME WAYS COME TOWSES UNDERY PREPARED FROM K-12 SYSTEMS.

AND THEN WE HAVE A VERY HIGH-QUALITY AND HIGHLY SELECTIVE, WELL, SELECTIVE BACHELOR'S PROGRAMS AND ABOVE.

BUT WE ARE CREATING THE KIND OF INSTITUTION THAT EVERY DOOR LEADS TO THE NEXT DOOR, SO WE HAD THESEY SEAMLESS MULTI-CREDENTIALED PATHWAYS WITH MULTIPLE ON AND OFF-RAMPS, AND SO A STUDENT CAN COME IN THE WORKFORCE CERTIFICATION DOOR, A LIGHTBULB CAN GO OFF AND THEY'LL GO ON TO GET AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE AND THEN ANOTHER LIGHTBULB WILL GO OFF AND THEY'LL GO TO GET A MASTER'S DEGREE BUT THE POINT IS THEY CAN DO IT IN THEIR OWN TIME AND IF THEIR OWN CIRCUMSTANCES SO THEY CAN GET ON AND OFF BUT CONTINUE TO POLITICIAN PROGRESS DOWN THAT ROAD TOWARD HIGHER AND HIRE LEVELS OF SUCCESS, AND WE THINK THAT IS THE MODEL THAT HIGHER EDUCATION IS HEADED TOWARD.

AND BECAUSE WE'RE YOUNG AND BECAUSE WE'RE AGILE AND BECAUSE ALL OUR FACULTY IS TRAINED TO TEACH ONLINE WHICH IS A TOOL IN THE FUTURE, WE THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE WHAT OUR GOAL IS WHICH IS A MODEL OF URBAN STUDENT SUCCESS.

>> Jeff: HOW DO YOU SEE THE ONLINE YOU REVOLUTION OF THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS SETTLING INTO A NEW NORMAL?

I MEAN, WHAT'S THE OPTIMAL WAY TO TEACH SOMEBODY?

IS IT A PROFESSOR STANDING IN FRONT OF A BLACKBOARD?

IS IT ONLINE?

IS IT A MIX OF BOTH?

>> Ronald Mason, Jr.: YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL FIGURING ON IT, BUT IT'S LEAR CLEAR THAT ONLINE SACHS A TOOL THAT CAN ENHANCE LEARNING.

IN SOME CASES YOU HAVE TO BE FACE TO FACE LIKE OUR CLINICAL PROGRAMS, FOR EXAMPLE.

THE NURSES HAVE TO BE HERE TO DO THE CLINICAL TYPE TRAINING THAT GOES WITH THAT, RIGHT?

AND SOME OF OUR STUDENTS CANDIDLY NEED HUMAN CONTACT, HANDS-ON APPROACH, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE TYPE OF FACILITIES THAT WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE HIGH FLEX CLASSROOMS WHERE A FACULTY MEMBER CAN STAND IN A CLASSROOM AND HAVE STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM BUT ALSO HAVE STUDENTS ONLINE SIMULTANEOUSLY IN REALTIME SO THAT THE CAMERA IS FOLLOWING THE FACULTY, ACTUALLY SEVERAL CAMERAS IS FOLLOWING THE FACULTY MEMBER AS THEY WALK AROUND ROOM, INTERACT WITH THE STUDENTS IN THE ROOM, BUT ALSO CAN INTERACT WITH THE STUDENTS OUTSIDE OF THE ROOM AS IF THEY ARE THERE.

AND SO IT'S GOING TO BE A COMBINATION OF ALL OF THE ABOVE, AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE FINGER IT OUT IN THE CLASSROOM JUST LIKE WE'RE FIGURING IT ON THE IN THE WORKPLACE, BUT I THINK THE BIGGER POINT IS THAT WE HAVE TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO LEARN HOW TO USE IT MORE AND MORE AND MORE OVER TIME.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO PRESIDENT MACE OPEN, THE 2022 HBCU WEEK BEGINS SEPTEMBER THE 5th ON MPT.

3.

NOW WITH LABOR DAY FAST APPROACHING, OUR "NEWSMAKER" THIS WEEK IS PATRICK MORAN, THE PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL 3 OF THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES.

BETTER KNOWN AS ASFSME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US, JEFF.

>> LET'S START WITH THE STATE OF LABOR MOVEMENT.

OBVIOUSLY THERE'S BEEN A BROAD DECLINE IN MANUFACTURING AND A LOT OF UNITIZED JOBS.

ABOUT 10% OF THE WORKFORCE UNIONIZED WHICH IS HALF OF WHAT IT WAS A COUPLE OF GENERATIONS AGO.

A BIG BRIGHT SPOT, THOUGH, HAS BEEN PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS.

WOULD YOU AGREE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES IN THIS COUNTRY IS A MEMBER OF A UNION, SO EVEN THOUGH WE'VE SEEN A VERY AGGRESSIVE EFFORT BY THE RIGHT WING AND MAYBE MANY CORPORATIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THESE FOUNDATIONS TO ABOLISH PUBLIC UNIONS, THERE HAS BEEN GROWTH AND WE HAVE MAINTAINED THAT LEVEL EVEN IN THE FACE OF THIS ADVERSITY.

IT'S BEEN QUITE IMPRESSIVE, ACTUALLY.

AND THAT'S IN LARGE PART BECAUSE THE WORKFORCE GETS IT, AND YOU'RE SEEING NOT ONLY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR BUT YOU'RE SEEING GROWTH FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

LOOK AT STARBUCKS.

LOOK AT AMENDS AND A AMGZ AND A LOT OF THESE SERVICE SECTOR JOBS THAT WE DIDN'T EXPECT THIS GROUND SWEFL SUPPORT.

IF YOU LOOK AT ANY POLLING IN THIS DAY AND AGE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICAN VOTERS AND PUBLIC IS IN SUPPORT OF THIS, AND IT ALL HAS TO DO WITH THE DIVIDE BETWEEN THE RICH AND POOR IN THIS COUNTRY.

PEOPLE ARE WORKING.

THEY'RE DOING HONEST WORK.

THEY'RE PAYING THEIR TAXES.

THEY'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

AND THE EXACT, SOCIAL EXACT COMPACT THIS COUNTRY HAD AND HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR A WHILE HAS JUST GOTTEN WORSE AND PEOPLE ARE STANDING UP UP AND THEY'RE SAYING NO MORE, AND THAT'S FROM PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYEES BUT IT'S LETTERS PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES.

EVEN IN THE FACE OF AN ADMINISTRATION OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS THAT HAS TRIED TO GRIND US DOWN INTO THE EARTH, WE'RE GAINING MEMBERS.

SO I THINK IT'S A REFLECTION OF PEOPLE'S WILL.

IT'S A REFLECTION THEIR DESIRE TO HAVE THINGS BETTER FOR THEMSELVES AND THE NEXT GENERATION.

>> Jeff: IN WORKING WITH THE HOGAN GHRTION OVER ADMINISTRATION OVER THE LAST SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS, A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR OBVIOUSLY ELECTED WITHOUT A LOT OF UNION SUPPORT, HAVE THERE BEEN PLACES WHERE YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER AND PLACES WHERE YOU'RE STILL AT ODDS?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THE ADMINISTRATION CAME IN WITH A MINDSET THAT PUBLIC EMPLOYEES ARE WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE, AND -- WHICH IS THE FURTHEST THING FROM THE TRUTH AS WE SEE EVERY DAY.

OUR MEMBERS PROVIDING SERVICES FOR THE PEOLE OF MARYLAND IN NEED AND SPECIAL NEEDS FOR PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T EVEN USE A LOT OF THE STATE SERVICES OR MUCH OF THEM AT ALL.

AND SO IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT TO FIND COMMON GROUND.

I THINK WE INITIALLY FOUND SOME COMMON GROUND DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, BUT THAT QUICKLY EVAPORATED WHEN THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN TO THE FOLKS ON THE GROUND THAT WERE WORKING IN CONGREGATE FACILITIES SUCH AS PRISONS AND STATE HOSPITALS AND JUVENILE FACILITIES, AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN TOUGH TO FIND COMMON GROUND.

WE WERE LOOKING TO FIND COMMON GROUND AT THE ONSET OF ADMINISTRATION AND THEY -- YOU KNOW, THE FIRST THING THEY DID AFTER SAYING, WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH YOU, IS TRY TO CUT EVERYONE'S SALARY BY 2%.

THAT DID NOT LEAVE A GOOD TASTE IN OUR MEMBERS' MOUTHS.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A COMPLETE CHANGE IN ANNAPOLIS.

ALL THE STATEWIDE LEECTDZ OFFICE, NEW PEOPLE -- ELECTED OFFICES, NEW PEOPLE IN JANUARY.

WHAT'S YOUR AGENDA?

>> LOOK, OUR AGENDA IS TO MAKE SURE OUR MEMBERS HAVE THE RESOURCES TO MAKE STATE SERVICES AND HIGHER EDUCATION WORK FOR THE MARYLAND TAXPAYER.

WE HAVE SEEN AN EFFORT OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS TO LET IT ALL REDUCE TO RUBBLE.

THAT IS WHY THE OVERTIME BUDGETS IN AGENCIES HAS BALLOONED AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ALONE, IT'S OVER $150 MILLION A YEAR BECAUSE THEY JUST SIMPLY WON'T HIRE ANYONE.

THEIR WORDS, NOT MINE, WE DON'T MIND IF THE STATE IS THE TRAINING GROUND FOR THE COUNTIES OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR THE CITIES, AND THAT'S A SHAME BECAUSE PEOPLE NEED GOOD ROADS, THEY NEED GOOD, YOU KNOW, SAFE COMMUNITIES, AND STATE HAS HAD NO -- THE HOGAN ADMINISTRATION HAS HAD NO INTEREST IN THAT.

I CAN'T THINK, JEV, OF ONE BIG -- JEFF, OF ONE BIG INITIATIVE THAT THE HOGAN ADMINISTRATION HAS PURSUED, LET ALONE COMPLETED OR BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ACROSS THE STATE.

PEOPLE OFTEN POINT TO THE REDUCTION IN TOLLS ON THE BRIDGES AND TUNNELS.

THAT'S AROUND EASY THING TO DO.

THAT TAKES NO EFFORT.

THAT TAKES NO APPLICABLE RISK POLITICAL RISK.

YOU CAN'T POINT TO ANYTHING THAT THEY HAVE DOWN THAT PEOPLE CAN SAY, YES, THIS WAS A GREAT THING TO MOVE THE STATE FORWARD.

IT'S A SHAME BECAUSE HE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT AND HE'S NOT DONE IT.

>> Jeff: THANKS TO PATRICK MORAN OF AFSME.

THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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