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: CHANGING PRISON SENTENCES.

>> MANY PEOPLE WHO GET THE SECOND CHANCE DO MORE THAN JUST GIVE BACK.

AN 18-YEAR-OLD WHO IS NOW 38 YOUNGER MAN ME, SHOCKING, THEY'RE OUT.

>> Jeff: GENDER LESSONS AND PARENTAL RIGHTS.

>> THIS LEGISLATION APPEARS IT'S GIVING THE STATE MORE AUTHORITY THAN PARENTS.

>> NOT ALL PARENTS ARE GOING TO BE TEACHING THEIR KIDS ABOUT IT AND SOME KIDS ARE SCARED TO TALK TO THEIR PARENTS ABOUT IT.

>> Jeff: AND CRACKING THE MYSTERY OF EGG PRICE IS.

>> CONSUMERS ARE BUYING MORE BECAUSE THEY SEE IT AND HEAR ABOUT IT LIKE TOILET PAPER WHEN A STORM IS COMING.

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

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" IS A BREAKTHROUGH WHAT THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ANNOUNCED AFTER NEGOTIATIONS ON A PACKAGE OF CUTS AND NEW TAXES TO RESOLVE A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR BUDGET DEFICIT.

SUE COPPIN HAS OUR STORY.

>> FACED WITH A $3 BILLION SHORTFALL THE GOVERNOR JOINED WITH LEADERS TO ANNOUNCE A PLAN TO CLOSE THAT GAP.

>> WE'VE AGREED ON A FRAMEWORK THAT INCLUDES AT LEAST AN ADDITIONAL $500 MILLION IN TARGETED CUTS ON TOP OF THE CUTS THAT OUR ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY PROPOSED.

THIS IS THE LARGEST AMOUNT THAT HAS BEEN CUT FROM A MARYLAND STATE BUDGET IN 16 YEARS.

>> AS FOR TALK OF A POSSIBLE SALES TAX HIKE.

>> FOR A THIRD YEAR IN A ROW, THERE WILL BE NO INCREASE IN BROAD-BASED SALES TAX OR STATE PROPERTY TAX.

AND, YES, WE ARE ASKING THOSE OF US WHO HAVE DONE EXCEPTIONALLY WELL TO PAY SLIGHTLY MORE.

0 SO WE CAN HAVE THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY.

SO WE CAN SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUR FIREFIGHTERS.

SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE'RE GROWING OUR ECONOMY INTO THE POLLING CALLS FOR THE INCREASE IN THE STANDARD INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR EARNINGS ABOVE $500,000, HIGHER TAXES ON GAMBLING PROFITS AND CANNABIS SALES AND A 3% TAX ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DATA SERVICES.

>> OUR PLAN REACHES SERVICES OFFERED BY COMPANIES THAT WILL HELP YOU BUILD YOUR WEBSITE AND COMPANIES THAT HELP YOU STORE INFORMATION ON THE CLOUD.

LIKE AMAZON WEB SERVICES.

THIS WILL PUT US IN LINE WITH OTHER STATES ALREADY IMPLEMENTING THESE KINDS OF REFORMS AND BY THE WAY, BOTH DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN STATES.

>> ADRIENNE SAYS IT STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE.

>> NO ONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT CUTS, NO ONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT REVENUES.

BUT RESPONSIBLE GOVERNING MEANS HAVING THE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS.

IT MEANS DOING WHAT IS RIGHT, NOT JUST WHAT IS POLITICALLY CONVENIENT.

>> SENATE PRESIDENT BILL FERGUSON SAYS THEY DEVELOPED THE BUDGET PLAN WITH CONCERN FROM WHAT YET MAY COME FROM WASHINGTON.

>> WE ARE CUTTING AT LEAST $3.TWO 3 BILLION TO NAVIGATE THE UNPREDICTABLE FEDERAL LANDSCAPE IN CUTS AND REDUCTIONS.

WHILE THEY ARE DIFFICULT THEY ARE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN FISCAL STABILITY AND ENSURE MARYLAND REMAINS ON SOLID FINANCIAL GROUND.

>> AND FERGUSON WANTED TO MAKE CLEAR WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED.

>> WE ARE NOT INCREASING THE MARYLAND SALES TAX RATE ON GOODS.

WE ARE NOT ADDING A FEE FOR DELIVERIES.

WE ARE NOT INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES.

WE ARE NOT RAISING MONEY FROM I GAMING.

WE ARE NOT INCREASING THE ESTATE TAX WE ARE NOT MAKING CHANGES TO THE CAR TRADE IN ALLOWANCE.

WE ARE NOT IMPOSING TAXES ON DRINKS OR SNACKS WE ARE NOT RAISING THE GAS TAX.

>> REPUBLICAN LEADERS SAY MISS SOMETHING ANY ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE STATE'S FISCAL CHALLENGES AS WELL AS A LACK OF SPECIFICS ABOUT THE PLAN.

>> THEY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO CUT STUFF AND THEY MAY CUT A FEW THINGS BUT OUR BUDGET WILL BE LARGER THAN LAST YEAR AND A NEW TAX ON EVERY MARYLANDER.

THIS NONSENSE ABOUT INCOME TAXES THIS IS GOING TO TAX PEOPLE WHO CREATE JOBS AND MAY TAX THEIR CELLPHONE BILLS.

I THINK THE PUBLIC IS SAYING WE WANT A SHIFT HOW WE DO GOVERNMENT.

>> THE HOUSE AND SENATE NEED AN ACTION ON THE BUDGET BEFORE ADJOURNMENT ON APRIL 7TH.

SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: THERE WAS A TAX REVOLT AT THE STATE HOUSE IT WAS PROMOTED AND MODESTLY ATTENDED.

IT WAS SPONSORED BY THE G.O.P.

FREEDOM CAUCUS EMOTIONAL DEBATE ON CROSSOVER ON A PROPOSAL TO MAKE ALL PRISON SENTENCES REVIEWABLE AFTER 20 YEARS.

>> IT'S ABOUT GIVING PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A SECOND LOOK AT THEIR CASE, TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN THEIR LIFE AROUND, AND LET'S REMEMBER, MANY PEOPLE, MANY PEOPLE WHO GET THE SECOND CHANCE DO MORE THAN JUST GIVE BACK TO THEIR FAMILY, DO MORE THAN TURN THEIR LIVES AROUND THEY OFTEN MAKE IT THE LIFE'S WORK TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITIES THEY LIVE.

THIS LEGISLATION IS SAYING THAT IF YOU KILL A CHILD, A POLICE OFFICER, A PREGNANT PERSON, YOU KILL A SPOUSE IN AN ACT OF VIOLENCE THAT 20 YEARS IS ENOUGH.

THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL IS.

20 YEARS IS ENOUGH.

SO AN 18-YEAR-OLD WHO IS NOW 38 YOUNGER THAN ME, SHOCKING BUT YOUNGER THAN ME THEY ARE OUT.

THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THIS LEGISLATION TO GET OUT.

>> SO WE HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT TODAY AND THERE WILL BE MORE, TO MAKE SURE EVERY PERSON, MAN OR WOMAN WHO COMES OUT ON THE SECOND LOOK, WILL HAVE SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO BE WATCHING AND CARING AND LISTENING, BECAUSE THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD SOMEBODY DOING THOSE THINGS FOR THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> I DEDICATED MY TIME TO FIGHTING FOR VICTIMS, I'VE SHARED MY STORY TO MY DEEPEST EMBARRASSMENT AND THE HUMILIATION OF MY DAUGHTERS TO GIVE VICTIMS A VOICE.

SO I PRAY THAT EACH OF YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WHY I CANNOT SIT HERE AND FIGHT FORTHRIGHTS OF MURDERERS, WHEN THEIR VICTIMS LIE ROTTING AWAY IN SILENCE.

FORGOTTEN AND MANY TIMES BY THIS BODY.

>> Jeff: THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE 89-49.

ANOTHER CONTROVERSIAL BILL PASSED BY THE HOUSE WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF PREVENTING PARENTS FROM HOLDING THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF LESSONS ON GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

NANCY AMATA HAS MORE.

>> MOST KIDS ALREADY KNOW THAT SUE HAS TWO MOMENTS OR SUE AND SALLY HAVE TWO DADS.

MOST KIDS KNOW THAT.

>> HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIR SAYS MARYLAND ALREADY HAS AN EXISTING HEALTH EDUCATION FRAMEWORK OR CURRICULUM, BUT NOT EVERY JURISDICTION IS FOLLOWING IT.

>> FOR INSTANCE, CARROLL COUNTY HAS REMOVED ALL INSTRUCTION RELATED TO GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

>> UNDER'S BILL SPONSORED, ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL BE REQUIRED TO TEACH ABOUT GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION, WITH NO OPTION FOR PARENTS TO OPT-OUT THEIR CHILDREN.

THE HOUSE BILL HAS ALREADY PASSED AND IS GETTING PUSHBACK IN THE SENATE EDUCATION ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.

>> THIS LEGISLATION APPEARS THAT IT'S GIVING THE STATE MORE AUTHORITY THAN PARENTS IN THESE DEEPLY PERSONAL ISSUES.

>> PARENTS CAN STILL OPT-OUT OF PARTS OF THE CURRICULUM SUCH AS THE FAMILY, LIFE AND HUMAN SEXUALITY LESSONS BUT NOT GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND THAT IS FOR GOOD REASON ACCORDING TO THE COSPONSOR.

>> ALL PEOPLE HAVE GENDER AND ALL PEOPLE HAVE SEXUALITY SO IT DOESN'T MAKE LOGICAL SENSE.

YOU ARE OPTING THEM OUT OF ALL RELATIONSHIPS.

YOU ARE OPTING THEM OUT OF ALL GENDERS.

WE COULDN'T FAULK ABOUT ANYTHING, ANY RELATIONSHIP IN THIS ROOM IF WE OPTED PEOPLE OUT OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION BECAUSE YOU HAVE ONE, I HAVE ONE AND WE ALL IS ONE.

>> YOU ARE TALKING IN GENERALITIES.

WHAT I'M HEARING FROM PATTERNS IS THAT -- PARENTS IS THAT WHEN YOU TAKE AWAY AN OPT-OUT OPTION YOU ARE ALSO TAKING AWAY THEIR THE AUTHORITIES THEY WOULD HAVE AS PARENTS TO NOT HAVE THEIR CHILDREN SEE CERTAIN MATERIALS.

>> DELEGATE SAYS THE CURRICULUM IS IMPORTANT FROM A HEALTH SAFETY PERSPECTIVE AS THE CURRICULUM COVERS ISSUES LIKE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, DRUG USAGE AS WELL AS HUMAN SEXUALITY.

>> NOT ALL PARENTS ARE GOING TO BE TEACHING THEIR KIDS ABOUT IT.

AND SOME KIDS ARE SCARED TO TALK TO THEIR PARENTS ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY ARE SCARED THEIR FAMILIES MIGHT DISOWN THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE COMING OUT AND WHO DO THEY TURN TO?

>> THOSE WHO OPPOSE THE BILL SAYS THE OPPOSITION IS NOT ROOTED IN HATRED OR FEAR.

>> LITTLE KIDS INTRODUCED INTO THESE SORT OF GENDER IDENTITY ISSUES IS CONFUSING FOR THEM.

THERE IS A LOT OF EVIDENCE THAT IT CAUSES MORE PROBLEMS THAN WHAT IT SOLVES AND I WANT MY THIRD GRADER TO BE WORRIED ABOUT HIS MULTIPLICATION TABLES NOT THOUGHTS ABOUT HIS SEXUAL.

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

>> Jeff: OUR NEWSMAKER IS KEVIN ATTICKS, MARYLAND'S SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.

SIR, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR THE INVITATION.

>> Jeff: LET'S START WITH THE TOP CONCERN, THE PRICE OF EGGS WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE AND WITH POULTRY IN GENERAL?

>> WELL, I CAN GIVE YOU THE PERSPECTIVE FROM AGRICULTURE AND THAT IS, YOU KNOW THE SUPPLY HAS TIGHTENED A BIT.

AND THAT IS DUE TO CASES OF AVIAN INFLUENZA, HIGHLY PATHOGEN PARTICULAR HPAI, BIRD FLU.

AND JUST THE QUICK DETAILS ON BIRD FLU IT IS ENDEMIC IN A LOT OF THE WATERFOWL POPULATION, CANADA GEESE SOME DUNG SPECIES AND VULTURES AND SOME RAPTORS.

SO WHEN THOSE BIRDS OR THEIR DROPPINGS INTERACT WITH POULTRY FLOCKS, CHICKENS SUCCUMB TO BIRD FLU QUITE QUICKLY AND IT SPREADS QUITE QUICKLY IN FLOWKS.

FLOCKS.

IF YOU ARE A CHICKEN PRODUCER ON OUR EASTERN SHORE ONE OF THE TOP INDUSTRY ON THE SHORE, YOU DON'T WANT TO GET BIRD FLU BECAUSE YOUR ENTIRE FLOCK WILL BE WIPED OUT AND YOU HAVE TO RESTART AND CLEAN THE HOUSES THERE IS A PROCESS WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH AS A STATE AGENCY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH USDA JUST TO CLEAR IT AND MAKE SURE THE BIRDS ARE HANDLED CORRECTLY.

AND THAT THE HOUSE IS CLEAN BEFORE NEW CHICKS GO BACK IN.

THAT'S A RELATIVELY QUICK TURN.

IF YOU ARE AN EGG PRODUCER, IT'S A MUCH DIFFERENT PROCESS.

BECAUSE CHICKENS THAT LAY EGGS, YOU ARE NOT JUST HATCHING THEM AND THEY START LAYING EGGS YOU ARE HATCHING THEM AND 20, 22 WEEKS LATER THEY BEGIN HATCHING EGGS.

THE REBOOT PROCESS AFTER AN EGG FARM EGG PRODUCER SUCCUMBS TO BIRD FLU TAKES LONGER.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING THE LONG ANSWER TO THE EGG QUESTION IS WE'RE SEEING A BIT OF A SUPPLY SHORTAGE AND ALSO WE'RE SEEING NOT QUITE HYSTERIA BUT AS CONSUMER ARE BUYING MORE BECAUSE THEY SEE IT AND HEAR ABOUT IT IT'S LIKE TOILET PAPER WHEN A STORM'S COMING.

THERE IS NOT A SHORTAGE OF TOILET PAPER PER SE.

BUT STORES ARE BUYING EXTRA SO PRICES MAY GO UP A BIT MORE.

SO THAT'S WHY YOU CAN GO INTO ONE SHOP A BIGGER CHAIN STORE AND SEE THE PRICES LOWER THEY ARE ABLE TO BUY IN BULK SO THE SMALLER STORES ARE LEFT WITH PREMIUM PRICES BECAUSE THE MARKET ADJUSTS TO THAT DEMAND.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT IS FOLLOWING?

I KNOW THERE'S A CHESAPEAKE BILL THAT WOULD AFFECT AGRICULTURE AND I BELIEVE IT'S PASSED THE HOUSE.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S CHESAPEAKE BAY LEGACY ACT ONE OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S TOP PRIORITIES, IS A REALLY, REALLY GOOD BILL.

IT TOUCHES AGRICULTURE, AQUACULTURE AND THE FISHERIES IN THE STATE.

AND IT IS A GREAT COMPREHENSIVE BILL DOES A LOT OF LITTLE THINGS BUT THEY HAVE BIG MEANINGS.

AND THE TWO PRIMARY OBJECTIVES IN THE AGRICULTURE SIDE THE FIRST IS TO DEVELOP A NEW PROGRAM THAT WE LOOK FORWARD TO INSTITUTING AND IMPLEMENTING IN OUR AGENCY CALLED LEADERS AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ENGAGED FARMING OR LEAF.

AND WHAT IT IS, IT IS A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, A WAY TO BEGIN TO MEASURE CONSERVATION PRACTICES ON FARM AND COMMUNITY PRACTICES ON FARM.

AND THEN SCORE CREATIVE WAY TO RATE AND VERIFY AND THEN CERTIFY THESE FARMSES TO MEET A CERTAIN LEVEL IN A LEAF PROGRAM.

IMAGINE YOU MIGHT BE FAMILIAR WITH THE BUILDING GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL HE ALEAD CERTIFICATION WHERE YOU WALK INTO A BUILDING AND IT'S LEAD GOLD AND YOU READ THE PLACARD TO KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.

IT WILL BE THE SAME TYPE OF THING BUT FOR FARMS.

AND IT COMES FROM TWO YEARS NOW OF HEARING FROM FARMERS AND CONSERVATION GROUPS ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING BUT MAYBE NOT GETTING CREDIT FOR DOING.

SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR THIS TO BE A GIANT CARROT.

WE HAVE THE STICKS IN TERMS OF ENFORCEMENTS.

BUT THIS IS A WAY TO ENCOURAGE FARMERS AND THOSE IN THE FARMING COMMUNITY TO DO MORE, DO BETTER, AND DOO FASTER WITH RESPECT TO BACONS VACCINATION AND REMEDIATION KEEPING SOIL ON THE FARM AND HEALTHY.

REDUCING THE USE OF CERTAIN PRACTICES.

ENCOURAGING USES OF OTHER PRACTICES.

AND WHAT WE HAVE WE LOVE ABOUT IT IT ASSESSES COMMUNITY BEST PRACTICES.

FARMING DOES NOT HAPPEN IN A VACUUM.

FARMS ARE NEAR COMMUNITIES WHAT IS THAT FARMER DOING TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY WHETHER IT'S AG EDUCATION, AGRITOURISM, RESEARCH, WITH LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL, LOCAL COLLEGE STUDENTS TO GET THEM ACTIVE ON THE FARM.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.

THAT IS NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, IS WE'RE CREATING IN OUR HEALTHY SOILS DEFINITION A WHOLE PART OF OUR CODE, HOW WE MEASURE HEALTHY SOILS A DEFINITION FOR REGENERATIVE PRACTICES AND TRADITIONS.

AND IT IS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE'S NOT ONE WAY OF FARMING.

AND THAT WE WANT TO GIVE CREDIT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO WHAT, I THINK, TRADITIONAL FARMING WE'LL CALL ALTERNATIVE PRACTICES BUT THEY END UP BEING THE ORIGINAL PRACTICES OF FARMING.

IT BEGINS TO MAINSTREAM AND ENCOURAGE THE USE OF SOME REGENERATIVE PRACTICES.

>> Jeff: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS MAKING A LOT OF CUTS, AAPPARENTLY USING A CHAINSAW.

HOW DOES THAT AFFECT WHAT YOU DO?

ANYTHING COMING DOWN FROM THE USDA FOR EXAMPLE?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

SO SOME OF THE PROGRAMS FROM USDA AND EPA ARE CONTINUING AS EXPECTED.

OTHERS ARE BEING HELD OR OUT RIGHT CANCELED.

AND TWO THAT HAVE BEEN CANCELED IN THE LAST WEEK-AND-A-HALF, ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE INDUSTRY AND VERY IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND THOSE TWO PROGRAMS ONE RELATED TO FOOD IN SCHOOLS.

ONE RELATED TO FOOD FOR FOOD BANKS TO DISTRIBUTE.

BOTH OF THOSE PROVIDED MONEY TO THOSE ENTITIES BE IT SCHOOL SYSTEMS OR FOOD BANKS TO BUY LOCAL FOOD.

AND WHEN YOU ARE BUYING LOCAL FOOD, YOU ARE BUYING FRESHER FOOD.

SO FOOD BANKS GET A LOT OF DONATIONS BUT THEY COULD BE BROCCOLI SITTING ON THE SHELF OR IN A COOLER FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

WHEN THEY ARE BUYING FROM A LOCAL FARM THAT BROCCOLI WAS PICKED YESTERDAY OR THE DAY BEFORE.

AND SUPER HIGH IN NUTRITION DENSITY MUCH FRESHER MUCH BETTER FOR THE CONSUMER.

BUT ALSO, IT IS AN ECONOMIC GENERATOR.

ARE YOU LOSING OUT ON HEALTHY LOCAL FOOD FOR KIDS IN SCHOOLS AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED OF FOOD THROUGH FOOD BANKS, BUT ALSO THAT MONEY WAS BEING USED TO BUY THAT PRODUCE FROM LOCAL FARMERS.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT THOSE PROGRAMS WOULD GENERATE IN OUR RURAL AREAS AND MOSTLY AMONG FARMERS, IT IS A SIGNIFICANT LOSS.

SO WE HAVE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FARMING SEASON THE PLANTING SEASON.

FARMERS WERE MOVING IN ONE DIRECTION BECAUSE THEY HAD CERTAINTY FORKING THAT FOOD BANKS AND SCHOOLS WOULD BE BUYING X, Y, Z PRODUCE AND NOW THOSE TWO MAJOR CUSTOMERS ARE GONE.

AND SO FARMERS ARE HAVING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ELSE TO PLANT AND HOW ELSE THEY ARE GOING TO EARN REVENUE.

>> Jeff: IN JUST A MINUTE IF YOU WOULD, WHAT ARE THE BIG TRENDS IN AGRICULTURE?

THERE'S OBVIOUSLY BIG DEMAND FOR HOUSING WHICH IS GOING TO OVERTIME TAKE AWAY SOME LAND.

THERE WAS A SMALL FARM NEAR ME OVER THE WINTER GREW THIS INCREDIBLE FIELD OF SOLAR PANELS.

THAT IS GOING TO TAKE LAND OUT OF PRODUCTION.

WHAT IS THE BIG PICTURE?

>> THE BIG PICTURE IS IN A STATE LIKE MARYLAND WHERE YOU HAVE FARMING STILL IS THE NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY IN THE STATE, UNDER SO MANY PRESSURES AND YOU MENTIONED TWO OF THEM.

DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE AND PRESSURES EXTERNAL PRESSURES FROM ENERGY NEEDS AND NEEDS FOR NEW SCHOOLS AND WHATEVER ELSE IT MIGHT BE.

ROADS NEED TO GO SOMEWHERE, POWER LINES WILL BE RUN.

SO WHAT THAT IS CAUSING FARMS TO DO IS FIGURE OUT NEW WAYS TO REMAIN PROFITABLE AND TO KEEP THAT FARM.

SO IT'S DIVERSIFICATION.

SO GO BACK 100 YEARS IT WAS CORN, WHEAT, SOY, DAIRY, AND MEAT PRODUCTION.

NOWADAYS IT'S STILL THOSE THINGS AND THOSE ARE OUR TOP COMMODITIES AND TOP INDUSTRIES, SUBINDUSTRIES NOW YOU HAVE VALUE ADDED WINERIES, BREWERSRIES, DISTILLERIES, CREAMERIES, PEOPLE SELLING HEAVY CREAM AND LIGHT CREAM AND MINT OR BASIL FLAVORED MILK CRAFT MILK WHICH IS QUITE POPULAR.

AND THEY ARE REALIZING ENGAGING WITH THE PUBLIC DIRECTLY VERSUS DROPPING OFF TONS TO SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO RESELL IT, THAT THAT IS AN INCREASINGLY VALUABLE ASPECT OF THEIR BUSINESS PLAN.

SO WE'RE SEEING GREAT DIVERSIFICATION.

>> Jeff: KEVIN ATTICKS IS MARYLAND'S SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE SIR WE APPRECIATE THE TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: NOW FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE CHARLES ROBINSON IS JOINED BY HANNAH GASKILL OF THE BALTIMORE SUN THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

I KNOW YOU REPORTED ON THE BIG BUDGET AND TAX ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY, WHAT WERE THE BIG TAKEAWAYS FOR YOU?

>> THE BIG TAKEAWAYS ARE THE BUDGET IS GOING TO BE COMPRISED OF A THOUSAND PAPER CUTS EFFECTIVELY.

SO RATHER THAN SEEING THE BIG CUTS TO THINGS LIKE THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADMINISTRATION, LIKE WAS PROPOSED EARLIER THIS YEAR, IT'S A LOT OF SMALLER CUTS TO VACANT GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE POSITIONS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT LIKE EXECUTIVE AGENCY FUNCTIONS.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO SEE POTENTIALLY, BECAUSE IT HASN'T PASSED, BUT WE'RE LIKELY TO SEE A TAX ON DIGITAL SERVICES.

SO CLOUD SERVICES, WEBSITE PLATFORMS LIKE WICKS OR WORD PRESS.

THAT WILL LIKELY HAVE A 3% TAX ON USE.

>> Jeff: THERE WAS DISCUSSION OF A BUSINESS TO BUSINESS TAX WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN BROAD-BASED BUT IT WAS A SIMILAR NUMBER AROUND 3% S THIS AN EVOLUTION OF THAT THAT IT BECAME MUCH SMALLER BUT ALSO INCLUDES CONSUMERS?

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

THE ORIGINAL TAX AS IT WAS PROPOSED WAS A 2.5% TAX ON SERVICES THAT BUSINESSES PROVIDE TO OTHER SERVICES.

ON CROSSOVER DAY ON MONDAY, GOVERNOR MOORE ADDRESSED THE PRESS AND SAID HE WOULD NOT BE SIGNING A BROAD BUSINESS TO BUSINESS TAX.

HE ALSO KILLED THE PROPOSED TAX ON SURGERY DRINKS.

I -- SUGARY DRINKS.

THIS NEW TAX PROPOSAL WE SAW YESTERDAY IS AN EVOLUTION.

>> Jeff: COMARLS?

>> Jeff: CHARLES?

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT BECAUSE YESTERDAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE WAS TRYING TO SIDESTEP PART OF THAT.

IT WAS GOING TO BE A SEPARATE BILL.

BUT WE DID GET SOME NOTICE THAT SOME THINGS ARE IN AND SOME THINGS ARE OUT.

>> RIGHT.

SO THE HOUSE PASSED ITS OWN BLUEPRINT BILL EARLIER THIS MONTH THAT RESTORED FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVED CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY GRANTS KNOWS AS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND IT ALSO DECREASED THE GOVERNOR'S ORIGINAL PROPOSAL-A PAUSE ON COLLABORATIVE TIME FOR TEACHERS FROM FOUR YEARS TO ONE.

THIS MORNING THE BUDGET THE SENATE BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMITTEE VOTED TO AMEND THE BILL TO RESTORE THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL FUNDING BUT TO KEEP GOVERNOR MOORE'S PROPOSAL OF THE FOUR YEAR PAUSE ON COLLABORATIVE TIME.

I BELIEVE THE SENATOR SAID HE PREFERS THE WORD PACING TO PAUSING.

>> Jeff: WHAT COMES NEXT?

WE'VE GOT TWO FULL WEEKS IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE HOUSE HAS THE BUDGET FIRST THIS YEAR, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

SO THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE VOTED THE BUDGET OUT YESTERDAY AS WELL AS THE [INAUDIBLE] THOSE ARE LIKE WILL I TO HIT THE HOUSE FLOOR NEXT WEEK.

THE TRIPLE E COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE HAS TO VOTE ON THE POLICY ASPECTS OF GOVERNOR MOORE'S BLUEPRINT BILL WE WON'T SEE THAT ON THE FLOOR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYINGS.

THERE IS STILL A LARGE ENERGY PACKAGE THAT HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP PROPOSED THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN AMENDMENTS FOR IN COMMITTEE, IN EITHER CHAMBER AND IT HASN'T HIT THE FLOOR IN EITHER CHAMBER AS WELL.

>> Jeff: CHARLES, I KNOW YOU WERE INTERESTED IN THE NTSB REPORT THAT CAME OUT THIS WEEK NEARING THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLLAPSE OF THE KEY BRIDGE?

>> THIS IS SOME BEHALF A BOMBSHELL I DON'T KNOW IF THE STATE WAS PREPARED TO HEAR THAT THEY WERE AT FAULT OR NOT DOING THE INSPECTIONS IN AND AROUND THE BRIDGE AHEAD OF TIME.

UNDERSTAND THIS: THE STATE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF WHETHER OR NOT A BRIDGE IS SOUND OR NOT.

BUT PART OF THAT IS, AN INSPECTION THAT WAS REQUIRED TO LOOK AT HOW THE BRIDGES ARE HOLDING UP.

OUR BRIDGE THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN IT'S ALMOST 30 YEARS OLD.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, YOU KNOW, THE SHIPPING CONTAINERS THAT GO UNDERNEATH OF IT, HAD INCREASED THREE-FOLD.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT ON THE NIGHT OF THE ACTUAL CRASH, THE DALI, THE SHIP, WAS NOT BEING POWERED BY THE ELECTRICAL UNITS WITHIN THE SHIP.

AND AS IT STARTED OUT, IT HAD SOME POWER.

BUT THAT POWER WAS DROPPED OFF AND LITERALLY YOU HAD A BOAT FLOATING TOWARDS THE BRIDGE.

>> Jeff: CHARLES, THE STATE TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY PUSHED BACK A LITTLE BIT IN A BRIEF STATEMENT ON THE NTSB ALLEGATION THAT THE STATE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING THE CURRENT SAFETY PROFILE OF THE BRIDGE SAYING THAT 100% OF THE FAULT FOR THE COLLISION REMAINS WITH THE DALI AND THE OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF THE SHIP.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE NTSB ALSO SAID THERE'S BEEN NO REPORT ON THE SAFETY OF THE BAY BRIDGE, WHICH AS YOU POINT OUT HAS ALSO SEEN SHIPS SAILING UNDER IT.

WE AWAIT MORE INFORMATION ON THAT.

OUR THANKS TO HANNAH GASKILL AND CHARLES ROBINSON YOU CAN READ HANNAH'S REPORTING IN THE SUN AND "THE BALTIMORE SUN".COM.

THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

JOIN US EVERY WEEK AT THIS TIME FOR THE LATEST ON MARYLAND'S POLITICAL STAGE.

WE'RE BACK MONDAY WITH "DIRECT CONNECTION" AND YOUR CHANCE TO ASK THE EXPERTS THAT IS MONDAY EVENING LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. NOW FOR ALL OF US AT MPT, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY.

[♪♪]