State Circle
Friday, January 31, 2025
Season 2025 Episode 5 | 26m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
Maryland's pricey power; big private donation to fight poverty, plus, building the BEYA conference.
Maryland's pricey power; moms demanding action; a big, private donation to fight poverty, plus, building the BEYA conference.
State Circle is a local public television program presented by MPT
State Circle is made possible by the generous support of viewers like you.
State Circle
Friday, January 31, 2025
Season 2025 Episode 5 | 26m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
Maryland's pricey power; moms demanding action; a big, private donation to fight poverty, plus, building the BEYA conference.
How to Watch State Circle
State Circle is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipTHIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MAD POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPOR OF OUR MEMBERS.
THANK YOU.
CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRC.
>> Jeff: MARYLAND'S PRICEY POWER.
>> WHAT WE HAVE IS NOT A CRISIS WITH OUR SYSTEM.
WE HAVE A CUSTOMER BILL CRISIS.
>> Jeff: AS OF JUNE 1ST, THE ELECTRICAL BILLS OF THE AVERAGE MARYLAND FAMILY ARE GOING TO INCREASE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS BY ABOUT $400 A YEAR.
>> Jeff: MOMS DEMANDING ACTION.
>> WE LOST TWO OF OUR SONS TO GUN VIOLENCE.
>> WE ARE HERE TO ASK OUR LEGISLATORS TO HOLD THE INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABLE.
>> YOU CAN GO NEXT DOOR AND BUY A FIREARM AND HANDGUN AND NOT PAY ANY TAX.
>> Jeff: AND BUILDING THE >> TO DO THE THINGS THAT IN THIS WORLD THAT IS CHANGING SO FAST, THAT OUR NATION CANNOT REMAIN STRONG IF WE DON'T HAVE THE TALENT IN FRONT OF US.
>> CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".
>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING WE BEGIN THIS WEEK WITH ANOTHER TRAGEDY ON THE POTOMAC.
67 LIVES WERE LOST WHEN AN ARMY HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH A COMMUTER PLANE ON FINAL APPROACH TO REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT.
BOTH AIRCRAFT PLUNGING INTO THE RIVER.
THE FRANTIC RESCUE EFFORT INCLUDED NEARLY 100 FIRST-RESPONDERS FROM MARYLAND.
WE'LL GET EXPERT ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CRASH AND THE INVESTIGATION ON MONDAY NIGHT'S "DIRECT CONNECTION" PROGRAM.
>> Jeff: JOINED BY MPT'S CHARLES ROBINSON AND KATIE SHEPERD OF THE WASHINGTON POST.
KATIE, YOU HAD THE BY-LINE ON THE STORY ABOUT POTENTIALLY UNDER STAFFING IN THE DCA CONTROL TOWER BEFORE THE CRASH.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?
>> YESTERDAY WE LEARNED THAT IN THE LEAD UP TO THE CRASH THAT HAPPENED ON WEDNESDAY, SOME OF THE ROLES WITHIN THE TOWER HAD BEEN CONSOLIDATED.
SO THE PERSON WHO WAS CONTROLLING HELICOPTER TRAFFIC WAS ALSO CONTROLLING LOCAL TRAFFIC AT THE TIME.
AND THOSE ARE TYPICALLY JOBS DONE BY TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:00 A.M.-9:30 PM.
>> LET ME GIVE YOU AN UPDATE THAT THERE HAS NOW BEEN A STOPPAGE ALL HELICOPTER FLIGHTS THAT ARE COMING INTO DCA, WHICH IS THE REAGAN AIRPORT.
I'M TOLD THE INVESTIGATORS GET A FIRM HANDLE ON WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW IT HAPPENED.
THE OTHER THING, I THINK, IS MOST IMPORTANT PART, IS THE FINDING OF SO-CALLED BLACK BOX FROM THE AIRCRAFT.
WE DON'T HAVE THE SIMILAR TYPE OF BLACK BOX THAT YOU WOULD HAVE FOUND ON A BLACKHAWK HELICOPTER.
BUT THIS WILL GIVE US MORE INSIGHT INTO WHAT THE DIALOGUE WAS BETWEEN THE TOWER, BETWEEN THE PILOTS IN THE AIRCRAFT AS WELL AS WHAT THEY WERE TELLING THE BLACKHAWK HELICOPTER AT THAT POINT.
>> Jeff: AND INDICATE IT IT SOUNDS LIKE FROM YOUR REPORTING IT IS NOT UNPRECEDENTED FOR THE TWO JOBS TO BE COMBINED AND IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME DURING PERIODS OF LOW ACTIVITY.
BUT IT HAPPENED A LITTLE BIT EARLIER THAN NORMAL WEDNESDAY.
AM I HEARING THAT RIGHT?
>> JOBS ARE CONSOLIDATED AFTER 9:30 PM.
AND BEFORE 8:00 A.M. AND SO IT ISN'T UNUSUAL AT CERTAIN LESS BUSY TIMES AT THE AIRPORT FOR BOTH OF THOSE JOBS TO BE DONE BY ONE PERSON.
BUT TYPICALLY, THEY WOULD HAVE TWO PEOPLE ON THOSE ROLES.
SOMETIMES WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY PERSON WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH HOW OPERATIONS IN THE TOWER ARE DONE AND HOW ROLES ARE DETERMINED, SOMETIMES THOSE ROLES MAY BE CONSOLIDATED PARTICULARLY IF TRAFFIC IS A LITTLE BIT LIGHTER OR THERE ARE OTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTORS THAT MANDATE THAT THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.
BUT WHAT WE DO KNOW IS AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, THERE WAS ONLY ONE PERSON WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF BOTH HELICOPTER CONTROL AND LOCAL CONTROL.
>> Jeff: I'VE ALSO READ THAT SOMETHING SIMILAR HAPPENED JUST THE DAY BEFORE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW SIMILAR BUT THERE WAS AN AIRPLANE ON FINAL APPROACH THAT HAD TO GO A GO AROUND BECAUSE THERE WAS A HELICOPTER CLOSER THAN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE.
>> RIGHT.
WE ALSO REPORTED A FLIGHT THAT WAS COMING IN TO REAGAN NATIONAL AND CALLED INTO THE TOWER THAT A HELICOPTER HAD SUDDENLY APPEARED IN THEIR FLIGHT PATH AND THEY HAD TO CIRCLE AROUND AND THEY WERE ABLE TO LAND SAFELY SHORTLY AFTER THEIR PLANNED LANDING TIME.
BUT THEY DID HAVE TO REROUTE THEIR PATH DUE TO A HELICOPTER THAT APPEARED IN THEIR PATH.
>> Jeff: YOU CAN READ KATIE'S REPORTING AT WASHINGTON POST.COM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> Jeff: IN ANNAPOLIS LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE PREPARING A PROPOSAL TO RESPOND TO THE HIGH WINTER UTILITY BILLS FACING RESIDENTS.
A RECENT POWER OPTION MEANS HIGHER BILLS ARE ON THE WAY AS SUE COPPIN REPORTS.
>> CHECK YOUR THERMOSTAT LATELY?
FOR MANY TURNING IT DOWN ISN'T DO MUCH TO KEEP UTILITY BILLS FROM GOING UP.
>> WHAT WE HAVE IS NOT A CRISIS WITH OUR SYSTEM, WE HAVE A CUSTOMER BILL CRISIS.
>> DAVID LAP IS PEOPLE'S COUNSEL FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
>> WHAT IS DRIVING CUSTOMER BILLS HIGH RIGHT NOW ARE THE REALLY SIGNIFICANT RATE INCREASES THAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS FOR SOME OF MARYLAND'S UTILITIES.
IN PARTICULAR, FOR CUSTOMERS THAT HEAT THEIR HOMES USING GAS IN BOTH MORE GAS AND ELECTRIC SERVICE TERRITORY, THOSE RATES HAVE INCREASED 58% IN THE LAST SIX YEARS.
SO DISTRIBUTION COSTS WHICH, YOU KNOW, 10 TO 15 YEARS AGO, USED TO BE ABOUT A THIRD OF THE CUSTOMER'S BILL, NOW ARE TWO-THIRDS OF A CUSTOMER'S BILL.
>> AND IT'S GOING TO GET WORSE.
>> IT'S BAKED INTO THE SYSTEM AS OF JUNE 1ST, THE ELECTRICAL BILLS OF THE AVERAGE MARYLAND FAMILY ARE GOING TO INCREASE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS BY ABOUT $4 HUNDRED A YEAR.
>> ONE OF THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH A MULTISTATE GRID POWER OPERATOR THAT MARYLAND USES.
GOVERNOR MOORE JOINED WITH OTHER GOVERNORS SENDING A LETTER TO PGM INTERCONNECTION AND FEDERAL REGULATORS REQUESTING CHANGES TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY HIGH ELECTRICITY COSTS FOR MARYLAND RESIDENTS.
THIS WEEK AN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED.
BUT SENATOR WEST SAYS THE STATE NEEDS TO DO MORE TO DEVELOP ITS OWN POWER SOURCES.
>> WE IMPORT 40% OF OUR ELECTRICITY TODAY.
AND THANKS TO LEGISLATION THAT WE'VE PASSED, WE ARE GOING TO BE IMPORTING 70% OF OUR ELECTRICITY WITHIN JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS BECAUSE WE ARE IN A CLOSED DOWN MOST OF OUR CURRENT ELECTRICAL GENERATING FACILITIES AND THERE IS NO PROSPECT FOR NEW ONES COMING ON-LINE.
>> WEST IS SPONSORING BILLS INCLUDING ONE TO STUDY HOW TO TACKLE MARYLAND'S FUTURE ENERGY NEEDS.
>> LET'S GET OUR ACT TOGETHER AND DEVELOP A CONSENSUS FROM EVERYBODY FROM THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS TO THE PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT ELECTRICITY, AND THEN LET'S WITH THAT CONSENSUS MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH GOOD THINGS FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
>> ANOTHER PROPOSAL, AIMED AT UTILITIES.
>> THE SECOND BILL, LETS THE BALTIMORE GAS AND ELECTRIC COUNTRY AND OTHER UTILITIES NOT PERMITTED TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY, GENERATE ELECTRICITY.
THEY KNOW HOW TO DO IT AND THEY ARE RIGHT HERE, THEY KNOW THE LOCAL MARKETS THEY KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
>> SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON SAYS THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO MARYLAND RESIDENTS.
>> NO MATTER THE POLITICAL FIGHT, WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS GENERATE MORE ELECTRICITY IN MARYLAND.
THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE, THE ISSUE OF SUPPLY OF DOMESTIC ELECTRICITY IS THE CORE FEATURE THAT IS IMPACTING ELECTRIC BILLS RIGHT NOW.
AND WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO REDUCE COSTS FOR MARYLANDERS.
>> A JOINT DEMOCRATIC HOUSE SENATE ENERGY PACKAGE IS EXPECT TO BE INTRODUCED NEXT WEEK.
AT THE STATE HOUSE, SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".
>> Jeff: GUN SAFETY ADVOCATES WERE IN ANNAPOLIS THIS WEEK.
NANCY AMATA HAS MORE ON THE LEGISLATION THEY ARE BACKING.
>> SINCE 2021 HOMICIDES HAVE DROPPED BY 32% STATE-WIDE.
>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MILLER TOLD THE ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD THAT GATHERED ON LAWYERS MALL THAT MARYLAND IS SAFER THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF LAWMAKERS, VOLUNTEERS WITH MARYLAND MOMS DEMAND ACTION AND STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION AS WELL AS SURVIVORS OF GUN VIOLENCE AND THEIR FAMILIES WHOSE HEARTACHE NEVER ENDS.
>> WE LOST TWO OF OUR SONS TO GUN VIOLENCE WITHIN ONE YEAR-AND-A-HALF APART FROM EACH OTHER.
SENSELESSLY.
ONE BEING IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME AND THE OTHER BY SOMEONE HE KNEW.
>> LISA WALKER WAS AMONG THOSE WHO SHOWED UP TO THE STATE HOUSE FOR THE ANNUAL ADVOCACY DAY TO URGE LAWMAKERS TO BUILD ON EXISTING LAWS AND PASS STRONGER GUN RESTRICTIONS.
>> ACCESS TO FIREARMS MAKES IT FIVE TIMES LIKELY THAT AN ABUSER, PARTNER, WILL KILL.
>> DELEGATE JAY SANDY BARTLETT IS THE VICE-CHAIR OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.
THIS SESSION SHE IS INTRODUCING A BILL KNOWN AS THE FAMILY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PROTECTION ACT WHICH WOULD STRENGTHS EN STATE LAWS TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF DOMESTIC ABUSERS.
>> CURRENTLY THE STATE LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE RESPONDENTS IN TEMPORARY AND INTERIM PROTECTIVE ORDERS TO PROMPTLY SURRENDER THEIR FIREARMS.
WHAT THIS BILL DOES, IS IT SAYS THAT WHEN YOU GET YOUR INTERIM BECAUSE YOU MET THAT THRESHOLD OF SAYING YOU HAVE AN IMMEDIATE FEAR OF HARM, AT THAT TIME, THE ORDER WILL STATE YOU MUST SURRENDER YOUR FIREARMS.
>> ANOTHER BILL WOULD PROHIBIT THE SALE OF PISTOLS THAT CAN CAN EASILY BE CONVERTED INTO MACHINE GUNS WITH INEXPENSIVE, AVAILABLE ACCESSORIES COMMONLY KNOWN AS GLOCK SWITCHES.
>> THE REALITY IS THAT GLOCK HAS BEEN MAKING THE PISTOLS THEY KNOW CAN BE CONVERTED INTO DEADLY WEAPONS.
MORE DEADLY WEAPONS, AND WE ARE HERE TO HOLD THE INDUSTRY OR TO ASK OUR LEGISLATORS TO HOLD THE INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABLE AND CHANGE THAT.
>> A THIRD BILL WOULD IMPOSE AN 11% EXCISE TAX ON THE SALE OF FIREARMS, AMMUNITION AND FIREARM ACCESSORIES.
THE TAX WOULD GO TOWARD FUNDING A STATE PROGRAM WHICH HELPS COVER THE COST FOR TRAUMA PHYSICIANS TO CARE FOR PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE MEDICAID.
>> IT'S RECKLESS.
WE CAN GO NEXT DOOR TO OUR NEIGHBORING STATES AND YOU CAN BUY A FIREARM AND NOT PAY ANY TAX.
>> 30 YEAR POLICE POLICEMAN AND LAWMAKER, LAWMAKERS SHOULD LOOK AT MULTITUDE OF WAYS TO CURB VIOLENCE.
HE CONTENDS WHEN IT COMES TO THE PERPETRATORS.
>> THEY ARE NOT LEGALLY OBTAINING THESE GUNS.
EVERY PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT COMES OUT OF HERE IS TAKING INFRINGING UPON EVERY LEGAL GUN OWNER'S RIGHTS.
>> I'M NANCY AMATA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".
>> Jeff: GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS ON TAXES.
THE BAD NEWS IS THAT THE FILING SEASON IS HERE.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT MANY MARYLANDERS QUALIFY FOR FREE FILING ASSISTANCE.
STATE OFFICIALS TURNED OUT IN FORCE TODAY TO HELP PUBLICIZE THE CASH CAMPAIGN OF MARYLAND WHICH FOR 24 YEARS HAS PROVIDED HELP WITH FILING AND CLAIMING BENEFITS LIKE THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.
>> WE REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO EARN IT, KEEP IT AND SAVE IT.
IT'S PART OF WHAT WE TALK ABOUT ALL THE TIME.
HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS.
THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT WORKS.
IT WORKS FOR FAMILIES.
IT HELPS THEM BOOST THEIR INCOME AND WHEN YOU COUPLE THAT WITH THE SAFE FINANCIAL PRODUCT IT IS HELPS FAMILIES GET AHEAD.
>> DURING THE COVID SITUATION, WHILE CASH WAS ON HIATUS, I HAD TO UNFORTUNATELY GO TO A NATIONALLY KNOWN TAX PREP FIRM WHERE CASH HAS BEEN DOING FOR ME AT NO CHARGE, SUDDENLY COST ME OVER $300 TO GET DONE.
>> IT SHOULD THAT HAVE BEEN A SURPRISE TO ANYBODY THAT ONE OF THE FIRST BILLS WE INTRODUCED WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION CAME ONBOARD WAS ACTUALLY MAKING SURE THAT WE COULD HAVE AN ENHANCED EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, ENHANCED CHILD TAX CREDIT AND MAKING IT IT TO HAVE THE MOST GENEROUS INSIDE OF THIS COUNTRY.
>> PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIMITED INCOME WHO ARE ABLE TO GET CASH BACK AS A RESULT OF THE SERVICE THAT YOU PROVIDE, THOSE SERVICES THEY NEED.
>> BUT AGAIN, THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE THE GOVERNOR OF THIS STATE, THE COMPTROLLER OF THIS STATE, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TWO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, A UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT, I THINK IT REALLY SPEAKS VOLUMES TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS WORK.
AND WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST 24 YEARS JUST HOW GOOD THE CASH CAMPAIGN IS.
SAVING MARYLANDERS $81 MILLION IN FILING FEES AND THAT DOESN'T COUNT THE $12 MILLION THAT WE MENTIONED OVER -- THINK ABOUT THAT, 8,000 FAMILIES IN THE BALTIMORE REGION.
ALMOST 12 MILLION DOLLARS BACK IN THE POCKETS OF HARD-WORKING AMERICANS, HARD-WORKING MARYLANDERS.
THINK ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR EVERY FAMILY THAT IS LOOKING TO GET THAT NEXT CREDENTIAL AND ADVANCE THEIR CAREER.
LOOKING TO HAVE ACCESS TO CHILDCARE OR WORK THROUGH AN AUTOMOBILE PURCHASE.
>> Jeff: MARYLANDERS WHO MADE $67,000 OR LESS IN 2024 QUALIFY FOR THE FREE FILING HELP.
MORE INFORMATION AT CASH MD.ORG.
OUR NEWSMAKERS THIS WEEK FROM CARMEL MARTIN SPECIAL SECRETARY FOR THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR CHILDREN AND PICKETT SLATER HARRINGTON, WHO IS DIRECTOR OF THE ENOUGH INITIATIVE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US MADAM SECRETARY.
IF I COULD ASK YOU TO BEGIN THE ENOUGH INITIATIVE WHICH PASSED THE LEGISLATURE IN THE LAST SESSION, SET IT UP FOR US, WHAT IS THAT INTENDED TO DO?
>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME, JEFF IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE WITH YOU.
THE ENOUGH INITIATIVE IS FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND STATE LED PLACE BASED INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO TACKLE CHILD POVERTY WE'RE FOCUSED ON THE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATIONS OF CHILD POVERTY AND UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE THOSE ALL OVER THE STATE FROM WESTERN TO BALTIMORE TO THE EASTERN SHORE.
AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS PARTNERING WITH PEOPLE IN THOSE COMMUNITIES WHO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A VISION FOR HOW THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEIR COMMUNITY REVITALIZE TO SUPPORT THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FAMILIES IN THEM AND WE ARE THERE TO SUPPORT THEM IN EXECUTING AGAINST THEIR PLAN AS THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID, THE COMMUNITIES HAVE THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THE PROBLEMS ARE CLOSEST TO THE SOLUTIONS HAVE THE BEST IDEAS.
SO IT'S OUR JOB TO HELP THEM THINK ACROSS ISSUE AREAS WHETHER IT'S EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, WORKFORCE, AND DEVISE A PLAN FOR HOW THEY'RE GOING TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND IT IS OUR JOB TO STEP FORWARD AND HELP THEM EXECUTE AGAINST THAT PLAN.
>> Jeff: Mr. SLATER HARRINGTON THERE WAS MONEY IN THE STATE BUDGET TO GET THIS STARTED BUT YOU RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A PHILANTHROPIC COMMITMENT A BIG NUMBER.
TELL US ABOUT THAT?
>> YES.
YOU PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT IT.
IT'S CALLED THE ENOUGH ALLIANCE A COALITION OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF ENOUGH BY INVESTING IN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO END POVERTY.
THE GOAL OF THE ALLIANCE WAS TO RAISE MONEY OVER SIX YEARS.
AND WE WERE ABLE TO RAISE $100 MILLION TOWARDS THE EFFORT TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN POVERTY.
SO OUR LOCAL AND NATIONAL PARTNERS DID THIS WORK TO SUPPORT ENDING POVERTY IN MARYLAND.
SO WE'RE SUPER EXCITED.
>> Jeff: DO YOU HAVE IN MIND WHAT COMMUNITIES ARE GOING TO BE SERVED BY THIS PROGRAM?
AND EXACTLY WHAT FUNDS ARE GOING TO BE USED FOR?
>> YES, YES.
SO WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE 27 INAUGURAL COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT MARYLAND.
THAT WILL BE DOING THE WORK.
WE HAVE 12 PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITIES FOR TRACK ONE.
WE HAVE 12 COMMUNITIES THAT ARE DEVELOPING NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION PLANS.
AND WE HAVE THREE IMPLEMENTATION COMMUNITIES.
LIKE I SAID, THEY ARE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THEY ARE WORKING ON FOUR CORE AREAS; SO ONE IS ABOUT CHILDREN CRADLE TO CAREER.
THEY WILL BE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO YOU SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BIRTH ALL THE WAY INTO COLLEGE OR CAREER.
WE ALSO WILL BE SUPPORTING FAMILIES MAKING SURE FAMILIES ARE HEALTHY AND ECONOMICALLY SECURE.
AND THEN THE LAST PIECE THEY WILL BE WORKING ON IS THRIVING COMMUNITIES MAKING SURE COMMUNITIES ARE SAFE, HEALTHY, THEY HAVE HOUSING, THEY HAVE THE SUPPORTS THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
>> Jeff: OVER THE YEARS, I GUESS, THERE HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF ATTEMPTS TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AS THEY SAY.
WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED FROM THAT?
HOW CAN YOU MOST EFFECTIVELY DEPLOY THESE FUNDS, MADAM SECRETARY, TO POSITIVELY AFFECT THE MOST PEOPLE?
>> WELL, I THINK SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S ENOUGH INITIATIVE AND HIS VISION HERE IS A RECOGNITION THAT WE KNOW FROM PREVIOUS EFFORTS THAT YOU HAVE TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.
THIS IS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT CHANGING THE GOVERNMENT'S RELATIONSHIP WITH INDIVIDUALS, WITH FAMILIES AND WITH COMMUNITIES.
AND UNDERSTANDING THEIR CONTEXT.
AND SEEING HOW WE CAN HONESTLY LEVERAGE EXISTING PROGRAMS AND FUNDING STREAMS SO THEY ARE MORE EFFECTIVELY MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.
JUST A LITTLE EXAMPLE OF THAT.
THERE'S LOTS OF PROGRAMS DESIGND PEOPLE TO HELP PEOPLE GET GOOD JOBS.
SO THERE MIGHT BE A GREAT JOB TRAINING PROGRAM.
BUT IF THE FAMILIES IN THAT COMMUNITY DON'T HAVE CHILDCARE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THOSE JO TRAINING PROGRAMS, THE JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS IS IRRELEVANT TO THEM.
PART OF WHAT WE'RE DOING IS HELPING COMMUNITIES MEET THE FAMILIES IN THEIR COMMUNITY WHERE THEY ARE AND FIGURE OUT HOW THEY CAN BRING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TOGETHER TO HOLISTICALLY SUPPORT CHILDREN, HOLISTICALY SUPPORT FAMILIES AND HOLISTICALLY SUPPORT COMMUNITIES.
AND THEN THE OTHER BIG PIECE OF THIS IS IT'S ABOUT BEING AS THE GOVERNOR SAYS WE ARE HEART LED BUT DATA-DRIVEN.
REALLY BEING DRIVEN BY THE DATA.
WE HAVE CREATED DATA DASHBOARDS SO THEY CAN SEE WHERE THEY HAVE ASSETTINGS AND WHERE THEY HAVE CHALLENGES.
AND THEY CAN DRIVE RESOURCES TO THEIR BIGGEST CHALLENGES AND TAP INTO ASSETS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
WE'VE CREATED FISCAL MAPS FOR THEM SO THEY CAN SEE WHERE ALL THE EXISTING PROGRAMS ARE THAT SUPPORT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
AND SEE WHERE THEY CAN TAP INTO EXISTING RESOURCES.
THINKING BRINGING THINGS TOGETHER AROUND THE STRATEGY WHERE AGAIN THE STRATEGY AND THE GOALS OF THE STRATEGY ARE COMING FROM THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.
BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEIR COMMUNITIES BEST.
>> Jeff: SO WHAT YOU YOU ARE SAYING THIS COULD BE VERY DIFFERENT IN A URBAN COMMUNITY VERSUS A RULE COMMUNITY?
>> EXACTLY.
AND IT CAN BE DIFFERENT DEPENDING IN AN URBAN TWO DIFFERENT URBAN COMMUNITIES COULD HAVE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES.
WE'RE SUPPORTING CHERRY HILL IN BALTIMORE.
THEY ARE FOCUSED ON CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM.
THEIR WORK IS DRIVEN BY THAT.
ANOTHER BALTIMORE GRANTEES IS PARK HEIGHTS AND THEY ARE FOCUSED ON TACKLING VACANT PROPERTIES BECAUSE THE CHILDREN HAVE TO WALK THROUGH VACANT PROPERTIES TO GET TO SCHOOL THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO GET TO SCHOOL SAFELY.
AND HAGERSTOWN THEY ARE FOCUSED ON SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES SO THEY ARE FOCUSED ON THAT.
EACH OF THE PLANS DO TAKE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO THEIR COMMUNITY, THEY ARE LOOKING ACROSS AS PICKET SAID THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE THEY ARE LOOKING AT WORKFORCE ISSUES THEY ARE LOOKING AT COMMUNITY SAFETY ISSUES.
BUT EACH COMMUNITY IS FORMULATING THE PLAN BASED ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THEIR% COMMUNITY.
NOT JUST IN TERMS OF WHERE THE CHALLENGES ARE, BUT WHERE THE ASSETS ARE.
HOW CAN THEY TAP INTO THE POTENTIAL OF THE PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY THAT IS AT ISSUE.
>> WE OFTEN SAY THAT THOSE CLOSEST TO THE PROBLEM ARE CLOSEST TO THE SOLUTION.
AND SO ENOUGH REALLY EMBODIES THIS WORK.
WHAT YOU HEARD FROM THE SECRETARY, YOU KNOW TALK ABOUT WAS THAT EACH COMMUNITY THEIR ISSUES ARE UNIQUE TO THEM.
AND WHAT WE'VE DONE IS DESIGN A WAY TO MAKE SURE THOSE COMMUNITIES ARE ACTIVE AND A PART OF THAT SOLUTION.
AND WE'RE CONNECTING THEM TO THE RESOURCES IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.
>> Jeff: THIS IS ALL ABOUT THINKING BIG.
I WILL ASK YOU TO THINK BIG FOR A SECOND.
PAINT US A PICTURE OF 20 YEARS FROM NOW, IN CHERRY HILL OR SOMEWHERE ELSEWHERE YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, WHAT DO YOU HOPE SOMEBODY'S LIFE WHO IS LET'S SAY THEY ARE AN ELEMENTARY KID IN CHERRY HILL TODAY WHERE DO YOU WANT THEM TO BE IN 20 YEARS?
>> I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT THIS.
WE HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING THE FIRST STATE TO END CONCENTRATED CHILD POVERTY.
WE KNOW IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, 158,000 YOUNG PEOPLE GET UP EVERY SINGLE DAY AND NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES AROUND POVERTY.
AND SO WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS CAN WE REMOVE THOSE BARRIERS SO THOSE 158,000 YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO GREATER OPPORTUNITIES.
AND IF WE ARE ABLE TO CREATE THAT AND ABLE TO CREATE A STRONGER STATE, WE ARE ABLE TO CREATE A STRONGER NATION, YOU ASK ME WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IT LOOKS DIFFERENT FOR EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY.
I CAN TELL YOU IN CHERRY HILL WHEN WE TALK WITH THEM IT LOOKS LIKE DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT DISPLACEMENT THAT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE ARE ABLE TO LIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND HAVE THE RESOURCES AND AMENITIES AND THINGS THEY NEED FOR THEM AND THEIR CHILDREN TO THRIVE WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE THEIR COMMUNITY AND BE PART OF IT.
SO THAT IMAGE LOOKS DIFFERENT FOR EACH COMMUNITY.
BUT COLLECTIVELY IT LOOKS LIKE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH OPPORTUNITIES.
>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO Mr. SLATER HARRINGTON AND SECRETARY MARTIN.
>> THE BEYA STEM CONFERENCE KNOWN AS THE BLACK ENGINEER OF THE YEAR CONFERENCE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY.
CHARLES ROBINSON SPOKE WITH FOUNDER DR. TYRONE TABORN.
>> I THINK A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS CONFERENCE IS SO IMPORTANT.
>> I THINK THAT THE BEYA CONFERENCE BECOMING EVERYTHING YOU ARE IS IMPORTANT IN SEVERAL LEVELS.
NUMBER ONE, IT SHOWS OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THAT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IS FUN.
AND IT GIVES THEM A PATHWAY TO THAT SUCCESS.
TO DO THE THINGS THAT IN THIS WORLD THAT IS CHANGING SO FAST THAT OUR NATION CANNOT REMAIN STRONG IF WE DON'T HAVE THE TALENT IN FRONT OF US.
SO THE BEYA CONFERENCE THAT WILL BE IN BALTIMORE IN A COUPLE WEEKS, REALLY GIVES OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY OUR WHOLE NATION A REASON TO BE PROUD AMERICANS.
>> WE ARE JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE AND THAT IS WHY IN BALTIMORE WITH BEYA COMING BACK TO BALTIMORE, AND THE FACT THAT WE'RE OPENING AN A.I.
TRAINING CENTER AT THE THURGOOD MARSHALL CENTER IN WEST BALTIMORE WHERE WE WILL BE TEACHING THE KIDS THAT YOU SAW IN THE CORNER, THE SQUEEGEE KIDS AND FOLKS LIKE THAT IN REAL JOB TRAINING SKILLS THAT ARE RELEVANT AND IN GREAT DEMAND RIGHT NOW AND FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
THAT IS WHY WE'RE DOING THAT.
BECAUSE THIS DIGITAL DIVIDE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST, IS GOING TO ACCELERATE AT A RATE THAT WE WON'T BELIEVE.
HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS, CHARLES.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT A.I.
IS RESETTING THE WHOLE TECHNOLOGY STRUCTURE.
AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT THE TECH SOME OF THE TECH COMPANIES WANT TO DO, THEY REALLY WANT TO OWN ALL OF THE TECHNOLOGY SO WE DON'T HAVE A PARTICIPATION LEVEL.
RIGHT.
A.I.
IS SO FAST, IT'S CHANGING WITH THESE OPEN MODELS NOW, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT ABOUT WHO OWNS THE TECHNOLOGY.
WHEN YOU HAVE AN OPEN SOURCE.
WHAT I WANT TO SAY TO ALL OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE OUT THERE AND ALL OF THE COMPANIES LISTENING, WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST QUALIFIED PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WHO HAVE BEEN IN THESE POSITIONS.
LOOK AT WHO HAS BEEN THERE AND LOOK AT WHO IS REPLACING THEM.
AND THEN, CHARLES, YOU CAN TELL ME IS THAT A D.E.I.
HIRE?
>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, TYRON IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO PICK YOUR BRAIN A LITTLE BIT.
>> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.
JOIN US EVERY WEEK AT THIS TIME FOR THE LATEST ON MARYLAND'S POLITICAL STAGE.
REMEMBER, CAN YOU SEE OUR RECENT PROGRAMS AT VIDEO.MPT.TV.
AND THROUGH THE FREE PBS APP.
AND FOUND ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT MPT NEWS.
WE'RE BACK MONDAY WITH "DIRECT CONNECTION" YOUR CHANCE TO ASK THE EXPERTS.
THAT IS MONDAY EVENING LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. NOW, FOR ALL OF US AT MPT, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.
WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY.
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State Circle is a local public television program presented by MPT
State Circle is made possible by the generous support of viewers like you.