>> 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 HURLED CLEARED FOR A HISTORIC NOMINEE.

>> I BELIEVE IN HARD WORK AND I BELIEVE IN ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO WORK HARD.

>> Jeff: HASHING OUT DIFFERENCES ON CANNABIS LEGALIZATION.

>> WE WOULD PROBABLY ALL AGREE THAT THIS IS GOING TO DETERIORATE CREATE A GREATER STRESS ON OUR EMS SYSTEMS.

>> WE KNOW THE LONGER WE DELAY THE MORE LIABLE THE ELYSEIT MARKET WILL THRIVE.

>> Jeff: AND IT A MORE THAN-DAY DEBTOR'S PRISON?

>> EYE IT'S A IT'S A CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE.

>> IT AFFECTS POOR PEOPLE.

>> CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE."

GNCHTS.

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK, THREE MONTHS FROM TOMORROW.

THAT DAY, SATURDAY, THE 1st OF JULY, MARIJUANA WILL BE LEGAL.

HOWEVER, THE RULES FOR GROWING, BUYING AND SELLING CANNABIS ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT, AS SUE REPORTS.

>> Sue: GOLD LEAF MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSE RYU IS GETTING READY COMING THE 1st OF JULY.

>> WE SEE OTHER STATES AND WHAT IT'S DONE NEARNLINGS WAS DEFINITELY A STATE WE LOOKED AT THAT WE SAW A LOT OF SATURATION HAPPEN AND SO WE WANT TO AVOID ANY CHAOTIC EXPERIENCE.

WE WANT IT TO BE AS EFFICIENT AND SPLOTH AS POSSIBLE TO CONTINUE DO GIVE THAT GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICES.

>> Sue: WHEN THE DISPENSARY OPENED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO THERE WERE FIVE EMPLOYEES.

NOW THERE ARE OVER 100.

>> WE WILL PAROL PROBABLY NEED TO ADD A FEW MORE PEOPLE ON IN ORDER TO KEEP UP WITH THE MASS AMOUNT OF PATIENTS AND CUSTOMERS THAT WE'LL SEE IN JULY.

EITHER WAY WE'LL BE PREPARED WITH MORE REGISTERS, MORE PEOPLE.

ANYTHING NEEDED THAT WE REQUIRE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE EVERYONE THE BEST SERVICE IS WHAT WE'LL MAKE SURE GETS DONE.

>> Sue: AMONG THE PROIFERTIONZ IN THIS EMERGENCY BILL, IT ADDS EXHIBITION TO THE NAME OF THE ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO COMMISSION AS WELL AS THE REGULATION OF EXHIBITION TO THE COMMISSION'S RESPONSIBILITIES.

IT ESTABLISHES THE LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR THE REGULATED SAFELY CANNABIS.

IT CREATES THE OFFICE OF SOCIAL EQUITY AND THE SOCIAL EQUITY PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM.

IT ALSO ESTABLISHES SALES AND USE TAXES FOR THE SALE OF RECREATIONAL CANNABIS TO ANYONE 21 OR OLDER.

AND THE SUBJECT OF TAXES IS ONE OF THE AREAS THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED WITH THE HOUSE.

>> THE HOUSE INTRODUCED IT AT 6% AND RAMPED UP, PHASED UP UNTIL THEY GOT TO 9%.

WE CHOSE TO START AT 9% BECAUSE ONE REASON IS THE STATE'S ALCOHOL TAX IS 9% SO WE FELT THAT WAS CONSIST, AND THE OTHER REASON IS MARYLAND'S TAX EVEN AT 9% IS LOWER THAN MOST OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE IMPLEMENTED ADULT USE CANNABIS.

WE DID NOT WANT TO TAX OURSELVES OUT OF THE MARKET, THOUGH, AND HAVE PEOPLE STAY IN THE ILLICIT SPACE BECAUSE OUR PRICES WERE TOO HIGH.

>> Sue: THERE WERE PLENTY OF QUESTIONS DURING DEBATED, INCLUDING ONE ABOUT THE IMPACT ON OTHER BUSINESSES.

>> I GOT A CALL THIS MORNING FROM SOMEONE WHO ALLEGED THAT IF WE PASSED THIS BILL, IT WILL BUT MARYLAND'S HEMP INDUSTRY OUT OF BUSINESS.

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

>> THE COMMITTEE ADOPTED LANGUAGE THAT BASICALLY ALLOWED FOR THE CONTINUED USE OF NON-INTOXICATING HEMP.

THE BILL DID -- DOES PROHIBIT THIS UNRELATED -- UNREGULATED INTOXICATING HESM.

>> Sue: AND THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> I READ IN SOME OF THE TESTIMONY INSTANCES WHERE STATES LEGALIZE CANNABIS, CAR CRASHES INCREASE BY 6%, FATAL CAR CRASHES BY AS MUCH AS 4%.

I THINK THAT SOME OF THOSE OTHER STATES, THEY DESIGNATED SOME OF THE FUNDS THAT COME FROM FROM THE LEGALIZATION TO GO TOWARDS LARGE SERVICES BECAUSE I THINK WE COULD PROBABLY ALL GREE THAT THIS IS GOING TO GREAT A GREATER STRESS ON OUR EMS SYSTEMS WHICH ARE ALREADY UNDER GREAT STRESS NOW.

>> Sue: WITH THE LEGISLATURE DUE TO WRAP UP IN JUST OVER A WEEK, FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR SENATOR MELANIE GRIFFITH SHEESD CONFIDENT THE TWO CHAMBERS WILL RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES AND MAKE THE DEADLINE.

>> WE KNOW THE LONGER THAT WE DELAY, THE MORE LIKELY THE ILLICIT MARKET WILL STRIVE -- THRIVE, AND SO WE ALL UNDER THE TIME CONSTRAINS WE'RE WORKING WITH AND WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING WHICH IS TO WORK TOGETHER AND PROVIDE A SAFE, ASTOUND INFRASTRUCTURE IN WHICH BUSINESSES CAN OPERATE.

>> Sue: I'M SUE KOPEN FORE "STATE CIRCLE."

>> Jeff: A SENATE VOTE CONFIRMED A NEW LEADER TO THE STATE PLACE TODAY.

THE AGENCY'S FIRST PLACK BLACK SUPERINTENDENT.

CHARLES ROBINSON REPORTS THE CONFERENCE PROCESS INCLUDED OBJECTIONS AND ULTIMATELY SOME NO VOTES FROM BLACK LAWMAKERS.

>> I'VE LEARN FROM MY CONCERNS EXPERIENCE THAT TEACHING PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO LEAD.

I BELIEVE IN HARD WORK, AND I BELIEVE IN ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO WORK HARD.

WE ALL HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO HELP OUR FELLOW TROOPERS REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

>> Charles: LIEUTENANT COLONEL ROLAND L. BURL, JR. SCUCHT MARYLAND STATE POLICE, HAS THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE AND HAS MOVED THROUGH THE LAIRCHTION OF THE STATE POLICE FROM PATROLMAN TO BUREAU KNEE OF.

DESPITE HIS DRECIALS IT'S ONE OF THE FEW TIMES THAT MOORE ADMINISTRATION HAS HAD TO PUSH GACK BACK AGAINST CRITICS.

>> I GROUP OF TROOPERS WRITE A LETTER AND SIGN REQUESTING YOUR REMOVE FROM FORESTVILLE.

>> I BELIEVE IN CORRECTING BEHAVIOR AND LEAVING PEOPLE WHOLE.

I WALKED INTO AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THERE WAS A LACK OF DISCIPLINE, A LACK OF LEADERSHIP.

THERE WAS A LACK OF DIRECTION.

THERE WERE A LOT OF TOUGH DECISIONS THAT I HAD TO MAKE, AND I MET THOSE DECISIONS AND I MET THE ISSUE HEAD ON.

I TALKED TO PEOPLE.

I MADE SURE THEY UNDERSTOOD.

>> RIGHT NOW IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE IS A -- THERE'S A FEDERAL REVIEW THAT IS GOING ON.

THERE'S A PROBE INTO HIRING PRACTICES AT THE AGENCY.

DO YOU SEE AS BEING INSIDE OF THAT TO BE ABLE TO LOOK TO REFORM WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON?

OR WHAT SEEMS TO BE AT ISSUE INSIDE OF THE MARYLAND STATE POLICE?

>> YES.

I WAS A PART OF THAT STRUCTURE.

BUT AGAINS A BUREAU CHIEF YOU DO NOT GET TO SEE EVERYTHING.

>> Charles: TO ASSUAGE THE DOWRTSZ COLONEL BURLTD SAID HE'S WILLING TO WORK ON SEVERAL PROPOSALS.

IT INCLUDES MAKING SURE THERE IS MORE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

HE ALSO WANTS TO FIND A PATHWAY FOR ADVANCEMENT, ESPECIALLY THROUGH MERIT-BASED PROMOTION.

HE ALSO WANTS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STAFF IN THE INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY PROGRAMS.

LASTLY, HE SAYS HE WANTS TO CREATE A NEW REVIEW PROCESS FOR DISCIPLINE.

REPORTS OF THESE PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATURE BY JULY THE 1st AND DECEMBER THE 15th OF THIS YEAR.

THERE WAS ONE ADDITIONAL CAVEAT.

THE LEGISLATURE WILL WITHHOLD $250,000 FROM THE $33.8 ILLION BUDGET.

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

>> Jeff: THIS WEEK BALTIMORE CITY SUCCESSFULLY BLOCK A SHIPMENT OF HAZARDOUS WEACHT.

IT WAS COMING FROM THE EAST PAL STEEN, OHIO TRAIN CRASH.

CONTAMINATED WATER WAS TO BE SENT TO A BALTIMORE PROCESSING FILL THE AND THEN RELEASED INTO CITY SEWERS WHICH FLOW TO THE TROUBLED BACKWATER WASTEWATER PLANT AND THEN ON TO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.

MAYOR SCOTT DENIED PERMISSION TO USE THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM, AND THE COMPANY QUICKLY CHANGED ITS PLANS.

MARYLAND'S CONSTITUTION SAYS YOU CANNOT BE JAILED FOR OWING MONEY.

HOWEVER, ADVOCATES FOR LOW-INCOME MARYLANDERS SAY THAT IT CAN STILL HAPPEN.

NANCY YAMADA HAS THAT STORY.

>> REMEMBER THE OLD DEKINZIAN ERA WHERE THEY HAD DEBTOR'S PRISONS WHERE SOMEBODY HAD DEBT, THEY WENT TO JAIL, AND SO THEY COULDN'T PAY THE DEBT OFF BECAUSE THEY'RE IN JAIL.

THIS IS SORT OF THE RESIDUAL OF THIS.

>> Nancy: SENATOR CRITION WES WEST SAID HE'S COMFORT CONFIDENT THIS THAT IS THE MERE MARYLAND WILL END THE ANTIQUATED PRACTICE OF PUTTING 350E78 WITH OUTSTANDING DEBT IN JAIL IN ORDER TO COMPEL THEM TO GO TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT TO ANSWER CREDITOR'S QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR ASSETS.

>> SO THIS BILL PASSED ON THE SENATE FLOOR LAST YEAR UNANIMOUSLY AND THEN THE GOVERNOR VETOED IT.

I CANNOT RECALL WHEN THE GOVERNOR VETOED IT LAST YEAR.

IT'S COME BACK THIS YEAR AND I'M SUPPORTING THE BILL.

>> Nancy: THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION SAID A PERCENT WANT BE CAILD TO DISOBEY A ORDER TO PAY DEBT AND YET DEBTOVER OWES PRISON FOR PEOPLE OWING LESS THAN $5,000 STILL EXISTS IN MARYLAND.

>> LIFE HAPPENS.

WE KNOW SOME OF THE DEBT IS MEDICAL DEBT.

>> Nancy: MARCELINE WHITE IS THE DIRECTOR OF ACTION ECONOMIC RIGHT, WHICH FOCUSES ON ECONOMIC AND HOWKS JUSTICE.

SHE SAID IF A PERSON WITH OUTSTANDING DRET DEBT WHERE A CREDITOR WANT KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR INCOME AND ASSETS A COURT CAN PUT A LEA A LIEN ON A PERSON'S BODY.

>> THE PRACTICE DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

IT AFFECTS POOR PEOPLE BECAUSE ONLY REASON THEY'RE GOING TO JAIL IS BECAUSE OF POVERTY.

WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE THERE THREE DAYS.

WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE IN THE PAST WHO WERE THERE UP TO TWO WEEKS WHILE THEY WERE RAISING MONEY FORE A BOND ALL BECAUSE THEY FELL HYNDMAN A HET.

>> Nancy: PROPONENTS POINT OUT IN THIS DAY AND AGE THERE'S NO REASON TO CALL PEOPLE INTO COURT OVER A DEBTCH CREDITORS CAN FIND OUT EVERYTHING THEY NEED KNOW ABOUT YOU ONLINE.

>> I THINK IT'S A FUNDAMENTAL CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE.

>> Nancy: SENATOR WILL SMITH, THE CARE OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE SAYS NOW THAT THE HOUSE BILL IS PASSED, HE'S COMMITTED TO BRINGING TO IT A VOTE AND THEN ON TO THE THAT THE FLOOR.

>> JUST LOGISTICAL WE'RE TRYING TO MANAGE OUR SCHEDULE SO IT'S JUST BEEN A REALLY, REALLY BUSY SESSION.

WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH THE HOUSE BILL.

IT'S PROBABLY TOO LATE FOR THE SENATE BILL BUT DELEGATE MOON IS MY COLLEAGUE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY WE WILL WORK ON HIS BILL AND GET ON IT.

>> Nancy: OPTIMISM ABOUNDS IN THE TBIENL DAYS OF THE SESSION.

I'M NANCY YAMADA FOR "STATE CIRCLE."

67.

>> Jeff: OUR "NEWSMAKER" THIS WEEK RAFAEL LOPEZ, THE SECRETARY HUMAN SERVICES.

SIR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> Rafael Lopez: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> Jeff: GOVERNOR MOORE HAS NONDZ A RELIEF PROGRAM OF PEOPLE WHO WERE VICTIMS OF ELECTRICAL BENEFITS FRAUD.% TELL BUS THAT SITUATION.

>> Rafael Lopez: SURE.

UNFORTUNATELY IT'S PART OF A NATIONAL PROBLEM, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO HAVE PREYED ON SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

OUR MOTHERS, OUR FATHERS, OUR BROTHERS, OUR SISTERS, OUR FRIENDS, OUR NEIGHBORS.

AND WHAT HAPPENS AS IS PEOPLE'S BENEFITS, THE ABILITY FOR THEM IF TO ACCESS FOOD, FOR EXAMPLE, IS STOLEN DIRECTLY.

>> THEIR CARDS AND THROUGH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY, AND SO THIS IS THE CARD THAT PEOPLE OFTEN HAVE, THE INDEPENDENT CARD, AND -- INDEPENDENCE EXPARKD UNFORTUNATELY LIKE SO MANY OF US WHO OFTENTIMES GET OUR CARDS STOLEN FROM US EITHER PHYSICALLY OR SKIMMED ELECTRONICALLY, AND SO WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING IS THAT PEOPLE GO TO THE GROCERY STORE, THEY'RE IN LINE TO PAY FOR THEIR GROCERIES AND UNWITTINGLY FIND OUT AT THAT MOMENT THAT THEY NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR BENEFITS, AND SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THOSE BENEFITS RETURNED TO THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE VICTIMS OF A FRAUD.

>> Jeff: IS THE TECHNOLOGY IN THESE CARDS MAYBE A STEP BEHIND WHAT THE CREDIT CARD COMPANIES HAVE BEEN DOING ANY GUESS ON THE BACK OF THAT IT PROBABLY HAS THE MAGNETIC STRIPE.

SO IT MAYBE DOESN'T HAVE THE CHIP IN IT THAT THE CREDIT CARD COMPANIES HAVE STARTED DOING.

>> Rafael Lopez: THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

AND I OFTENTIMES AM TWHAWNG OUR PARTNERS IN LEGISLATURE AND ADVOCATES AROUND THE NEED TO INCREASE OUR SECURITY ON THESE CARDS.

THE FACT IS THAT WE HAVE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY THAT WE WILLINGLY ACCEPT ON OUR CREDIT CARDS AND ON OUR BANK ATM CARDS, AND WE WOULD ARGUE THAT MARYLANDERS AND PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO ARE USING THESE CARDS DESERVE NO LESS THAN THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY.

SO INCREASING SECURIY AROUND CHIPPING MECHANISMS, FOR EXAMPLE, MAKING SURE WE HAVE TEXT FEATURES TO ALERT SOMEONE OF FRAUDULENT USE OF THE CARDS, BEING ABLE TO ACTUALLY CHANGE OR CLOSE DOWN YOUR CARD WHEN YOU'RE NOT USING IT.

THESE ARE FEATURES THAT ARE COMMON IN THE USE OF -- ON ATM CARDS FROM BANKS OR ON CREDIT CARDS.

ONE CAN IMAGINE THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY USE THAT TECHNOLOGY TO PROTECT AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT KINDS SECURITY FEATURES FOR THOSE RECEIVED THE INDEPENDENCE CARD IN MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: TOTAL LOSS HERE WAS 2 OR 3 MILLION?

>> Rafael Lopez: THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

OVER THE COURSE OF OCTOBER OF LAST FALL AND FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS, AND THE FACT IS, IS THAT THERE ARE MANY WHO HAVE ARGUED THAT THEIR BENEFITS BEGAN BEING STOLEN EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC.

AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE ALIGN THE INVESTMENT AND THE PERMISSION, QUITE FRANKLY, FROM THE FEDERAL EXPWOACHT PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED INTO LAW A BILL THAT LOUSE FOR THE USE OF FEDERAL DOLLARS TO REIMBURSE STOLEN BENEFITS DATING BACK TO OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR.

THE STATE OF MARYLAND WAS THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO A APPLY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH A FRAM PROGRAM.

WE WERE THE FIRST TO BE APPROVED AND THE FIRST TO GO LIVE THIS WRECK.

BACK IN FACT, IN OUR FIRST WEEK ALONE WE HAD 3,804 CLAIMS THAT WERE SUBMITTED TOTALING $1.667 MILLION OF REIMBURSABLE STOLEN BENEFITS, AND ALREADY WE HAVE $1.124 MILLION THAT HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO MARYLANDERS WHO HAD THEIR BENEFITS STOLEN.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE OVERALL MISSION OF YOUR DEPARTMENT AND HOW IT FITS IN WITH THE NEW GOVERNOR'S AGENDA.

>> Rafael Lopez: ABSOLUTELY.

THE WAY I LIKE TO THINK ABOUT IT AS A NEW MEMBER OF THE MOORE-MILLER ADMINISTRATION IS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES IS A DEPARTMENT AND SHOULD BE KNOWN AS A DEPARTMENT THAT HELPS MARYLANDERS WHEN THEY NEED THE HELP THE MOST.

WE SHOULD DO SO IN A THOUGHTFUL, RESPECTFUL AND DIGNIFIED WAY, THAT WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL OR A FAMILY IS HAVING A TOUGH TIME MAKING ENDS MEET, THEY SHOULD KNOW THAT OUR DEPARTMENT AND THE STATE OF MARYLAND HAS THEIR BACK.

AS THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID THROUGHOUT BOTH THE CAMPAIGN AND LEADING AS GOVERNOR, WE WANT TO LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND, AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR US IS THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CONTRIBUTORS TO MAKING SURE WE'RE REDUCING POVERTY AND ELIMINATING POVERTY, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN.

SO PEOPLE DON'T OFTEN REALIZE THE MAJOR OF PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE SNAP OR TENANT BENEFITS NOT ADULTS.

THEY'RE CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GIVING OUR CHILDREN IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND THE BEST OPPORTUNITY POSSIBLE TO CONNECT THEM TO A STET SET OF RESOURCES SO THEY CAN THRIVE.

>> Jeff: SO THE DEPARTMENT TOUCHES A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS GOING ON.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE MOST FOCUSED ON FOR, SAY, THE BALANCE OF THE YEAR?

REENCHTS YES.

WE DO, IN FACT, HAVE A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SERVED OVER 1 MILLION PEOPLE LAST YEAR ALONE, AND THAT'S A OF MARYLAND.

AND AGAIN THE MAJORITY OF THOSE CHILDREN ARE REPRESENTED BY HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES.

THERE ARE A FEW THINGS WOULD I SAY THAT TIE DIRECTLY WITH THE MOORE-MILLER ADMINISTRATORS' PRIORITIES WHICH ARE NUMBER ONE ENDING CHILDHOOD POFERLT BY, ONE 1 INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE TO $15 AN HOUR.

THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS MOSTLY WOMEN AND MOMS.

MAKING SURE WE CAN SUPPORT THEM IN HELPING THEM SECURE THEIR FAMILY INCOME AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE WORKING A LIVING WAGE JOB.

SECONDLY EXPANDING CHILD CARE TAX CREDITS.

THE EITC AS WELL, THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, MAKING SURE THAT THOSE COMBINATIONS ARE WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN SUPPORT FAMILIES.

THOSE ARE NOT JUST RANDOM IDEAS.

THEY'RE BASED ON EVIDENCE.

THEY WORK IN RAISING FAMILIES IN ADDITION, THERE ARE A SCRA VARIETY OF PRIORITIES AROUND MAKING SURE WE KEEP CHILDREN OUT OF FOR CARE WHEN WE CAN SAFELY DO SO, SUPPORTING THE WELL-BEING OF FAMILIES, MAKING SURE THEY'RE SCHENECTADY TO THE RIGHT KIND OF SUPPORT WHEN THEY'RE STRUGGLING.

THAT TIES TO OUR LARGER EFFORTS TO END CHILDHOOD POVERTY AND MAKE SURE FAMILIES ARE THRIVING.

>> Jeff: TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

I KNOW YOU WERE IN THE WHITE HOUSE IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

YOU'VE BEEN WITH THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION.

HOW DOES ALL THIS PREPARE YOU FOR THIS ROLE?

>> SURE.

I THINK THAT WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE ARC OF MY OWN CAREER AND EXPERIENCES, I HAVE SPENT MY ENTIRE LIFE AND CAREER WORKING ON CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES ISSUES, AND I THINK THAT I BRING TWO THINGS TO THE ROLE.

ONE, A SENSE OF URGENCY THAT I THINK IS SHARED AND MODELED BY THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THAT IN ORDER TO LEAVE MOAN BEHIND WE HAVE TO IMAGINE THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY'RE BORN, REGARDLESS OF THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES IN LIFE, DESERVE WORLD CLASS SERVICE, AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IS MAKING SURE WE CAN RALLY OUR EXPERIENCES TO SERVE PEOPLE IN A DIGNIFIED MANNER.

I BRING THAT TO THE ROLE, AND I BRING A SET OF EXPERIENCES IN THE SUBJECT MATTERS WHICH I NOW LEAD.

I ALSO HAVE BEEN TALKING PUBLICKY ABOUT THE FACT THAT MY OWN FAMILY -- PUBLICALLY ABOUT THE FACT THAT MY OWN FAMILY AND MYSELF AS A CHILD WERE A RESIP ENT YFT OF THE VERY BENEFITS THAT I'M NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR LEARNING IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES.

I'VE LEARNED THAT THERE'S NO PERSON SO STRONG THAT THEY DON'T NEED HELP FROM SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES.

THAT MIGHT COME FROM A PARENT OR A COACH OR SOMEONE FROM THEIR CHURCH BUT THE FACT IS THAT THAT COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCES AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF CITY, COUNTY, AND STATE AND FEDERAL WORK, I THINK IT'S TIME FOR THE MOORE-MILLER ADMINISTRATION AS PART OF WHAT I BRING TO LEADING THIS DEPARTMENT WITH A TEAM OF OVER 5,000 EMPLOYEES.

>> Jeff: IT PLUS BE REALLY REWARDING FOR ALL 5,000 EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT, TO BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE AS A GROUP.

BUT ALSO INDIVIDUALLY.

WHEN YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOMEBODY'S LIFE.

>> Rafael Lopez: IT DOES.

AND I WILL SHARE WITH YOU, JEFF, THAT JUST RECENTLY I WAS AT A STARBUCKS PICKING UP A CUP OF COFFEE, AND THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS SERVING ME THE COFFEE SAW THE PEN ON MY A. LAPEL AND ASKED IF I WORKED AT DHS.

I DID.

THEY TH THE ENDED UP TELLING ME ABOUT STRUGGLES THEY HAD CONNECTING WITH OUR DEPARTMENT.

AND RIGHT AFTER THAT I ASKED FORE THEIR NAME, THEIR INFORMATION, AND BY AN HOUR LATER CONNECTED THAT INDIVIDUAL TO BOTH THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICE WHERE WORK HAPPENS ON THE GROUND, AS WELL AS STATE HEADQUARTER STAFF, AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS THEY HAD BENEFITS RESTORED ON THEIR CARD THAT HAD BEEN A STRUGGLE.

THE FACT IS, IS THAT IT SHOULD BE EASY TO WORK WITH US AND OUR DEPARTMENT, WHETHER IT'S IN-PERSON, ON THE PHONE OR ONLINE, AND PART OF MY JOB STOW MAKE SURE WE BRING WORLD CLASS CUSTOMER SERVICE BOTH TO OUR DEPARTMENT AND SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE THAT ULTIMATELY RELY ON US.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO SECRETARY LOPEZ.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON REPLACING STOLEN BENEFITS, SPRIT THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AT DHS.MARYLAND.GOV.

FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE THIS WEEK, MPT'S SUE KOPEN JOINED BY COSH JURTSZ KURTZ, THE FOUNDER OF MARYLAND MATTERS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING WITH US.

THIS IS DAY 80 OF And 90-DAY 11:00 SESSION.

THINGS STARTING TO MOVE.

WE'LL RUN THROUGH SOME OF THE TOPICS.

STARTING THIS MORNING WITH A NEWS CONFERENCE BY THE SENATE PRESIDENT, PUTTING THE FOCUS ON A RELATIVELY SMALL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE ON THE BUDGET.

>> Sue: YEAH, THAT IS DUE TO THE LARGEST DEGREE WITH THE BOOST FUNDS WHICH HAVE BEEN USED FOR KIDS TO ATTEND IN UNDERPRIVILEGED AREAS, TO GET CLARPS TO ATTEND EITHER PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR SOME ALTERNATIVE FORM OF EDUCATION, AND THE GOVERNOR, OF COURSE, HAD REDUCED THAT AND WAS LOOKING TO COMPLETELY PHASE IT OUT.

THE HOUSE WENT ALONG WITH THAT.

THE SENATE DID NOT.

THEY WANT TO PUT MONEY INTO IT ANY WAY.

YOU'RE RIGHT, IN WATCHING THE SENATE PRESIDENT THIS MORNING YOU WOULD THINK EVEN THOUGH HE SAID THEY WERE CLOSE AND HE WAS PRETTY SURE THEY WOULD COME TO A RESOLUTION, ONLY A FEW HOURS AGO CAME WORD THAT THEY HAD REACHED THAT RESOLUTION AND IN ESSENCE WHAT THEY HAVE AGREED TO IS $9 MILLION.

THAT LEVEL FUNDING HAD BEEN -- IT HAD BEEN 10 BUT IT WAS TOLD TO ME THAT THE NUMBER OF FOLKS ENROLLED, KIDS ENROLLED HAS DROPPED.

SO $9 MILLION IS GOD.

THE AND THAT THEY'RE GOING TO PUT $2.5 MILLION EXTRA DOLLARS IN FROM FROM A FUND WHICH I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE FRANCE PERIOD FROM.

IS ON THE A NET GAIN OF WHAT THE SENATE HAD WFNTD $1.5 MILLION.

JOSH, IS THAT WHAT YOU HEARD AS WELL?

>> Josh Kurtz: THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

I THINK THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME RESTRICTIONS ON WHO CAN APPLY FOR THIS PROGRAM, AND I THINK THE EMPHASIS IS GOING TO BE ON KIDS WHO ARE ALREADY IN THIS PROGRAM, SO I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE PART OF THE DEAL, TOO, BUT AT LEAST IT PRESERVES THE PROGRAM FOR A WHILE.

THE GOVERNOR MOORE HAS SAID HE WANTED TO PHASE IT OUT, AND THAT MAY BE A FIGHT FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> Jeff: THE GOVERNOR, THE SENATE, RATHER, GAVE FINAL APPROVAL TODAY TO THE PROPOSAL TO PUT MARYLAND ABORTION LAW INTO THE STATE CONSTITUTION AND HAVE A REFERENDUM ON.

>> Josh Kurtz: YEAH.

>> Sue: THE PACKAGE IN LEGISLATION, ISN'T THAT MOVING AT THIS POINT, JOSH?

>> Josh Kurtz: YEAH.

I MEAN, THERE IS THAT.

THAT'S CERTAINLY BEEN THE MOST PROFILE OF THE ABORTION RIGHTS BILLS, AND WILL REALLY PUT MARYLAND AT THE FOREFRONT, ASSUMING VOTERS FLIEFT NOVEMBER APPROVE IT IN NOVEMBER OF 2024 WHICH I THINK THEY WILL.

THERE ARE COMPANION MEASURES.

ONE HAS TO DO WITH PROTECTION MEDICAL RECORDS TO MAKE THE MORE DIFFICULT FOR OUT-OF-STATE PROSECUTORS TO FIND PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOTTEN ABORTIONS HERE.

AND THEN ONE IS JUST A STRICTLY SORT OF EVEN GREATER PROTECTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOTTEN ABORTIONS HERE AND TO PREVENT OUT-OF-STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM MEDDLING IN THAT.

SO IT'S A PRETTY STRONG PACKAGE OF BILLS.

>> Sue: AND THINK THERE'S SOMETHING IN THERE FOR COLLEGE CAMPUSES, TOO, AS I RECALL.

>> Josh Kurtz: THANKS FOR REMINDING ME ABOUT THAT, BASICALLY INCREASING FUNDING FOR REPRODUCTIVE SERVICES ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES IN THE STATE COLLEGE SYSTEM.

SIGNIFICANT.

>> Jeff: WE ALSO SAW FINAL APPROVAL TODAY FOR THE TRANS EQUITY BILL, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH EXPANDING MEDICAID COVERAGE.

>> Josh Kurtz: YEAH.

AND THAT'S -- AND ACTUALLY ALSO TODAY, JUST COINCIDENTALLY I THINK OR MAYBE NOT, GOVERNOR MOORE HAD CEREMONY IN THE STATE HOUSE FOR TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY IS WHAT THEY CALLED IT AND THERE'S QUITE A BIG TURNOUT FOR THAT.

BUT, YEAH, THIS IS GOING TO DO EXPAND WHAT PROCEDURES ARE COVERED BY -- BY MEDICAID.

THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 24,000 MARYLANDERS WHO ARE OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AS TRANS.

ABOUT 6,000 OF THEM ARE ENROLL IN MEDICAID, SO THIS WILL EXPAND THE ARRAY OF HEALTH SERVICES THAT MEDICAID CAN PAY FOR.

>> Jeff: JOSH, THE GOVERNOR IS REALLY GRABBING ON THE WIND POWER ISSUE.

IT'S ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT CONTROVERSIAL IN OCEAN CITY.

HOW MUCH VIZ BUILT THE WIND TURBINES OFF THE COAST ARE GOING TO HAVE.

BUT THE GOVERNOR HAS JUMPED IN THIS WITH BOTH FEET.

>> Josh Kurtz: RIGHT.

I MEAN, HE SEES THIS AS KIND OF A MAJOR SOURCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AND I WAY TO KIND OF PUT MARYLAND AT THE FOR FRONT OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY MOVEMENT.

THERE'S A BILL MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD EXPAND OFFSHORE WIND, BUT, YO,YOU KNOW -- AND THAT'S GOING TO GET THROUGH.

BUT REGARDLESS OF THAT, GOVERNOR MOORE THIS WEEK REALLY, I MEAN, HE SORT OF, HE'S TALKED ABOUT HIS SUPPORT FOR IT IN THE PAST BUT HE LAID IT ON IT IN SOME SPECIFIC TERMS THIS WEEK, INCLUDING THAT THE -- I MEAN, THIS IS KIND OF TECHNICAL, BUT THAT THE LEASE AREA OFF THE COAST OF OCEAN CITY IS NOW GOING TO BASICALLY QUADRUPLE IN SIZE.

AND THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

HE'S ALSO, YOU KNOW, DEVOTING MORE STATE RESOURCES TO GRANTS TO VARIOUS COMPANIES IN THE OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY.

YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE YOUR VIEWERS MIGHT RECALL THAT THIS DEBATE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR TEN YEARS NOW IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE LEGISLATURE FIRST AUTHORIZED THE STATE GETTING INTO THE OFFSHORE WIND GAME A DECADE AGO.

THERE IS -- THERE ISN'T A SINGLE WIND TURBINE IN THE ATLANTIC OFF THE COAST OF OCEAN CITY YET, BUT THERE'S STILL A SENSE THAT THERE'S A LOT OF MOMENTUM BUILDING.

THERE'S SOME REAL MONEY GOING INTO THE INDUSTRY NOW.

AT THE OLD SPARROWS POINT IN BALTIMORE COUNTY, IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIAL AREAS ON THE EASTERN SHORE, AND SO THIS IS JUST A KIND OF WAY TO COD BY THE THE STATE'S SUPPORT FOR THOSE BUSINESSES AND THAT INDUSTRY.

>> Jeff: SUE, VERY FEW INDEPENDENT-DAY SESSIONS PASS WITHOUT SOME AMENDMENT TO THE LIST OF OFFICIAL STATE THINGS.

>> Sue: YEAH, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS YEAR, SINCE THERE IS SPONSORSHIP IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, IT'S GOING TO BE RYE BUSINESS KEY.

I HONESTLY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ITS -- RYE WH I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ITS TIES TO MARYLAND.

IT'S QUIETED SIGNIFICANT.

WOULD I JOIN THE STATE EXERCISE OF WALKING, STATE DESERT WHICH IS CAKE AND THE DOG CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVER.

>> Jeff: JUST DON'T DO ALL THOSE THINGS AT THE SAME TIME.

JOASH KURTZ, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE