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.

CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY MARYLAND RELAY, EMPOWERING THOSE WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING OR SPEECH DISABLED TO STAY CONNECTED BY PHONE.

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

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

COMING UP UP THIS WEEK WHY MEDIA LITERACY IS A KEY SKILL FOR THE INFORMATION AGE AND UNDERSTANDING THE STATE'S IN NEW FAMILY LEAVE LAW.

EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY A THIRD CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN-PERSON AT EARLY VOTING SITES IN EACH COUNTY.

VOTING CONTINUES THROUGH NEXT THURSDAY AND ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 3.

THERE'S BALLOT QUESTIONS ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS BUT THIS YEAR'S QUESTION 3 IS DRAWING OPPOSITION.

JOINING US ARE LARRY STAFFORD OF PROGRESSIVE MARYLAND AND YURIPZY MORGAN OF PROTECT MARYLAND VOTES.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME.

LARRY, WHAT IS THE SHORT CASE FOR SOMEBODY TO VOTE YES ON QUESTION 3?

>> A SHORT I STRUGGLE TO MAKE IT SHORT BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS MARYLAND IS UNDER ATALK BY PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS.

AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY SEEN 29,200 CUTS TO MARYLAND FEDERAL WORKERS, PLEASING LOSING JOBS IN OUR STATE.

35,000 PEOPLE LOST THEIR S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS AND YOU HAVE 75.9 MILLION DOLLARS OUR STATE LOST DUE TO FEDERAL CUTBACKS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND BECAUSE OF CONGRESS.

WE SEE AN OUT-OF-CONTROL WITH I.C.E.

THAT TERRORIZED OUR OWN GARCIA AND THE ONLY WAY FOR US TO BALANCE POWER IS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A CONGRESS THAT WILL HOLD THIS PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE AND ONE TOOL WE HAVE AS HE IS TRYING TO RIG ELECTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND URGING STATES LIKE TEXAS TO REDRAW THEIR MAPS TO ADVANTAGE HIS POWER ALREADY IN POWER IS TO COUNTER THAT BY LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD HERE IN MARYLAND BY ENABLING OUR LAWMAKERS TO BE ABLE TO DO THE SAME.

>> Jeff: AND YURIPZY MORGAN, THE CASE FOR A NO VOTE ON QUESTION 3.

>> LISTEN I WOULD POINT OUT UNFORTUNATELY IT SOUNDS THE PEOPLE THAT WANT YOU TO VOTE ON THIS ARE MAKING THIS IS NATIONAL ISSUE.

IT IS NOT A NATIONAL ISSUE.

IT IS A LOCAL ISSUE.

MARYLANDERS ARE BEING ASKED TO MAKE A PERMANENT CHANGE IN THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION THAT ALLOW ANY PARTY.

OUR ORGANIZATION PROTECT MARYLAND VOTES WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT, AND WE HAVE RETIRED ARMY LIEUTENANT COLIN A LIFELONG DEMOCRAT AND THE THREE OF US BANDED TOGETHER THIS IS NOT ABOUT NATIONAL POLITICS IT'S ABOUT MARYLAND AND AS A REPUBLICAN IT IS WRONG WHEN THE PRESIDENT TRIES TO GERRYMANDER STATES AND IT IS WRONG WHEN MARYLAND TRIES TO DO IT.

WE DO NOT NEED A PERMANENT CHANGE IN OUR CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD ALLOW ANY PARTY TO GERRYMANDER OUR STATE.

>> Jeff: TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE CHANGE TO THE CONSTITUTION.

THE BALLOT LANGUAGE THAT PEOPLE WILL SEE WHEN THEY VOTE IS A LITTLE BIT NURSING HOMEKY.

SO -- MURKY.

WHAT WOULD THIS DO IN PRACTICE?

AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN UNTIL A YEAR OR TWO FROM NOW, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS IRONIC BY THAT TIME PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL BE OUT OF OFFICE IN TWO YEARS.

HE CANNOT RUN FOR REELECTION.

STATES THAT ENGAGED IN GERRYMANDERING LIKE CALIFORNIA AND YES, TEXAS REPUBLICANS ARE LIKELY TO LOSE THE HOUSE ANYWAYS AND THEY HAVE SUNSET CLAUSES.

THE ISSUE WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE IS THAT RIGHT THOUSAND IN MARYLAND THE LAST TIME THE LEGISLATURE TRIED TO GERRYMANDER THE STATE THEY RAN UP AGAINST A ROADBLOCK IN OUR CONSTITUTION IT STATES GUIDELINES AND BOUNDARIES THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW.

THEY HAVE TO BE CONTIGUOUS IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO CREATE BOUNDARIES AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS THAT DID NOT RESPECT NATURAL BOUNDARIES LIKE RIVERS, WATERWAYS THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.

THIS SEEKS TO TAKE THAT AWAY SO THERE ARE NO GUIDELINES THERE'S NOTHING STOPPING ANYONE FROM GERRYMANDERING THE STATE.

AND THAT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

>> Jeff: LARRY, THE IDEA IS THAT DEMOCRATS WANT TO GET TO A DEPRESSIONAL CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION THAT IS ALL DEMOCRATS, 8-0, WE HAVE ONE REPUBLICAN THAT REPRESENTS A DISTRICT THE EASTERN SHORE.

THE ONLY WAY TO CARVE THAT UP TO DILUTE THE REPUBLICANS THERE AND ELECT A DEMOCRAT IS TO GRI THE DISTRICT OVER THE BAY BRIDGE WHICH MIGHT NOT BE LEGAL AT THE MOMENT.

IS IT ACCURATE TO SAY THIS IS GOING TO ALLOW FOR DISTRICT ONE TO BASICALLY GET SPLIT AND BROUGHT OVER THE BAY BRIDGE?

>> FIRST TO CLARIFY THE FACTS THIS BALLOT MEASURE IS NOT INTRODUCING A MAP.

PEOPLE AREN'T VOTING ON A MAP HERE.

AND I WANT TO PUSHBACK WHAT YURIPZY MORGAN SAID EARLIER, AND SAYING THIS IS NOT A NATIONAL ISSUE.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FEDERAL CONGRESSIONAL AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATION.

AND I LAID OUT THE CONSEQUENCES THAT WE'VE HAD IN OUR STATE AS A RESULT OF CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT ACTING RECKLESSLY CUTTING JOBS FOR MARYLAND WORKERS CUTTING FUNDINGS FOR MARYLAND EDUCATION, CUTTING S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS LEAVING CHILDREN HUNGRY.

WE DON'T EXIST IN A CONTEXT WHERE MARYLAND IS ON AN ISLAND OF ITS OWN AND THAT IS WHY THIS IS A NATIONAL QUESTION HERE BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CONGRESSIONAL LINES HERE.

NOW, TO THE POINT ABOUT THIS BEING SOMEHOW UNFAIR, IS IT FAIR RIGHT NOW THAT MARYLAND IS NOT ON A LEVELING PLAYING FIELD AS TEXAS HAS BEEN ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH REDRAWING MAPS.

ARKANSAS IS ABLE TO ACT IN A SIMILAR WAY, INDIANA AND IT TENNESSEE.

STATES LIKE THAT DON'T A HAVE GUARDRAILS THEY ARE ONLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE FEDERAL LAW.

WHAT WE SUPPORT IS A NATIONAL BAN ON GERRYMANDERING BUT WE EXIST IN THE CONTEXT WHERE THAT IS NOT THE CASE AND REPUBLICANS BLOCKED IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

SO WE CAN'T WIN LATERALLY DISARM.

>> Jeff: HOW WOULD A NATIONAL BAN WORK?

THERE ARE DECISIONS TO BE MADE IT'S SUBJECTIVE WE WILL HAVE AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION WHICH I DON'T KNOW IF ONE OF THOSE HAS EVER BEEN CREATED.

IS THERE A NATIONAL FIX TO THIS?

THE SUPREME COURT LOOKED AT IT AND WALKED AWAY?

>> ALL I KNOW IS WE HAD THE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ACT THAT WAS PUT FORWARD IN CONGRESS.

WE HAD THE FOR THE PEOPLE ACT IN CONGRESS.

AND THE PARTY THAT YURIPZY MORGAN IS HERE TO REPUBLICAN, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, BLOCKED BOTH OF THESE AND HAVE NOT BEEN IN SUPPORT OF IT.

>> I WILL PUSHBACK I'M NOT HERE TO REPRESENT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I'M HERE TO REPRESENT MARYLANDERS AND LARRY HAS NOT MADE, ANY, ANY REASON WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR MARYLANDERS.

THIS IS A NATIONAL ISSUE.

[ALL TALKING AT ONCE] WHY MARYLAND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

AND I WOULD SAY LARRY I WILL LET YOU SPEAK AND I WILL ALLOW YOU TO SPEAK.

>> SO I WILL STATE -- >> Jeff: LET ME ASK BOTH OF YOU TO SUMMARIZE YOUR CASE IN 30 SECONDS.

>> I WILL STATE THAT TO YOUR 9% OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND AND AGAIN THIS IS ABOUT MARYLAND IS NOT A REGISTERED DEMOCRAT THEY ARE A REPUBLICAN OR INDEPENDENT.

49% OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND DESERVES TO HAVE A VOICE IN CONGRESS THIS IS AN ISSUE HOW MARYLANDERS WANT TO BE REPUBLICANNED REPRESENTED AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

WE DO NOT WANT TO ENGAGE IN THE IDEA BECAUSE OTHER STATES GOT IN THE MUD AND DID SOMETHING WRONG WE SHOULD JOIN THE FRAY AND DO SOMETHING WRONG AND SILENCE OF VOICE OF 49% OF MARYLAND VOTERS.

IT IS NOT THE MARYLAND THING TO DO.

WE MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE ON THINGS BUT GERRYMANDERING IS WRONG WHETHER TEXAS, CALIFORNIA OR IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND AND THIS IS A STATE THAT UPHOLDS MARYLAND VALUES AND THAT INCLUDES PEOPLE WHO DISAGREE WITH US.

WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR VOTERS TO DO IS TO VOTE NO.

>> Jeff: LET'S GET TO A PERSON WHO DISAGREES WITH YOU.

>> I'VE MADE THE CASE WHY THIS IMPACTS MARYLANDERS HERE.

WE HAVE MARYLANDERS THAT HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED BY THIS CONGRESS AND THIS ADMINISTRATION.

WE'VE LOST FUNDING TO VIABLE PROGRAMS BECAUSE OF THIS CONGRESS AND THIS ADMINISTRATION.

AND WE HAVE RESIDENTS OF OUR STATE BEING TERRORIZED BY I.C.E.

AGENTS THAT HAVE NO COUNTERBALANCE IN CONGRESS TO HOLD THE ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTABLE.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE A CHECK AND BALANCE TO THIS ADMINISTRATION WE NEED TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD AS TEXAS AND OTHER STATES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GO FOR IT WITH REDRAWING MAPS TO BE ABLE TO COUNTER THAT.

THIS IS NOT VOTING ON A MAP.

THIS IS VOTING ON GIVING OUR LEGISLATORS WHO WE ELECT THE TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO COUNTER WHAT IS ALREADY HAPPENING IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Jeff: WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

LARRY STAFFORD AND YURIPZY MORGAN THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: NEXT WEEK IS MEDIA LITERACY WEEK HERE IS MPT'S NANCY YAMADA.

>> I DO LIKE MULTIPLE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIAS.

I HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA IS THE BASIC ONE THAT EVERYBODY HAS.

>> I LIKE WATCHING HAIR VIDEOS AND COMEDY PEOPLE JOKING AROUND A LOT.

>> I LIKE LONG FORM LIKE TYPES OF MEDIA, VIDEO ESSAYS OR.

>> THESE STUDENTS ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN THEIR PEERS FOR BEING INFORMED AND INTERSTAINED BY WHAT THEY ARE WATCHING ON THEIR PHONES AND VIDEO SCREENS.

>> THE IMPORTANCE IS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON CURRENTLY AND WHAT HAPPENED AROUND US BECAUSE WE DON'T ALWAYS KNOW EVERY SINGLE THING GOING ON IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD OUR SCHOOL AND JUST AROUND THE WORLD.

>> I DO INVOLVE MYSELF SOMETIMES WITH THE CURRENT STATE OF THE WORLD.

AND BECAUSE I MEAN AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S GOING TO AFFECT ME.

>> IN CLASS THEY ARE LEARNING HOW TO ANALYZE MEDIA CONTENT.

MEDIA ARTS EDUCATOR IS HELPING STUDENTS GET HANDS ON EXPERIENCE BY CREATING A DAILY NEWS SHOW, A PODCAST AND PRODUCING STORIES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> MEDIA LITERACY IS THE ABILITY TO ACCESS, EVALUATE, TO CREATE AND TO SHARE MEDIA RESPONSIBLY.

I WANT THE KIDS TO NOT BE PASSIVE CONSUMERS BUT CREATORS.

THINK ABOUT ANYTHING THEY ARE WATCHING.

>> THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT THE MEDIA WE'RE CONSUMING IS THE GOAL.

THAT INCLUDES KNOWING WHO IS BEHIND THE CONTENT AND IF THEY ARE GETTING PAID TO PUSH A MESSAGE.

AFTER ALL... >> THE BARRIER TO ENTRY IS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW.

THE USED TO BE YOU HAD TO HAVE A DEGREE IN JOURNAL LICHT OR FORM OF PUBLIC TRUST IN ORDER TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

BUT NOW JUST ABOUT ANYBODY CAN POST SOMETHING ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE MILLIONS OF VIEWERS AND THAT HAS UPS AND DOWNS.

>> LEAH, THE MANAGER OF THE K-12 SERVICES FOR MPT'S EDUCATION DEPARTMENT... >> IT ALL JUST COMES DOWN TO PAYING ATTENTION.

PAYING ATTENTION TO WHO THE CREATOR IS.

TO WHAT THEY WANT US TO DO WITH THE INFORMATION THAT THEY ARE GIVING US.

DO THEY WANT US TO BUY SOMETHING?

DO THEY WANT US TO VOTE IN A CERTAIN WAY?

ARE THEY JUST THERE TO ENTERTAIN US?

>> MRS.

LAWRENCE TELLS STUDENTS THE GOAL IS NOT TO DISRUPT, HURT OR HARM ANYONE.

>> WHETHER IT IS A COMMERCIAL, SOMETHING ON TIKTOK AND MOVIES WHAT ARE THE MESSAGES BEING SHARED AND WHY.

CONSTANTLY HAVE THEM THINK ABOUT HOW THEY ARE PART OF OUR WORLD AND COMMUNICATING WITH OUR WORLD.

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

>> Jeff: GO TO MARYLAND MEDIA LITERACY.ORG TO LEARN MORE.

>>> ON THE SUBJECT OF MARYLAND'S FAMILY LEAVE LAW WE SPOKE WITH KATHY MCGINLEY OF THE LAW FIRM JACKSON LEWIS.

>> IF THE FAMILY IN MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE ACT KNOWN AS FAMILY, WITH AN I, AND IT WAS PASSED SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

BUT NOW IT'S BECOMING VERY ACTIVE WITH DEADLINES THIS FALL FOR EMPLOYERS TO REGISTER FOR THE STATE PLAN OR THEIR OWN PLAN.

AND ALSO BEGINNING IN JANUARY, THERE WILL BE CONTRIBUTIONS AND LEAVE THEN COMING IN 2028 WHAT THE LAW IS THAT IT PROVIDES 12 WEEKS OF PARTIAL WAGE REPLACEMENT AND JOB PROTECTION FOR CERTAIN QUALIFYING REASONS TO ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES.

THE REASONS FOR LEAVE SOMEONE COULD TAKE THIS BENEFIT IN 2028 ARE SIMILAR TO THE FEDERAL FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT WHICH HAS BEEN IN EFFECT FOR DECADES.

ALTHOUGH UNPAID.

THOSE REASONS ARE EMPLOYEES OWN SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION, THE SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION OF A FAMILY MEMBER, BONDING LEAVE AFTER THE BIRTH OR PLACEMENT OR ADOPTION OF A CHILD, AND THEN CERTAIN MILITARY REASONS.

>> Jeff: THERE IS A DELAY BETWEEN WHEN THE BOTH THE EMPLOYER AND THE EMPLOYEE HAVE TO START PAYING IN, WHICH IS THIS COMING JANUARY.

AND WHEN THE FIRST BENEFITS WOULD BE AVAILABLE WHICH WOULD BE JANUARY OF 28, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

SO THERE'S ONE KRER OF FUNDING, 2027.

SO CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE EMPLOYEE AND THE EMPLOYER WILL BEGIN ON JANUARY FIRST, 2027.

THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TOTAL OF .9% OF TAXABLE WAGES UP TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY WAGE CAP SPLIT EVENLY BETWEEN AN EMPLOYEE DEDUCTION AND EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION .45.

AND THERE'S NO OPT-OUT FOR EITHER EMPLOYEES OR EMPLOYERS.

IF THERE'S ONE EMPLOYEE IN MARYLAND AN EMPLOYEE WILL BE COVERED THE EMPLOYER HAS TO OFFER THE BENEFITS IF THEY ARE LESS THAN 15 EMPLOYEES, THEN THEY ARE EXEMPT FROM THE EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION NOT THE EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION.

>> Jeff: THIS IS SOMETHING THAT VERY SHORTLY EMPLOYEES ARE GOING TO START SEEING IN THEIR PAY STUB.

AND ROUGH NUMBERS IT WILL BE ROUGHLY HALF OF 1% OR .45% CONTRIBUTION OR TAX DEPENDING HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND EMPLOYERS WILL BE GIVING A NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES PROBABLY IN DECEMBER IF THEIR EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION IS GOING TO START IN JANUARY.

EMPLOYERS CAN CHOOSE AND SOME ARE, TO COVER THAT EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION.

>> Jeff: AND THEY HAVE OTHER WAYS TO OPT-OUT OF THIS, RIGHT?

THEY COULD SELF INSURE OR GO PRIVATE IS THAT SOMETHING YOUR CLIENTS ARE LOOKING AT?

>> YES.

THERE'S TWO OTHER OPTIONS THAT STATE PLAN IS THE DEFAULT PLAN.

AND ALL EMPLOYERS HAVE TO REGISTER WITH THE STATE AND REGARDLESS OF THE PLAN THEY ARE CHOOSING BY NOVEMBER 15TH.

AND THEN ALSO BY NOVEMBER 15TH, EMPLOYERS COULD CHOOSE A PRIVATELY INSURED PLAN OR A SELF INSURED PLAN WHERE THEY WOULD BEAR THE COST OF THAT.

>> Jeff: WHEN YOU'RE ADVISINGS CLIENTS ON THIS WHAT LOOKS APPEALING TO THEM?

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF BUSINESS THAT THEY HAVE.

EMPLOYERS ARE CHOOSING THE STATE PLAN BECAUSE IT'S SETUP.

YOU CAN OPT-IN AND START USING IT.

EMPLOYERS THAT ALREADY USE PRIVATELY INSURED PLANS FOR SHORT-TERM DISABILITY OR LONG-TERM DISABILITY ARE SOMETIMES OPTING TO ASK THEIR CARRIER IF THEY OFFER THIS TYPE OF PLAN.

AND THEN SOME EMPLOYERS THE MINORITY, WHO OFFER VERY TYPES OF BENEFITS ANYWAY, THAT ARE GENEROUS ARE JUST ADDING IN THE FAMILY BENEFITS AND GOING WITH THE SELF INSURED PLAN.

>> Jeff: THE STATE HAS BEEN CHURNING OUT REGULATIONS ON THIS FOR A WHILE.

WHY THERE ANY SURPRISES IN THE FINAL REGULATIONS?

>> NOT SO MUCH IN THE FINAL REGULATIONS.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENCE JUST FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO KEEP IN MIND EVEN THOUGH THE LAW CLOSELY TRACKS THE FEDERAL FMLA WHICH MANY EMPLOYERS ARE COMPLYING WITH THERE ARE DIFFERENCES.

ELIGIBILITY, EMPLOYEES ONCE THEY WORK 680 HOURS, BEGINNING IN JANUARY OF 2027, ARE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE LEAVE AND THEY CAN WORK THOSE 680 HOURS FOR ANY MARYLAND EMPLOYER THEY BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR IT THAN UNDER FMLA AND THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN TERMS OF FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ARE COVERED FOR ELIGIBILITY REASONS BETWEEN THE TWO LAWS.

SO IT'S NOT AS SIMPLE AS COPYING THE FEDERAL FMLA.

>> Jeff: JUST BACK IN THE NAPKIN MATH ON THIS LOOKING AT THE AMOUNT OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS LET'S ROUND IT UP TO 1%, SAY SOMEBODY IS MAKING 60,000, $600 A YEAR SPLIT BETWEEN THE EMPLOYER AND THE EMPLOYEE.

THE POTENTIAL BENEFIT IS 12,000 DOLLARS.

AND THE STATE IS ASSUMING A FAIRLY LOW PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WILL CLAIM THE BENEFIT.

AND I MEAN IT JUST LOOKS LIKE THEY COULD RUN OUT OF MONEY THE IDEA OF THE FIRST YEAR, THE TAX OR CONTRIBUTION PRECEDING THE BENEFITS BY YEARS TO 0 BUILDUP A FUND BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THAT COULD RUB DRY AT SOME POINT.

ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT?

>> IT DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH THAT THE EMPLOYER EMPLOYEES ARE USING THIS BENEFIT.

THE CONTRIBUTION RATE UNDER THE REGULATIONS CAN INCREASE BY REGULATION.

AND SO THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT THE STATE DECIDES TO DO.

THE CONTRIBUTION FOR EMPLOYEES BECAUSE IT IS JUST PARTIAL, BENEFIT, PARTIAL WAGE REPLACEMENT IS UP TO $1,000 A WEEK.

>> Jeff: WHAT GETS TO SOMEBODY A THOUSAND A WEEK?

DO THEY HAVE TO BE MAKING A THOUSAND A WEEK, OR 2,000 A WEEK?

IS IT A SET PERCENTAGE?

>> THERE IS A CALCULATION THE STATE WILL DO OR SELF INSURED PLAN TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT BENEFIT WOULD BE FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT COMPLICATED.

>> Jeff: I BET.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A COMPANY AN ENTREPRENEUR IS BUSY WITH LIKE THEIR BUSINESS, AND HASN'T HEARD ABOUT THIS THING AND FAILS TO START MAKING THE CONTRIBUTIONS IN JANUARY?

>> THERE ARE PENALTIES UNDER THE LAW FOR FAILING TO MAKE THE CONTRIBUTIONS.

SO THOSE PENALTIES WOULD BE ASSESSED.

>> Jeff: AND BACK TO THE QUALIFYING REASONS THAT SOMEBODY COULD CLAIM THE BENEFIT.

I IMAGINE SICK TIME IS ON THERE FOR A MAJOR ILLNESS, A MINOR ILLNESS.

YOU MENTIONED BONDING TIME WITH A NEW CHILD.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT IS AN EMPLOYEES OWN SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN JUST THE REASONS THAT SOMEONE CAN TAKE SICK LEAVE UNDER MARYLAND'S SICK AND SAFE LEAVE.

THERE'S ALSO THE FAMILY MEMBER SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION.

AGAIN THESE SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS THEY MIRROR THE FEDERAL FMLA AND BONDING WITH A NEW CHILD AND MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR A FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS DEPLOYING OR INJURED IN MILITARY SERVICE.

SO ONE THING TO MENTION ABOUT THESE REASONS IF SOMEONE EXPERIENCES THEIR OWN SERIOUS HEALTH CONDITION IN A YEAR, AND ALSO THE BIRTH, ADOPTION OR PLACEMENT OF A CHILD THEY CAN GET UP TO 24 WEEKS INSTEAD OF THE 12 WEEKS.

>> Jeff: KATHY MCGINLEY OF JACKSON LEWIS THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLAINER.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: NOW A NEW STATE DESIGNATION COULD MEAN MORE VISITORS MORE EXHIBITS AND SUPPORT FOR NEARLY CENTURY OLD MUSEUM.

THE MARYLAND LEGISLATURE DESIGNATED THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MARYLAND AS THE STATE'S OFFICIAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES.

THE ORGANIZATION TRACES ITS ROOTS BACK TO 1929.

EXHIBITS TELL THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE STATE THROUGH FOSSILS, MINUTE WILL RACE, ANIMALS AND PLANTS.

VISITORS CAN SEE A 10,000 GRORLD WOOLY MAMMOTH TUSK AND A BILLION-YEAR-OLD ROCK THERE IS A SHARK SCIENCE EXHIBIT.

IT'S IN EASTERN BALTIMORE COUNTY.

VISIT MARYLAND NATURE.ORG.

>>> THE 41ST JIM McKAY DAY TAKES PLACE TOMORROW AT LAUREL PARK.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT WITH DAN ILLMAN FROM THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB.

>> Jeff: AT THE WINNERS CIRCLE AT LAUREL PARK HOW IS THE BROADER INDUSTRY DOING?

THIS RACE WAS DESIGNED TO HELP BOOST THE INDUSTRY, THE BREEDING, THE TRAINING COMPONENTS OF IT.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

>> I REALLY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TRAINING AND THE WORKOUT ASPECT.

THE HORSES ARE TRAINING LONGER IN MARYLAND YOU SEE HORSES WHO IS RUNNING IN THE MARYLAND MILLION FATHER TIME IS UNBEATEN.

HE HAS WON THIS RACE TWO YEARS IN A ROW AND AND HE SEEMS AGELESS.

HE WILL BE ON THE TRACK SATURDAY.

BASED ON ECONOMY.

SOMETIMES WE'RE UP AND SOMETIMES WE ARE DOWN BUT YOU PUT ON A GOOD PRODUCT LIKE SATURDAY, BIG FIELDS CLASSY HORSES THE EYES OF THE STATE ON THE LAUREL PARK FACILITY, AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT YOU CAN'T BEAT THE PRICE.

FREE ADMISSION FOR A MAJOR SPORTING EVENT LIKE THIS.

COME OUT TO LAUREL PARK SATURDAY AND ENJOY.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED THE MARYLAND MILLION TURF IS THAT A SEPARATE RACE I'M GUESSING THAT IS RUN ON THE TURF COURSE WHICH APPEARS TO BE BEYOND THE DIRT TRACK BEHIND YOU?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

WE HAVE 12 RACES.

THE BOUND KRARYZ MARYLAND MILLION CLASSIC IS THE MAJOR RACE AND THAT WILL BE ON THE DIRT COURSE BUT THE JOHN DEERE TURF IS FOR FORCES SPECIALIZE RUNNING ON THE GRASS.

WICKED PRANKSTER THEY ARE GOOD ON THE DIRT BUT BETTER ON THE TURF.

WE WILL SEE HORSES FROM EVERY DIVISION, THE BABIES THE TWO-YEAR-OLD MALES THE FEMALES THEY HAVE THEIR OWN RACE.

SPRINTTERS ON THE TURF.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IF YOU ARE A HANDICAPPER OR RACING.

THE TURF SPRINT IS SENSATIONAL RACE YOU HAVE HORSES LIKE WITTY PRIOR WINNERS OF THIS RACE TAKES ON WHEN I GET TO HEAVEN WHO TRIED THIS RACE AND HAS COME UP SHORT EACH TIME.

A LOT OF VERY COMPETITIVE RACES AND A LOT OF COMPELLING STORIES AS WELL.

>> Jeff: PROBABLY PEOPLE WATCHING WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TO A RACETRACK FOR A LONGTIME.

SO WHAT IS DIFFERENT THESE DAYS?

WHAT IS MAYBE DIFFERENT ON THE MARYLAND MILLION DAY IN TERMS OF OTHER ACTIVITIES GOING ON?

>> WELL, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER IN THE OLD DAYS IF YOU COME OUT TO THE RACETRACK THERE WOULD BE LONG LINES WAITING TO PLACE YOUR BETS EARLY BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO GET SHUTOUT.

NOWADAYS THERE ARE PLENTY OF SELF SERVICE WINDOWS, VERY EASY TO ACCESS AND VERY EASY TO LOSE USE.

PLACE YOUR BET THERE AND CASH IN YOUR BET.

AFTER CASHING IN AFTER A BIG DAY YOU CAN GO TO THE TELLER.

IT IS OKAY TO WAIT IF YOU MADE A BUNDLE.

>> Jeff: YOU ADVISE NOT RUSHING TO THE WINNERS LIKE SAVORING THE TICKET FOR A WHILE.

>> SAVOR IT BUT DON'T LOSE IT.

I WOULD CASH IT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS HAPPENING AT PIMLICO, THE STATE IS PUTTING IN HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS FOR A REBUILD WILL IT BE READY FOR THE PREAKNESS?

>> IT WILL BE READY IN 2027.

WE WON'T HAVE THE GRANDSTAND UP BUT EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE UP WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING THE PREAKNESS HOME TO BALTIMORE.

>> Jeff: DAN ILLMAN THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME WE'LL SEE YOU BACK MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".