>> 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: OPENING DAY FOR A BRAND NEW LEGISLATURE.

>> FROM THE CONVENING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, THE HOUSE IS NOW CALLED TO ORDER.

>> Jeff: NEW FACES IN POWERFUL PLACES.

>> I'M EXCITED AND I'M READY TO GET TO WORK.

>> WE COVER A LOT OF COMPLEX ISSUES AND WE'VE GOT A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE WORKING TOGETHER.

>> Jeff: AND WRAPPING UP THE HOGAN YEARS.

>> I AM GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU, THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND.

67.

>> CONNECTING MARYLANDERS.

TO THEIR GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO MPT'S 42nd SEASON OF PROVIDING COMPLETE WEEKLY COVERAGE OF YOUR LEGISLATURE AT WORK.

I'M JEFF SALKIN.

AND THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE."

THE ANNUAL 90-DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGAN WEDNESDAY.

DOZENS OF NEWLY ELECTED LAWMAKERS AND RETURNING VETERANS, INCLUDING THE PRESIDING OFFICERS, ALL TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE.

>> I ADRIENNE JONES.

>> DO SWEAR.

>> DO SWEAR.

>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> Jeff: CHARLES ROBINSON LOOKS AT SOME CHANGES IN THE RANKS.

>> MARK QUORMAN.

I'M THE HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER.

>> MY NAME IS MELANIE GRIFFITH.

>> I'M DELEGATE VANESSA AT WER.

I POLICE DEPARTMENT DISTRICT THIRTEEN IN HOWARD COUNTY.

>> SO MY NAME IS JAZZ LEWIS.

I'M DELEGATE FROM THE 24th DPLICT AND I'M THE NEW MAJORITY WHICHT MARYLAND HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

>> Charles: THAT'S MAIN NEW TO LEADERSHIP BUT THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO UNDERSTAND ITS INNER WORKERS.

THEY WATCH THE SEASONED VETERANS NAVIGATE THE MANY POTENTIAL PITFALLS.

NOW IT'S THEIR TURN TO PUT THEIR STAMP ON OPERATIONS.

>> IT'S AN HONOR BEING A WOMAN AND BEING A WOMAN OF COLOR, SCHAIRG THAT COMMITTEE.

I'M THE FIRST TO DO IT.

AND SO MANY INCREDIBLE, SIGNIFICANT ISSUES COME INTO THE COMMITTEE, LIKE EDUCATION, REVENUE, GAMING, AND ELECTION LAW THAT AFFECT US AND AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY, SO I'M EXCITED AND I'M READY TO GET TO WORK.

>> YOUR PREDECESSOR NEVER TOLD MOW, I NEVER LOST A VOTE.

>> I PLAN TO FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE GREAT THOMAS BRANCH.

AS THE SPEAKER CALLED ME, ASKED ME TO SERVE IN CAPACITATED, HIGH WAS MY FIRST CALL.

WE'VE BEEN FAWNING A LOT ON HOW HE BUILT A WHIP OPERATION TO MAKE SURE THE BILLS WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD TO HELP MARYLANDERS ALL PASS ON FLOOR.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE IN HIS FOOTSTEPS.

>> WE COVER A LOT OF COMPLEX ISSUES AND WE'VE GOT A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE WORKING TOGETHER DURING THIS HISTORIC SESSION WITH A NEW GOVERNOR TO TAKE ON SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT IMPACT THE LIVES OF MARYLANDERS EVERY DAY.

>> THE SPEAKER, AS YOU KNOW, CONTROL THE CHAMBER AND SHE WORKS WITH ALL THE MEMBERS BUT, OF COURSE, IN PARTICULAR WE HAVE A STRONG DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE IRS ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANTTO ALL MARYLAND WRS EASTERN, THE EASTERN SHORE, THE ENTIRE STATE AND UNDER THE SPEAKER'S LEADERSHIP.

>> Charles: THIS GROUP KNOWS THEY WILL BE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE WILL WATCH TO SEE THEY CAN RISE TO THE CHALLENGE.

IN ANNAPOLIS, I'M CHARLES ROBINSON FOR "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: NOW NANCY YAMADA REPORTS ON THE TOP ISSUES THIS YEAR.

>> SOME OF THE ISSUES WE'RE GOING TO LOOK A FIRST WILL BE IN RESPONSE TO THE SUPREME COURT'S RULING IN BRUIN VERSUS NEW YORK THAT HAS TO KEHL WITH THE CONCEALED CARRY OF FIREARMS.

>> Nancy: DELEGATE LUKE CLIPPINGER A HOUSE OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SAID THE FIRST BILL PROPPED BY LAWMAKERS THIS SESSION FOCUSES ON GUN STATE OF SAFETY AND RESTRICTIONS ON WHERE GUN OWNERS WITH CONCEALED WEAPON PERMITS CAN ACTUALLY CARRY THEM.

>> AS OF RIGHT NOW, OUR -- OUR CONCEALED CARRY LAW IS OUTSIDE OF WHAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS IDENTIFIED AS BEING CONSTITUTIONAL, SO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO GO FORWARD AND TAKE A LOOK AT OUR CONCEALED CARRY LAWS.

>> Nancy: ON THE SENATE SIDE -- >> GUN VIOLENCE IS TOP OF MIND FOR ALL OF US, SO DEALING WITH GUN TRAFFICKERS AND REPEAT OFFENDERS AND HOLDINGS PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE BUT ALSO MAKING THOSE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN ITS LONG-TERM STRATEGIC CONTRIBUTORS TOWARDS VIOLENCE, BOTH ENDS OF THE CONVERSATION WITH DEALING WITH THE IMMEDIACY OF VIOLENT CRIME BUT ALSO THE LONG-TERM SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS THAT DEAL WITH IT AS WELL.

>> Nancy: LAWMAKERS WILL ALSO LOOK FOR PROTECTING WOMEN WHO COME TO MARYLAND SEEKING AN ABORTION FROM CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LIABILITY, AND NOW THAT VOTERS HAVE APPROVED A REFERENDUM FOR ADULTS TO POSSESS AND USE SMALL OOSMGHTS CANNABIS, LAWMAKERS WILL HASH OUT THE DETAILS FOR HOW AND WHEN SALES L. WILL BEGIN.

>> NOW WE KNOW A GOING TO BE LEGAL, WE WILL MAKE SURE WE PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO CAR.

IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY, MAKE SURE WE GET OUR GOALS NOT TO GET MARYLANDERS HIGH.

IT'S TO MAKE SURE WE TAKE IT OUT CRIMINAL STREAM OF COMMERCE SO YOUNG MINORITIES STOP DYING.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FOR EVERYONE TO PARTICIPATE.

>> Nancy: THIS SESSION OF LAWMAKERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER WHETHER TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE AGAIN.

GOVERNOR WES MOORE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT GO UP TO $15 AN HOUR.

>> THE REALITY FOR A LOT OF BUSINESSES THEY'RE ALREADY OFFERING THAT TYPE OF WAGE, AND THE MARKET, ICE VERY COMPETITIVE RIGHT NOW, IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET EMPLOYEES, AND SO BUSINESSES ARE HAVING TO DO THAT, BUT JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT GOVERNMENT DOES NOT NEED TO MANDATE.

>> Nancy: AND LAWMAKERS SAY THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE WHEN IT COMES TO IMPROVING EDUCATION AND TWEAKING BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE.

>> WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO FUND THE PROGRAM.

WE ALSO HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A HIGH QUALITY TEACHER.

ARE THERE ASPECTS OF QUALITY EDUCATION THAT HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE CURRENT BILL THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED, FOR EXAMPLE, A NUMBER OF US OF INTERESTED IN PLANING SURE THAT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OR PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE INCLUDED IN THAT PROGRAM AS WELL.

>> Nancy: ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND LEARNING LOSS FROM COVID ARE ALSO ON THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

I'M NANCY YAMADA FOR "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: ANOTHER ISSUE FOR LAWMAKERS EXPANDING PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS.

ADVOCATES FOR TENANTS RALLIED IN SUPPORTED OF LEGISLATION TO EXTEND PANDEMIC EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

>> IT'S BEEN VERY HARD TO LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE YOU'RE NOT SURE IF YOU ARE SAFE, AND WE KNOW WE ARE NOT SAFE.

MY OLDEST SON AND MY HUSBAND ARE ACTUALLY ASTHMATIC, AND TO DEAL WITH RAT DROPPINGS, ROACH DROPPINGS, THE BIG INFESTATION AND NO ONE BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE, IT'S VERY, VERY CONCERNING AND DISHEATENING.

>> WE ALL KNOW THAT RENTERS IN MARYLAND ARE FACING A LOT THIS YEAR, ESPECIALLY THOSE RENTERS WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE.

RENTS ARE RISING AT ASTRONOMICAL RATES.

LAST YEAR WE SAW RESISTANCE CREASE BY DOUBLE DIGIT PERCENTAGES IN CITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS MARYLAND AND ALSO ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BUT WHILE THOSE RENTS ARE RISING OR HAVE BEEN RISING, COVID PROTECTIONS ARE RECEDING.

>> EVERYONE IN MARYLAND SHOULD HAVE A RIGHT TO SAFE, CLEAN HOUSING.

THIS IS NOT TOO MUCH TO ASK, I DON'T THINK.

>> Jeff: THE GROUP ALSO WANTS RENTERS TO BE ABLE TO COLLECTIVELY HOLD RENT IN ESCROW TO RESOLVE SAFETY HAZARDS.

COMING UP NEXT WEDNESDAY AT 12:00 NOON, GOVERNOR-ELECT WES MOORE WILL BE SWORN INTO OFFICE.

THIS WEEK IT WAS OUTGOING GOVERNOR LARRY HOGAN WRAPPING UP HIS TWO TERMS.

OUR SUE KOPEN HAS THE STORY.

>> YOU GUYS READY?

THREE, TWO, ONE!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> Sue: GOVERNOR LARRY HOGAN WITH HIS TWO TERMS AT THE STATE HOUSE AT AN END.

FOLLOWED IN THE TRADITION OF EVERY MARYLAND GOVERNOR SINCE 1634 WITH THE UNVEILING OF HIS OFFICIAL FOR FRAT.

>> IT'S VERY SUM HUMBLING, TRULY AN HONOR TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN CENTURIES OLD TRADITION.

IT IS MY HOPE THAT THIS PORTRAIT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IN JUST A MOMENT WILL SERVE AS A REMINDER FOR MANY YEARS TO COME JUST HOW CONSEQUENTIAL THESE PAST EIGHT YEARS HAVE BEEN.

>> Sue: IS ARTIST WHO PAITD THE PORTRAIT PAID FOR WITH PRIVATE DOLLARS, PAID TRIBUTE TO HOGAN'S PAST AS GOVERNOR AND HIS POSSIBLE FUTURE AS WELL.

>> I HOPE I CAN THANK LARRY HOGAN'S FORTUNE AGAIN WHEN HE IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE -- PORTRAIT AGAIN WHEN HE IS IN THE HOUSE WHITE HOUSE.

>> Sue: HOGAN ALSO SAID FAREWELL TO MARYLAND WITH AN HISTORIC ADDRESS IN THE HISTORIC OLD SENATE CHAMBER IN THE STATE HOUSE, THE VERY SAME ROOM WHERE GEORGE WASHINGTON RESIGNED HIS COMMISSION AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY.

HOGAN TOOK NOTE OF WEASHTS WARNING IN 1783 ABOUT THE DANGERS OF PARTISANSHIP.

>> HE SAID THAT THE CONTINUALAL MISS CHIFS OF THE SPIRIT OF PARTY ARE SUFFICIENT TO MAKE IT THE INTEREST AND THE YOU THE OF A WISE PEOPLE WHO DISCOURAGE AND RESTRAIN IT.

HE WAS RIGHT, WHICH IS WHY I BELIEVE THAT MORE LEADERS IN MARYLAND AND ACROSS AMERICA MUST STAND AGAINST THE EXTREMES AND WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE.

WE CAN'T LET FRIG FRINGES AND FACTIONS GET IN THE WAY OF GETTING THINGS DONE AND SOLVING THE SERIOUS PROBLEMS.

>> Sue: AND HOGAN, THE STATE'S FIRST TWO-TERM REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR SINCE THEODORE 70 YEARS AGO, ALSO OFFERED HIS THANKS TO RESIDENTS AROUND THE STATE.

>> MOST OF ALL, I AM GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU, THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND, FOR YOUR HEARTFELT SUPPORT, AND IN TIMES OF PERSONAL CHEANLS WHERE CHALLENGES FOR YOUR COUNTLESS PRAYERS.

THE HONOR OF SERVING AS YOUR GOVERNOR IS SECOND ONLY TO THE HONOR OF BEING YOUR FELLOW MARYLANDER.

AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SINGLE DAY, GOOD OR BAD, WHEN I WAS NOT GRATEFUL FOR THE PRISM PRIVILEGE.

>> Sue: HOAG'S OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE STATE HOUSE IS NOW CLEANED OUT, WELL, EXCEPT FOR THE NOTE THAT HOGAN SAID HE PLANS TO LEAVE BEHIND FOR GOVERNOR-ELECT WES MOORE WHEN HE MOVES IN NEXT WEEK.

>> I WISH THAT ALL MARYLANDERS AND ALL AMERICANS COULD SEE BHAIIVE ABLE TO SEE -- ABLE TO SEE WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE UP CLOSE OVER THESE PAT EIGHT YEARS, THAT DEEP DOWN THERE TRULY IS FAR MORE THAT UNITES US THAN DIVIDES US.

SO THIS ONE LAST TIME, FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE MY HEART -- OF MY HEART, THANK YOU AND FARE WELL.

>> Sue: AT THE STATE HOUSE, SUE KOPEN FOR "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: OUR MUSISH "NEWSMAKER" IS DERECK DAVIS.

HOO HAS SERVED AS STATE TREASURER.

WITH ALL THE CHANGES COMING NEXT WEEK HE WILL SOON BE THE MOST SENIOR FIGURE ON THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.

MR. DAVIS SPOKE TO MPT'S CHARLES ROBINSON.

>> Charles: IN 2023 YOU WILL BE THE SENIOR MEMBER OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS, NOT THAT YOU'VE BEEN THERE THAT LONG, BUT WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED DURING THAT PERIOD?

>> Dereck Davis: OH, WAUGH.

IT'S JUST -- AND IT IS DAUNTING WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT BY THEN I WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE ALL OF 13 MONTHS AND I'M THE SENIOR MEMBER, BUT FIRST LET ME SAY I KNOW THE GOVERNOR-ELECT PRETTY WELL AND HE, AS THE VOTERS HAVE REAFFIRMED, HE'S VERY SHARP.

HE WILL COME IN HITTING THE GROWNGD AS WILL THE COMPTROLLER-ELECT.

BROOKE AND I SERVED TOGETHER IN THE THE LEGISLATURE FOR EIGHT YEARS.

OR SEVEN.

I GUESS I LEFT EARLY, BUT SHE'S VERY SMART AS WELL.

SHE'S SPENT TIME ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEES.

SO SHE IS THESE GUYS, THEY ARE WELL E EQUIPPED TO COME IN AND HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

BUT JUST THE THINGS THAT I'VE LEARNED, AGAIN, THE FISCAL STRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE TO MAINTAIN OUR AAA BOND RATING, ALL OF THE -- WE GIVE OUT ABOUT A HALF A BILLION DOLLARS IN CONTRACTS EVERY TWO WEEKS, EVERY TWO TO THREE WEEKS, AND THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT NOT ONLY TO THE PRIME CONTRACTORS BUT THE SUBCONTRACTORS.

THAT'S OUR ECONOMIC ENGINE THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP GOING.

PART OF OF MY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE, THOUGH, THAT MARYLANDERS ARE GETTING FAIR VALUE FOR THEIR DOLLARS.

SO I'M ASKING MORE QUESTIONS AND MORE POINTED QUESTIONS BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE THAT ARE AWARDING CONTRACTS, THAT THEY ARE TAKING CARE.

I'M CHARGED WITH BEING A WISE STEWARD OF THE PEOPLE'S MONEY, AND I TAKE THAT VERY SERIOUSLY.

>> Charles: I NOTE THAT OVER THE NUMBER OF YEARS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN HERE AND I HAVE BEEN HERE, SOMETIMES THE ROLES HAVE CHANGED OR HAVE EXPANDED.

DO YOU SEE A ROLE LIKE THAT FOR THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT OR ARE YOU REALLY JUST FOCUSED ON THE FINANCES?

>> Dereck Davis: FOR ME I'M JUST FOCUSED ON THE FINANCE.

I'M NOT TRYING TO REMAKE THE JOB I HAVE CERTAIN THINGS I AM GOING TO FOCUS ON AS THE TREASURER, FOR EXAMPLE, AND I KNOW THAT THE LEGISLATURE AND IN SPECIFIC THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS OF MARYLAND WANTS ME TO FOCUS IN ON MINORITY CONTRACTING, THE MVE PROGRAM, TO MAKE SURE THE STATE AGENCIES ARE, IN FACT, MEETING THEIR GOALS, AND WE'RE GIVING EVERYBODY A FAIR OPPORTUNITY, SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE ZEROED IN ON.

THERE MAY BE SOME INITIATIVES, LIKE BABY BONDS, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT WE MAY PROMOTE OR I KNOW THAT THE GOVERNOR-ELECT HAS TALKED ABOUT IT, SO WE MAY PARTNER WITH THE ADMINISTRATION IF THEY'RE SO INCLINED TO MOVE N. AN INITIATIVE LIKE THAT PASSWORD, BUT FOR ME AT THIS POINT -- FORWARD, BUT FOR ME AT THIS POINT IN TIME I NEED TO STAY FOCUSED, LASER FOCUSED ON THE FINANCES, MAKING SURE THAT THOSE PENSIONS ARE THERE WHEN YOU AND I NEED THEM AND OTHERS.

I NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT APPROPRIATELY.

AND I JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE GETTING PAID WHEN THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING PAID, THAT ALL OF OUR PROCESSES ARE MOVING THE WAY THEY SHOULD.

AND I THINK IF I'M DOING THAT, I AM DOING BY JOB AND CERTAINLY WHAT THE PEOPLE EXPECT.

ALL THE OTHER THINGS I COULDN'T GET INTO, THAT MAY COME LATER AS A GET MORE AND MORE -- AS I CONTINUE TO GROW INTO THE JOB, BUT AT THIS POINT IN TIME, YOU KNOW, I'M LASER FOCUSED ON THE MONEY.

>> Charles: ARE WE ON FIRM FOOTING?

>> Dereck Davis: MARYLAND'S IN A VERY GOOD PLACE RIGHT NOW.

AS MANY OF YOUR VIEWERS MAY BE AWARE, WE HAVE A $5.5 BILLION SURPLUS.

WE HAVE A AAA BOND RATING.

WE HAVE VERY GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

AS MUCH POLITICAL PART TAN IS ANSHIP THAT DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCES.

GOVERNOR HOGAN, COMPTROLLER FRANCHOT, THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, WE'RE ON ONE ACCORD WHEN IT COMES TO KEEPING MARYLAND ON SOLID FINANCIAL FOOTING.

SO YOUR VIEWERS ARE MY CONSTITUENTS.

WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR.

.

>> Jeff: JOINING US FOR THE POLITICAL ROUND TAINL THIS WEEK IS VETERAN GOVERNMENT REPORTER BRYAN SEARS DAILY RECORD.

BRYAN, HAPPY NEW YEAR.

HAPPY NEW SESSION.

A LOT OF THINGS ARE NEW.

YOU HAD YOUR ANNUAL IT?

ON THE LEGISLATURE'S OPENING DAY WITH THE PRESIDING OFFICERS AND THE GOVERNOR-ELECT.

WHAT WAS THE BIG TAKEAWAY.

>> Bryan Sears: FROM THE GOVERNOR-ELECT AND FROM THE PRESIDING OFFICERS THERE'S GOING TO BE AN INTENSE FOCUS ON DEALING WITH THE VACANCY OF STATE WORKERS.

THE LEGISLATURE PUTS IN ABOUT 65 TO 6800.

THE GOVERNOR-ELECT DURING OUR INTERVIEW PUT THAT NUMBER AT ABOUT 10,000.

AND AND SAID THAT HE WAS COMMITTING TO HIRING 5 NOW NEW -- 5,000 NEW STATE EMPLOYEES WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE.

THAT'S A FARRELL AMBITIOUS NUMBER.

I THINK WE'LL BE WATCHING TO SEE HOW THAT GOES.

>> Jeff: THERE'S ALWAYS FRICTION WITH EMPLOYEES COMING AND GOING BUT IS THAT HISTORICALLY A HIGH NUMBER OF VACANCIES?

>> Bryan Sears: EVEN THE 6800 NUMBER IS A HIGH NUMBER FOR THE STATE COORDINATING TO DLS.

ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THEY CITE IS THE DIFFERENCE IN SALARY AND BENEFITS PREPARED TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR BUT THERE'S ALSO ISSUES, AS EVERYONE HAS HAD WITH THE PANDEMIC AND ALSO WITH A EIGHT YEARS OF A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR WHO HAS REALLY FOCUSED ON I GUESS THE TERM IS RIGHT SIZING GOVERNMENT, IF YOU'RE OF THAT MIND, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES SORT OF MATCHED HIS PHILOSOPHY OF HOW MUCH -- HOW MANY EMPLOYEES YOU NEED TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

BUT THERE ARE AGENCIES LIKE PAROLE AND PROBATION AND MBE WHICH HAVE, DEPARTMENT EXREKSZ IN TERMS OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS THAT HAVE SIGNIFICANT SHORTAGES, AND A LOT OF STATE WORKERS ARE OVERWORKED AND TIRED AND LEAVING.

>> Jeff: GOVERNOR-ELECT WES MOORE BECOMES GOVERNOR WES MOORE WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ARUNA MILLER TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE TOGETHER AT NOON ON WEDNESDAY.

THERE'S AN INDOOR SEMI PRIVATE EVENT AND THERE'S A BIG OUTDOOR SPREENT.

MPT BROADCASTING BOTH.

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING NEXT WEDNESDAY?

>> Dereck Davis:.

>> Bryan Sears: IF THE RUMORS HOLD, I THINK WE'RE EXPECTING CROWDS MAYBE ALONG THE LINES OF SOME OF THE LARGEST CROWDS WE'VE SEEN GATHER FOR THE INAUGURATION OF A GOVERNOR HERE IN MARYLAND.

WES MOORE COMES IN.

HE'LL BE THE 63rd EXECUTIVE OFFICER THE STATE BUT HE'S THE FIRST BLACK MAN HOB ELECTED TO THIRD BLACK GOVERNOR ELECTED IN THE UNITED STATES.

SO IT'S -- IT'S A HISTORICAL MOMENT FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

THERE'S A HISTORICAL MOMENT AT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S POSITION.

WE HAVE A BLACK ATTORNEY GENERAL 40 FIRST TIME IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, AND ON MONDAY WE'RE STWEARG IN THE FIRST WOMAN TO BE ELECTED AS COMPTROLLER.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON.

AND I THINK WHAT WE SEED ON WEDNESDAY IS GOING TO BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THAT.

>> Jeff: SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG DRAW FOR AN AREA AROUND THE STATE HOUSE ON "STATE CIRCLE" THAT DOESN'T EASILY ACCOMMODATE DIG BIG CROWNDZ.

ONE THING WE ALWAYS SEE ON INAUGURATION DAY IS BAD.

I THINK IT'S IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT IT EITHER HAS TO SNOW OR BE 20 DEGREES OUT.

THE CURRENT FORECAST, AND DON'T HOLD US TO IT, IS A NICE DAY, BUT NOT A LOT OF SPACE AND NOT A LOT OF PARKING.

>> Bryan Sears: NO, AND THEY'RE CLOSING SOME OF THE ROADS.

THEIR THERE ARE ELECTRONIC BOIRPDZ NOW AROUND ANNAPOLIS WARNING OF CLOSURES AROUND THE STATE HOUSE COMPLEX TO ACCOMMODATE SOME OF THOSE CROWDS.

WE ARE HOPING FOR NICE WEATHER BUT I WILL STELL -- TELL YOU I CAN -- I WAS HERE FORE GOVERNOR EHRLICH'S STWEARG IN AND IT WAS SO COLD IT TOOK ME HOURS BEFORE I COULD FEEL MY LEGS AGAIN.

IT SNOWED THEN.

IT SNOWED WHEN GOVERNOR HOGAN WAS FIRST SWORN IN.

AND I THINK A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE HE WAS SWORN IN THE SECOND TIME WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT SNOW THAT CAUSED THEM TO HAVE TO GO OUT ON THE LAWN AND CLEAR THING UP TO MAKE IT SAFE FOR VISITORS.

>> Jeff: I'M WITH YOU.

I DON'T BELIEVE THE FORECAST AT THIS POINT.

THAT WOULD BE A SURPRISE.

SO THE GOVERNOR-ELECT HAS BEEN BUSY.

HE HAS ROLLED OUT A NUMBER OF CABINET APPOINTMENTS, OTHER KEY OFFICIALS.

STATE SENATOR SUSAN LEE IS THE NEW SECRETARY OF STATE.

A LOT OF THESE THINGS WHERE IT'S A LEGISLATOR BEING APPOINTED IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH CREATES A VACANCY IN THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES, AND THEN WE HAVE A CASCADE OF APPOINTMENTS.

>> Bryan Sears: YEAH, AND WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THAT.

THE FORTUNATE THING IS BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF NEW ELECTED MEMBERS TO THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, I THINK THERE'S 40 NEW -- ROUGHLY 40 NEW MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE ALREADY, WE'RE SEEING A MORE -- A SLOWER PACE, IF YOU WILL, MAYBE SOMETHING THAT LOOKS A LOT MORE LIKE THE PACE THAT WE WERE USED TO AT THE BEGINNING OF SESSIONS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND SO I THINK THAT THERE'S NOT A LOT OF HEAVY LIFTING GOING ON IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME SIGNIFICANT EVENTS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT WEEK BEYOND THE INAUGURATION, TWO DAYS AFTER THE SNAWRGS THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO HAVE TO PRESENT HIS FIRST BUDGET TO THE LEGISLATURE, AND SO THERE'S A LOT OF SORT OF BUILT-IN LEAD TIME THERE TO GET PEOPLE IN PLACE AND GET THEM AS UP TO SPEED AS YOU CAN GET ANYBODY UP TO SPEED IN THEIR FIRST FEW DAYS IN THEIR FIRST SESSION.

>> Jeff: LET'S FOCUS ON THE BUDGET A LITTLE BIT.

AT OUR TAPING TIME I DON'T BELIEVE I HAVE SEEN THE APPOINTMENT OF A BUDGET OFFICIAL, SO WHOEVER THE BUDGET SECRETARY IS IS GOING TO TO HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO VERY QUICKLY, AND A NEW GOVERNOR'S BUDGET IS ALWAYS LARGELY THE WORK OF THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE PRIORITIES OF THE NEW GOVERNOR?

AND MAYBE TO SET THE STAGE A LITTLE BIT, THE STATE HAS HUGE SURPLUSES AND A HUGE RAINY DAY FUND, IN PART DUE TO FEDERAL AID DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> Bryan Sears: THAT IS A MEGALODON SIZED CHURCHG THAT YOU JUST BIT OUT OF EVERYTHING.

THE BUDGET, WE KNOW ONLY SMALL THINGS ABOUT THE BUDGET PRIORITIES OF THE INCOMING GOVERNOR.

WE DO HAVE A BUDGET SECRETARY.

THAT WAS ONE OF HIS FIRST EARLY APPOINTMENTS BEFORE THERE WAS A PAUSE IN APPOINTMENTS.

MOST OF THIS WILL BE THE WORK OF THE CURRENT GOVERNOR WITH SOME INPUT.

FORTUNATELY THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY HERE FOR THE INCOMING GOVERNOR TO SEND DOWN BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND TO WORK WITH -- HE'S GOT A SUPER MAJORITY DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE IN BOTH CHAMBERS THAT'S ANXIOUS TO WORK WITH HIM.

>> Jeff: AND IT'S EVEN A BIGGER SUPER MAJORITY THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR SEANCHTS.

>> Bryan Sears: THAT'S CORRECT.

AND ALSO THEY HAVE SIGNIFICANT BUDGET HOUSES ARE POWRSZ THEMSELVES NOW AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGE IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION, SO GOVERNOR-ELECT WES MOORE, WHEN HE BECOMES GOVERNOR WES MOORE, WILL NOT HAVE TO DELIVER HIS FULL AND FINAL BUDGET ON FRIDAY.

THERE WILL BE LOTS OF TIME TO WORK.

THEY HAVE AT THAT POINT 80-SOME DAYS TO WORK ON IT TO GET A FINAL PACKAGE, AND I THINK PROBABLY THEY WILL USE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THAT TO GET IT RIGHT AND REPRESENT THE PRIORITIES OF BOTH THE CHAMBER AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

>> Jeff: HOW IS THE LEGISLATURE GOING TO TONGUES FUNCTION -- FUNCTION?

WE'VE HAD YEARS OF DISRUPTIONS FROM COVID AND ACCOMMODATIONS FOR VIRTUAL COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

IT WAS THE PLAN FOR THIS YEAR?

>> Bryan Sears: INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH THE PLAN FOR THIS YEAR IS GOILGT LOOK A LOT LIKE IT DID THEY START OF 2020 BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE ALMOST NO RESTRICTIONS DOWN HERE.

ALL OF THE COMMITTEES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE WILL BE BACK TO MEETING IN PERSON WP ONE REALLY IMPORTANT CHANGE THAT CARRIED OVER FROM THE PANDEMIC IS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO, BOTH CHAMBERS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ALLOW FOLKS TO TESTIFY REMOTELY SO WE WILL HAVE WHAT THEY'RE CALLING A HYBRID APPROACH WHERE THERE WILL BE A COMBINATION OF PEOPLE WHO COME TO NAPTS ANNAPOLIS AND TESTIFY IN PERSON BUT ALSO IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT WE WILL HAVE PEOPLE TESTIFYING FROM THE FAR FLUNG CORNERS OF MARYLAND WHO CAN DO IT FROM HERR LIVING ROOM OR THEIR HOME OFFICE OR PERHAPS EVEN A COFFEE SHOP AND STILL BE ABLE TO DROP IN AND TESTIFY ON A BILL.

>> Jeff: THE LAST THING I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT WAS WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE GOVERNOR-ELECT'S PLANS WITH RESPECT TO REVIVING THE REDLINE.

THE GOVERNOR-ELECT OF, A BALTIMORE RESIDENT, APARTMENT OFFICIALS HAVE LONG SOUGHT A NEW EAST-WEST TRANSPORTATION OPTION DESIGNED AS LIGHT RAIL.

GOVERNOR HOGAN VETOED IT, SAYING THAT A PARTICULAR ASPECT OF IT, A NEW TUNNEL WAS GOING TO BE A BOONDOGGLE.

WE KNOW IT'S SOMETHING THE NEW GOVERNOR WILL WANT TO DO.

DO WE KNOW WHEN OR WHAT FORM IT MIGHT TAKE?

>> Bryan Sears: WE DON'T YET KNOW, AND AS YOU KNOW, THESE THINGS TAKE TIME.

THE ORIGINAL MORE FORMATION OF RED LINE PACKAGE THAT GOVERNOR HOGAN ULTIMATELY NIXED IN 2015 WAS THE CULMINATION OF YEARS OF WORK THAT DATED BACK TO, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER WHEN JIM SMITH WAS COUNTY EXECUTIVE BALTIMORE COUNTY.

HE FINISHED HIS TERM FIVE YEARS EARLIER THAN THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THE ENDING OF THAT PROJECT.

SO NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN FAST.

AND WHAT THAT ULTIMATELY LOOKS LIKE, WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CORRESPONDS GOING TO BE -- COSTS ARE GOING TO BE.

I THINK WE'RE ALL WATCHING THIS.

THERE'S AN INTEREST IN GOING SOMETHING DONE AND GETTING SOMETHING DONE FAST.

THERE'S BEEN CONVERSATION ABOUT RAPID BUS.

PRESIDING OFFICERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT AN EXPANDED VERSION OF THIS, PERHAPS ONE THAT RUNS OUT TO TRADE POINT TRADEPOINT ATLANTIC AT THE OALTDZ OLD BETHLEHEM STEEL SPARROW POINT PLANT.

WE JUST DO NOT KNOW.

I THINK THE FUTURE IS WIDE OPEN ON THAT.

>> Jeff: LOTS TO FOLLOW.

READ BRYAN SEARS AT THEDAILYRECORD.COM.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OUR THANKS TO MR. SEARS.

AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

JOIN US EVERY WEEK AT THIS TIME AS WE BRING THE STATE HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE.

WE'RE BACK BEYOND WITH "DIRECT CONNECTION," YOUR CHANCE TO ASK THE EXPERTS.

THE JOIN US MONDAY NIGHT AT 7:00.

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

CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN