THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

ON A SPECIAL EDITION OF "STATE CIRCLE".

>> WE PRAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ON THE KEY BRIDGE AND EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN TOUCHED BY THIS TRAGEDY AND THEIR FAMILIES AND ALL THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> Jeff: A RUNAWAY FREIGHTER DESTROYED THE KEY BRIDGE.

>> THE PILOT ISSUED A RADIO CALL REPORTING THAT THE DALI LOST ALL POWER AND WAS APPROACHING THE BRIDGE.

>> Jeff: AND 10 DAYS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S FUNDING AVAILABLE THAT PORT INDUSTRIES HAVE ACCESS TO THAT WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT BUSINESS DOESN'T MOVE TO ANOTHER PORT PERMANENTLY.

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

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

WE BEGIN OUR PROGRAM AT THE BALTIMORE WATERFRONT.

THIS COMMUNITY IS REELING FROM BOTH THE HUMAN COST AND THE ECONOMIC COST OF A MASSIVE COLLISION.

FOR 47 YEARS, THE GRACEFUL LINES OF THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE HAD WELCOMED SHIPS AND VEHICLES TO BALTIMORE.

AROUND 1:30 AM TUESDAY AN OUT-OF-CONTROL CONTAINER SHIP STRUCK A SUPPORT PIER AND THE STRUCTURE FELL IN JUST SECONDS.

THE SHIP RADIOED A MAY DAY WITH LIGHTS GOING OFF AND ON AND THEN DARK SMOKE WAS SEEN.

THE WARNING DID ALLOW POLICE TO BLOCK ACCESS TO THE BRIDGE WITH LESS THAN A MINUTE TO SPARE.

>> PULLING ALL TRAFFIC ON THE KEY BRIDGE.

THERE IS A SHIP APPROACHING THAT LOST THEIR STEERING SO WE HAVE TO STOP ALL TRAFFIC.

>> I AM EN ROUTE TO THE SOUTH SIDE.

>> Jeff: HOWEVER, THERE WAS LATE NIGHT WORK CREW PATCHING POTHOLES NEAR THE TOP OF THE STRUCTURE.

EIGHT MEN WERE THERE, MIRACULOUSLY TWO SURVIVED.

THE WORKERS IMMIGRANTS FROM MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA LEFT FAMILIES BEHIND.

>> OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS TERRIBLE ACCIDENT ALL THE FAMILIES ESPECIALLY THOSE WAITING FOR THE NEWS WAITING RIGHT NOW.

I KNOW EVERY MINUTE IN THAT CIRCUMSTANCE FEELS LIKE A LIFETIME.

YOU JUST DON'T KNOW IT'S TERRIBLE.

WE'RE INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR THE RESCUERS WHO RUSHED TO THE SCENE AND TO THE PEOPLE OF BALTIMORE WHO WANT TO SAY WE'RE WITH YOU.

WE ARE GOING TO STAY WITH YOU AS LONG AS IT TAKES.

>> TO THE VICTIMS, OF THIS TRAGEDY AND THEIR LOVED ONES, ALL OF OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN.

WE FEEL YOUR LOSS.

WE'RE THINKING OF YOU AND WE WILL ALWAYS THINK OF YOU.

WE PRAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WHEREERS WHO WERE ON THE KEY BRIDGE AND EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN TOUCHED BY THIS TRAGEDY AND THEIR FAMILIES AND ALL OF THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> Jeff: NOW WITH THE LATEST ON THE INVESTIGATION, HERE IS MPT'S NANCY AMATA.

>> IT'S PRETTY DEVASTATING CERTAINLY.

SEEING NOT JUST WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE CARGO CONTAINERS BUT JUST LOOKING AT WHAT WAS A BRIDGE SPAN THREE BRIDGE SPANS THAT IS PRETTY MUCH GONE.

>> THAT IS HOW NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD CHAIR CHARACTERIZED THE WRECKAGE WHERE A TEAM OF INVESTIGATORS ARE COLLECTING EVIDENCE AND LOOKING FOR CLUE AS TO WHAT LED A RUDDER FEEDBACK.

>> THE DALI LEFT PORT AT 12:39AM AND ENTERED THE CHANNEL.

>> 59 SECONDS NUMEROUS ALARMS WERE RECORDED ON THE SHIP'S AUDIO BRIDGE AUDIO.

ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THE ASSESSOR DATA CEASED RECORDING.

HOWEVER, THE VIDEO AUDIO CONTINUED TO RECORD USING THE POWER SOURCE.

>> STEERING COMMANDS AND RUDDER ORDERINGS CAN BE HEARD FOLLOWED BY A CALL FOR YOU GO ITS TO ASSIST.

ONE MINUTE LATER THE LOCAL PILOT ON THE SHIP WAS HEARD DIRECTING CREW MEMBERS TO DROP THE PORT ANCHOR.

>> 1:27 AND 25 SECONDS THE PILOT ISSUED A RADIO CALL REPORTING THAT THE DALI LOST ALL POWER AND WAS APPROACHING THE BRIDGE.

>> AT THAT TIME POLICE STATIONED ON THE BRIDGE BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION STOPPED TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.

MINUTES LATER THIS VIDEO CAPTURED THE MOMENT OF IMPACT.

>> WE ARE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS TO SPECULATE, AND SO IT'S HELPFUL TO HAVE, BUT WHAT IS REALLY HELPFUL IS THE INFORMATION THAT WE ARE ABLE TO VALIDATE.

>> IN ADDITION TO ANALYZING THE DATA RECORDER AND INSPECTION HISTORY OF THE SHIP, INVESTIGATORS HOPE TO GET A BETTER PICTURE OF WHAT HAPPENED BY INTERVIEWING CREW MEMBERS.

THEY WILL BE LOOKING FOR ANY INDICATION OF STRUCTURAL DEFECTS ON THE 50-YEAR-OLD BRIDGE.

>> THE BRIDGE IS FRACTURE CRITICAL IT IS A FRACTURE CRITICAL BRIDGE.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS IF A MEMBER FAILS, THAT WOULD LIKELY CAUSE A PORTION OF OR THE ENTIRE BRIDGE TO COLLAPSE.

>> INDUSTRY STANDARDS NO LONGER ADHERED TO TODAY.

I'M NANCY AMATA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: THE REMAINS OF THE BRIDGE NOW BLOCK ACCESS TO THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

WHICH AFFECTS COMMERCE WORLDWIDE.

THE AFFECTS OF THE COLLISION ARE FELT ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS RIVER AS CHARLES ROBINSON REPORTS.

>> THAT BRIDGE OVER THERE, MY FATHER HAD TO TRUCK CHRISTIAN BROTHERS TRUCKING COMPANY.

HE DELIVERED THE STEEL TO THAT BRIDGE OVER THERE.

FROM SPURS POINT.

SO AS A RESULT, IT REALLY HURT ME WHEN IT HAPPENED.

BUT AT THE SAME TOKEN, IT WAS DEVASTATING BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE AFFECTED OUR AREA A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN IT HAS.

>> AT THE SENIOR CENTER IN TURNER STATION, THEY'VE SEEN IT ALL.

>> WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WORK AT THE PORT.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE AFFECTED BY THAT BECAUSE THEY WON'T HAVE AS MUCH WORK TO DO WITH THE CARGO SHIPS PREVENTED FROM COMING INTO THE PORT.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST PORTS ON THE EAST COAST.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE ROUGH.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TAKE ANOTHER ROUTE AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE THEM LONGER TO GET THERE.

>> IT IS A DISASTER.

FOR THE CARGO THAT TRAVELS THAT ROUTE.

YOU KNOW AS FAR AS GETTING SUPPLIES TO THE PEOPLE.

IT'S GOING TO BE DEVASTATING.

>> IN THE DUNDALK COMMUNITY PEOPLE GATHER ON A HILL TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES.

WHILE THERE ARE MURMURS OF THE SCALE OF THE DEVASTATION, THERE IS NO SOUND OR MOVEMENT INSIDE THE PORT COMPLEX.

THE SPRAWLING NATURETER OF THE PORT OF BALTIMORE MEANS THAT IT JUST WON'T BE ONE INDUSTRY THAT WILL BE AFFECTED.

THE PORT HANDLES CARGOES LIKE CARS AND CONSUMER GOODS.

WHILE EXPORTING COAL AND SOYBEANS JUST TO NAME A FEW ITEMS.

>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING THE MOUNT HOLLY BAPTIST CHURCH HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

>> SOME FOLKS ARE TRAUMATIZED BY THE FACT THAT THEY WERE THAT CLOSE TO WHAT IS NOW A GLOBAL CRISIS.

>> ONE OF THOSE WHO LITERALLY PRAYS FOR RECOVERY IS SENIOR PASTOR RASHAD SINGERTARY OF THE MOUNT OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH.

>> NOW, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TELEPHONING IF YOU NEED THE SUPPORT, MENTAL HEALTH, PHYSICAL HEALTH, MONETARY HELP REACH OUT AND OUR CHURCH AND THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL HAS OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT FOLKS WHO NEED THE HELP.

>> PASTOR SINGLETARY IS UNDER NO ILLUSION.

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

AND HE AND HIS CON GREENE GATION WILL BE THERE FOR WHATEVER THE COMMUNITY NEEDS.

IN TURNER STATION, I'M CHARLES ROBINSON FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: OUR NEWSMAKER IS FORMER TRANSPORTATION OFFICIAL JOHN.

>> FIRST, MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

AND IT'S HARD TO DESCRIBE TO OUTSIDERS BUT THESE LARGE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE MARYLAND D.O.T.

AND THE MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY THEY ARE BIG FAMILIES YOU FEEL A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY RIGHTLY SO FOR THE PEOPLE.

SO YOU CAN'T HELP BUT TAKE THIS VERY PERSONALLY STHOOR WE KNOW LOSING A SECTION OF THE BALTIMORE BELTWAY WILL HAVE A HUGE LOCAL IMPACT.

MAYBE THE BIGGER STORY AT THE MOMENT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH SHIPPING.

BECAUSE FREIGHTERS CAN'T GET INTO OR OUT OF THE PORT OF BALTIMORE AND THAT QUICKLY BECOMES A GLOBAL ISSUE?

>> IT REALLY DOES.

IT IS AN INTERCONNECTED GLOBAL SYSTEM.

AND WHILE THE VISUAL MAY BE THE BRIDGE DOWN, THE IMPACT IS REGIONAL, STATE AND NATIONAL.

AND COUPLE OF EXAMPLES, YES, PART OF THE INTERSTATE SYSTEM WAS LOST WITH THAT BRIDGE.

BUT THINK ABOUT THE MARITIME TRADE AND THE RAIL PART OF IT.

THE PORT OF BALTIMORE IS AN ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR THE STATE.

IT'S THE LARGEST ROLL ON ROLL OFF PORT IN THE NATION.

IF YOU ARE JOHN DEERE MANUFACTURING TRACTORS EXPORTED TO EUROPE FROM ILLINOIS THEY ARE COMING OUT OF THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

THE SAME IS TRUE OF LOTS OF OTHER AGRICULTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY.

IF YOU ARE IMPORTING AUTOMOBILES TO THE EAST COAST, THEY ARE LIKELY COMING THROUGH THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

AND CONSUMER GOODS FOR ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

THE RAIL NETWORK INLAND TO CHICAGO, THE INTERSTATE NETWORK, NEW YORK, SOUTH FROM THERE, IS ALL IMPACTED BY THAT.

AND ONE THING WE FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY DURING THE PANDEMIC IS THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF THIS GLOBAL TRADE AND THE SINGLE POINTS OF FAILURE IN THE SYSTEM LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY.

>> Jeff: ANYWAY TO GUESS HOWL IT TAKES TO -- HOW LONG IT TAKES TO CLEAR NOT THE WHOLE RIVER BUT ENOUGH OF THE SHIPPING CHANNEL TO GET TRAFFIC MOVING?

>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE CAN GIVE YOU A RESPONSIBLE ANSWER TO THAT.

THE SCALE AND SCOPE OF THE DEVASTATION IS FAR BEYOND ANYTHING THAT ANYONE HAS DEALT WITH IN A VERY LONG TIME.

WHILE A SECTION OF I-95 WAS LOST IN PHILADELPHIA THAT WAS A MATTER OF FILLING IT IN AND PAVING IT.

AN ENTIRE BRIDGE ONE OF THE LONGEST IN THE WORLD WHEN IT OPENED, IS ESSENTIALLY IN THE WATER.

AND NO ONE KNOWS HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO RESTORE THAT.

AND TO RESTORE THE SHIPPING CHANNEL SAFELY.

I DO KNOW THE COAST GUARD, THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS THAT THE UNITED STATES NAVY ITSELF HAVE ALL BEEN HELPFUL IN THAT EFFORT.

AND WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN IN ALMOST 40 YEARS OF WORKING ON TRANSPORTATION AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

WHICH IS YOU HAVE A COMPLETE UNITY AND A SENSE OF ONE TEAM FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN ON DOWN.

IT'S REMARKABLE THAT THE PRESIDENT ESSENTIALLY TOOK CHARGE OF THIS AND SAID WE'RE GOING TO FIX IT.

WE ARE GOING TO PAY FOR IT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

AT THE STATE LEVEL YOU HAVE GOVERNOR MOORE DOING WHAT GOOD LEADERS DO WHICH IS LEADING FROM THE FRONT.

YOU HAVE A SEASONED TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY WHO KNOWS WHAT TO DO.

THERE'S OTHER PARTS OF THAT TEAM LIKE LABOR SECRETARY AT THE STATE LEVEL WHO DID THAT AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL AND UNDERSTANDS THE PORT, THE RAIL AND OTHER IMPLICATIONS OF IT.

YOU HAVE AN EXTRAORDINARILY STRONG TEAMWORKING TOGETHER THERE.

>> Jeff: DO WE NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THE LONG-TERM IMPACT ON THE PORT OF BALTIMORE?

ONE DAY HOPEFULLY VERY SOON SHIPS WILL START MOVING.

BUT IS THEIR REPUTATIONAL DAMAGE?

THE THING I REMEMBER I SORT OF HALF REMEMBER THIS FROM MANY YEARS AGO, THE NAVY USED TO KEEP A HOSPITAL SHIP IN THE PORT OF BALTIMORE AND THEY MOVED IT TO NORFOLK AND I BELIEVE WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT AT THE TIME WAS BEING CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISK THAT IN A WAR SITUATION THE SHIP COULD GET TRAPPED IN PORT IF ANY OF THE BRIDGES ON THE CHESAPEAKE WERE TAKEN OUT?

>> WELL, WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT AND PLAN FOR THE LONG-TERM COMPETITIVENESS OF THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

OTHER PORTS WILL TAKE UP THE SLACK IN THE SHORT-TERM.

IN THE LONG-TERM WE NEED TO REMEMBER FIRST OF ALL THAT IT IS AN ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR THE ENTIRE STATE IT'S BY FAR THE LARGEST SOURCE OF BLUE-COLLAR, GOOD-PAYING JOBS IN THE STATE.

NOT JUST AT THE PORT BUT ALL THE SECONDARY JOBS IT SPINS OFF ALL OVER THE STATE.

AND WE SHOULD AS THE PORT IS BACK IN BUSINESS, BUILD ON THE NATURAL ADVANTAGES IT HAS.

IF YOU'RE BRINGING CARGOES TO AND FROM MIDWEST MANUFACTURERS FOR EXAMPLE, YOU'RE MORE THAN 200 MILES CLOSER TO THE MIDWEST MARKETS IN BALTIMORE THAN SAY IN VIRGINIA.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CHANGED AT THE PORT THAT MAY NOT BE VISIBLE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT RIGHT THERE IS HOW THE SHIPS HAVE CHANGED.

PEOPLE MAY HAVE NOTICED THE NEW WHITE CRANES IN THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

THEY ARE WAY BIGGER THAN THE PREVIOUS CRANES BECAUSE THE SHIPS ARE SO MUCH BIGGER.

IS THAT POTENTIALLY A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THIS ACCIDENT?

AND A FACTOR IN THE DESIGN OF REPLACEMENT BRIDGE?

>> YES, IT IS A FACTOR IN BOTH.

THIS SHIP, 12500TEU'S WOULD HAVE BEEN MASSIVE 10 YEARS AGO.

IT'S MORE OR LESS UPPER MID-SIZE NOW.

JUST TO GIVE PEOPLE A SENSE OF HOW LARGE THESE CONTAINER SHIPS ARE NOW, THAT SHIP OUT THERE WHICH IS NOT EVEN NEARLY THE LARGEST CLASS OF POST PAN SHIP IS THE SIZE AND MASS OF AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT AT 8 KNOTS WHAT THAT CAN DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE FORCE THAT WAS ON THE BRIDGE.

>> Jeff: YOU KNOW, THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER THE TUGBOATS THAT HELPED THIS VESSEL OUT OF PORT WHICH IS ROUTINE GETTING AWAY FROM THE DOCK WHETHER THEY SHOULD HAVE STAYED WITH THE SHIP AS IT GOT TO THE BRIDGE.

DO YOU RECALL FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MARYLND TRANSPORTATION IF THAT WAS EVER ROUTINE?

>> IT HAS BEEN ROUTINE FOR A WHILE, I BELIEVE.

I DO THINK THAT LOOKING AT EVERY FACTOR.

AND REMEMBER, THERE WILL BE A SEPARATE THERE IS A SEPARATE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION.

AT THE SAME TIME THE COAST GUARD'S CAPTAIN OF THE PORT IS GOING TO LOOK AT THESE THINGS.

IF THERE ARE OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES THAT MAKE SENSE, THE PILOTS WILL DO THE SAME THING, THE PORT OF BALTIMORE LEADERSHIP WILL DO THAT IF THERE ARE OPERATIONAL CHANGES THEY CAN INCREASE SAFETY, YOU CAN BET THEY WILL BE PUT IN PLACE.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED THE PRESIDENT'S COMMITMENT TO HAVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAY 100%.

SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE 90% OR THAT THE MARYLAND TOLL FACILITIES WOULD WINDUP PAYING MOST OF IT.

DOES THAT SPEED THINGS ALONG?

AND FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE WHAT WOULD BE A BEST CASE FOR HOW SOON THE BELTWAY COULD BE RECONNECTED?

>> YEAH, AGAIN, THE BASICS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT HERE.

YOU HAVE A UNITY OF EFFORT AND ENTHUSIASM TO GET IT DONE QUICKLY FROM THE PRESIDENT ON DOWN.

EVERYONE AT THE STATE LEVEL, THEY ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER.

THEY ARE LOOKING AHEAD AND AROUND THE CORNER WHAT SOME OF THE ISSUES WILL BE FOR REBUILDING.

BUT IT CANNOT BE DONE OVERNIGHT.

THERE'S NO WAY TO ACTUALLY GIVE RESPONSIBLE ESTIMATE OF HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE.

THE DESIGN PART IF YOU THINK ABOUT A REPLACEMENT BRIDGE WILL BE DESIGNED FAR DIFFERENTLY THAN A 50-YEAR-OLD BRIDGE WAS.

AND WITH AN EYE TOWARDS THE FUTURE WITH AN EYE ON THE LATEST SAFETY INNOVATIONS.

AND WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO FUTURE PROOF ESSENTIALLY THE STRUCTURE ITSELF.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO THE BRIDGE COLLAPSE COMES AS STATE LAWMAKERS ARE DOWN TO THE FINAL DAYS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SUE COPPIN REPORTS FROM ANNAPOLIS.

>> IN THE HOUSE, WE JOINED THE SIX FAMILIES GRIEVING THE LOSS OF THEIR LOVED ONES.

THESE MEN CHOSE MARYLAND AS THEIR HOME.

THEY LIVED HERE.

THEY WORKED HERE.

THEIR FAMILIES LIVED HERE.

THOSE MEN FROM HONDURAS, GUATEMALA, EL SALVADOR AND MEXICO, REPRESENT WHAT MAKES OUR COUNTRY GREAT.

>> AND IN THE SENATE... >> SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE WE THOUGHT MAYBE COULD NOT HAPPEN BUT HAS HAPPENED.

>> THERE WAS RECOGNITION OF A HUGE LOSS AS WELL AS THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD FOLLOWING TUESDAY'S KEY BRIDGE TRAGEDY.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE BRIDGE ITSELF OF 34,000 PEOPLE TRANSPORTED EVERY SINGLE DAY, IT IS THE ONLY THOROUGHFARE FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS THROUGH THE REGION BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PERMITTED TO GO THROUGH THE TUNNELS.

AND SO THAT IS A WHOLE OTHER BALL OF WAX ABOUT THE IMPACT ON TRANSPORTATION.

AND THEN EXTREMELY IMPORTANTLY, THE BROADER IMPACT OF THE PORT AND HAVING THE FRONT DOOR LOCKED IS UNBELIEVABLY SEVERE FOR THE REGION'S ECONOMY.

>> BY WEDNESDAY MORNING E. FERGUSON POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT HE AND DELEGATE WERE WORKING ON EMERGENCY LEGISLATION CALLED THE PROTECTING OPPORTUNITIES AND REGIONAL TRADE ACT OR PORT ACT.

THE FOCUS OF THE LEGISLATION WILL BE IN THREE PRIMARY AREAS: PROVIDING INCOME REPLACEMENT FOR WORKERS DISPLACED BY THE SHUT DOWN OF THE PORT.

PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

AND TO MAKE AVAILABLE SUPPORT TO TRY TO PREVENTED A PERMANENT MOVE OF PORT INDUSTRIES WHO MAY HAVE TO RELOCATE DURING THE SHUT DOWN OF THE PORT.

>> THERE IS GOING TO BE DIVERSION TO NEARBY PORTS BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S FUNDING THE PORT INDUSTRIES HAVE ACCESS TO THAT WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THE BUSINESS DOES NOT MOVE PERMANENTLY.

>> WHERE WOULD YOU FUNDING COME FROM?

>> LOOK, THIS IS WHY WE STUFF MONEY INTO THE RAINY DAY FUND.

>> AND THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF DIVERTED LOCAL TRAFFIC ON THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> IN MY DISTRICT, ONE OF THE BIGGER CONCERNS IS THE HANOVER STREET BRIDGE.

110 YEARS OLD AND THERE'S GOING TO BE TRAFFIC THAT GETS DIVERTED ON TO THAT BRIDGE THAT WOULD HAVE GONE ACROSS THE KEY BRIDGE.

WE THOUGH THIS WORK IS GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN AND THIS WORK IS GOING TO HAVE TO GET DONE.

IT IS NOT JUST THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE HURTING IT WILL BE THE INFRASTRUCTURE PIECE.

>> WHILE A SPECIAL COMMISSION HAS BEGUN A STUDY OF THE STATE'S TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS, THE SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS THE EVENTS OF THIS WEEK MAKE THAT STUDY EVEN MORE POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT.

>> SOMETHING LIKE THIS, OBVIOUSLY NOBODY EVER COULD HAVE PREDICTED.

BUT WE DID KNOW WE HAD INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES ACROSS THE STATE.

THIS SHIFTS A LOT.

SO IT'S MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAT WE HAVE THOSE THOUGHTFUL, DELIBERATE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE INVESTING THE LIMITED RESOURCES WE HAVE.

>> FOR NOW, FERGUSON SAYS THE PRIORITY IS IN THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE KEY BRIDGE TRAGEDY FOLLOWED BY THE SALVAGE EFFORT.

>> AND THAT IS GOING TO BE ESSENTIAL TO REOPEN THE CHANNEL EVEN IF IT'S FOR ONE WAY TRAFFIC TO GET SHIPS AND CARGO IN AND OUT AND THE REBUILDING.

>> I'M SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: AND JOINING US NOW FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE IS BRIAN SEARS WITH MARYLAND MATTERS.

AS YOU KNOW THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK THERE WAS MUCH DISCUSSION AND IN FACT, ACTION WITH REGARD TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING THE KEY BRIDGE AND THE TRAGEDY THAT TOOK PLACE THERE.

AND LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HELP.

AND BRIAN INTRODUCED A BILL JUST YESTERDAY TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE EMERGENCY ORDERS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT AND WHAT HAPPENED TO IT?

>> THIS IS A BILL THAT ESSENTIALLY WOULD ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO INVOKE A ONE-YEAR STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE CASE OF INFRASTRUCTURE CATASTROPHIC INFRASTRUCTURE EMERGENCIES.

WHILE ALSO LIMITING THE BROADER POWERS THAT WE UNDERSTAND EXIST UNDER THE STATE OF EMERGENCIES AS THE LAW IS CURRENTLY WRITTEN.

THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED ON THURSDAY MORNING.

GOT A HEARING FRIDAY MORNING.

MY UNDERSTAND SOMETHING THAT THE BILL WILL PROBABLY NOT MOVE MUCH FURTHER THAN THE COMMITTEE HEARINGS MOSTLY BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THE SENATE IS GOING TO FOCUS ON THE RECOVERY EFFORT BOTH IN TERMS OF CLEARING THE CHANNEL AND DOING THE THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN TO ASSIST WITH THAT.

AND ALSO THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

>> AND TO THAT END, SENATOR FERGUSON AND DELEGATE CLIPPER GEAR TOLD US YESTERDAY THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DRAFTING A BILL WHICH I THINK MAY HAVE GONE IN TODAY THAT HAS TO DO WITH PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO BOTH PORT EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEES AFFILIATED AND BUSINESSES AFFILIATED WITH THE PORT.

AND WHERE DOES THAT STAND AT THIS POINT?

>> SO AS WE'RE TALKING RIGHT NOW THE HOUSE VERSION SPONSORED WAS INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE.

THE SENATE IS STILL MEETING WE EXPECT THAT THE SENATE VERSION WILL BE INTRODUCED.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE BILL.

ALL WE'VE HEARD ARE BROAD STROKES WE DON'T KNOW A DOLLAR AMOUNT.

WE KNOW WHATEVER MONEY COMES OUT OF THIS TO PROVIDE FOR WAGE REPLACE.

AT THE DOCK AND THE ADJACENT CONTRACTORS AND COMPANIES THAT DEPEND ON THE PORT, THAT MONEY WILL LIKELY COME OUT OF THE STATE'S RAINY DAY FUND WHICH IS ABOUT $2 BILLION.

THE GOVERNOR WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO TAKE MONEY FROM THAT FUND.

AGAIN, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CAPS ARE.

WE EXPECT THERE WILL BE A CAP ON THE MONEY AVAILABLE.

THE SENATE PRESIDENT TOLD US THAT HE HAS HOPES THAT WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A CATASTROPHIC EVENT WILL ULTIMATELY REIMBURSE THE STATE FOR THE EXPENSES.

>> SPEAKING OF FINANCES WE ARE ABOUT TO HIT THE ONE WEEK MARK ON MONDAY THE STATE'S OPERATING BUDGET HAS NOT YET BEEN RESOLVED.

WHERE DO THE NEGOTIATIONS STAND AT THIS POINT?

>> SO, IN TERMS OF THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE ARE CLOSE IT IS A $63 BILLION BUDGET.

THEY IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE THE SENATE BASICALLY TOOK A LOT OF THE HOUSE AMENDMENTS, REALLY WERE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCES ARE IS THIS COMPANION BUDGET PIECE WHERE A LOT $1.2 BILLION WORTH OF TAXES AND REVENUES THAT THE HOUSE PROPOSED ARE BAKED IN.

THE SENATE HAS DRAWN A HARDLINE ON NO I GAMING AND NO BROAD-BASED TAX EXPANSION SPECIFICALLY COMBINED REPORTING FOR CORPORATE INCOME TAXES.

AND THAT EVEN WITH THE INCIDENT IN THE PORT THIS WEEK, MY SOURCES IN THE SENATE TELL ME THAT STANCE HAS NOT CHANGED.

>> WE ARE ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

TO LEAVE EVERYONE ON A NOTE HAVING TO DO WITH A SPECIAL FISH THAT CAME ON THE SCENE SOME YEARS AGO, THE SNAKE HEAD FISH THERE WAS LEGISLATION IN THIS SESSION AND I THINK IT'S ABOUT READY TO HEAD TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK THERE IS A NAME CHANGE COMING UP?

>> YEAH, THE NORTHERN SNAKE HEAD WHICH WE USED TO REFER IS GETTING A REBRAND WE'LL GOING TO CALL IT THE CHESAPEAKE CHANA AND PEOPLE MIGHT BE READY TO EAT IT AT THEIR DINNER TABLE.

>> PROBABLY NOT AT MINE.

BRIAN SEARS FROM MARYLAND MATTERS THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> Jeff: YOU CAN READ BRIAN SEARS' REPORTS AT MARYLAND MATTERS.ORG.

THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE".

MONDAY ON "DIRECT CONNECTION" WE WILL HAVE THE LATEST ON THE KEY BRIDGE TRAGEDY AS INVESTIGATORS CONTINUE THEIR WORK.

JOIN US FOR THAT MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. NOW FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "STATE CIRCLE" AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY.

>> I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN PART OF THE RESPONSE FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO THE ARMED FORCES, TO PHILANTHROPY TO ALL SORTS OF SOCIETY AND ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE OFFERED PRAYERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW YOUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN FELT.

ALL WHO OFFERED KIND WORDS, I WANT TO SAY YOUR KIND WORDS HAVE BEEN HEARD.

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