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: FEEDING OUR ADDICTION TO DATA.

>> WE DO BELIEVE THAT THE INDUSTRY ARE NEEDS TRANSPARENCY.

>> Jeff: BETTING ON GAMBLING REVENUES.

>> WHAT MAKES VIRGINIA DIFFERENT FROM MARYLAND?

THEY LOOKED AT WHAT PENNSYLVANIA HAS DONE AND DELAWARE INCREASING REVENUES AND SAID WHY NOT VIRGINIA AND I'M SAYING WHY NOT MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: AND GRAMMY WINNERS IN THE STATE HOUSE ♪CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT THIS WOULD BE?

[♪♪] CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG STORE AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK IS BIG DATA THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE REVOLUTION IS DRIVING A RUSH TO BUILD MORE POWER GUZZLING DATA CENTERS AND THAT MAYBE DRIVING UP EVERYONE'S UTILITY BILLS.

>> A GROUP ADVOCATING FOR MORE DATA CENTER REGULATION IS PUSHING FOR A PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT WOULD SUIT MORE TRANSPARENT DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE.

WHILE THAT IS WHAT THIS GROUP WANTS, MANY OTHERS OPPOSE DATA CENTERS ESPECIALLY IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

>> MARYLANDERS CANNOT AFFORD THE COST TO OUR COMMUNITIES, THE COST TO OUR ENVIRONMENT, AND DEFINITELY NOT THE COST TO OUR ELECTRIC BILLS.

>> A COALITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMUNITY GROUPS GATHERED IN ANNAPOLIS CALLING FOR OVERSIGHT AS DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT EXPANDS ACROSS MARYLAND.

>> WE DO BELIEVE THAT THE INDUSTRY NEEDS TRANSPARENCY AND WE BELIEVE WE NEED STATE LAWS THAT REQUIRE THE TRANSPATTERNSY OF WHERE THEY ARE BEING BUILT, WHY THEY ARE BEING BUILT.

>> THE GROUP KNOWN AS MARYLANDERS FOR DATA REFORM COALITION REPRESENTS 50 ORGANIZATIONS PUSHING LAWMAKERS TO PASS SEVERAL BILLS AIMED AT MAKING FUTURE DATA CENTERS MORE SUSTAINABLE AND TRANSPARENT.

>> WE KNOW THERE ARE BENEFITS THAT COME WITH DATA CENTERS.

THERE'S GOOD CONSTRUCTION JOBS WE KNOW THERE'S TAX REVENUE.

WE KNOW DATA CENTERS ARE COMING BUT THERE ARE COSTS AS WELL.

AND UNFORTUNATELY WE DON'T HAVE THE NUMBER WE DON'T HAVE THE COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS WITH US YET.

>> MY BILL IS SIMPLE IT REQUIRES COUNTIES TO DO A PLAN FOR WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DATA CENTERS APPLY OR COME IN.

>> RIGHT NOW THE STATE IS SEEING A DRASTIC INCREASE IN DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT WITH FOUR PROJECTS UNDERWAY.

>> IF WE BRING THEM CLOSE TO RESIDENTIAL OR INDUSTRIAL AREAS AS A COMMUNITY MEMBER SAID THERE IS NO INDUSTRIAL CENTER AND RESIDENTIAL AREA WE ARE ALL BREATHING THE AIR IN IT WILL AFFECT ALL.

>> WE DON'T WANT DATA CENTERS NEAR RESIDENTIAL AREAS EITHER.

I WOULD SAY IT IS A PLACE FOR YOU.

THE BEAUTY OF OUR COALITION WE HAVE GROUPS WHO ARE COMPLETELY AGAINST DATA CENTERS BEING BUILT.

>> THE COALITION HELD THE FIRST LOBPY DAY IN ANNAPOLIS URGING LAWMAKERS TO MOVE THE LEGISLATION FORWARD BEFORE THE END OF THE SESSION.

>> Jeff: THIS MORNING THE GOVERNOR, HOUSE SPEAKER AND SENATE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED AGREEMENT ON A LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE INTENDED TO LOWER ENERGY BILLS.

THEY PROMISE AVERAGE FAMILY SAVINGS OF $150 A YEAR.

ELEMENTS INCLUDE MAKING DATA CENTERS PAY FOR POWER INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES AND THE PLAN WOULD MOVE $100 MILLION IN AN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY FUND TO SUBSIDIZE UTILITY BILLS.

A NEW TECH TAX ON BUSINESSES IS BRINGING IN LESS REVENUE THAN FORECAST.

THAT WAS PART OF A GENERALLY POSITIVE REPORT FROM THE BOARD OF REVENUE ESTIMATES.

THAT COMES RIGHT BEFORE LAWMAKERS START VOTING ON THE BUDGET NEXT WEEK AS SUE COPPIN REPORTS THE LURE OF GAMBLING REVENUE IS GETTING ANOTHER LOOK.

>> PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY SENATOR RON WATSON HAS BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD BEFORE AS THE SPONSOR OF THE I GAMING LEGISLATION AND IS HOPING A GAMING THREAT FROM VIRGINIA MIGHT CHANGE THE OUTCOME.

>> THERE ARE SENATORS ANDING DELEGATIONS HAVE SAID WE ARE TIRED OF SEEING OUR MONEY GOING TO MARYLAND AND THEY WANT TO CAPTURE THAT.

WHAT MAKES VIRGINIA SO MUCH DIFFERENT?

THEY LOOKED WHAT PENNSYLVANIA HAS DONE.

THEY LOOKED WHAT DELAWARE HAS DONE AND THEY SAID WHY NOT VIRGINIA?

>> ONE ADDITION TO THE BILL BINGO.

>> SOME OF THE BINGO HALLS HAVE SPORTS BETTING LICENSES WE WANTED TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE IF WE GO ON-LINE GAMING AND GAMING OPERATOR PUTS ON SOME FORM OF BINGO THAT COULD ERODE WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR BINGO HALLS.

>>ED BILL WOULD GO TO REFERENDUM THE LICENSEES KEEPING 80% PROCEEDS AND 60% OF PROCEEDS FOR ON-LINE BINGO.

THE LEGISLATION CALLS FOR A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS FROM I GAMING AND BINGO TO BE DISTRIBUTED INCLUDING ONE% OF THE GAMING AND CONTROL COMMISSION FOR REGULATORY ACTIVITIES.

5% FOR EDUCATION.

FOR THE FIRST 12 MONTHS, UP TO 10 MILLION DOLLARS MUST GO TO A NEWLY CREATED VIDEO LOTTERY FACILITY EMPLOYEE DISPLACEMENT FUND.

OPERATED BY MARYLAND'S DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO HELP DISPLACED VIDEO LOTTERY EMPLOYEES.

AND WHATEVER PROCEEDS ARE LEFT GO TO THE BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE FUND AND THAT POSSIBLE LOSS OF JOBS THAT HAS MANY WORKERS CONCERNED.

>> THE FOOT TRAFFIC IN THE CASINOS GO DOWN WHICH MEANS YOU DON'T NEED AS MANY HOUSEKEEPER AND FOOD WORKERS AND CASINO WORKERS BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN PULL OUT THEIR CELLPHONE AND START GAMING.

>> A REPRESENTATIVE FOR MGM TOLD LAWMAKERS AT A SENATE HEARING, SOME BRICK AND MORTAR SITES IN STATES HAVE FOUND IT PAYS OFF.

>> WE HAVE SEEN IN MICHIGAN, I BELIEVE ABOUT 7% GUEST INCREASE.

SO FOR US, THIS IS A WAY TO BRING MORE PEOPLE INTO THE PROPERTY.

REACH FURTHER INTO THE STATES AND PEOPLE COME IN WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE PROPERTY TO THE TUNE OF 20%, WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE OF NEW VISITATION BASED ON PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE GAMES ON-LINE.

>> ANOTHER SUPPORTER TOLD THE LAWMAKERS THE STATE STANDS TO BENEFIT, ESPECIALLY IN FINANCIALLY CHALLENGED TIMES.

>> AS THE STATE FACES MORE DIFFICULT BUDGET DECISIONS WE HAVE TO CONSIDER LONG-TERM REVENUE STREAMS THAT PROTECT PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>> RECOVERING GAMBLING ADDICT WHO LOST HIS BUSINESS AND IS FACING LEGAL CHALLENGES, THE CONSEQUENCESES OF HIS ADDICTION SAYS THERE'S MORE AT STAKE.

>> THIS IS REALLY ABOUT PEOPLE AND PROTECTING THE CITIZENS OF MARYLAND.

GAMBLING ADDICTS EXIST.

THEY WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST.

AND THEY WILL ONLY BE TEWELLED BY ADDITIONAL METHOD OF GAMBLING AND THE CONVENIENCE AND ACCESSIBILITY.

>> THE BILL WOULD TAKE EFFECT JULY 1, 2026 IF APPROVED ON REFERENDUM.

I'M SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND SENATE PRESIDENT MICKEY STEINBERG PASSED AWAY THIS WEEK.

HE SERVED 29 YEARS IN THE SENATE INCLUDING THE LAST FOUR AS SENATE PRESIDENT.

IN 1987-1995 HE SERVED AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WITH GOVERNOR SCHAEFER.

CURRENT SENATE PRESIDENT BILL FERGUSON RECALLED HIS LEADERSHIP DURING THE SAVINGS AND LOAN CRISIS INTEREST I WAS ALWAYS IMPRESSED WITH HIS ABILITY TO STAND UP TO PRESSURE TO DO WHAT WAS RIGHT FOR THE PEEP OF MARYLAND.

SOMETHING THAT I TRY TO HARNESS AND LOOK INTO IN MY OWN APPROACH BY LEARNING FROM THOSE WHO DID IT.

THE SAVINGS AND LOAN CRISIS THE GOVERNOR AND THE HOUSE WERE LOCK STEP TOGETHER FOR A RESOLUTION.

THE SENATE STOOD STRONG BECAUSE OF HIS LEADERSHIP AND WE GOT A BETTER DEAL AS A RESULT.

>> Jeff: HE WAS 92 YEARS OLD.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ANTHONY BROWN IS TRYING TO REVERSE PLANS BY FEDERAL IMMIGRATION TO OPEN A GIANT NEW IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTER.

THE NEARLY 1 MILLION SQUARE-FOOT WAREHOUSE WAS ACQUIRED BY THE FEDS FOR $102 MILLION IN JANUARY.

AND A CONTRACT TO CONVERT THE BUILDING TO A WAREHOUSE FOR PEOPLE WAS ISSUED TO A GETTYSBURG FIRM.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS THE WORK CANNOT BE STARTED WITHOUT AN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND A FEDERAL JUDGE AGREED ISSUED A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER.

THE AG IS SUING I.C.E.

FOR DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS IN THE HOLDING AREAS OF THE FEDERAL BUILDING IN BALTIMORE.

>> SHOULD BANKERS BLOCK TRANSACTIONS WHEN THEY SUSPECT SOMEONE IS BEING SCAMMED?

NANCY YAMADA HAS THAT STORY.

>> IN SEPTEMBER OF 23, I RECEIVED A CALL THAT APPEARED TO COME FROM THE ROCKVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE CALLER CLAIMED I WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR FRAUD AND MONEY-LAUNDERING.

>> 81-YEAR-OLD JUDITH FROM ROCKVILLE TOLD LAWMAKERS IN THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE ABOUT THE PHONE CALL THAT CHANGED HER LIFE.

>> HE TOLD ME I NEEDED TO COOPERATE IN A COVERT OPERATION TO PROVE MY INNOCENCE.

HE CALLED MORNING AND NIGHT.

INSISTED ON SECRECY AND PRESSURED ME TO LIQUIDATE ALL MY FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS.

>> SHE LOST ALMOST $600,000 TO SCAMMERS WHO ARE TARGETING THE ELDERLY.

SHE SHARES HER STORY IN HOPES THAT LAWMAKERS WILL PASS THE VULNERABLE ADULT BANKING PROTECTION ACT.

>> THIS BILL AUTHORIZES FIDUCIARY INSTITUTION AS WHEN THEY REASONABLY SUSPECT FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION TO DELAY OR DENY SUSPICIOUS DISBURSEMENTS FROM AN ACCOUNT BELONGING TO A SENIOR OR VULNERABLE ADULT TO NOTIFY APPROPRIATE PARTIES SUCH AS TRUSTED CONTACTS, ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES OR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR INSTITUTIONS ACTING IN GOOD FAITH, ADVOCATING FOR THE BILL IS AARP OF MARYLAND A CONSUMER ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION FOR PEOPLE OVER 50 YEARS OLD.

THEY SAY SCAMS TARGETING THE ELDERLY ARE ON THE RISE AMONG THE MOST POPULAR, IMPOSTER SCAMS, EMPLOYMENT SCAMS, ON-LINE SHOPPING SCAMS AND INVESTMENT SCAMS.

>> ONCE MONEY LEAVES AN ACCOUNT IT IS ALMOST NEVER RECOVERED THE ONLY EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION IS STOPPING TRANSACTIONS BEFORE FUNDS DISAPPEAR OFTEN OVERSEAS AND WITHIN MINUTES.

>> AARP ADVOCACY DIRECTOR SAYS ALWAYS QUESTION AND BE SKEPTICAL WHEN RECEIVING AN UNSOLICITED E-MAIL, TEXT OR PHONE CALL.

>> TRUST YOUR INUSE ITION AND YOUR GUT AND ALWAYS TAKE A PAUSE BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING DRASTIC LIKE WITHDRAW MONEY AND SEND IT TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL WHO YOU HAVE NOT VERIFIED THEIR IDENTITY.

>> AS FOR JUDITH... >> IT WAS SUCH A HORRIFIC SITUATION I DID NOT WANT ANYONE ELSE TO GO THROUGH THIS.

>> HEALING COMES FROM SHARING HER STORY, INCLUDING THE FALLOUT FROM LOSING HER LIFE SAVINGS.

>> WE WERE COUNTING ON THAT MONEY TO LIVE FOR THESE LAST YEARS OF OUR LIFE.

AND SO IT'S BEEN A REAL REROUTEING OF OUR LIFESTYLE.

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

>> Jeff: A CONTROVERSY CONCERNING THE MARYLAND STATE FLAG IS RESULTED IN NEW LEGISLATION BEING RUN UP THE FIGURATIVE FLAG POLE.

THE SENATOR IS PROPOSED ENSHRINING THE FLAG IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

GOVERNOR MOORE SPOKEN ABOUT CONTRADICTIONS IN OUR MULTIPART FLAG WITH RED AND WHITE SECTIONS MAY HAVE ONCE BEEN CARRIED BY CONFEDERATE TROOPS.

THE GOVERNOR SAID NO CHANGES WOULD BE MADE TO THE FLAG AND THE SENATOR'S BILL WAS SIDETRACKED BY BEING SENT TO THE RULES COMMITTEE DUE TO ITS LATE FILING.

[♪♪] JOINING US NOW FOR THE INIDANAPOLIS FACE OFF ARE MARC ELRICH OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND JULIE GIORDANO OF WICOMICO COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING TIME I KNOW IT IS A BUSY TIME OF THE YEAR.

THE LEGISLATURE IS TWO-THIRDS COMPLETE.

IN SALISBURY, TELL US WHAT ISSUES YOU ARE FOLLOWING MOST CLOSELY?

>> YEAH, SO THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING US.

WE WERE WATCHING A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WAS THE 287G BILL THAT WAS A BILL DEAL.

WE SIGNED ON TO A 287 AGREEMENT AND DUE TO THE RAPID MOVEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION THAT WE HAD TO END THAT AGREEMENT.

SO WE'VE BEEN WATCHING THOSE BILLS CLOSELY.

A COUPLE OF THE HOUSING BILLS AND OF COURSE, PAYING ATTENTION TO THE PUSH DOWN ON THE COUNTY.

SO WE ARE UP TO $9 MILLION RIGHT NOW THAT WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

YOU KNOW THERE'S A FEW THINGS WE ARE LOOKING AT AT THIS POINT.

>> Jeff: WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN FOCUSED ON?

>> SIMILAR THINGS, 287G AGREEMENT AND WE WILL NOT HAVE A 287G AGREEMENT.

OUR VIEW IS THIS IS HUMAN RIGHT ISSUE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE AND OUGHT TO BE UNIFORM ACROSS THE STATE.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT THAT.

I DO SHARE WE'VE TAKEN A LITTLE BIT OF A HIT SO FAR OF THINGS PUSHED DOWN ON THE COUNTY.

SOME THINGS WILL BE PUSHED DOWN INDIRECTLY WHEN THE STATE CUTS FUNDING FOR DD AND GROUPS THAT PROVIDE SERVICES TO PEOPLE.

OFTEN INCREASES THE DEMAND AT THE LOCAL LEVEL TO PROVIDE FUNDING SO THEY DON'T GO UNDER.

WE'VE IN MY BUDGET WE'VE CONTINUED TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN DISABILITY SERVICES AND OTHER THINGS BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE GOING TO FACE BECAUSE OF THAT.

OF COURSE WE'RE FOLLOWING THE HOUSING BILL.

I'M NOT A FAN OF PARTS OF THE BILL.

I THINK THAT THIS NOTION THAT SOMEHOW THEY NEED TO GO INTO SINGLE FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS AND TAKE THEM UP IS NOT A REALLY GOOD IDEA.

COUNTY LIKE OURS IS ZONED FOR MORE HOUSING THAN WE NEED OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS.

AND THE IDEA OF GOING BACK INTO NEIGHBORHOODS AND RIPPING THEM APART INSTEAD OF PLAN FOR IT, IS A LITTLE BIT DISTURBING TO ME.

WE ARE HOPING WE CAN DEMONSTRATE TO THE STATE THAT WE ARE PRODUCING HOUSING.

I'VE PRODUCED PROBABLY BETWEEN 9 AND 10,000 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS ALONE IN MY LAST SEVEN YEARS.

SO I THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT HAPPENING AT THE STATE AND POTENTIAL FOR MANY THINGS TO AFFECT US.

>> Jeff: LET'S PICK UP THE ISSUES ONE AT A TIME ON IMMIGRATION.

THINK ABOUT YOUR TWO COUNTIES YOU BOTH HAVE MANY, MANY IMMIGRANTS.

YOU HAVE LEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND PEOPLE UNAUTHORIZED OR UNDOCUMENTED.

WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN AND LET'S START ON THE EASTERN SHORE IN TERMS OF I.C.E.

ENFORCEMENT IN YOUR COUNTY?

>> YEAH, SO, WE HAD ACTUALLY A LIMITED AMOUNT OF I.C.E.

ENFORCEMENT AT THE TIME.

WE WERE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THEM IN OUR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES SO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WERE THAT SEEING IT.

EVERYTHING WAS HAPPENING BEHIND THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR JAIL.

WHEN WE HAVE THE 287G IN PLACE.

PRIOR TO THAT WE WERE WORKING WITH I.C.E.

AGENTS IF SOMEBODY WAS BEING RELEASED AT THAT TIME WE WOULD CALL I.C.E.

IF THEY HAD A DETAINER THEY WOULD MEET THEM AT THE FACILITY SO THE COMMUNITY WAS NOT SEEING THAT.

SINCE THIS BILL HAS BEEN PUT INTO PLACE WE HAVE SEEN AN UPTICK OF I.C.E.

IN OUR COMMUNITY ON OUR STREETS WHICH WE SAID IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO AVOID.

WE HAVE SEEN AN UPTICK IN IT.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED IN POWN BUT WE HAVE SEEN MORE I.C.E.

AGENTS OUT ON THE STREET.

>> Jeff: OF COURSE YOU GUYS ARE NEXT TO THE NATION'S CAPITAL.

WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN THERE?

>> THEY HAVE BEEN AGGRESSIVELY ENFORCING IT ON THE STREETS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

THEY ARE IN SOME COMMUNITIES HEAVIER THAN OTHERS.

THEY ARE NOT LOOKING FOR THE WORST OF THE WORST.

IF THEY WERE WE'D HAVE VERY LITTLE TO DEBATE.

THEY CAN FIND THEM IN THE JAIL.

BUT WE ARE SEEING IS JUST KIDS BEING PICKED UP LITERALLY TEENAGERS, YOUNG ADULTS.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOREVER WHO HAVE JOBS SOME PEOPLE HAVE COMPANIES THEY ARE NOT MOST OF THE PEOPLE THEY'VE PICKED UP IN OUR COUNTY HAVE NOT COMMITTED A CRIME.

AND THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN OUR CONCERN ABOUT THIS POLICY AND I WILL NOTICE THE PRESIDENT SUDDENLY SAID PLEASE DON'T TALK ABOUT MASS DEPORTATION IT IS NOT A GOOD POLICY EITHER.

IT THREATENS WE HAVE RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES THAT RELY ON IMMIGRANT LABOR.

TELLING US THAT THEY ARE NOT THEY ARE LOSING THEIR EMPLOYEES.

IT IMPACTS CONSTRUCTION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

IT IMPACTS A RANGE OF INDUSTRIES IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE EMPLOYEES THE COMPANIES CEASE TO FUNCTION AND THERE IS NO TAX REVENUE.

IT IS NOT LIKE A HUGE ARMY OF UNEMPLOYED READY TO TAKE THE JOBS THAT IMMIGRANTS WILL NO LONGER FILL.

WHEN THE PEOPLE GO AWAY THE JOBS GO AWAY AND BUSINESSES START TO GO AWAY.

TO ME, THEIR ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN VISIBLE.

WE DO TRANSFER SOME PEOPLE OUT OF THE JAIL.

WE WORK WITH I.C.E.

FOR MORE THAN A FEW YEARS.

AND WE HAD A LIST OF THE WORST OF THE WORST.

THEY SAID THIS IS WHAT THEY WANTED THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN PEOPLE DOING PETTY STUFF THEY WERE INTERESTED IN CRIMINALS AND GANG MEMBERS SO WE WORKED THROUGH A LIST SO THERE ARE PEOPLE WE DID TRANSFER TO I.C.E.

AT THE JAIL.

IT IS NOT LIKE WE DON'T DO ANYTHING.

WE STAYED AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO WHATEVER THEY DID WAS PETTY AND DIDN'T AMOUNT TO, LIKE A TRAFFIC THING THAT LANDS YOU IN JAIL.

>> Jeff: I KNOW YOU ARE WORKING ON YOUR BUDGET AT OUR TAPING TIME, THINK ABOUT YOUR COUNTY A LOT OF FEDERAL WORKERS A LOT OF FEDERAL JOBS HAVE BEEN CUT AS YOU PREPARE THE BUDGET YOU TALKED ABOUT MORE EXPENSES ROLLING DOWN FROM THE STATE, HOW DOES IT LOOK THERE?

>> SO FAR WE HAVE ANOTHER TRANCHE OF THE PENSION SHIFT TO US.

THERE'S MONEY THE STATE IS NOT GOING TO HAVE TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS WE ARE FACED WITH DECISIONS WHETHER OR NOT TO TUND THEM.

THE BIGGEST THREATS COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR EXAMPLE, IF HE WANTED TO GET RID OF RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM IF THEY GOT RID OF THAT PROGRAM, WE'D LOSE $7.5 MILLION WE PUT 500 FAMILIES ON THE STREETS.

WE'D HAVE NO WAY OF MANAGING NOT LIKE I HAVE 500 AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS VACANT.

SO THERE ARE REAL ISSUES WITH THINGS THAT ARE LANDING ON US.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT PIECE IS ALSO BIG.

WE HAVE LOST 15,000 JOBS.

WE'VE LOST THOUSANDS OF JOBS IN THE COMPANIES THAT SUPPORT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND THE AVERAGE PAY IN THESE JOBS IS $130-$150,000 AND YOU MULTIPLY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, YOU WINDUP WITH A LOT OF INCOME AND A LOT OF LOST INCOME TAX THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS JARRING OUR BUDGET PROJECTIONS HAS BEEN ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT EMPLOYMENT AND THE IMPACT ON THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR COUNTY TAX REVENUES IT IS UNESCAPABLE.

>> Jeff: YOUR LOCAL BUDGET PICTURE THERE?

>> YES, SO WE'RE FACING THE SAME WOWS BUT OURS ARE FROM THE STATE WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY FEDERAL WORKERS AS MONTGOMERY COUNTY DOES.

I WILL SAY WE WERE SAFE THERE.

BUT I WILL SAY THE STATE AND THE STATE OF MARYLAND AT THEIR FINANCIAL WOES ARE JUST REALLY HURTING US AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

WE ARE DISPARITY COUNTY WE'VE HAD $2.5 MILLION CUT FROM THAT.

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 100% OF OUR TEACHER PENSIONS WHO ARE STATE EMPLOYEES.

WE NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR PRE-K 273,000.

MINE AND MARK'S BUDGET ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT AND HIS COUNTY IS LARGER, BUT $9 MILLION HIT FROM THE STATE IS HUGE IN MY COUNTY.

WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE BECAUSE IT IS AFFECTING THINGS LIKE EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND PUTTING REINVESTING BACK IN OUR COMMUNITIES WE WILL HAVE TO BE DILIGENT HOW WE DO OUR BUDGET.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK HOUSING THERE IS A FEDERAL HOUSING BILL THAT'S MOVING AND THE GOVERNOR HAS A PROPOSAL AT THE STATE LEVEL.

MARK, YOU MENTIONED THAT COUNTIES LIKE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF ZONING AND LOCAL DECISIONS.

IF BOTH OF THESE PASS, WHAT IS THE IMPACT?

>> WELL, WE WOULD LOSE A LOT OF CONTROL OVER ZONING.

AND WE WOULD GET NO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WHEN YOU READ THE LEGISLATION, THERE'S ZERO REQUIREMENT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOU ARE THROWING THIS AT THE WALL.

AND WHAT THE COUNTY WOULD LIKELY SEE IS MORE DISPLACEMENT OF LOWER INCOME FOLKS IN ORDER TO MAKE ROOM FOR THIS DIFFERENT HOUSING TYPE.

BUT THERE'S NOT BEEN DEMAND.

WE HAVE DEVELOPERS WHO TOLD THE PLANNING BOARD THAT THEY WANT OUT OF THEIR HIGH-RISE ZONING AND WANT PROJECT APPROVALS FOR TOWNHOUSES BECAUSE THERE IS NO MARKET FOR THE STUFF WE'VE ZONED FOR OFTEN HIGH-RISE WHICH IS EXPENSIVE.

SO WE'RE NOT SEEING A HUGE DEMAND A COUPLE WEEKS AGO ONE OF THE JOURNALS TALKED ABOUT HOUSING IN THE AREA AND SAID THERE WAS AN ABSORPTION PROBLEM IT IS ANOTHER WORD FOR LACK OF DEMAND.

THE UNITS WOULD HAVE BEEN ABSORBED.

I THINK IT IS A SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM AND IT COMES OUT OF THIS POLITICALLY CORRECT NOTION THAT SINGLE FAMILY ZONING IS A SINISTER PLOT AND I'VE HEARD THE PLANNING DIRECTOR SAY THAT AND IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY WE WERE SEGREGATED UNTIL 1967 BECAUSE OF COVENANTS ON THE PROPERTY.

AND THE MOST PROPERTY IN THE COUNTY HAD A COVENANT THAT SAID YOU COULD NOT RENT OR SELL TO A BLACK OR JEW THAT ENDED IN '67.

ONCE THAT ENDED THE NEIGHBORHOODS INTEGRATED.

IT WAS THOSE COVENANTS.

SO THEY ARE PICKING THE WRONG TARGET.

AND THEY OUGHT TO LOOK WHAT WE'RE DOING WE ARE ASKING THEM TO LOOK AT HOW MANY UNITS WE HAVE APPROVED WE ARE NOT LIKE SOME JURISDICTIONS WHERE THERE IS A CONCERN FOR LACK OF APPROVED UNITS.

WE ARE NOT A JURISDICTION THAT REZONES THINGS THAT YOU CAN'T DEVELOPMENT THERE IS MORE DEVELOPMENT.

>> Jeff: JULIE, CERTAINLY WICOMICO COUNTY IS A LOT DIFFERENT FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE?

HIM.

YEAH, I WOULD SAY HONESTLY THE MOST FRUSTRATING PART SIMILAR TO WHAT MARK IS DEALING WITH OUR PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR IS JUST AS FRUSTRATED.

SHE USED TO WORK FOR THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND WE WERE ABLE TO SCOOP HER UP AND SHE RUNS OUR PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT.

BUT TAKING THAT LOCAL AUTHORITY AWAY HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING.

EVERY JURISDICTION IS DIFFERENT AND THIS ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL IS NOT GOING TO WORK ACROSS THE STATE.

EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT OUR TWO COUNTIES.

>> Jeff: DO YOU HAVE AN IMBALANCE NOW IN YOUR COUNTY IN TERMS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND ON HOUSING?

>> YEAH, RIGHT NOW OUR SUPPLY IS LOW AND DEMAND IS HIGH.

WE ACTUALLY WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS THAT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF AN UPTICK I WAS TALKING TO THE REALTORS ASSOCIATION AND THEY ARE HAVING AN ISSUE TOO.

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF CONVERSATION WITH THEM.

I THINK WE SEE THAT ACROSS THE STATE.

WE KNOW WE NEED HOUSING BUT I DON'T THINK THE WAY THEY ARE DOING THE MANDATES MIGHT BE THE BEST WAY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

I WILL TELL YOU ONE THING THAT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL IS IF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING FROM SALISBURY IF THEY WOULD HAVE CONVERSATIONS MDE AND THEY WOULD BE TALKING TO THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BECAUSE WE ARE SEEING SUCH SILOED WORKING ENVIRONMENT WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT.

MDE WON'T PAY FOR GROWTH BUT YET THEY WANT HOUSING.

THERE NEEDS TO BE A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE SECRETARY AS WELL.

>> Jeff: COUNTY EXECUTIVES I KNOW IT IS A BUSY TIME FOR BOTH OF YOU.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: FINALLY UNUSUAL HARMONY IN THE STATE SENATE.

THE YOUNGEST GRAHAMRY AWARD WINNER IN RECORDING HISTORY WAS HONORED SHE APPEARED WITH HER FATHER HAROLD SIMMONS AND GAVE A LIVE SAMPLE OF THEIR WORK ♪THIS IS THE RECIPE FOR LIFE AND HRMONY♪ ♪CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT THIS PLACE WOULD BE♪ >> Jeff: THEY WON THE AWARD FOR THE BEST CHILDREN'S ALBUM AT THE GRAMMY AWARDS LAST MONTH.

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".

[♪♪]