December begins the budget politics season. School districts announce their proposals and local and state leaders begin to think about their own numbers. This year, Maryland is looking ahead to a structural budget deficit in part because of its ambition on a new education funding law called the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Sunil Dasgupta talks with the Maryland State Education Association’s leaders Paul Lemle and Nikki Woodward about the Blueprint’s progress and prospects. Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan.