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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This week, Virginia Democrats went to the polls for primaries, choosing state Senator Ghazala Hashmi as their candidate for Lieutenant Governor this fall. Sen. Hashmi joined the show to discuss her primary win, what it means for Northern Virginia residents, and how she will approach November's general election, where she will face Republican radio talk show host John Reid.

Virginia voters selected Jay Jones as the Democratic nominee for Attorney General; he'll go up against incumbent Republican Jason Miyares in November. WAMU's Northern Virginia reporter Margaret Barthel got behind the mic to break down the results. Plus, she set the stage for the widely-anticipated governor's race in the fall.

Margaret also previewed the Democratic firehouse primary set for later this month to fill Virginia's 11th Congressional District seat after the death of longtime Congressman Gerry Connolly.

The D.C. Council is deep into budget hearings, with hundreds of residents coming out to express their views on proposed cuts, the deal to build a new football stadium, and a pitch to repeal the tipped minimum wage increase. Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen joined Kojo and Tom to discuss his priorities in a tight budget year. Plus, Allen weighs in on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's push for stricter youth curfew laws.

The bill calls for an 11 p.m. citywide summer curfew for 17-year-olds or younger. Currently, the curfew starts at midnight and applies to those 16 or younger. The proposal also would allow D.C. police to create special zones where the curfew could be set as early as 7 p.m. for 15 consecutive days. However, Councilmember Allen questioned the strategy.

"Are we pulling away MPD resources to go enforce a curfew that we need them in other places,?" he asked.

Allen also said a tougher curfew shouldn’t be passed as emergency legislation and without public hearings. The Council is expected to consider it early next month.

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The District is preparing for the military parade celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary and falls on President Trump's 79th birthday. The procession features thousands of soldiers and 70-ton tanks and will require roads to close around the city as well as DCA airport. City officials are worried about what all of this heavy machinery could mean for local streets and infrastructure. At-Large D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson joined the show to weigh in.

Plus, she discussed the Council wanting more time to approve the RFK stadium deal. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser included a billion dollars for a new Washington Commanders football stadium in her proposed budget, which she unveiled late last month. The Mayor has said the Council needs to approve the deal and the budget by July 15, or the city risks the team backing out.

But some councilmembers, including Henderson, wants to deal with RFK stadium separately. She said six weeks isn't enough time to review the complex deal.

"We need the opportunity to do due diligence. And what I would say to the Commanders, if they're listening, is that I would say the vast majority of my colleagues have not said no," Henderson said, "And it is in your best interest that we get this right."

Last week, Prince George's County elected Aisha Braveboy in a special election for county executive. The county's former State's Attorney got behind the mic to discuss her top priorities, including the need to unify the county government. She said she’s in alignment with the council and has an excellent relationship with the school board. Another focus of her administration will be getting local government agencies on the same page, especially when it comes to telework policies.

"You know, it's very different from agency to agency, which I think creates a morale issue. It also creates a productivity issue," Braveboy said. "And I want people to be more oriented to come into the office to work collaboratively with their colleagues and also serve the public a little bit more efficiently."

Plus, Braveboy discussed the resignation of Prince George's County Schools Superintendent Millard House and her naming Shawn Joseph as the interim as a nationwide search gets under way.

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