In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Maryland Senator Antonio Hayes of Baltimore City. We talk about some of his legislative successes over the past session, including his sponsorship of the Time to Care Act. Prioritizing increased paid family leave for the many Marylanders who serve as caregivers to family members is something Senator Hayes understands on a personal level, and he talks about his decision to champion the act through its passage and successful override of the governor's veto. We discuss what it's like being a Democrat in a Republican state, how elections can cause mass divisions, what the problems are with the home-appraisal bias, and what our guest thinks about Health Equity Zones. Tune in to hear more from Senator Hayes, including the difference between being a staffer and being a legislator, and how his grandmother inspired him to pursue a career in public service.