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The Politics Hour: D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto on controversial changes to the city's violence interruption programs
Manage episode 491224327 series 3581469
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The Trump administration's continued shrinking of the federal government continues to have immense ramifications on the region, including jobs, public safety, and the economy. A recent report from Maryland's Comptroller's office shows how deeply tied Maryland's economy is to the federal government, drawing more than $150 billion from federal government jobs, grants, contracts, and payments annually. The state's comptroller Brooke Lierman joined the show, saying the pace of the cuts is concerning. However, Lierman said the state is working to diversify into the private sector instead of an overreliance on the federal government.
"All of these folks have chosen to go into public service, but would also do incredibly well and be very successful in other fields," Lierman said. "We have an incredible biotech industry in Maryland. We have cyber, we have quantum, and more."
D.C. councilmembers broadly agree that the city's violence interruption programs are in need of changes, following public criticism of the programs and multiple bribery scandals. However, councilmembers are not in agreement on what exactly do to about it. This week, Ward 2 D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto proposed major reforms as part of the ongoing budget debate. It was met with significant pushback, leading her to pitch a whole new plan. Councilmember Pinto got the behind the mic to explain what happened and what comes next.
Finally, Montgomery County councilmembers are pushing a package of bills for more workforce housing, particularly allowing construction of residences along transit corridors. The package also includes tax breaks for some developers. District 6 Montgomery County Councilmember Natali Fani-González and co-sponsor of the somewhat controversial legislative package weighed in. Plus, why county officials are pressing Marriott to sign an agreement to not retaliate against union members and why the Trump administration's ramp up of federal immigration enforcement efforts throughout the D-C region is deeply personal for her.
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