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.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: LOOKING FORKED TRUTH AMONGST SCATTERED GRAVES.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT WE DIG DEEP TO UNDERSTAND THAT HISTORY AND EMBRACE IS IT AND TEACH IT TONIGHT LEARN FROM IT.

>> WE KNOW THAT BY NOW BECAUSE OF RECORDS AND JUST SURFACE LEVEL VIEW THERE ARE 230 YOUNG BLACK MEN BURIED THERE BUT THERE COULD BE MORE.

>> Jeff: A REPORT ON MARYLAND'S HISTORY OF LYNCHINGS.

>> WE CAN SAY AT BEST TURNED A BLIND EYE.

AT WORST AIDED IN THE COMMISSION OF RACIAL TERROR LYNCHINGS.

>> Jeff: AND BUDGET CUTS DRAWING PUSHBACK.

>> WE HAVE TOUGH DECISIONS BUT WE THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT AND IT WILL SAVE THEM MONEY.

>> EVERY WEEK A STUDENT IS ATTEMPTING SUICIDE.

THIS IS WHY WE [INAUDIBLE].

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

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" IS A CALENDAR CRUNCH.

SCHOOL SYSTEMS HAVE RUN OUT OF SNOW DAYS AND AS NANCY YAMADA SOME WEREN'T TO WHANG HOW THE SCHOOL YEAR IS MEASURED.

>> I LIKE SNOW DAYS BECAUSE THEY ARE REALLY FUN ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS A LOT OF SHOW ON THE GROUND BECAUSE YOU GET TO SKIP SCHOOL.

>> IT'S BEEN A GOOD WINTER FOR SNOW LOVING KIDS IN MARYLAND.

>> I LIKE SHOW DAYS SO MUCH BECAUSE YOU GET TO SLED AND BUILD SNOWMEN AND THIS SNOW IS GOOD AND PACKABLE.

>> WHILE MOST PARENTS ENJOY HAVING THE EXTRA TIME WITH THEIR KIDS.

>> PLAYING IN THE SNOW GETS OLD AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS.

>> SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE SCRAMBLING TO MAKEUP FOR THE LOST INSTRUCTION TIME BY STATE LAW SCHOOLS ARE REQUIRE REQUESTED TO BE OPEN 180 DAYS AND AT LEAST 1080 HOURS DURING A 10-MONTH PERIOD.

MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE EXTENDING THEIR SCHOOL YEAR OR SHORTENING SPRING BREAK.

IN FREDERICK COUNTY, THE LAST DAY IS JUNE 16TH.

HANNAH SAYS... >> ONCE WE GET PAST THAT FULL WEEK WHEN SCHOOL WAS SUPPOSED TO END THAT IS A HARD STOP FOR ME.

THE WEEK AFTER MY FAMILY WE HAVE A TRIP PLANNED WE ARE NOT GOING TO CHANGE THAT.

AND I THOUGH THAT CAN BE A TRICKY PLACE FOR FAMILIES NOT TO MENTION CAMPS CAMPS ARE SENDING OUT E-MAILS WE UNDERSTAND FAMILIES PAID FOR THIS WEEK AFTER SCHOOL ENDS AND CAMPS AS SMALL BUSINESSES WILL HAVE TO GO BACK AND REFUND MONEY.

>> ?

MONTGOMERY COUNTY THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL IS JUNE 25.

>> IT IS A SIGNIFICANT COST FOR OUR DISTRICT IT'S $2 MILLION A DAY FOR EACH EXTRA DAY.

>> THE DELEGATE AND THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY DELEGATION SPONSORED A BILL WHICH PASSED THE HOUSE WHICH GIVE THE COUNTY A WAIVER FROM THE 180-DAY RULE IT WILL MEET THE NUMBER OF HOURS REQUIRED BY LAW.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS WITHOUT THE FLEXIBILITY OF HOUSE BILL 1084 EACH MAKEUP DAYCARERIES A COST TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, INCREASES ABSENTEEISM AND CREATES SCHEDULING CHALLENGES FOR MCPS FAMILIES AND STAFF.

>> THIS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DISTRICT IS NOT SPENDING MONEY AND SENDING KIDS TO SCHOOL WHEN NO LEARNING IS HAPPENING FOR A BOX CHECKING EXERCISE.

>> THIS BILL ONLY APPLIES TO STUDENTS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

BUT SHOULD IT PASS DOWN THE ROAD MANY ARE HOPING IT COULD EXTEND TO OTHER COUNTIES.

>> I THINK AT A CERTAIN POINT YOU ARE ONLY GOING TO LEARN SO MUCH PARTICULARLY AT THE END OF JUNE THERE'S NOT A LOT THAT IS GOING TO BE DONE YOU MIGHT AS WELL LET KIDS BE KIDS AND ENJOY THEIR TIME.

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

>> Jeff: MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES WERE AT THE STATE HOUSE ASKING THE PROPOSED CUTS IN MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAMS BE RESTORED.

SUE COPPIN HAS THAT STORY.

>> SHE WORKS WITH STUDIES DAILY AS A THERAPEUTIC MENTOR AT SCHOOLS IN ANNE ARUNDEL AND PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTIES.

SHE KNOWS WELL THE CHALLENGES FACING STUDENTS AND THE TOLL IT CAN TAKE ON THEM.

>> EVERY SINGLE DAY, WE ARE SEEING A STUDENT WITH SUICIDAL IDEATIONS.

EVERY WEEK A STUDENT IS ATTEMPTING SUICIDE.

THIS IS WHY WE NEED THE FUNDING.

>> HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR IS ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS WHO FREQUENTLY TURNED TO DAWSON FOR HELP WITH NAVIGATING DIFFICULT TIMESES.

>> SHE IS NOT LIKE ANY COUNSELOR A COUNSELOR WOULD GIVE YOU ADVICE AND MOVE ON.

SHE IS THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT WILL KEEP TRYING AND HELP YOU AND GUIDE YOU THROUGH INSTEAD OF JUST SAYING DO THIS, AND BE OVER WITH IT.

>> THE PROGRAM DAWSON ARE PART OF IS MADE POSSIBLE BY A SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP AND FUNDS FROM THE CONSORTIUM ON COORDINATED COMMUNITY SUPPORTS A PROGRAM MANDATED IN THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE BUT THE BUDGET CALLS FOR A $20 MILLION CUT IN THE PROGRAM AND THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT THAT WILL DO TO PROVIDING HELP TO STUDENTS.

>> TEACHERS WHO ARE OVERBURDENED WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT TOOLS IN THEIR TOOLBOX THEY WILL BE HANDLING THERE.

THERE ARE NOT COUNSELORS AND OFTENTIMES COUNSELORS ARE IN HIGH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE FOR COLLEGE THEY ARE NOT THERE TO PROVIDE FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

>> CURRENT FUNDING PRECEDENT AND THE MANDATE IN THE LEGISLATION IS KEY AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST WE ARE INVESTING BILLIONS INTO THE BLUEPRINT OF EDUCATION AND WE'RE ASKING FOR $100 MILLION.

AND THAT IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET WHAT IS BEING SPENT ON EDUCATION AND WE NEED THE KIDS TO SHOW UP HAPPY AND HEALTHY AND READY TO THRIVE IF TA THEY HAVE GOING TO LEARN.

>> ADVOCATES WANT THE BUDGET TO INCLUDE A 3% INCREASE FOR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE CARE.

OF THE GOVERNOR'S $20 MILLION CUT IN ANNUAL SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING.

AND THEY ARE ASKING ARE NOT RESTORATION AND A POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS WHICH OFTEN RELY ON GRANTS TO FUND OPERATIONS.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ONE OF THOSE CLINICS ON THE EASTERN SHORE.

HE SAYS A STUDY SHOWS HOW BEN FINISH THEY ARE.

>> DURING THE 12 MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING CARE, HOSPITAL COSTS FOR PSYCHIATRIC CARE DECREASE BY 68%.

IN HOSPITAL COSTS FOR PHYSICAL CARE DECREASE BY 36%.

>> THE ADVOCATES SAY THEY THOUGH IT IS A CHALLENGING BUDGET YEAR NOR LAWMAKERS.

>> THEY HAVE TOUGH DECISIONS BUT WE THINK THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND IT WILL SAVE THEM MONEY.

>> SHE JUST WANTS OTHER STUDENTS TO HAVE I ACHANCE TO GET THE HELP SHE HAS.

>> IF THEY MAKE THE FUNDS AVAILABLE WE GET MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHER SCHOOLS TO HAVE THE SAME THE SAME OPPORTUNITY AS ME IF YOU CUT THEN SOME THIS PROGRAM WON'T BE AVAILABLE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE IN NEED.

>> I'M SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: LAWMAKERS ARE CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION AFTER THE DISCOVERY OF HUNDREDS OF GRAVES NEAR THE FORMER SITE OF A SEGREGATED REFORM SCHOOL.

>> AN UNKENT BURIAL SITE OF 230 BLACK BOYS IN MARYLAND.

I SPOKE WITH THE DELEGATE WHO SPONSORED THE LEGISLATION AND HE HOPES TO UNCOVER WHAT IS THERE.

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE COULD BE THERE.

WE KNOW THAT BY NOW BECAUSE OF RECORDS AND JUST SURFACE LEVEL VIEW THERE ARE 230 YOUNG BLACK MEN BURIED THERE BUT THERE COULD BE MORE.

>> HOUSE BILL 552 AIMS TO LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE HOUSE OF REFORMMATION AND SPHRUTION FOR COLORED CHILDREN WHERE BLACK BOYS WERE SENT IN THE EARLY 1900'S SERVING AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO ADULT PRISONS.

INVESTIGATORS WILL FOCUS ON THE CHILDREN WHO LIVED THERE, THOSE WHO DIED AND THE MANY BURIED IN UNMARKED GRAVES ON THE PROPERTY.

>> THERE WERE 230 YOUNG BLACK MEN LITERALLY BURIED THERE WITH NO GRAVE MARKERS.

DIED BECAUSE OF HORRID CONDITIONS AND FORGOTTEN ABOUT AND THIS WENT UNCHECKED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

>> SENATOR WILL SMITH SPONSORS THE SENATE VERSION OF THE BILL.

>> MY HOPE IS THE COMMITTEE AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL LEARN THIS RICH AND TRAGIC HISTORY AND UNDERSTAND WE NEED THIS COMMISSION HEADED UP BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND EXPERTS FROM THE GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH, LAW AND HISTORY, PRODUCE A REPORT THAT TELLS US WHAT HAPPENED AND PROVIDES US WITH A PATHWAY TO UNDERSTANDING HOW TO RECTIFY THIS HISTORY.

>> DURING A HEARING, SENATORS RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE ROLE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD PLAY IN THE INVESTIGATION.

>> MY ONLY CONCERN ABOUT THE BILL, IS REQUIRING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO DO THE WORK.

IS THERE IN YOUR OPINION, IS THERE ANY CHANCE THIS BILL MIGHT LEAD TO EITHER CRIMINAL CHARGES OR CIVIL LITIGATION?

>> BUT SUPPORTERS CLARIFIED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S LIMITED ROLE.

>> WE WOULD NOT BE THE OFFICE ITSELF CONDUCTING THE INVESTIGATION WE WOULD HIRE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATORS, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONERS.

>> THE MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST ANNOUNCED A INITIATIVE WITH THE MARYLAND COMMISSION ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE TO PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LOCAL PRESERVATION.

FUNDING WAS DESIGNATED TO THE BOYSVILLE OF MARYLAND CEMETERY ORGANIZATION TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THEIR GROUNDS.

THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SERVICES WILL RECEIVE A GRANTS TO ASSIST IN THESE EFFORTS.

IF PASSED, THE INVESTIGATION WOULD BE REQUIRED TO IDENTIFY THE VICTIMS, REFER CRIMINALS AND REPORT IT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, CREATE A MEMORIAL TO HONOR THE CHILDREN BURIED THERE AND TEACH THE HISTORY BY CREATING EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES IN MARYLAND SCHOOLS.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL GATHER TOGETHER ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS ASSEMBLE THIS COMMISSION AND HIRING OUT EXPERTS TO DO THE RESEARCH, THE DNA, HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND START THE PROCESS OF PRODUCING A REPORT.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: OUR NEWSMAKER THIS WEEK IS THE CHAIR OF THE MARYLAND LYNCHING TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION.

SIR, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AGAIN.

>> JEFF IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THE COMMISSION HAS NOW COMPLETED ITS WORK, SUBMITED THE REPORT.

WHAT WERE THE KEY FINDINGS?

>> THE KEY FINDINGS WERE THAT THERE WERE MANY SECTORS WITHIN THE STATE OF MARYLAND THAT WERE COMPLICIT IN THE COMMISSION OF RACIAL TERROR LYNCHINGS.

WHILE MANY PEOPLE MAY FOCUS ON THE MOBS AND THEY CERTAINLY HAD THEIR PART TO PLAY IN THE FACT THEY WERE NEVER BROUGHT TO JUSTICE FOR THEIR CRIMES, THERE WERE ALSO THE SYSTEMS THAT WE CAN SAY AT BEST TURNED A BLIND EYE.

AND AT WORST, AIDED IN THE COMMISSION OF RACIAL TERROR LYNCHINGS.

SO THE REPORT GOES INTO VERY FINE DETAIL AS TO WHAT THOSE MECHANISMS WITHIN HISTORY LOOKED LIKE WHEN WE SAY THAT SYSTEMS AND SECTORS A ROLE TO PLAY IN RACIAL TERROR LYNCHINGS.

NO, THEY WERE NOT NECESSARILY THERE AT THE COMMISSION OF THE CRIMES, ALTHOUGH IN SOME CASES PERHAPS THEY WERE.

IT WAS MORE SO WHAT THEY ALLOWED TO TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE CAPACITY OF THEIR POWER.

AND THEIR ROLE WITHIN THE STATE.

SO ALONG WITH THAT, THERE'S THE RECOUNTING OF THE RESEARCH THAT WAS DONE ON THE 38 CONFIRMED RACIAL TERROR LYNCHINGS BETWEEN 1854 AND 19333.

1933.

THERE WERE HEARINGS WE DID 14 IN TOTAL 13 REGIONAL AND ONE IN BALTIMORE CITY.

AND ULTIMATELY, WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE PEOPLE.

AND THAT MEANS HISTORIANS THAT MEANS EXPERTS, CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS THAT MEANS DESCENDANTS OF VICTIMS OF PERPETRATORS AND ENSLAVERS.

SO WE DID OUR BEST TO MAKE SPACE FOR THE VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES THE VARIOUS MANIFESTATIONS OF HUMANITY THAT CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS CENTURY'S OLD PRACTICE OF INHUMANITY.

IT STILL HAS ITS EFFECTS TODAY AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE MINDFUL AND THE NECESSITY OF REPAIR ACTIVE JUSTICE.

>> Jeff: WHERE DID THE LYNCHINGS TAKE PLACE?

WERE THEY CONCENTRATED IN ONE PART OF THE STATE?

>> STEREOTYPICALLY PEOPLE MAY IMMEDIATELY ASSUME THE MOST DISTAL REGIONS OF MARYLAND FROM THE 95 CORRIDOR THAT INCLUDES BALTIMORE CITY, THINKING OF EASTERN SHORE AND WESTERN MARYLAND.

TO OUR KNOWLEDGE AND OUR WORK, THERE WAS ONLY ONE CONFIRMED AND WE ALWAYS SAY CONFIRMED RACIAL TERROR LYNCHING IN THE WESTERN MARYLAND AREA ALLEGHENY COUNTY, THE FIRST HEARING THAT WE HAD DURING THIS COMMISSION'S WORK.

THERE WERE DEFINITELY SEVERAL IN THE EASTERN SHORE.

SO CERTAINLY WHEN YOU GO TO THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE AND UPPER EASTERN SHORE YOU SEE CLUSTERS OF RACIAL TERROR LYNCHINGS IN THOSE REGIONS.

BUT JEFF, WHAT COUNTY DO YOU THINK HAD THE MOST CONFIRMED LYNCHINGS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: THE POPULATION WAS CENTERED IN DIFFERENT WAYS, RIGHT?

>> SO THE ANSWER IS PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY HAD A HIGH NUMBER OF RACIAL TERROR LYNCHINGS.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THIS WAS A CRIME COMMITTED.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THIS WASN'T A ATROCITY, A FORM OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM THAT ONLY OCCURRED IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE STATE.

IT HAPPENED ALL OVER THE STATE.

AND EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO CONFIRMED RACIAL TERROR LYNCHING IN BALTIMORE CITY BALTIMORE CITY SHOWS UP IN STORY BECAUSE OF THE ROLE THAT IT PLAYED IN JUST THE MECHANICS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

AND SO OUR HEARINGS SHOWED UP IN THOSE REGIONS WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE NO PART OF THE STATE WAS UNTOUCHED WHERE A RACIAL TERROR LYNCHING OCCURRED AND WE COMPLETED ALL 13 HEARINGS WE DID REPRESENTING THE 38 CONFIRMED LYNCHINGS THAT HAPPENED ACROSS THE STATE.

AND EVEN OUR AWARENESS UNCOVERING OF OTHER FORMS OF RACIALIZED HARM THAT HAPPENED DURING THAT TIME.

SO NOT NECESSARILY REACHING THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A LYNCHING WHICH HAS MANY DEFINITIONS IF YOU THROUGH THROUGH THE HISTORY BUT A RACIAL TERROR LYNCHING AND WHAT THAT TENDED TO ENTATE WHICH WAS A KILLING THAT WAS INVOLVING SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS TYPICALLY LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE FOR WHICH, AGAIN, NO ONE WAS EVER CHARGED FOR THE CRIMES THEY COMMITTED.

>> Jeff: AND YOU USE THE TERM RACIAL TERROR LYNCHING NOT JUST LYNCHING BECAUSE THE IMPACT OF THIS THE MOTIVATIONS BEHIND IT WERE MAYBE BROADER THAN JUST WHATEVER HAPPENED AT A PARTICULAR SCENE.

>> YES.

ONE OF THE FIRST ACTS THAT WE TOOK AS A COMMISSION WAS TO HAVE OUR OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF RACIAL TERROR LYNCHING.

IF YOU LOOK THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY MANY ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO ANTILYNCHING EFFORTS HAD THEIR DEFINITION THEY USED TO CHRONICLE HOW MANY OCCURRED ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

AND SO WE CERTAINLY BORROWED FROM THEIR LANGUAGE AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT FOR OUR CASES AND THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE LAW THAT CREATED THE COMMISSION WE WERE SPECIFYING RACIAL TERROR LYNCHINGS THERE ARE OCCURRENCES OF LYNCHINGS IN THE NAME OF VIGILANTE JUSTICE AND INTERRACIAL.

A WHITE MOB LYNCHING.

SO FOR THE.

WE WERE FOCUSED ON THAT ACT BUT WITH THE INTENTIONALITY OF PRESERVING A PERCEIVED RACIAL HIERARCHY AND THAT IS WHY WE SAY RACIAL TERROR IT WAS ABOUT INSTILLING TERROR NOT JUST FOR THE FAMILY OF THE VICTIM OR THE VICTIM THEMSELVES WHO DIED, BUT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THE VICTIMS USUALLY LIVED AND WORKED AND CALLED HOME.

IT WAS TO, AGAIN, INSTILL THIS IDEA THAT YOU STAY IN YOUR PLACE UNDER THREAT OF DEATH.

AND IN SOME CASES THE DEATH ACTUALLY NEEDED TO TAKE PLACE IN ORDER TO REAFFIRM AND KIND OF REINFORCE THAT NOTION.

SO THOSE ARE THE KIND OF CRIMES WE WERE LOOKING AT IN OUR WORK.

>> Jeff: YOUR COMMISSION WAS TITLED THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE TRUTH.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN MIND FOR RECONCILIATION.

>> WE WERE DELIBERATE IN MAKING SURE THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE IN IT THE NAME OF REPAIR ACTIVE JUSTICE AND HOLISTIC REPAIR ACTIVE JUSTICE.

WE UNDERSTAND WHEN PEOPLE HEAR THIS WORD, THE TRIGGER WARNING, REPARATIONS, IT TRIGGERS AND I SAY THAT NOT JUST TONGUE-IN-CHEEK BUT ACTUALLY IT TRIGGERS THIS IDEA OF ONE FORM OF REPAIR.

WHICH IS MONEY.

I WILL SAY QUITE EXPLICITLY WE DO NOT SHY AWAY FROM THE ECONOMIC REPARATIONS THAT DO NEED TO TAKE PLACE FOR THE VICTIMS AND COMMUNITIES VICTIMS OF RACIAL TERROR LYNCHING.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT AGAIN THE SYSTEMS THAT WERE COMPLICIT IN RACIAL TERROR LYNCHINGS WE KNOW THERE ARE WAYS THAT REFORMS CAN BRING ABOUT REPAIRTIVE JUSTICE.

WE TALK ABOUT QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.

WE TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF REMOVING QUALIFIED IMMUNITY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT, AGAIN, COMMIT ATROCITIES AGAINST THE PUBLIC THEY SHOULD HELD LIABLE NOT TAXPAYERS FUNDAMENTALLY.

WE TALK ABOUT THE EDUCATION AND JEFF, I WILL TELL YOU THE NUMBER ONE FEEDBACK, RECOMMENDATION THAT WE GOT FROM ANYONE WHO SPOKE AT OUR HEARINGS WAS TO TELL THE TRUTH.

WE DO NOTHING ELSE WE WILL TELL THE TRUTH.

THE WEBSITE HAS ALL THE INFORMATION FOR THE MARYLAND TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE REPORT IS WIDELY AVAILABLE AMONGST THE INSTITUTIONS AND AGENCIES THAT ARE REPRESENTED ON THE MLTRC INCLUDING THE FOUR HBCUS ONE I AM AT MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY.

GO BEARS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS EDUCATION IS SHARED IN A WAY THAT PEOPLE CAN RECEIVE AND ACKNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPT.

IT DOESN'T MEAN WE'LL SUGAR COAT IT, MAKE NO MISTAKE THIS IS THE WORST OF HUMANITY.

AND WE WILL SAY THAT QUITE BOLDLY WITH UNFORTUNATELY FACTS TO BACK IT UP.

BUT WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE IF THEY LOOK HARD ENOUGH IF THEY ARE WILLING THE INJUSTICES THAT LIE WITHIN THE LEGACIES OF RACIAL TERROR LYNCHINGS AND NOT FOCUS ON THE VICTIM, BUT TO THINK ABOUT THE GENERATIONS LITERALLY, GENERATIONS THAT ARE STILL TERRORIZED BY WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR ANCESTOR.

>> SIR, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU, TOO, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Jeff: FOR THE ROUNDTABLE WE ARE JOINED BY BRENDA OF THE BANNER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LET'S START WITH TODAY'S NEWS THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER STATE OFFICIALS, I GUESS, PETITIONING THE WHITE HOUSE FOR REPAYMENT SOMEHOW OF TARIFFS THAT HAVE NOW BEEN FOUND ILLEGAL BY THE SUPREME COURT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

HI, JEFF.

YES, MARYLAND LEADERS ARE ASKING FOR A REFUND LAST WEEK, THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S IMPORT TARIFFS AND SAID THEY WERE ILLEGAL.

AND SO THEY ARE ASKING FOR AN ESTIMATED $4 BILLION BACK ON BEHALF OF MARYLANDERS.

AND THAT COMES DOWN TO ABOUT $1744 PER HOUSEHOLD.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE SEE OTHER STATES DO.

GAVIN NEWSOM AND PRITZKER MADE SIMILAR DEMANDS SENDING THE PRESIDENT AN INVOICE NOW THAT THE TARIFFS ARE DEEMED ILLEGAL WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK.

>> Jeff: SPEAKING OF NATIONAL POLITICS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGING MARYLAND OFFICIALS TO REDRAW THE STATE'S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS TO ADD ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC LEANING SEAT.

NOW, THE FILING DEADLINE JUST PASSED THIS WEEK AND YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES CHECKED WITH EVERY MEMBER OF THE SENATE, THERE WAS NO VOTE IN THE SENATE BUT YOU WANTED TO SEE HOW THEY WOULD HAVE VOTED.

WHAT DID YOU FIND?

>> RIGHT.

THAT IS A GOOD POINT THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A VOTE IN THE SENATE WE THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING WHERE THEIR ELECTED OFFICIAL STOOD.

WE ASKED ALL 47 SENATORS.

THIS WAS A DAY WHERE WE PUT ON OUR SNEAKERS AND WE RAN AROUND THE STATE HOUSE BUILDINGS AND TRIED TO GET EVERY SENATOR ON THE RECORD.

AND WE GOT A RANGE OF OPTIONS.

BOTTOM LINE, EVEN IF THIS BILL CAME TO THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY, IT WOULD NOT PASS.

THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VOTES THEY WOULD NEED 29 TO PASS IT BECAUSE IT WOULD CHANGE SOMETHING IN THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION.

AND THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS.

WE HAD 10 DEMOCRATIC SENATORS STRAIGHT UP NO.

WE HAD ONLY FIVE WERE YESINGS AND 19 SAID THEY DID NOT SAY WHAT THEY WOULD DO.

THE NUMBERS JUST AREN'T THERE.

>> Jeff: THE POLITICS IS SO INTERESTING EVERY DEMOCRAT IN THE HOUSE VOTED FOR THE CHANGE AND IN THE SENATE, ALSO CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS, COMPLETELY DIFFERENT OUTCOME.

>> TRULY.

TRULY.

AND SENATE PRESIDENT BILL FERGUSON HAS BEEN UNDER A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PRESSURE FROM HIS NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADERS.

JEFFERIES CAME TO THE STATE HOUSE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION AND BOTH PARTIES SAID THE CONVERSATION WAS CORDIAL IT DIDN'T CHANGE THEIR POSITIONS.

OF COURSE, THE NATIONAL PARTY WANTS TO REDISTRICT TO TRY TO JOSTLE FOR ANY ADVANTAGE THEY CAN IN THE 2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS AND SENATE PRESIDENT BILL FERGUSON HAS CONTINUED TO BE A HOLD OUT SAYING HE DOESN'T THINK THIS IS GOOD FOR DEMOCRACY IT IS A HOW DOES HE SAY IT, A MUTUALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION IF YOU WILL.

>> Jeff: NOW THAT THE FILING DEADLINE HAS PASSED THIS WEEK, YOU WERE ALSO STAKING OUT THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS FOR LAST-MINUTE CANDIDATES.

WHAT STANDS OUT?

AS WE HEAD TO THIS ELECTION YEAR, THE STATE-WIDE OFFICIALS, THE GOVERNOR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE COMPTROLLER HAVE LIMITED OPPOSITION WE CAN SAY.

>> RIGHT.

THERE ARE SOME UNSURPRISING RACES HERE.

SOME UNSURPRISING LACK OF COMPETITIVE CONTESTS HERE.

I HAVE MY EYE ON INTERESTING CONGRESSIONAL CONTESTS.

ONE THAT I'M KEEPING AN EYE ON IS REPRESENTATIVE APRIL McCLAIN DELANEY AND DAVID TRONE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN SECTION SIX.

TWO UBER WEALTHY PEOPLE WILL BE BATTLING IT OUT BOTH WANT THE SEAT AND NEITHER ARE BACKING DOWN.

THAT WILL BE AN INTERESTING ONE TO WATCH.

ANOTHER IS GOING TO BE DISTRICT 5, REPRESENTATIVE DENNY HOYER A MARYLAND INSTITUTION HERE IS STEPPING DOWN.

AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE I'VE LOST COUNT HONESTLY HAVE STEPPED UP TO JOIN THE RACE.

HOYER HAS BECOMED DELEGATE ADRIENNE, WHO WORKED FOR HIS CAMPAIGN FOR A TIME.

AND WE ALSO HAVE OTHER NOTABLE NAMES AT THAT TIME ARE ENTERING THAT RACE.

FORMER COUNTY EXECUTIVE, BAKER, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNCILMEMBER.

MARYLAND SENATOR ARTHUR ELLIS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE TO WATCH A LOT OF INTERESTED PERSONS, YEAH.

>> Jeff: I THINK THEY STILL DO THE BALLOT ALPHABETICALLY IF YOU NAME STARTS WITH A B YOU MIGHT HAVE AN EDGE IF YOU NAME STARTS WITH A W YOU SHOULD SIT THIS ONE OUT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Jeff: YOU CAN READ BRENDA'S REPORTING AT THE BANNER.COM.

AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".