>> 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: A NEW FINANCIAL CHALLENGE FOR MARYLAND RACING.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE WHOLE PACKAGE, WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH RACING IN THE FUTURE.

>> Jeff: A CLASSROOM CONTROVERSY.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE TEACHING KINDERGARTEN OR FIRST GRADE OR SECOND GRADERS SOME OF THE SPECIFICATION OF SEXUAL ATTRACTION AND GENDER ROLES.

>> AND LOOKING AT THE FRAMEWORK RIGHT NOW, KIDNEY, RECOGNIZE A RANGE OF WAYS THAT PEOPLE IDENTIFY AND EXPRESS THEIR GENDER.

THAT'S IT.

>> Jeff: AND CHANGES TO JUVENILE JUSTICE.

>> WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF MORE AND MORE AND MORE AND MORE VIOLENT CRIME BEING PERPETRATED BY JUVENILES.

>> CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK, STUCK IN THE STARTING GATE.

THAT'S WHERE MAJOR INVESTMENT IN HORSE RACING REMAINS THREE YEARS AFTER IT WAS FIRST APPROVED.

NANCY YAMADA REPORTS THAT SAVING THE PREAKNESS IS AGAIN ON THE RACE CARD.

>> I THINK EVERYTHING'S ON THE TABLE.

I THINK WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE WHOLE PACKAGE, WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH RACING IN THE FUTURE, WHAT WE CAN AFFORD TO DO, WHAT CAN BE MANAGED IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY.

>> Nancy: SENATOR GUY, CHAIR OF THE BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMITTEE SAID THE SENATE VOTED TO REMOVE A HOUSE AMENDMENT IN THE STATE BUDGET WHICH WOULD HAVE WITHHELD $17 MILLION FROM THE MARYLAND STADIUM AUTHORITY IF AGREEMENTS FOR A NOW THREE-YEAR-OLD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT ARE NOT SIGNED BY OCTOBER.

>> THE ONLY REASON I DID THAT IS THAT I BELIEVE THAT WE REALLY NEED TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE 8 WITH THE HOUSE AND WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.

THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE.

OBVIOUSLY WE MADE SOME BIG DECISIONS LAST -- IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THOSE ACTIONS HAVEN'T LED TO THE CONCLUSIONS THAT WE WANTED TO.

>> Nancy: THE PLAN TO RENOVATE.

I AM PLIC OH AND LAUREL PARK RACE COURSES AND CEAP THE PREAKNESS IN BALTIMORE WAS A HAVE HAD APPROVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 2020 BUT WHEN INTEREST RATES SPIKED AFTER COVID, PROCEEDS FROM BOND FUNDS THAT WOULD HAVE CONSTRUCTED IT.

>> WHEN INTEREST RATES WERE 2-1/2% LIKE THEY WERE WHEN THE PROJECT BEGAN THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY $370 MILLION OF AVAILABLE CASH THAT WOULD BE GENERATED FROM THE BONDS TO BUILD THE PROJECT.

BUT WHEN INTERESTS RATE SKYROCKETED TO 5 AND 6% PERCENT, THE NET EFFECTIVE YIELD DROPPED $160 MILLION.

>> Nancy: ALLEN RIS KIN, THE ATTORNEY FOR THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB AND THE PREAKNESS STAKES SAYS THAT'S WHY NO AGREEMENTS HAVE BEEN SIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION ISY YET TO BEGIN HE SAID THE STATE AND THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO FIND A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM NO ONE COULD HAVE PREDICTED OR PREVENTED.

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT THE FACILITIES THEMSELVES.

WE'RE LOOKING AT WHETHER OR NOT THERE ARE WAYS TO STREAMLINE THE PHYSICAL PLANTS.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE -- WE ARE PRIVATE ACTOR AND A PRIVATE OWNER.

>> SENATE FROM THE BILL FURRING SAYS REUTER NUMBER ONE IS KEEPING THE PREAKNESS IN BALTIMORE AT PIMLICO.

>> IF THE STRONACH GROUP AND THE JOCKEY CLUB IS INTERESTED IN REALISTIC CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DIVESTING THEIR INTEREST AND CREATING A PUBLIC ENTITY THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE THE, YOU KNOW, SIMILAR TO WHAT EXISTS IN NEW YORK WITH THE NEW YORK RANGES ASSOCIATION, NIRA, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE ALL INTERESTED IN.

>> Nancy: AS NOASHESZ CONTINUE.

>> PEOPLE ARE VERY EXCITED NOT JUST ABOUT KEEPING THE PREAKNESS THERE BUT DEVELOPMENT?

>> EVER.

>> Nancy: BALTIMORE CITY LAWMAKERS SAY IT'S FAR MORE THAN JUST THE FUTURE OF HORSE ARRESTING.

>> YOU HAVE JOBS BUT THE CAFE THAT COULD COME, THE BOOKSTORE, THE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.

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

>> Jeff: THE THIS WEEK THE SENATE COMPLETED ITS WORK ON GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

SUE KOPEN TELLS US SENATE CHANGES.

FROM THE HOUSE VERSION 19 MEAN THE $63 BILLION PLAN WILL NOW HEAD TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

>> Sue: SENATE PRESIDENT BILL FERGUSON SAYS THERE ARE BUT 38 SENATE AMENDMENTS IN THE BUDGET THAT NEERNLGD FROM THE BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMITTEE, THE FEWEST NUMBER IN YEARS, BUT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS TO ADD A FEW OVERWHEN THE BILL HIT THE SENATE FLOOR INCLUDING ONE TO PREVENT THE USE OF TAXPAYERS' MONEY FOR ABORTIONS.

>> I THINK MY ISSUE MORE THAN ANYTHING IS, IS THAT JUST SOMEBODY GETTING AN ABORTION BECAUSE THEY JUST CAN GET AN ABORTION I BELIEVE IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE THEY JUST CAN AND USE THE TAXPAYER MONEY FOR THAT, BUT FOR HEALTH REASONS AND FOR MENTAL HEALTH REASONS, YOU KNOW, WE DO HAVE AREAS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND WHERE THEY CAN GET HELP AND GET COUNSELING AND WE HAVE PROVIDED THAT IN EVERY WAY.

>> OUR INSURANCE LAW REQUIRES PEOPLE WITH PRIVATE INSURANCE HAVE COVERAGE FOR ABORTION, SO THE REASON WE HAVE MEDICAID FUNDING FOR ABORTION IS MARYLAND -- IN MAR ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE THE SAME ASSETS HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

>> Sue: OAT AMENDMENT TO USE $300 MILLION DESIGNATED FOR FUTURE YEARS FOR THE STATE'S EDUCATION BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND'S FUTURE.

IT WOULD BE USED TO REDUCE THE STATE'S RETIREMENT TAX.

>> I SAY RATHER THAN TRY TO SAVE ALL THIS MONEY AND PUT THIS MONEY ASIDE FOR FUTURE YEARS, THAT WE DO SOMETHING THAT I THINK ALL OF US BELIEVE IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND THAT'S TO TRY TO GET THE RETIREES AND THE SENIORS THAT ARE LIVING AND THAT HAVE GROWN UP IN MARYLAND, BEEN IN MARYLAND FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME TO STAY HERE.

>> Sue: BUT THE CHAIR OF BUDGET AND TAX AS A COMMITTEE SAID THAT WOULD APPROVE COSTLY TO THE STATE.

>> WHAT IT ACTUALLY DOES IS TAKES THAT $300 MILLION THAT WOULD HAVE GONE INTO THE FUND, AS DESCRIBED, BUT THAT $300 MILLION IS A ONE-TIME EXPENSE.

THE PROPOSAL THAT'S EMBEDDED UNDERNEATH WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED, IF THAT BILL WERE TO PASS, JUST OVER THE NEXT I BELIEVE FOUR FISCAL YEARS, IS $3 BILLION COST.

AND SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE WOULD COME UP WITH THE REST OF THAT MONEY.

QUITE FRANKLY.

>> Sue: AND THAT AMENDMENT, LIKE THE OTHERS FROM THE FLOOR, ALL FAILED.

AMONG THE DIFFERENCES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE VERSIONS OF THE BUDGET IS THAT ALLOCATION FOR THE BLUEPRINT FOR EDUCATION THAT GOES BEYOND THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

THE HOUSE BILL ADDS $400 MILLION TO AN ADDITIONAL $500 MILLION THE GOVERNOR INCLUDED FROM FUNDS LEFTOVER FROM LAST YEAR, FOR A TOTAL OF $900 MILLION.

THE SENATE REDUCED THAT TO AN EXTRA $300 MILLION ON TOP OF THE GOVERNOR'S $500 MILLION ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION.

ANOTHER DIFFERENCE, FUNDING FOR THE BOOST PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES PUBLICALLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS FROM LOW INCOME FAMILIES, ALLOWING THEM TO ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THE SENATE RESTORED MONEY CUT BY THE GOVERNOR IN THE PROGRAM AND LAMM MADE IT THE LANGUAGE THAT WOULD PHASE IT OUT ALTOGETHER.

IN THE END -- >> HOUSE BILL 200 IS ON THIRD REASONED FOR FINAL PASSAGE.

ANY DISCUSSION?

IF NOT, CLERK WILL CALL THE ROLL.

>> MR. PRESIDENT.

>> HAS EVERYONE RECORD THEIR VOTE IN ANYONE WISH TO CHANGE THEIR VOTE, EXPLAIN THEIR VOTE?

IF NOT, THE CLERK WILL TAKE THE CALL.

>> Sue: THE BUDGET MOVED FORWARD.

>> WITH 47 VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, HOUSE BILL 200 HAVING RECEIVED A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY IS DECLEARDZ PASSED.

>> Sue: AND NOW HEADS BACK TO THE HOUSE.

I'M SUE KOPEN FOR "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: THE SEARCH CONTINUED THIS WEEK FOR FORM STOP STATE OFFICIAL WHO FAILED TO SHOW P FOR HIS TRIME IN FEDERAL COURT.

U.S.

MARSHAL SERVICE IS CIRCULATING A WANTED PORT OF FOR ROY McPOSTER FOR ROY McGATH WHO BRIEFLY SERVED A GOVERNOR HOGAN'S CHIEF OF STAFF.

McGRATDZ HAD RUN THE MARYLAND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE.

HE WAS GIRCH A LARGE SEVERANCE WHEN HE LEFT THAT JOB TO JOIN THE HOGAN ADMINISTRATION.

IT'S BEEN 11 DAYS SINCE HE FAILED TO APPEAR TO FACE CHARGES OF FRAUD, FALSE IF I CAIFTIONZ RECORD AND OTHER COUNTS CONNECTED WITH THE PAY-OUT.

THIS WEEK AN ONLINE BOOK APPEARED, TELLING McGRATH'S STORY.

THE AUTHOR LIFTED AS PRINE COOPER DENIED THAT WAS A PEN NAME FOR MR. McGRATH.

A MIXED BAG THIS SESSION FOR SUPPORTERS OF JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORMS.

CHARLES ROBINSON REPORTS.

>> WELL, NI THE STATUS QUO IS UNACCEPTABLE BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THIS RASH OVER THE LAST -- IT'S BEEN GROWING THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS BUTTED PARTICULARLY THE LAST YEAR, A RASH OF REAL HIGH PROFILE SNRANSZ WHERE JUVENILE CRIME, THERE'S A JUVENILE ON EXPWRIEWFNL CRIME, AND WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF MORE AND MORE AND MORE AND MORE VIOLENT CRIME BEING PERPETRATED BY JUVENILES BUT ALSO THE HEAVIEST SHARE OF THE VICTIMS ARE ALSO JUVENILES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> WE HAVEN'T MOVED BECAUSE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE IN LEADERSHIP I THINK ARE CONCERNED ABOUT MEDIA, MEDIA SCRUTINY ABOUT THIS IDEA THAT DEMOCRATS ARE SOFT ON CRIME.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF MEDIA ATTENTION GIVEN TO THIS IDEA OF JUVENILE EXRIEM AND THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO KIND OF READ OUT THE SMART POLICIES FROM THED BA POLICIES.

>> Charles: JUVENILE JUSTICE POLICY HAS NEVER BEEN A ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

WITHOUT A SOLUTION IN LOCAL JURISDICTIONS, ADVOCATES ARE LOOKING FOR THE STATE TO STOP THE CARNAGE IN THE STREET.

JUVENILE JUSTICE WAS POISED TO BE A BIG ISSUE IN THISY LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BILLS THAT TRY AND ADDRESS SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WITH JUVENILE CRIME.

A NUMBER OF LEGISLATORS WOULD LIKE TO REVERT BACK TO THE IDEA OF GETTING TOUGH ON CRIME.

>> IF YOU'RE A PROHIBITED PERSON CARRYING A FIREARM ILLEGALLY, PROHIBITED MEANS YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO OWN A FIEMPLE OR HAVE A FIREARM I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULDN'T WANT TO MAKE SURE JAIL TIME FOR A PERSON WHO IS A PROHIBITED PERSON.

>> PEOPLE HAVE TO BE AWARE OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KIND OF A KNEE-JERK EMOTIONAL REACTION TO CRIME AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT AND ACTUALLY MAKING SMART POLICY.

>> Charles: WITH TIME RUNNING OUT IN THE-ELECT SESSION, THE LIKELIHOOD OF A SOLUTION TIE LONGSTANDING PROBLEM WILL NEED COMPROMISE AND UNDERSTANDING.

I'M CHARLES ROBINSON FOR "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: SPECIAL HONORS IN THE SENATE THIS WEEK FOR TWO FORMER SENATORS, ATE ECKERT AND PAUL PIN AND I. ECKERT WHO REPRESENTED EASTERN SHORE AND PINSKY, WHO SERVED PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, WERE BOTH GIVEN THE FIRST CITIZEN AWARD.

THE AWARD RECOGNIZES INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT THROUGH DEBATE, LEGISLATION AND GOVERNANCE.

>> I TRULY LEARNED A LOT THROUGH MY EXPERIENCE HERE.

IT DID BROADEN MY WORLD AND BROADEN MY VIEW OF THE STATE.

I NOT ONLY MADE POLICY HERE BUT I MADE FRIENDS HERE.

>> TO ALL OF YOU, GOD BLESS AND YOU THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THE VERY IMPORTANT WORK THAT YOU DO HERE, FOR THE QUALITY OF DEBATE, FOR THE CLEAR ISOLATIOIDENTIFICATION OF ISSUES THAT IMPACT, YES, THE MOST VULNERABLE.

YOU KNOW, I'VE ALWAYS SAID WE WORK WITH THE PEOPLE NOBODY ELSE WANTS, AND THAT'S OKAY.

>> Jeff: PINSKY IS NOW DIRECTOR OF MARYLAND ENERGY ADMINISTRATION.

ECKERT SERVES AS DIRECTOR NURSING AT THE EASTERN SHORE HOSPITAL IN CAMBRIDGE.

FOR THE ANNAPOLIS FACE OFF THIS WEEK WE'RE JOINED BY VANESSA ATTERBEARY CHAIR OF HOUSE WAYS & MEANINGS AND JASON BUCKEL, THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

DELEGATE ATTERBEARY, YOU HAVE A TBHAIL HAS PASSED THE HOUSE.

IT CONCERNS STATE AUTHORITY OVER LOCAL SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

TELL US ABOUT THAT BILL.

>> Delegate Atterbeary: FIRST, THANK YOU FOR SLG ME AND AS ALWAYS IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU MY GOOD FRIEND, DELEGATE JASON BUCKEL.

OH, YES, THE BILL AS AMENDED AND PASSED THE HOUSE SIMPLY HOLDS SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND LOCAL JURISDICTIONS ACCOUNTABLE FOR FOLLOWING THE STATE FRAMEWORK THAT THEY'VE ALREADY AGREED TO.

IN PARTICULAR, THERE'S WEAN A LOT OF UPD.

BEEN A LOT OF UPROAR ABOUT THE HEALTH CURRICULUM, ALTHOUGH THIS BILL WOULD APPLY TO ALL FRAMEWORKS AND ALL CURRICULUM, SO JUST, FOR INSTANCE, IF A JURISDICTION LIKE CARROLL COUNTY, WHICH IN FACT DID DO THIS, DECIDED NOT TO FOLLOW THE FRAMEWORK AS THEY AGREED TO SET DPORTSDZ BY MSDEA, THEN THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ASK THE COMPTROLLER TO WITHHOLD 10% OF THEIR FUNDING.

AND IF THEY CHOOSE NOT TO COMPLY -- THEY HAVE 30 DAYS TO COMPLY.

SO THEY'RE GIVEN NOTICE AND THEY CAN COMPLY.

THEN IF THEY CHOOSE NOT TO, THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT CAN REQUEST ANOTHER 10% TO BE WITHHELD.

AND THIS IS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE JURISDICTIONS COMPLY WITH WHAT THEY'VE ALREADY AGREED TO, AND IT SEEMS REASONABLE.

THE HOUSE THOUGHT IT WAS REASONABLE, AND THAT'S WHY IT PASSED.

>> Jeff: WHAT HAPPENED IN CARROLL COUNTY?

WAS THERE A PARTICULAR SUBJECT THAT THEY EITHER WOULDN'T TEACH OR TAUGHT DIFFERENTLY?

WHAT SPARKED THIS?

>> Delegate Atterbeary: SO IN CARROLL COUNTY IN PARTICULAR, THE SCHOOL BOARD DECIDED TO WITHDRAW ANY MENTION OF GENDER IDENTITY, SEXUALITY FROM THE HEALTH CURRICULUM.

THE HEALTH CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK, JUST THE FRAMEWORK, NOT THE ACTUAL CURRICULUM, WAS PUT TOGETHER BY A TASK FORCE WHICH INCLUDED EVERY JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, QUITE FRANKLY, AND A LOT OF HEALTH EXPERTS FROM OUR UNIVERSITIES AND OUR COLLEGES AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS, AND THAT'S WHAT WAS AGREED TO.

SO EVERYBODY FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY THOUGHT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS FRAMEWORK.

SOME HAD INPUT.

SOME DIDN'T COME OUT ON TOP.

BUT THEY AGREED TO IT.

AND SO UNILATERALLY A JURISDICTION CANNOT SAY, WE ARE NOT GOILGT GOING TO TEACH ABOUT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO TEACH ABOUT HOW DIVERSE OUR STUDENT BODY IS AND WE ARE NOT GOING TEACH, QUITE FRANKLY, WHAT WE ALREADY AGREED TO.

CARROLL COUNTY ALSO CHANGED AN OPT-OUT PROVISION TO AN OPT-IN, SO IN THAT PARTICULAR INSTANCE, FOR THE HEALTH CURRICULUM, PARENTS CAN OPT-OUT.

SO FREDERICK COUNTY SENDS A PERMISSION SLIP HOME WITH A PREVIEW OF THE CURRICULUM AND PARENTS CAN SAY IF THEY WANT TO, NO, I DON'T WANT MY CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN THIS, AND THEY'RE GIVEN ANOTHER TYPE OF HEALTH CURRICULUM TO PARTICIPATE IN.

CARROLL COUNTY SAID, NO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO TOO THAT.

PARENTS HAVE TO OPT-IN, AND THEY CAN'T UNILATERALLY DO THAT.

>> Jeff: DELEGATE BUCKLE, BEFORE YOU JUMP IN, I THINK THIS PASSED THE HOUSE ON PRETTY MUCH A PARTY LINE VOTE.

WHAT THE WERE THE CONCERNS OF YOUR CAUCUS?

>> Delegate Buckel: JEFF, I THINK A COUPLE OF PRIMARY CONCERNS.

FIRST OF ALL IS LOCAL CONTROL.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE TALK -- LOCAL CONTROL IN ANNAPOLIS AND IN STATE GOVERNMENT AND IN EDUCATION POLICY HAS BEEN SUBVERTED INTO WHEN IT WORKS FOR US, WE WANT TO HAVE LOCAL CONTROL, AND WHEN I SAY "US," I MEAN DEMOCRATIC COUNTIES, DEMOCRATIC AREAS, TEACHERS UNION FOLKS.

THEN THEY WANT TO HAVE LOCAL CONTROL.

THEN THEY WANT TO THE TEACHERS TO HAVE CONTROL OF THE CURRICULUM.

THEY WANT TEACHERS TO BE ABLE TO SET THEIR OWN LESSON PLANS.

THEY WANT TEACHERS TO BE ABLE TO TEACH TO THEIR SKILLS.

WHEN IT'S THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, THEY DON'T WANT ANY LOCAL CONTROL AT ALL.

AND SO ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL.

I AGREE WITH MY FRIEND AND MY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN DELEGATE ATTERBEARY THAT PEOPLE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN SOME OF THESE CURRICULUM DISCUSSIONS, BUT I THINK SHE SORT OF GIVE US A AWAY THE GAME WHEN SHE SAYS, SOME PEOPLE CAME OUT TOP AND SOME PEOPLE DIDN'T.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS PROBABLY IS NOT JUST CARROLL COUNTY BUT OF A LOT OF COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE WHO REALIZED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THEIR PARENTS DO NOT WANT KINDERGARTENERS THROUGH THIRD GRADERS BEING TAUGHT VERY SPECIFIC LESSONS ABOUT HUMAN SEXUALITY AND GENDER ISSUES.

THEY DON'T WANT THOSE TOPICS BEING DISCUSSED IN DETAIL TO KINDERGARTENERS, TO FIVE-YEAR-OLDS.

THEY LOST OUT IN THE BIG DISCUSSION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY WON ORE WHOEVER WON.

NOW EVERYONE HAS TO DO IT THE SAME WAY.

THAT'S A CONCERN P. THAT'S NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO IS JUST THE POLICY OF IT.

WE SHOULD ALL BE TEACHING OUR CHILDREN TO BE KIND TO OTHERS.

NO ONE SHOULD BE TEACHING ANYTHNG THAT THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH HAVING TWO PARENTS OF THE SAME GENDER OR FAMILIES COME IN DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES.

WE SHOULD ALL BE DOING THAT FOR OUR CHILDREN TO HAVE THOSE LESSONS IN KINDNESS AND DIVERSITY.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE TEACHING KINDERGARTENERS, FIRST GRADERS, SECOND GRADERS SOME OF THE SPECIFICS OF SEXUAL ATTRACTION AND GENDER ROLES.

I HAVE A SON.

HE'S IN FIRST GRADE.

I DON'T WANT HIM TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT REALLY ANYTHING TO DO WITH SEX EDUCATION IN FIRST GRADE, WHETHER IT BE ANY SORT OF GENDER ORIENTATION IN A FRANCE GENDER WAY OPERATOR.

AND THE THIRD THING IS THE MECHANISM.

SO THE MECHANISM SAYS IF YOU'RE ELECTED COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DOES SOMETHING LIKE WHAT VANESSA JUST EXPLAINED, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OPT-IN INSTEAD OF AN OPT-OUT SO PARENTS GOING TO HAVE SPECIFICALLY DECIDE, HEY, WE'VE SEEN THIS AND WE WANT OUR KIDS ON GET IT RATHER THAN, HEY, I MISSED IT THAT DAY.

I WAS REALLY BUSY THAT NIGHT.

I DIDN'T REVIEW ALL THE CURRICULUM FOR THE NEXT WEEK WITH MY KID.

THEY CAME BACK AND I THE LESS ANSWER THEY'RE LEARNING I DON'T WANT THEM INVOLVED.

THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE 10% OF THEIR FUNDING AND WHO IS GOING THE PAY THE TBRIES?

SCHOOL TEACHERS.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE 10% LESS FUNDING AND THAT'S WHO'S GOING TO GET CUT.

>> Jeff: I GUESS WHAT THIS COMES DOWN TO IS SHOULD THIS BE STANDARDIZED.

SHOULD EVER SCHOOL -- I MEAN, YOUR DISTRICTS ARE 100 MILES APART, THEY'RE VERY DIFFERENT PLACES.

BUT SHOULD IT BE STANDARDIZED?

SHOULD EVERY SCHOOL BE TEACHING THE SAME THING IN THE SAME WAY?

AND IF NOT, WHY NOT?

>> Delegate Atterbeary: SO I THINK HERE'S THE THING AND DELEGATE BUCKEL KNOWS THIS BECAUSE WE'RE BOTH ATTORNEYS.

WORDS MATTER AND THE FACTS MATTER.

WHAT HE SAID IS ACTUALLY FAK CHEEL INCORRECT.

WHEN YOU ACTUALLY TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE HEALTH CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK SAYS, KINDERGARTENERS THROUGH THIRD GRADE, KIDNEYERS UP TO MIDDLE, WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT RESPECTING ONE ANOTHER.

WE'RE NOT LEARNING ABOUT DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY.

WE'RE NOT LEARNING ABOUT SEXUAL ACTS.

AND SO WHEN PEOPLE SAY THOSE THINGS, THAT THEIR KIDNEYERS ARE LEARNING THAT, THEY'RE DOING IT TO BE ININCITEFUL.

>> THE WHY NOT JUST SAY RESPECT INSTEAD OF ANYTHING ABOUT SEX?

>> DELEGATE BUCKEL, I DID NOT INTERRUPT YOU 3 WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOCAL CONTROL, THIS BILL DOES NOT, IT ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT TAKE AWAY LOCAL CONTROL.

FOR EVERY SINGLE UGH SUBJECT THERE IS A FRAMEWORK THAT'S ESTABLISHED ABOUT A THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND EACH LOCAL JURISDICTION COMES UP WITH THE SPECIFIC CURRICULUM TO TEACH IN THAT JURISDICTION.

THAT IS NOT CHANGING UNDER THIS BILL.

THE ONLY THING THAT IS -- WHAT'S HAPPENING UNDER THIS BILL IS WE'RE SAYING YOU HAVE TO ABIDE BY WHAT'S ALREADY HAPPENING.

YOU HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE FRAMEWORK.

AND BECAUSE WE ARE DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS, IN ALLEGANY COUNTY THEY CAN COME UP WITH A CURRICULUM THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN HOWARD COUNTY.

>> Jeff: LET ME ASK -- JUMP IN FOR A SECOND.

DO I UNDERSTAND THIS RIGHT.

THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF WIGGLE ROOM BETWEEN HERE'S THE CURRICULUM, HOW HERE'S HOW IT'S GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED, AND DELEGATE BUCKEL YOU LIKE HAVING A LOT OF WIGGLE ROOM AND DELEGATE ATTERBEARY YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE LESS.

>> Delegate Buckel: I GUESS IS WHAT WAS JUST SAID THE AC RATE WAY THE WAY IT'S GOING TO WORK IN THE REAL WORLD WHY DO WE NEED THE LAW?

IF COUNTIES CAN SAY IT'S IN A GENERAL CURRICULUM BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO TEACH THAT IT WAY WENT NO USE THOSE WORDS, I WOULD SUBMIT TO YOU THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF WORDS IN THE K THROUGH 3 CURRICULUM THAT INCLUDE THE WORDS GENDER AND SEX.

WE CAN SAY THAT IT STIM IS TO TEACH RESPECT FOR 350E678 OTHER YENDERS AND OTHER SECTIONS THEN WHY DON'T WE SAY THAT?

THE BILL WOULDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE IF IT'S GOING TO BE INTERPRETED THAT WAY TO SAY, HEY, YOU JUST TO HAVE CHECK A BOX AND SAY, YEAH, I'M FOLLOWING THE CURRICULUM BUT I CAN TEACH IT ANYWAY I WANT.

THEN WHAT ARE WE USING AS THE CRITERION TO GO BACK AND SAY YOU'RE NOT TEEFNG AT THIS TIME RIGHT WAY.

WE'RE GOING FOANLIZE YOU BY TAKING 10% OF YOUR STATE EDUCATION FUND.

THERE HAS TO BE A RULE TO BE ENFORCED.

>> Jeff: LET ME GET DELEGATE ATTERBEARY ON THAT.

BUT WHILE I HAVE YOU WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SENATE?

THERE WAS A COMPANION BILL THERE THAT COULDN'T DIDN'T MOVE.

>> Delegate Atterbeary: I THINK TO DELEGATE BUCKEL'S POINT, I'M LOOKING AT THE FRAMEWORK RIGHT NOW.

KINDERGARTEN, RECOGNIZE A RANGE OF WAYS THAT PEOPLE IDENTIFY AND EXPRESS THEIR GENDER.

THAT'S IT.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

SO THAT'S THE FACT.

AND THE REASON WE NEED THE BILL IS BECAUSE THERE ARE JURISDICTIONS THAT DON'T WANT TO RECOGNIZE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INDIVIDUALS.

THEY DON'T WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEED TO RESPECT ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE WITHIN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND I PERSONALLY FIND THAT FRIGHTENING, AND I PANERA FIND IT OFFENSIVE PERSONALLY FIND IT YAWCH.

AS TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SENATE, SO THAT BILL, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, IS BEING AMENDED TO CONFORM WITH THIS BILL, BUT I DO HAVE A HEARING NEXT WEEK, I BELIEVE IT'S NEXT WEEK, ON THE BILL, SO I'LL GO OVER AND TESTIFY AND WE'LL SEE.

>> Jeff: WE WILL SEE INDEED.

DELEGATES ATTERBEARY AND BUCKEL, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TAKING THE TIME TO JOIN US.

FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE THIS WEEK MPT'S CHARLES ROBINSON SCWOIND BY SAM JANESCH OF THE BALTIMORE SUN.

SAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

YOU'VE BEEN REPORTING ON THE NEW GOVERNOR'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

HOW IS HE DOING?

>> Sam Janesch: ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR, HE'S DOING QUITE WELL.

GOVERNOR WES MOORE HAS TEN BILLS THIS SESSION, AND HIS FIRST SESSION, HE'S TWO MONTHS IN, AND HE'S VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT HE HAS MOVEMENT ON ALL TEN THOSE OF BILLS.

ALL TEN OF THEM LOOK LIKE THEIR GOING TO PASS.

BUT NOT ALL OF THEM IN THE SAME FORM THAT HE INTRODUCED THEM.

HE'S GETTING A COUPLE OF THE BILLS IN KIND OF AS HE INTRODUCED THEM, EXPLAINING TAX CREDITS -- EXPANDING TAX CREDITS FOR LOAF HAD INCOME FAMILIES, AND A BIG SERVICE YEAR PROGRAM THAT HE TALKED A LOT ABOUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

THERE'S OTHER ONES LIKE A MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO $15 AN HOUR FASTER THAN CURRENT LAW ALLOWS, BUT A LITTLE SLOWER THAN HE WANTED, AND A LITTLE SMALLER.

AND THEN THERE'S ANOTHER VETERANS TAX CUT THAT HE WANTS THAT IS GOING TO GO THROUGH AND KIND OF INCREASE SOME EXEMPTIONS FOR MILITARY RETIREMENT INCOME, BUT JUST NOT AT THE LEVELS THAT HE WANTED ORIGINALLY.

>> Charles: SAM, IT'S VERY INTERESTING BECAUSE I ASKED SENATOR FERGUSON AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T GET EVERYTHING THAT HE WANTS.

AND PART OF WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THIS IDEA HE'S NOT GETTING EVERYTHING.

HE'S GETTING SOME THINGS.

I WANT TO TALK FIRST AND FOREMOST ABOUT THIS IDEA OF THIS YEAR AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.

GUESS WHAT?

THEY DIDN'T GIVE HIM EVERYTHING.

THEY SAID WE'LL BE USE IT A AS A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.

AND I THINK PART OF THAT WAS THE LEGISLATURE MADE THE DECISION THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST TOO MUCH MONEY, AND ABOUT TWO OR THREE YEARS OUT IN THIS BLUEPRINT FOR MARYLAND, THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH MONEY IN THE SYSTEM.

THEY'R GOING TO HAVE TO TRY AND FIND WAY TO EITHER ADD TAXES, ADD FEES, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO.

THE OTHER PART I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS THIS WHOLE IDEA OF THE WASHINGTON BELTWAY.

HOGAN HAD WANTED TO HAVE A TOLL ROAD TO BUILD THIS NEW ROAD.

WELL, THAT ROAD IS NO LONGER GOING TO BE BUILT BECAUSE THE COMPANY THAT WAS GOING TO BUILD THE TOLL ROAD HAS BACKED OUT.

THE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY HAS NOT INDICATED YET WHAT HE WANTS TO DO, BUT LET ME JUST SAY THIS.

WE'RE TEN YEARS OUT FROM ANYTHING ACTUALLY HAPPENING, AND GUESS WHAT?

THE ROADS ARE GOING TO GET WORSE IN AND AROUND THE BELTWAY.

>> Jeff: YOU KNOW, CHARLES AND SAM, ONE THING THAT'S BEEN STRIKING IS THE AMOUNT OF LOBBYING THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN DOING.

THEY CALL IT SOCIALIZING.

ALMOST EVERY WEEK THERE'S BEEN A LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS INVITED INTO THE MANSION FOR BREAKFAST OR LUNCH.

I THINK THE MOST RECENT WAS THE VETERANS CAUCUS.

>> Sam Janesch: THE VETERAN CAULK WAS THERE YESTERDAY, THURSDAY MORNING AND THE LGBTQ+ CAUCUS WAS THERE IN THE EVENING, AND HE'S EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THEIR BILLS AS WELL.

HE HAS BEEN DOING THESE VERY REGULARLY, ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST MONTH, I WOULD SAY.

AND HE JUST FOLLOWS, AS YOU REFERENCED, THE TESTIFYING THAT HE DID IN COMMITTEE TWICE, EACH ON THREE OF HIS MAIN PRIORITY BILLS, WHICH A LOT OF THE LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE SAID THAT THEY WERE EXCITED ABOUT AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF GOVERNOR HOGAN NOT DOING THAT.

>> Charles: THE OTHER PART IS I CALL IT THE SCHMOOZE FACTOR WITH THE GOVERNOR BECAUSE HE IS THE GREATEST SCHMOOZER THAT I HAVE EVER MET.

>> Jeff: I CAN'T THINK OF ANYBODY BETTER.

>> Charles: RIGHT.

AND HE -- HE BASICALLY LIGHTS UP A ROOM WHEN HE WALKS IN.

AND FOLKS ARE NOT APT TO GO, GOVERNOR, I DON'T AGREE WITH YOU.

>> Jeff: SAM, HE IS TRYING TO -- FINDING THAT HE NEEDS TO SPEND SOME POLITICAL CAPITAL ON SOME APPOINTEES, INCLUDING ONE APPOINTEE TO THE STADIUM AUTHORITY AND THE NEW STATE POLICE CHIEF, SUPERINTENDENT OF STATE POLICE HAS DRAWN A LITTLE BIT OF CRITICISM AS WELL.

>> Sam Janesch: YEAH.

I MEAN, LOOK, THE GOVERNOR HAS HAD TO APPOINT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE NOT JUST THE 20 CABINET MEMBERS THAT HE HAS OR 24.

AND ALMOST EVERY ONE OF HIS TOP CABINET LEVEL APPOINTEES HAVE GONE THROUGH VERY EASILY, AND NOW WE'RE ON THE LAST ONE, THE STATE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT, WHO WILL BE UP IN THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE NEXT WEEK.

>> Jeff: THANKS TO CHARLES AND SAM PF A GOOD WEEKEND.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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