The Trump administration laid off thousands of employees working at federal health agencies this week, including many at the National Institutes of Health in Montgomery County. The firings are expected to have far-ranging effects on the local workforce, county revenue, and public health. County Executive Marc Elrich joined Kojo and Tom to discuss what the continued shrinking of the federal workforce means for Montgomery County. Plus, he explained why he is proposing an increase in property taxes in this year's budget.

Late last week, President Trump issued an executive order creating a task force aimed at crime and immigrants in the District. While many details remain vague, D.C. officials are on high alert awaiting a House vote on a bill preventing a billion-dollar cut in the city's spending. Ward 2 D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto weighed in on Republican attempts to exert more control over the District. Councilmember Pinto also broke down why she supports legislation allowing the Council to hold more meetings in private and her new plan to reduce crime.

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President Trump signed an executive order Thursday night aimed at reducing crime and increasing immigration enforcement in the District. Kojo and Tom talked about what it means for D.C. and what might happen next.

Maryland is on the verge of approving its state budget, but it came with contentious debate over tax increases, cuts, and changes to its ambitious education plan, Blueprint for Maryland's Future. Governor Wes Moore joined Kojo and Tom to explain what is - and isn't - in the state budget this year.

And it's been a year since the Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed. We asked Governor Moore what is being done to prevent a tragic accident of this nature from happening again.

There was a sudden shake-up in Prince George's County Council leadership this week, elevating Edward Burroughs to Council Chair and Krystal Oriadha to Council Vice Chair. It's a move expected to have significant political ramifications on the county as it grapples with "difficult" budget debates, a county executive election, and the likely loss of a new FBI headquarters. Council Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha got behind the mic to talk about her priorities and what the future holds for Prince George's County.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a raft of Democratic-supported legislation this week, including a proposal to increase the minimum wage and one creating a retail cannabis market. Virginia State Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell weighed in. Plus, what to expect next week when the General Assembly heads back into session to hammer out a budget.

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Maryland state Sen. Will Smith joined the show to discuss the plan to bring in $1billion in new revenue, and what lawmakers are doing at the state level on immigration, including two bills that made it through "Crossover Day."

And D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson appeared on the show to talk about the District's budget limbo, as the city awaits a fix the House of Representatives is expected to take up when they return from recess Monday.

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