>> Jeff: OPENING A DEBATE ON TAXES.

>> THE BUDGET OUTLOOK IS DAUNTING.

>> WE'VE DONE MORE BUSINESSES THAT EMPLOY PEOPLE AND HELP OUT THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

I THINK IT HURTS THEM AND IT HURTS US AS A STATE.

>> Jeff: A GREEN LIGHT FOR SPEED CAMERAS.

>> IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT STOPS SPEEDING FROM OCCURRING IN REALTIME.

>> THE BIGGEST THING WE HEAR IN OUR OFFICE EITHER THROUGH MEETINGS OR E-MAILS OR TOWN HALLS, IS A CONCERN ABOUT ERRATIC SPEEDERS.

>> Jeff: AND PURPLE BECOMES THE NEW STATE CAN COLOR.

CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING, THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" THIS WEEK IS A FAIR SHARE THE NAME GIVEN TO PACKAGE OF TAX CHANGES MEANT TO HEAD OFF FUTURE BUDGET CUTS.

NANCY AMATTA REPORTS.

>> THE BUDGET OUTLOOK OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS IS DAUNTING AS SPENDING COMMITMENTS SURPASS REVENUES.

>> THE SENATOR SAYS IT'S CRITICAL THAT LAWMAKERS PASS THE FAIR SHARE FOR MARYLAND ACT A TAX REFORM PACKAGE THAT WHEN PHASED IN WOULD GENERATE $1.6 BILLION ANNUALLY FROM MARYLAND'S GENERAL FUND AND GIVE TAX BREAKS TO FAMILIES BY EXPANDING THE CHILD TAX CREDIT.

>> THOSE MAKING LESS THAN $250,000 WILL PAY NO MORE IN TAXES AND IN INSTANCES THEY WILL PAY LESS.

TO PLUG HOLES OF SPECIAL INTERESTS THAT HAVE BEEN CARVED INTO OUR TAX SYSTEM WITH FAIRNESS BEING THE NORTH STAR.

>> THE LEGISLATION WOULD ENSURE THE WEALTHIEST MARYLANDERS WILL PAY THE SAME PROPORTION OF THEIR INCOME AS LOW AND MIDDLE CLASS WAGE EARNERS.

>> WE HAVE THE SYSTEM WHERE THE WEALTHIEST 1% MAKING 700,000 A YEAR PAY A SMALLER SHARE OF INCOME ON TAXES ALL THE TAXES WE PAY THAN EVERYBODY ELSE AND THAT IS UNFAIR AND THE SAME THING WHEN WE LOOK TO THE BUSINESS SIDE OF OUR TAX CODE WHERE THE BIGGEST CORPORATIONS NOT JUST IN MARYLAND BUT AMERICA AND THE WORLD ARE PAYING NOTHING IN TAXES AND OUR SMALL BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLE SNOOK.

THE BILL IS A TOUGH SELL FOR THE REPUBLICAN SENATOR.

>> I DON'T AGREE THAT BECAUSE I THINK THE YOU BURDEN ON MORE BUSINESSES THAT EMPLOY PEOPLE, THAT BENEFIT PEOPLE THAT HELP OUT THE STATE OF MARYLAND, I THINK IT HURTS THEM AND IT HURTS US AS A STATE.

I THINK A FAIR TAX IS A BALANCED TAX A FLAT TAX.

>> THE PROPONENTS SAY TOO MUCH IS AT STAKE FROM EDUCATION.

>> ON OUR TRAJECTORY THE SPECIAL FUND WILL BE EDELETED IN THE MIDST OF THE 2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR.

>> TRANSPORTATION AND ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

>> WE ARE RAPIDLY REACHING A BREAKING POINT IN OUR STATE SERVICES THAT IS REFLECTED IN THE LOW STAFFING, AND WORK GLAS INJURIES AT HOSPITALS AND WORK SITES.

>> A DIRE WARNING BY THE PRESIDENT OF MARYLAND COUNCIL 3 REPRESENTING 45,000 HIGHER EDUCATION, CITY COUNTY AND STATE EMPLOYEES.

I'M NANCY AMATTA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WHILE THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE PRESIDENT INDICATED THAT A BIG TAX BILL IS OFF THE TABLE THE STATE'S PLANNED JUMP IN EDUCATION SPENDING MEAN IT IS WILL HAVE TO GET A CLOSER LOOK NEXT YEAR.

SUE COPPIN WITH THIS UPDATE ON THE BLUEPRINT.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO THE BLUEPRINT INTERIM MARYLAND'S SUPERINTENDENT SAYS... >> WHAT MY ISSUE IS WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IMPLEMENTING IT WITH FIDELITY.

THAT IS WHAT IS A CRITICAL ASPECT.

>> IN HER PRESENTATION TO THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, WRIGHT TOLD LAWMAKERS IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ALL STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES AND THE RESOURCES THEY NEED.

>> WHAT WE WANT THEM TO THINK OF WHAT ARE THE SKILL SETS I WILL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL REGARDLESS OF WHAT I CHOOSE TO DO.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT TO ENSURE ANYBODY WALKS OUR STAGE HAS THE SKILLS.

>> REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION OF BOARDS OF EDUCATION SAID AMONG THEIR CONCERNS THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE ADDRESSED, FUNDING FOR THE BLUEPRINT.

>> THE BLUEPRINT CANNOT BE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT AN ADEQUATE COMBINATION OF STATE AND LOCAL FUNDING.

THE PROPOSALS IF ENACTED WOULD REQUIRE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO PROVIDE MORE THAN THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF YEAR TO YEAR LOCAL FUNDING.

MANY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE FUNDING ABOVE MAINTENANCE OF EVERYTHING BUT MOST ARE NOT.

AND THE STATE-WIDE SUCCESS OF THE BLUEPRINT DEPENDS ON THE INCREASED LOCAL FUNDING.

>> THE OTHER PRIORITIES INCLUDE AN INFLATION ADJUSTMENT TO THE BLUEPRINT'S MINIMUM MAINTENANCE EFFORT AMOUNT FOR LOCAL FUNDING.

REESTABLISHING A MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT ESCALATOR TO REQUIRE INCREASED LOCAL FUNDING FOR CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS.

ADD POPULATION DENSITY ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE FUNDING FOR THE LOWEST POPULATED COUNTIES.

AND REQUIRE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO SHARE THE COST OF SALARIES FOR LOCAL BLUEPRINT IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATORS A SHARED COST OF MORE TAN $3.5 MILLION.

ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES FOR MARYLAND'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT'S ASSOCIATION, ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO GET MORE TEACHERS IN CLASSROOMS.

>> THE PULL FOR TEACHERS HAS DWINDLED QUITE A BIT, THE AREAS WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT COUNSELING, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, SOCIAL STUDIES EVERY AREA AND ESPECIALLY OUR RELATED SERVICE PROVIDERS IS AN AREA OF NEED AND SO WE'RE HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR UNIVERSITY PARTNERS ABOUT HOW DO WE GROW OUR OWN.

>> THE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION SAID IT WOULD LIKE TO SEE STATE FUNDING FOR STUDENT TEACHERS.

EXPANDED LOAN ASSISTANCE, COHORT INCENTIVES, DIFFERENTIATED PAY FOR SPECIALED INDICATORS AND TEACHERS IN LOW-PERFORMING SCHOOLS AND A POST COVID UPDATED COST ANALYSIS OF THE BLUEPRINT.

INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT KERRY WRIGHT SAID SHE FOUND THE LEGISLATURE TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

>> WE ARE IN A COLLABORATIVE STATE AND THE MORE WE CAN DO TOGETHER THE BETTER.

>> Jeff: A RALLY AT THE STEPS OF THE STATE HOUSE BACKING A CONSTITUTIONALITY AMENDMENT TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO AN ABORTION.

LAWMAKERS LAST YEAR APPROVED SENDING THE AMENDMENT TO VOTERS.

IT WILL BE ON NOVEMBER'S GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT.

AMONG THOSE LENDING SUPPORT, MARYLAND FIRST LADY DAWN MOORE.

>> MONDAY'S RALLY TOOK PLACE ON THE 51ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUPREME COURT RULING IN ROE VS. WADE OVERTURNED IN 2022.

>>> IN THE SENATE THIS WEEK, MEMBERS OF THE MARYLAND AIR NATIONAL GUARD WERE SALUTED FOR RECEIVING THE ONE AIR FORCE AWARD.

THE GUARD FLIES A10 FIGHTERS.

THE UNIT WILL HAVE AN UPCOMING DEPLOYMENT TO THE U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND IN THE SPRING.

THE PENTAGON IS PHASING OUT THE JETS.

AND THE FUTURE MISSION FOR THAT BASE IS UNCLEAR.

>>> MUSICIANS FROM THE BRM BALTIMORE ORCHESTRA MADE THEIR PRESENCE HEARD THIS WEEK.

POLITICAL LEADERS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRYOUT THEIR CONDUCTING SKILLS INCLUDING HOUSE SPEAKER JONES WHO TRADED IN HER GAVEL FOR A BATON.

THEY WERE IT THERE TO THANK LAWMAKERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

NOW JOINING US FOR THE ANNAPOLIS FACE OFF, DELEGATE, A REPUBLICAN FROM BALTIMORE COUNTY.

AND DELEGATE A DEMOCRAT FROM BALTIMORE COUNTY.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR MORE RADAR SPEED CAMERAS IN THE COUNTY.

HOW WOULD AT THAT TIME WORK?

>> YOU KNOW I APPRECIATE YOU STARTED WITH THAT QUESTION BECAUSE HONESTLY THIS BILL DOES NOT DO THAT.

AND THAT IS ONE OF THE MAJOR MISCONCEPTIONS I THINK THAT IS BEING SPREAD ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION.

>> Jeff: THAT WAS THE HEADLINE ON AN ARTICLE I JUST READ.

>> I'M SURE IT WAS.

I'M SURE IT WAS.

>> Jeff: WHAT DOES IT DO?

>> THIS BILL IS SIMPLY AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT WHEN AND WHERE THOSE CAMERAS ARE PLACED INSTEAD OF HAVING TO COME TO THE STATE.

CURRENTLY THEY HAVE TO COME FOR STATE APPROVAL.

TO OUR COMMITTEE, ACTUALLY DELEGATE SERVES ONED ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE ALONGSIDE ME.

FOR ANY CAMERAS THAT ARE PLACED OUTSIDE OF REGULATED SCHOOL ZONES.

SO THIS BILL DOES NOT SAY WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CAMERAS.

WHAT IT DOES IS GIVE THE AUTHORITY TO THE COUNTY, THE COUNTY COUNCIL, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS WHO ARE VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL.

TO MOVE THEM AROUND IN PLACES WHERE THEY THINK IS MOST NECESSARY FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CONSTITUENTS.

>> Jeff: SO WHAT IS THE ARGUMENT FOR DOING THAT?

>> THE ARGUMENT FOR DOING THAT IS THE FACT THAT THOSE WHO ARE CLOSEST TO THE ISSUE, MEANING PUBLIC SAFETY, THE CHIEF OF POLICE FOR BALTIMORE COUNTY, SOMEBODY WHO IS ADAMANT ABOUT THIS BILL, THEY ARE IN THE BEST POSITIONS TO LISTEN TO CONSTITUENTS AND ACTUALLY MAKE THOSE CHANGES IN A NIMBLE MANNER.

CURRENTLY THE PROCESS IS WE GO AND THIS CAME FROM CONSTITUENT CONCERNS.

I DIDN'T PULL THIS OUT OF THIN AIR.

I GO TO A LOT OF COMMUNITY MEETINGS.

AND THE BIGGEST THING WE HEAR IN OUR OFFICE EITHER THROUGH MEETINGS OR E-MAILS OR TOWN HALLS, IS A CONCERN ABOUT ERRATIC SPEEDERS.

IN NEIGHBORHOODS AND RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.

I INTRODUCED THIS BILL LAST YEAR.

AND I THINK FOLKS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE REPRESENTATION OF THIS BILL BEING EXPANSION WHEN, IN FACT, ALL IT DOES IS SAY YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME TO ME DURING A THREE-MONTH PERIOD EVERY YEAR TO MAKE SHE IS CHANGES WHEN IN THE MEANTIME ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY MIGHT BE KILLED.

>> Jeff: HOW WOULD YOUR CONSTITUENTS FEEL ABOUT THIS BILL?

>> TO HER POINT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SPEEDING IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.

MY CONSTITUENTS AND CONSTITUENTS FROM AROUND BALTIMORE COUNTY WE HAVE DONE A SURVEY WE'VE HAD THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE REACH OUT TO US AND COMPLETE THE SURVEY WITH STRONG CONCERNS ABOUT THIS.

THE COUNTY ALREADY HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DO WHAT THE DELEGATE IS LOOKING FOR THE BILL TO DO.

THERE'S 176 PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND 141 PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.

THE COUNTY CAN PLACE A SPEED CAMERA IN HALF A MILE OF THOSE SCHOOLS AND COVER TWO-THIRDS OF THE LAND MASS WITH THE CAMERAS.

THE AUTHORITY IS ALREADY THERE TO DO WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.

MY CONCERN WITH THIS BILL IS THAT, ONE, IT REPLACES A POLICE OFFICER WITH A CAMERA, WITH AI.

AND IT LIMITS COMMUNITY POLICING BECAUSE THERE'S OTHER POSITIVE BENEFITS FROM COMMUNITY POLICING.

AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT STOPS SPEEDING FROM OCCURRING IN REALTIME.

SO TO THE DELEGATE'S POINT, IF A CHILD OR SOMEONE WERE TO GET HIT I'VE GOT FIVE KIDS I'M CONCERNED ABOUT A CHILD GETTING HIT AROUND A SCHOOL BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THEM FROM SPEEDING.

>> Jeff: DOES IT STOP THEM OVER TIME?

I'VE READ CAMERAS ON THE JONES FALLS EXPRESSWAY WERE CONTROVERSIAL AND IT'S REDUCED THE NUMBER OF CRASHES.

>> I WANT TO PUSHBACK ON A COUPLE OF THINGS HE SAID BECAUSE I THINK THEY ARE INACCURATE.

THE DATA IS TRULY THERE.

I'M SURE THE DATA IS TRULY THERE TO SUPPORT YOUR COMMENT THAT SPEED CAMERAS DO SLOW PEOPLE DOWN NOT ONLY IN THE IMMEDIATE BUT FOLKS GET USED TO SLOWING DOWN IN THAT AREA AND SO THERE ARE LONG-TERM BENEFITS OF THAT.

WE HAVE OTHER COUNTRIES GOING TO SPEED CAMERAS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS NOT WHAT THE BILL DOES.

BUT THEY ARE SEEING MUCH MORE CIVILITY IN DRIVING, FEWER ACCIDENTS, FEWER DEATHS FROM ACCIDENTS.

BUT I DO WANT TO PUSHBACK ON THE STATEMENT THAT FACE-TO-FACE POLICING IS ALWAYS BEST FOR A COMMUNITY.

I THINK ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT WE HEAR AND THE REASON THAT OUR POLICE CHIEF IS ADAMANT ABOUT THIS BILL, IS THAT HE DOES BELIEVE SPEED CAMERAS MAKE PEOPLE SAFER, THAT THEY ACTUALLY CANNOT DO WHAT THIS BILL TELLS THEM TO DO, AS THE DELEGATE IS SUGGESTING, AND IN FACT, THEY ARE VERY LIMITED TO A CERTAIN AREA AROUND THE SCHOOL, ACCORDING TO CURRENT STATE LAW.

AND THIS JUST ALLOWS THEM THE ABILITY TO EXPAND THAT IF THEY FEEL THAT IS NECESSARY.

IN MY DISTRICT, AND ACTUALLY IN THE DELEGATE'S DISTRICT THERE ARE MANY, MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTY THAT ARE NOT WITHIN HALF A MILE OF A SCHOOL.

AND THAT IS ACTUALLY WHERE ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS WAS HIT BY A CAR CROSSING THE NCR TRAIL THIS YEAR BETWEEN THE LAST TIME I PUT THIS BILL IN PLACE AND BRING TO GO BACK.

THAT IS WHY I'M ADAMANT ABOUT IT.

>> THE OTHER POINT I WANT TO SAY IS POLICE OFFICERS ACTUALLY DO HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON THIS.

WE ARE NOT HAVING ROBOTS SEND OUT TICKETS TO PEOPLE THAT IS NOT HOW IT WORKS.

>> Jeff: DELEGATE?

>> LOOK, JEFF, TO ME AND YOU KNOW WE DISAGREE ON THIS.

I REPRESENT A LOT OF WORKING CLASS MIDDLE CLASS AREAS IN BALTIMORE COUNTY.

THIS IS ANOTHER TAX ON THE [AUDIO INTERRUPTION] WE'VE HAD MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITIES COME IN FROM R FRONT OF OUR COMMITTEE AND TALK ABOUT HOW THE CAMERAS CAN GIVE OUT TICKETS THAT WEREN'T ACCURATE AND DUPLICATE TICKETS, AND THE WAY TO FIGHT THAT IS FOR SOMEONE TO TAKE A DAY OFF OF WORK AND GO TO COURT AND MISS A FULL DAY'S PAY.

ONE CONSTITUENT HAD THAT HAPPEN THEY WENT TO COURT AND THEY FOUGHT IT AND WON BUT THEY GOT HIT WITH THE COURT COSTS AND DUPLICATE TICKET WHERE THEY WERE GUILTY OF SPEEDING BUT NOT TWICE IN THE SAME TIME.

>> I THINK DELEGATE, ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE OFTEN HAVE IN POLITICS AND I KNOW YOU SPEAK TO FOLKS IN PUBLIC OFFICE WE DON'T ACTUALLY ACCEPT THIRD PARTY HEARSAY TESTIMONY AND THAT IS WHAT I'M HEARING FROM HIS SIDE OF THE STORY.

>> Jeff: WHAT ABOUT THE ARGUMENT THESE THINGS ARE REALLY JUST A REVENUE SOURCE FOR THE COUNTY.

IS THE COUNTY MAKING MONEY AND WILL THEY MAKE MORE MONEY IF YOUR BILL PASSES?

>> THEY ABSOLUTELY ARE NOT MAKING MONEY AND THEY WILL NOT MAKE MORE MONEY IF THE BILL PASSES.

IN FACT, BY STATE STATUTE, WHEN THE AUTHORIZATION FOR SPEED MONITORING DEVICES WAS INITIALLY PASSED IT WAS BACK IN 2009, THE STATE MADE STRICT REGULATIONS ABOUT WHAT THAT MONEY COULD BE USED FOR.

IT CAN BE USED TO MAINTAIN THE CAMERAS AND THE REST OF IT HAS TO GO TO INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY.

RIGHT NOW, IN MARYLAND STATUTE, IT IS GOING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS ON POLICE CARS PRIMARILY.

>> Jeff: AND DELEGATE LET ME GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD.

HAVE TIME FOR A SENTENCE OR TWO.

>> I DISAGREE.

ONE OF THE FACTORS THAT BALTIMORE COUNTY CONSIDERS WHEN THEY MOVE SPEED CAMERAS, IS THE REVENUE GENERATED ON THE CAMERA.

WHEN THE CAMERA STOPS GENERATING REVENUE THEY MOVE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> Jeff: NOW, FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE.

SUE COPPIN IS JOINED BY WILL FORD OF MARYLAND MATTERS.

SUE AND WILL THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE'RE TWO WEEKS FROM THE CANDIDATE FILING DEADLINE FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION COMING UP.

AND WE GOT NEWS THIS AFTERNOON FROM THE CAMPAIN OF DUTCH.

>> DUTCH IS CALLING IT A CAREER ON COMMONWEALTH AFTER 11 TERMS HE WAS I THINK FIRST SERVED FIRST TERM STARTED IN 2003.

SO IT'S -- PROBABLY BE A RUSH.

I DID CHECK TO SEE THERE ARE TWO DEMOCRATS WHO ALREADY FILED FOR THE DISTRICTS.

SO THIS WILL BE AN INTERESTING RACE ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE FILING DEADLINE IS ONLY TWO WEEKS AWAY.

>> Jeff: A LOT OF SPECULATION ABOUT BALTIMORE COUNTY EXECUTIVE HAS THE OFFICE THAT DUTCH ONCE OCCUPIED BUT AT OUR TAPING TIME NO ANNOUNCEMENT.

WILL, YOU WROTE AN INTERESTING STORY ON MARYLAND MATTERS.ORG SENATE BILL 5 MEANT TO ADDRESS THE SUPREME COURT DECISION ON USING RACE IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS.

WHAT WOULD THIS BILL DO?

>> WELL, AND THE SPONSORED BY SENATE PRESIDENT AUGUST 16.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS HE PROPOSES IS LOOKING TO TRY TO INCREASE DIVERSITY IN THE COLLEGES.

AND PART OF THE BILL REQUIRES INSTITUTIONS TO ADOPT AN ADMISSION POLICY AND ACCEPT MARYLAND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SCHOOL IN THE TEN 10% OF THEIR CLASS AND MOST ARE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, MORGAN STATE IS NOT A PART OF THAT BUT IT IS A PUBLIC INSTITUTION AND ST.MARY'S COLLEGE OF MARYLAND.

AND, YES, YOU ARE RIGHT, IT IS LOOKED AT FROM THE RECENT SUPREME COURT DECISION THAT TAKEN OUT OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AS PART OF THE COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESSES.

>> Jeff: IT IS AN INTERESTING IDEA BECAUSE IT TURNS THE FACT THAT MANY HIGH SCHOOLS DO HAVE DE FACTO SEGREGATION AND FLIPS IT AROUND AND TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THAT TO POTENTIALLY MAKE MORE PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION TO STATE UNIVERSITIES.

>> THAT'S THE GOAL.

AND ONE MAJOR SUPPORTER THAT SENATOR AUGUSTINE HAS IS THE EDUCATION PRESIDENT.

AND NOW THERE WAS A HEARING ON THE BILL WEDNESDAY.

AND THERE WAS A PUBLIC OFFICIALS FROM COLLEGE PARK.

JAMES MASSEY, JR. WAS ONE OF THEM.

AND HE TESTIFIED AND ALSO TESTIMONY THAT CAME OUT ALSO, IN REGARDS TO HOW THE BILL COULD TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE FACTORS OF HOW TO ASSESS AN APPLICANT WHO MAY NOT BE A PART OF THAT 10% CLASS.

AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT COLLEGES DO TO ASSESS A GOOD APPLICANT TO BE.

GRADES AND SUBJECTS, GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGINAL YIN AND RECOGNITION OF SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS.

>> Jeff: SUE, THINKING BACK TO THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE CONGRESSMAN, HIS LIFE WAS SAVED A LONGTIME AGO BY SHOCK TRAUMA AND THAT BECAME A MAJOR FOCUS OF HIS.

YOU ATTENDED A BRIEFING ON FUNDING FOR NOT ONLY SHOCK TRAUMA BUT THE TRAUMA MET WORK IN MARYLAND?

>> I DID.

AND IN FACT Dr. SCALIA HE WAS TESTIFYING AT A COUPLE OF BRIEFINGS AT THE STATE HOUSE LAST WEEK AND THIS WEEK HAVING TO DO WITH THIS.

YEAH, COST OF TRAUMA CARE IS FAR EXCEEDING.

THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO COVER IT AND IT CONTINUES TO BE A HUGE GROWING PROBLEM.

THERE IS ALL OF US KNOW IF YOU HAVE A VEHICLE, A CAR, THERE IS A $5 SURCHARGE WHICH GOES TOWARDS SOMETHING CALLED THE MARYLAND TRAUMA PETITIONS FUND CREATED 20 YEARS AGO.

BUT THERE ARE DIFFICULTIES WITH ACCESSING THE MONEY BECAUSE SOME OF THE LIMITATIONS AND THE GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF TRAUMA CASES.

AND ALMOST TO A PERSON FROM THE TRAUMA CENTERS THEY CITED AMONG THE BIGGEST FACTOR IN THE RISE IN CASE NUMBERS ARE GUNSHOT WOUNDS.

AND THE SEVERITY OF THEM AND THE COMPLICATIONS THEY BRING AND THE HUGE COSTS.

SO IT IS A TREMENDOUS ISSUE.

>> Jeff: WILL FORD, SUE COPPIN WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS, JEFF.

>> Jeff: YOU CAN READ WILL'S REPORTING AT MARYLAND MATTERS.ORG.

BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE TODAY FOR THE BALTIMORE RAVENS AND THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SUNDAY A WIN TAKES THE TEAM TO THE THIRD SUPER BOWL.

PURPLE RULED THE DAY AT THE STATE HOUSE.

ANOTHER SPORTING BOOST FOR THE ECONOMY COMES FROM THE CIAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT WHICH IS RETURNING TO BALTIMORE.

CHARLES ROBINSON REPORTS.

>> WE WENT FROM THAT $4 MILLION INVESTMENT TO $29.6 MILLION YEAR TWO OF LIVE BASKETBALL.

THIS YEAR, I CAN'T PREDICT THE FUTURE BUT I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO EXCEED $30 MILLION THIS YEAR.

BECAUSE THE WORD'S OUT.

>> IT BECOMES MORE THAN JUST BEING IN THE COMMUNITY FOR BASKETBALL.

I MEAN, THE BUSINESS THAT WE BRING HERE, THE FOLKS THAT WILL MOVE HERE.

WOMEN LEADERS IN COLLEGE SPORTS IS HAVING THEIR CONFERENCE ABOUT 1500 WOMEN IN COLLEGE ATHLETICS THAT WILL HOLD THEIR CONFERENCE HERE NEXT YEAR.

AND WHO DO THEY ASK ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE?

MOI.

>> AS THE OLDEST HBCU IN MARYLAND IT IS A PLEASURE AND HONEST AUTHORIZE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO WELCOME OUR INSTITUTIONS TO CHARM CITY.

AND TO WELCOME ALL OF OUR FANS AND SUPPORTERS TO THE HISTORIC AND EXCITING AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCE THAT IS THE CIAA TOURNAMENT.

IT IS SO MUCH MORE AS THE COMMISSIONER SAID, SO MUCH MORE.

>> THE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BREATHES LIFE INTO DOWNTOWN BALTIMORE AND THE AREA.

WHILE THE BASKETBALL IS THE DRAW, THE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION HAS EMBEDDED ITSELF IN THE COMMUNITY WITH FREE WORKSHOPS ON FINANCIAL LITERACY, MENTAL HEALTH AND GROWING THE NEXT GENERATION OF HBCU STUDENTS.

>> TO THINK ABOUT AS TO THE BEAUTY OF HOSTING AN EVENT LIKE CIAA.

BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT SUCCESSFULLY THE PAST FEW YEARS, NOW WE CAN LEVERAGE THAT SUCCESS TO BRING OTHER GROUPS TO BALTIMORE.

>> AT THE UNDER ARMOR KICKOFF EVENT THE NUMBERS TOUTED SHOULD NOT BE DISCOUNTED WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT OF $4 MILLION THE CITY HAS SEEN A RETURN OF $30 MILLION ON OVERALL REVENUE.

RETURNING 1.2 MILLION TO SMALL BLACK BUSINESSES.

1.2 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO POTENTIAL STUDENTS.

THE NUMBERS ARE ALLOWING THE CITY TO CHANGE A NEGATIVE PER EXPECTION INTO A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE.

VISIT BALTIMORE SAYS IT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING A NATIONAL BLACK FRATERNITY IN TO COMING TO CHARM CITY AND THE WOMEN LEADERSHIPS IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL TO BOOK ITS CONVENTION.

SO EACH YEAR, THE CIAA TRIES TO PROMOTE A SMALL BLACK BUSINESS IN BALTIMORE.

AND THIS YEAR WE CAUGHT UP WITH A NEW COFFEE MAKER.

>> I'M MICHAEL SAUNDERS.

I AM A COFOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF MATRIARCH COFFEE.

A FRIEND OF MY SUGGESTED I REACH OUT VIA E-MAIL AND I DID.

BECAUSE THE SCAVENGER HUNT WAS COMING.

I GOT A IMMEDIATE RESPONSE AND THEY ADDED ME TO THE HUNT AND AS A POTENTIAL VENDOR.

WE IMPORT OUR COFFEE FROM RWANDA.

ONE OF MY BUSINESS PARTNERS HIS FAMILY GROWS THE COVE ANY IN RWANDA AND WE IMPORT IT HERE.

AND STORE IT AND ROAST IT.

I WOULD HOPE THEY FIND OUT THAT WE ARE LIMITLESS.

WHEN WE BEGAN THIS ENDEAVOR, I JUST WANTED TO START A COFFEE SHOP I DIDN'T KNOW WE WOULD BE REACHING TO AFRICA TO ANOTHER SHORE TO BRING COFFEE HERE TO STORE IT, TO ROAST IT OURSELVES AND BRING IT TO THE MARKETPLACE.

IF YOU THINK BIG, YOU CAN ACTUALLY REACH YOUR DREAMS AND GO FAR BEYOND WHAT YOU IMAGINED.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS WHO ARE ENTREPRENEUR IN HEART.

I MEAN AND PART WHAT YOU HEAR IS IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

WHICH HE WE GET TO EXPOSE YOU AS A PISS BUSINESS THAT GIVES THEM HOPE THEY HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY AS WELL.

>> SHARING AND SPREADING THE WEALTH AT THE CAAA TOURNAMENT.

IN BALTIMORE I'M CHARLES ROBINSON.

>> Jeff: AND MAYOR BRANDON SCOTT TALKED ABOUT THE TOURNAMENT'S IMPACT.

>> THE CIAA IN BALTIMORE GO TOGETHER LIKE OLD BAY AND CRABS.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT THE CIA REPRESENTS, BLACK EXCELLENCE IT GOES WITH BALTIMORE.

ONE OF AMERICA'S BLACKEST CITIES WITH A DEEP, DEEP HISTORY AND CULTURE IN CIVIL RIGHTS AND HBCUS HERE AND THE HOST HBCU OWIE STATE BEING ORIGINALLY HERE IN BALTIMORE, IT'S BEEN SUCH A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN I ALWAYS SAY THE CIAA EXISTED IN CHARLOTTE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS BUT THEY FOUND TRUE LOVE AND CHARM HERE IN CHARM CITY AND WE LOVE TO HAVE THEM HERE.

>> Jeff: SAY A WORD TO PEOPLE WATCHING WHO MIGHT BE THEY'VE HEARD ABOUT THE CIAA TOURNAMENT AND MAY THINK ABOUT GOING TO A GAME OR EVENT?

>> IF YOU NEVER BEEN TO A CIAA EVENT, YOU ARE MISSING OUT.

IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

I FIRST WENT AS A YOUNG MAN IN COLLEGE.

AND IT IS AN EXPERIENCE FOLKS COME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY NOT ONLY WILL YOU GET THE GREAT BASKETBALL BUT YOU HAVE THE GREAT SHOWS AND ENTERTAIN.

, THE VENUES TO LEARN ABOUT BUSINESS AND FOOD AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

IT IS SOMETHING THERE FOR EVERYONE.

BRING YOUR KIDS.

BRING YOUR FAMILY.

COME ENJOY YOURSELVES AND CONNECT WITH FOLKS COMING FROM THE COUNTRY AND ENJOY THE CIAA IN BALTIMORE.

>> YOU GOT TO GET BACK TO WORK AND BEING A DAD.

LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING TO YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> FOR INFORMATION GO TO THE CIAA.COM.

AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

JOIN US EACH WEEK AS WE BRING THE STATE HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WEARING PURPLE THIS WEEKEND.

GO RAVENS.

SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".