Should college athletes be paid? ft. Del. Brooke Lierman, UB Law Prof. Dionne L. Koller, and Terps Football Starting Center Ellis McKennie. The pod opens with a quick synopsis of the state of affairs for Division I athletes' ability to be paid. Prof. Koller & Ellis break it down from both a legal and player's perspective (4:00). Del. Lierman talks about her work on a bill to give student athletes the ability to unionize. The legislation was filed in response to the tragic death of Jordan McNair who died during a University of MD football practice, and would give players an independent representative outside of the Athletic Department and give them the ability to bargain for wages (11:30). The conversation then turns to California's controversial decision to pass statewide legislation allowing players to sign endorsement deals and hire agents (20:50). Is Maryland ready to follow? Will Title IX be impacted and would women athletes be compensated fairly (30:30)? The three discuss the risks associated with big time college athletics and the truth about "student athletes" attending four year universities because they do not have viable semi-pro/developmental league options (33:35). Ellis explains what the NCAA's new "cost of attendance" stipend is for Power 5 Conference athletes(40:45). Del. Lierman says she will renew her push to create laws to fix student-athlete compensation in next year's legislative session (45:00). The episode closes with a discussion on the ever-expanding post seasons for D1 athletes (47:20).

Should college athletes be paid? ft. Del. Brooke Lierman, UB Law Prof. Dionne L. Koller, and Terps Football Starting Center Ellis McKennie. The pod opens with a quick synopsis of the state of affairs for Division I athletes' ability to be paid. Prof. Koller & Ellis break it down from both a legal and player's perspective (4:00). Del. Lierman talks about her work on a bill to give student athletes the ability to unionize. The legislation was filed in response to the tragic death of Jordan McNair who died during a University of MD football practice, and would give players an independent representative outside of the Athletic Department and give them the ability to bargain for wages (11:30). The conversation then turns to California's controversial decision to pass statewide legislation allowing players to sign endorsement deals and hire agents (20:50). Is Maryland ready to follow? Will Title IX be impacted and would women athletes be compensated fairly (30:30)? The three discuss the risks associated with big time college athletics and the truth about "student athletes" attending four year universities because they do not have viable semi-pro/developmental league options (33:35). Ellis explains what the NCAA's new "cost of attendance" stipend is for Power 5 Conference athletes(40:45). Del. Lierman says she will renew her push to create laws to fix student-athlete compensation in next year's legislative session (45:00). The episode closes with a discussion on the ever-expanding post seasons for D1 athletes (47:20).

ft. Howard County State's Attorney Rich Gibson. (2:00) Rich talks about his work in Baltimore's Major Investigations Unit. (5:00) Rich discusses his path to becoming a prosecutor in Maryland. (8:00) Arinze & Rich talk about Rich's experience prosecuting gun crimes in Baltimore's famed F.I.V.E. Unit and the investigation and prosecution techniques he picked up along the way. (15:00) Arinze asks about Rich's experience transitioning from trial attorney to an executive. (18:45) Rich opens up about the Dorsey case where an intoxicated man mistakenly entered Mr. Doresy's home by force and was shot to death. Rich details why he declined to prosecute Dorsey. (26:00) Rich says they are working to engage the community as a proactive crime prevention measure-- which includes developing partnerships to bring a Boys & Girls Club to Howard County. (32:25) Arinze asks for Rich's take on the importance of prosecutorial discretion. (50:00) The conversation wraps with a discussion on police brutality, and the agreement Rich formalized with Montgomery County ensuring that the counties would investigate one another's police involved death cases.

ft. Howard County State's Attorney Rich Gibson. (2:00) Rich talks about his work in Baltimore's Major Investigations Unit. (5:00) Rich discusses his path to becoming a prosecutor in Maryland. (8:00) Arinze & Rich talk about Rich's experience prosecuting gun crimes in Baltimore's famed F.I.V.E. Unit and the investigation and prosecution techniques he picked up along the way. (15:00) Arinze asks about Rich's experience transitioning from trial attorney to an executive. (18:45) Rich opens up about the Dorsey case where an intoxicated man mistakenly entered Mr. Doresy's home by force and was shot to death. Rich details why he declined to prosecute Dorsey. (26:00) Rich says they are working to engage the community as a proactive crime prevention measure-- which includes developing partnerships to bring a Boys & Girls Club to Howard County. (32:25) Arinze asks for Rich's take on the importance of prosecutorial discretion. (50:00) The conversation wraps with a discussion on police brutality, and the agreement Rich formalized with Montgomery County ensuring that the counties would investigate one another's police involved death cases.

ft. Del. Vanessa Atterbeary (D-13), Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. The episode opens with a deep dive on the importance of Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs) and philanthropic social organizations that the black professionals use to network and advance their careers (2:25). Vanessa reveals ways to find a job working in state politics in Annapolis (15:26). From there the conversation turns to Vanessa career path and her decision to run for office (24:30). Arinze asks about the obstacles women face when they decide to run-- Vanessa doesn't disappoint with her answer about overcoming those obstacles (34:00). The conversation wraps with an examination of the sea change that has taken place in the House Judiciary Committee since Vanessa was tapped as Vice Chair.

ft. Del. Vanessa Atterbeary (D-13), Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. The episode opens with a deep dive on the importance of Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs) and philanthropic social organizations that the black professionals use to network and advance their careers (2:25). Vanessa reveals ways to find a job working in state politics in Annapolis (15:26). From there the conversation turns to Vanessa career path and her decision to run for office (24:30). Arinze asks about the obstacles women face when they decide to run-- Vanessa doesn't disappoint with her answer about overcoming those obstacles (34:00). The conversation wraps with an examination of the sea change that has taken place in the House Judiciary Committee since Vanessa was tapped as Vice Chair.

ft. Baltimore City Mayor Jack Young and Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. The podcast opens with a first-hand recounting of how the lauded deal to save Baltimore's Pimlico race track and the Preakness Stakes came together (2:00). Discussion of the deal and its benefits to both Baltimore City and Anne Arundel lead to a conversation about the importance of regionalism in government (11:00), as well as Jack and Steuart's outlook on consummating the deal during the 2020 legislative session (13:30). Arinze steers the conversation towards Steuart's organizing background on the West and South sides of Chicago before he decided to run for County Executive (15:00), and Jack talks about the family he's lost to gun violence and how it has shaped his career in public service (19:00). Jack and Steuart then tackle the two facets of American gun violence-- handgun violence in urban centers and mass shootings in suburban areas (25:25). Arinze asks about both men's inclusionary housing policies (32:40) before the discussion turns to the Kirwan Commission recommendations and the future of education in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County (35:20). The conversation wraps with each executive's prescription for enacting change within their jurisdiction (41:30) and Jack closes with an inspirational story about starting out as a sanitation worker and rising to become Mayor (47:00).

ft. Baltimore City Mayor Jack Young and Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. The podcast opens with a first-hand recounting of how the lauded deal to save Baltimore's Pimlico race track and the Preakness Stakes came together (2:00). Discussion of the deal and its benefits to both Baltimore City and Anne Arundel lead to a conversation about the importance of regionalism in government (11:00), as well as Jack and Steuart's outlook on consummating the deal during the 2020 legislative session (13:30). Arinze steers the conversation towards Steuart's organizing background on the West and South sides of Chicago before he decided to run for County Executive (15:00), and Jack talks about the family he's lost to gun violence and how it has shaped his career in public service (19:00). Jack and Steuart then tackle the two facets of American gun violence-- handgun violence in urban centers and mass shootings in suburban areas (25:25). Arinze asks about both men's inclusionary housing policies (32:40) before the discussion turns to the Kirwan Commission recommendations and the future of education in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County (35:20). The conversation wraps with each executive's prescription for enacting change within their jurisdiction (41:30) and Jack closes with an inspirational story about starting out as a sanitation worker and rising to become Mayor (47:00).

ft. Chestertown Town Councilman-elect Tom Herz. Arinze opens the pod with a shout out to all of the staff and volunteers that helped elect Democrats in Harford County and across the Eastern Shore, then introduces his guest Tom Herz (4:25) who won a seat to the Chestertown Town Council on Nov. 5th, 2019. Tom talks about his motivation to run for office as a way to promote business development in Chestertown by leveraging Kent County’s new 110 mile fiber optic network (8:00). Tom talks about the possibilities for the future in Chestertown and Kent County if the region oriented towards technology (15:00). Tom makes the case for professionals with flexible work schedules and young families to relocate to Chestertown— arguing extremely low crime; affordable housing; proximity to DC, Baltimore, Philly, Wilmington, and the beach; and a comparable commute into the Beltway (24:00). Arinze gets into the weeds on Chestertown politics, and the two discuss the town’s controversial decision to publicly finance the purchase of a Marina that many had hoped would bring much needed economic development to the area (31:00). The conversation then turns to Tom’s run for office and his experience working with the Kent County Central Committee to get elected (41:00). The conversation comes to a close as Tom talks transition (54:00) and another hot-button issue in Kent County— eliminating the Chestertown Police Department and allowing Kent County law enforcement to service the town.

ft. Chestertown Town Councilman-elect Tom Herz. Arinze opens the pod with a shout out to all of the staff and volunteers that helped elect Democrats in Harford County and across the Eastern Shore, then introduces his guest Tom Herz (4:25) who won a seat to the Chestertown Town Council on Nov. 5th, 2019. Tom talks about his motivation to run for office as a way to promote business development in Chestertown by leveraging Kent County’s new 110 mile fiber optic network (8:00). Tom talks about the possibilities for the future in Chestertown and Kent County if the region oriented towards technology (15:00). Tom makes the case for professionals with flexible work schedules and young families to relocate to Chestertown— arguing extremely low crime; affordable housing; proximity to DC, Baltimore, Philly, Wilmington, and the beach; and a comparable commute into the Beltway (24:00). Arinze gets into the weeds on Chestertown politics, and the two discuss the town’s controversial decision to publicly finance the purchase of a Marina that many had hoped would bring much needed economic development to the area (31:00). The conversation then turns to Tom’s run for office and his experience working with the Kent County Central Committee to get elected (41:00). The conversation comes to a close as Tom talks transition (54:00) and another hot-button issue in Kent County— eliminating the Chestertown Police Department and allowing Kent County law enforcement to service the town.