It’s really hard to imagine a discussion in which you are going to hear arguments against preventing human trafficking. What kind of person do you have to be to not want to fight this terrible problem? Well, that’s exactly what a couple of county council members did last night.

It’s a short 47 minutes, so if you have the time go ahead and listen for yourself. Jessica used this workshop to discuss some changes to the three bills she introduced in a previous meeting. The first bill further defined what a bodyworks establishment is and defined exactly what sexual activity is considered to be. What does Billy have to say about this? NOTHING GOOD! He wants to know what is going to happen to all those peeps who want to privately have sex in their place of business. Both Jessica and the county lawyer have the extreme displeasure of telling Billy that has nothing to do with what is going on here! We sure hope that isn’t what’s happening down at Winchester Hall, Billy! Do we need Jan to appoint independent counsel to investigate?

The next bill concerns landlords who KNOWINGLY allow human trafficking on their property. Jessica begins the discussion by saying the amended bill further defines KNOWINGLY. Well, for some reason Kirby can’t get that concept down. He wants to know why we are making the landlords criminals when they can’t keep track of what’s going on at their properties. Jessica: KNOWINGLY. Kirby: Well it isn’t the landlord’s business and the police will take care of it. M.C. : KNOWINGLY.  Kirby: You need to have evidence. KNOWINGLY, KNOWINGLY, KNOWINGLY!! Kirby agrees to disagree.

The last bill has to do with training front end hotel employees. Jessica asks a representative from the hotel industry and guess what? Most hotels already require this training!  This bill will NOT require hotels to provide another training, should one already exist! Who’s going to muck this part up? Billy of course. Now he saw the disturbing video/quiz that PG county requires and he wants to see the Marriott one. However, all Billy wants to discuss is COST, COST, COST. The nice representative tells him there is no added cost because this is just a part of training and doing business. Billy says maybe for Marriott, but what about the Clarion Inn? (Wonder why he chose that specific example?) Billy is told that the Clarion has this training as well. Bud interjects to say that if you have this kind of activity going on at your hotel it damages your brand, so why wouldn’t you want to do everything you can to prevent it? Billy: COST! It is astounding to know that Billy is more concerned with the hotel industries bottom line over the safety of those being trafficked. Think of the children Billy!

Three more months folks, three more months.