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.

>> Jeff: RACING FOR MEDICAID KUTDS.

>> IT IS INEFFORTSABLE THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT QUALIFY TO BE ON MEDICAID.

>> Jeff: TIP SCREENS ARE EVERYWHERE.

ARE THEY LEGIT?

>> THE WORKER IS BEING KEPT BY THE HOUSE.

>> SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS JUST WANT A BREAK.

>> Jeff: AND POLLING DATA ON THE STATE'S ELECTRICITY SHORTAGE.

>> ONE OF THE PRIORITIES WAS REDUCING HOUSEHOLD ENERGY BILLS.

THIS IS CERTAINLY ON TOP OF MARYLANDERS' MINDS.

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

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG STORY AROUND STATE STATE IS A DOWNTURN.

THE REGION'S ECONOMY STARTING TO FEEL THE PAIN FROM MASSIVE CUTS TO OUR FEDERAL WORKFORCE.

GOVERNOR MOORE TALKED TO LAWMAKERS ABOUT THE STATE'S ALEADY CHALLENGING BUDGET PICTURE.

>> FOR THIS MONTH, WE LOST MORE THAN 1300 JOBS IN MONTGOMERY AND PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY ALONE BECAUSE OF ARBITRARY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CUTS.

THIS PAST WEEK, THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION CLOSED TWO OFFICES IN MARYLAND AND TERMINATED 200 EMPLOYEES WHO WORK THERE.

SO NOT ONLY DO I ANTICIPATE A CONTINUATION OF THE CHAOS WE HAVE WATCHED UNFOLD OVER THE LAST MONTH, I ANTICIPATE AN ACCELERATION.

>> Jeff: REPUBLICAN LEADERS CHALLENGE THE GOVERNOR'S ASSERTION THAT TAX INCREASES WILL ONLY AFFECT HIGH INCOME EARNERS.

MEDICAID CUTS IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL HAVE A FISCAL AND A HUMAN IMPACT.

AS CHARLES ROBINSON REPORTS.

>> THIS IS A RECONCILIATION BUDGET.

>> THE LATE NIGHT PASSAGE OF A BUDGET BILL, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LITTLE TO THE IMAGINATION ACCORDING TO MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> THE RECKLESS REPUBLICAN BUDGET WILL HURT EVERYDAY AMERICANS WHO RELY ON MEDICAID.

RELY ON NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE.

AND RELY ON VETERANS BENEFITS.

THIS IS NOT A REALITY SHOW THIS IS NOT A JOKE.

THIS IS NOT POLITICS AS USUAL.

>> THE FALLOUT COMES TO STATES LIKE MARYLAND THE GOVERNOR NOTED THE CHANGES IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

MOORE CALLED FOR A PARTNERSHIP TO DELIVER A FINAL BUDGET.

AND NEED FOR FLEXIBILITY, COMPROMISE AND COLLABORATION.

GOVERNOR MOORE SOLVES THE BUDGET SHORTFALL THROUGH INCREASED TAXES ON THE WEALTHY AND SPARING BUSINESS GROWTH TO OFFSET BUDGET CHALLENGES.

LOOMING IN THE BACKGROUND IS A PORTION OF THE STATE'S MEDICAID PROGRAM.

WHY IS THE MEDICAID PROGRAM AN ALLURING TARGET?

MEDICAID IS USED BY MILLIONS WITH LIMITED INCOMES.

IT INCLUDES CHILDREN, AND PEOPLE WITH LIMITED DISBILLEDS.

METHOD ACADEMY IS MANAGE MEDICAID IS MANAGED BY THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS.

DURING THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION A WAIVER WAS GRANTED TO COVER MORE INDIVIDUALS.

CHANGES TO THE CURRENT FEDERAL BUDGET WOULD ALLOW STATES TO REDUCE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND LOWER THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO CAN APPLY.

>> IF THIS LEVEL OF CUTS COMES TO MARYLAND AND THE STATES ALL AROUND THIS COUNTRY IT IS INEFFORTABLE THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT BE QUALIFIED TO BE ON MEDICAID.

THEY WILL LOSE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE AND THOSE COSTS WILL BE BOURNE BY OTHERS.

>> MEDICAID HAS BEEN CONSIDERED UNTOUCHABLE WITH SO MUCH MONEY FLOWING INTO ITS COFFERS IT HAS BECOME A TARGET WHICH ALLOWS FOR BELT TIGHTENING AND REMOVE THE CONCEPT OF CUTS TO THE PROGRAM.

IN ANNAPOLIS, I'M CHARLES ROBINSON.

>> Jeff: ADVOCATES FOR PEOPLE RECEIVING BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE GATHERED THIS WEEK TO EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT A PROPOSED 100 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET CUT.

BOTH MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENTS COULD BE AFFECTED.

NEW MONEY TO RUN THE 9-8-8 CALL CENTERS WAS ORIGINALLY OMITTED FROM THE BUDGET AND NOW EXPECTED TO COME IN A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET.

IF YOU HAVE MADE A CREDIT CARD PURCHASE RECENTLY YOU HAVE PROBABLY SEEN A PAYMENT SCREEN PROMPTING YOU TO INCLUDE A TIP.

LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING AT WHERE THAT MONEY GOES AS NANCY AMATA REPORTS.

>> I THINK THAT TIPPING CULTURE IN AMERICA IS OUT OF CONTROL.

>> ON THE STREETS OF FREDERICK... >> I THINK IT IS ANNOYING ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE NOT BEING SERVED.

>> SOME SAY TIPPING FATIGUE HAS SAID IN.

>> I THINK TIPS ARE APPROPRIATE TO THOSE WHO DESERVE THEM.

>> MOST PEOPLE TIP OUT OF GUILT.

BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE EMPLOYEES ARE NOT GETTING PAID FAIRLY.

>> NORMALLY YOU FEEL LIKE IF YOU DON'T DO IT THEY ARE WATCHING AND THEY WILL HAVE A BAD OPINION.

>> THE TIPPING SCREEN OR POINT OF SALE TERMINAL THAT SO MANY CONSUMERS COME FACE-TO-FACE WITH MAKING A PURCHASE MAY LOOK DIFFERENT IF LAWMAKER AS PASS A BILL AIMED AT TRANSPARENCY AROUND WHO WILL BE GETTING THE TIPS.

>> IF YOU ARE ASKING CONSUMERS TO ADD A TIP, MOST PEOPLE ARE ASSUMING THAT TIP IS GOING TO HOURLY WORKERS.

YET, IN FACT, AT LEAST PART OF THE TIME WE DON'T KNOW HOW OFTEN THAT MONEY IS NOT GOING TO THE WORKERS IT'S KEPT BY THE HOUSE, BY MANAGEMENT, BY OWNERS AND THAT IS A VIOLATION OF OUR LABOR LAWS.

>> ONE OF THE BILL'S SPONSORS MARY LAYMAN SAYS THE BILL WILL REQUIRE OWNERS TO ASK CUSTOMERS WOULD YOU LIKE TO TIP THE STAFF THAT THE TIPS WILL BE SHARED AMONG THE WORKERS.

THE BILL WILL REQUIRE BUSINESS OWNERS TO SET TIPPING AMOUNT OPTIONS TO START AT ZERO AS DEFAULT RATHER THAN 18 OR 20%.

>> IT IS A CHOICE OF THE CUSTOMERS HOW THEY WOULD LIKE TO TIP.

IF THE TIP IS EVEN APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE THAT WAS GIVEN.

>> WHILE CUSTOMERS MIGHT LIKE HAVING CLEAR OPTIONS WHICH INCLUDE TIPPING LESS THAN THE 20%.

>> IT'S THE GOVERNMENT REACHING INTO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

>> AFTER THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE, DELEGATE JASON BUCKLE SHARED HIS CONCERNS.

>> FOLKS IN THE BUSINESS YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU GAVE US A FEW YEARS TO OPERATE UNDER THE RULES AND EVERY YEAR WE HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY AND CHANGE OUR TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR REGULATORY SYSTEMS, CHANGE HOW WE DEAL WITH EMPLOYEES AND IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO DO THAT.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN PARTICULAR, THEY JUST WANT A BREAK.

>> THE BILL IS OPPOSED BY THE STRAUNTSD ASSOCIATION OF MARYLAND.

AT ISSUE.

THE POTENTIAL PENALTIES UP TO $10,000 FOR THE FIRST VIOLATION AND $20 FOR SUBSEQUENT VIOLATIONS.

A SPOKESPERSON SAYS THESE ARE STIFF PENALTIES FOR A DISCLOSURE VIOLATION AND ADDED IN THE SENATE WE WILL BE SEEKING AN AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE A WARNING FOR FIRST VIOLATIONS WITH TIME TO COMPLY BEFORE ANY FINE COULD BE IMPOSED.

I'M NANCY AMATA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES OBSERVED A MOMENT OF SILENCE THIS MORNING.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR A BRIEF MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE SPEAKER AND HER FAMILY AS WE KEEP THEM IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS DURING HER TIME OF GRIEF.

>> Jeff: THE ELDEST SON OF HOUSE SPEAKER ADRIAN JONES UNEXPECTEDLY YESTERDAY.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE INCOMPLETE AT THIS TIME.

[♪♪] JOINING US NOW FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE IS DIRECTOR OF THE UMBC INSTITUTE OF POLITICS TO TALK ABOUT THE UMBC POLL.

DOCTOR THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LET'S START WITH THE GOVERNOR'S APPROVAL RATING.

WHAT DID YOU FIND?

>> THANKS FOR HAVING BE.

WES MOORE HAS A 52% APPROVAL RATING OUR POLL WAS CONDUCTED IN MID-FEBRUARY RIGHT NOW HE HAS A 40% DISAPPROVAL RATING.

>> Jeff: HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO YOUR PREVIOUS POLLING AND THE POLLING WE HAVE SEEN LAST MONTH, I THINK THE WASHINGTON POST AMONG OTHERS?

>> RIGHT.

OUR POLL WE TOOK BACK IN LATE ACCEPTED OF 2024 HAD HIM AT 54% JOB APPROVAL RATING.

SO THE CHANGE IN THE APPROVAL RATING THAT NUMBER IS NEGLIGIBLE.

WHAT I THINK IS INTERESTING WHEN YOU LOOK UNDERNEATH THOSE NUMBERS IS WES MOORE CONTINUES TO HAVE STRONG SUPPORT AMONG HIS DEMOCRATIC BASE WHERE HE HAS LOST GROUND ARE AMONG THE INDEPENDENT VOTERS AND REPUBLICANS THIS REFLECTS THE HYPER POLARIZED NATURE OF AMERICAN POLITICS VERY FEW REPUBLICANS, 16% APPROVE THE WAY THE GOVERNOR IS HANDLING HIS JOB AND A LOST DISAPPROVE.

>> Jeff: DID YOU SEE ANY SIMILAR SLIGHT EROSION IN WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF THE STATE?

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT NOW WE SEE FOLKS ARE DIVIDED ON THE DIRECTION OF THE STATE BUT THERE HAS BEEN A SLIGHT EROSION IN THAT NUMBER.

NOTHING TOO DRAMATIC BUT SOMETHING IF I WAS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL I WOULD KEEP MY EYE ON.

ANOTHER KEY NUMBER IS THE PERCENTAGE OF MARYLANDERS WHO SAY THE ECONOMY IN THE STATE IS CURRENTLY GOOD OR EXCELLENT.

THAT NUMBER IS NOT WHERE CERTAINLY ANY LAWMAKER HERE IN MARYLAND WOULD LIKE IT TO BE.

ALMOST 67% OF MARYLANDERS SAY THAT THE ECONOMY RIGHT NOW IN MARYLAND IS ONLY POOR OR FAIR.

AND THEY CERTAINLY LIKE TO SEE THAT NUMBER MORE.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THE CONCERNS FOR MARYLANDERS IN ADDITION TO THE PRICE OF EGGS, WOULD BE THE PRICE OF ELECTRICITY.

WE'VE ALL SEEN BIG BILLS THIS WINTER.

YOU ASKED ABOUT ADDING NEW SOURCES OF POWER.

YOU FOUND THERE IS A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR WIND AND SOLAR AND EVEN NATURAL GAS.

GOOD SUPPORT FOR WASTE ENERGY AND GEOTHERMAL.

PEOPLE ARE SORT OF A LITTLE WISHY WASHY ON NUCLEAR AND NOT BIG FANS OF COAL.

IS THAT HOW YOU WOULD SUM IT UP?

>> BEFORE WE GET TO THAT PART IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE WE ASKED SPECIFICALLY ABOUT PRIORITIES THAT MARYLANDERS WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEIR STATE GOVERNMENT ADDRESS AND ONE OF THE BIG PRIORITIES WAS REDUCING THE COST OF HOUSEHOLD ENERGY BILLS.

THIS IS CERTAINLY ON TOP OF MARYLANDERS' MINDS.

WHEN YOU START TO TALK ABOUT THE SOURCES OF ENERGY, KEEPING IN MIND THAT WE KNOW IT WILL TAKE A LONGTIME FOR THE ADDITION OF SOURCES TO BRING DOWN THE COST OF ENERGY.

BUT WHAT OUR POLL FINDS AT LEAST TO ME, IS THAT MARYLANDERS ARE OPEN TO ALL SORTS OF WAYS TO INCREASE ENERGY PRODUCTION IN THE STATE.

A LOT OF THE ONES YOU SPOKE TO THE STRONGEST SUPPORT ARE THE RENEWABLES.

DOWN THE LINE COAL IS THE ONLY ONE WHERE FEWER THAN HALF OF MARYLANDERS LIKE TO SEE AN EXPANSION HAPPENING IN THAT INDUSTRY.

>> Jeff: A LOT OF PEOPLE MAKING POLITICAL HAY ON-LINE OUT OF THE QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER PEOPLE HAVE CONSIDERED LEAVING THE STATE.

WHAT DID YOU FIND?

>> SO, THIS IS AN INTERESTING QUESTION.

I THINK ANOTHER ONE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO PUT INTO CONTEXT.

ABOUT HALF OF MARYLANDERS SAY THEY HAVE CONSIDERED LEAVING THE STATE.

THAT IS NOT LIKE THEY ARE PACKING THEIR BAGS YET.

BUT IT IS EMBLEMATIC OF THE PRESSURES WE FEEL IN THE STATE.

ONE POINT IN TIME YOU HAVE THE FOLKS WHO ARE REALLY TIED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THEY ARE REALLY CONCERNED.

THERE ARE A LOT OF UPHEAVAL IN TERMS OF THEIR JOBS.

THERE'S WIDESPREAD FRUSTRATION AMONG REPUBLICANS AND SOME INDEPENDENT VOTERS REGARDING THE TAX SITUATION AND HOW MARYLAND IS GOING TO DECIDE HOW TO RIGHT SIZE THAT BUDGET DEFICIT.

AND AT THE SAME TIME ALL THIS IS HAPPENING A MAJORITY OF MARYLANDERS SAY MARYLAND IS A GOOD PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY AND THAT IS AN IMPORTANT NUMBER AS WELL.

>> Jeff: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US JOINING US FROM THE UMBC INSTITUTE OF POLITICS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLL CAN BE FOUND AT POLITICS.UMBC.EDU.

OUR NEWSMAKER IS THE C.E.O.

OF THE BALTIMORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, WHICH IS LAUNCHING A NEW EFFORT TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY THE KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE NEARLY A YEAR AGO.

>> WE TWANTS TO SUPPORT -- WANTED TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES AROUND THE KEY BRIDGE THE REQUIREMENTS THERE ARE TWO EMPLOYEES AND ONE OF TOES EMPLOYEES CAN BE THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS.

THERE ARE REVENUE CAPS SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHETHER YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR 10,000, 25,000 OR 50,000, BASED ON THE REVENUE CAP THAT THOSE GRANT DOLLARS WILL BE AVAILABLE AS LONG AS YOUR BUSINESS HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS.

PRECEDING THE KEY BRIDGE AND YOU CAN PROVE KEY BRIDGE AFFECTS COSTS OR REVENUE.

AND WE TRIED TO MAKE THIS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR OUR MOM AND POP PARTICULARLY SMALL BUSINESSES TO BE ABLE TO APPLY.

WE HAVE THREE PARTNERS.

AND WE WANT THIS RESOURCE TO BE AVAILABLE.

>> Jeff: YOU MOVED QUICKLY AS I RECALL, TO LAUNCH THIS FUND.

TELL US ABOUT THE FUNDRAISING SIDE OF IT FIRST?

>> SURE.

WE ALL WANTED TO DO SOMETHING AND SO ONE THING THAT THE BALTIMORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CAN DO IS LEVERAGE ITS NETWORKS IN ORDER TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO HELP.

SO WE OPENED THE FUND WITHIN 48 HOURS.

WE CONNECTED WITH FOUNDATIONS ACROSS THE REGION WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, THE BALTIMORE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR US TO POSITION THIS FUND.

WE OPENED IT AND WITHIN A MONTH WE HAD 15 MILLION DOLLARS RAISED AND TODAY WE HAVE ABOUT $16 MILLION RAISED AND THOSE WERE GIFTS AS SMALL AS $5 AND MEANINGFUL AND AS LARGE AS $5 MILLION.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR NOW?

IS THERE A PROSTATE TYPICAL ENTITY YOU ARE TRYING TO HELP AT THIS POINT?

>> OUR FOCUS IS ON SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY.

AGAIN OUR SMALL BUSINESSES IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND A LOT OF TIMES THEY DEFINE THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

AND IF WE THINK ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES NEXT TO THE BRIDGE AND THESE COMMUNITIES ACTUALLY NEED THESE AMENITIES TO THREAD THE VIBRANCY OF LIFE THERE.

AND THEY ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH SO MUCH PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE ABSENCE OF THE BRIDGE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SUPPORTING THAT PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

OTHER ASPECTS OF THE FUND ARE FOCUSING ON MEMORIALIZATION AND REMEMBRANCE.

WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THE BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF INDUSTRY.

AND THEY WILL BE ANNOUNCING AN EXHIBIT TO RECOGNIZE THE HISTORY OF THE KEY BRIDGE AND THOSE COMMUNITIES.

AND WE'RE ALSO SUPPORTING OTHER COMMUNITY RESILIENCE EFFORTS.

WHETHER IT'S FARMERS MARKETS, AND THOSE AREAS WHERE THERE ARE FOOD DESERTS AND DISCONNECTION DUE TO THE LACK OF CONNECTIVITY BECAUSE OF THE BRIDGE, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SO BUSINESSES CAN LEARN TO PIVOT OPERATIONS.

WE WANT TO BE RESPONSE ACTIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE BUSINESSES.

>> Jeff: PART OF THIS IS SPECIFICALLY REACHING OUT TO THE HISPANIC BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

WHAT DO YOU SEE THERE?

>> YES.

WE CONFIRMED THE THREE PARTNERS THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH FOR THIS SMALL BUSINESS DIRECT GRANTS PROGRAM THEY ALL HAVE BILINGUAL STAFF ON HAND, LATINO BUSINESSES THAT NEED HELP AND WANT TO APPLY THEY CAN CALL AND THEY HAVE SOMEONE IN THE OFFICES OF THE ANNE ARUNDEL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, BALTIMORE COMMUNITY LENDING AND THE LATINO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER IS OUR THIRD PARTNER WHO CAN SPEAK TO THEM.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMEONE TO BE A TRANSLATOR THAT IS PART OF THE SERVICE WE ARE HELPING TO SUPPORT BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S EASY AND ACCESSIBLE TO THEM AS WELL.

>> Jeff: I SUSPECT THAT MOST OF OUR VIEWERS AROUND THE STATE WHO HAVE DRIVEN OVER THE KEY BRIDGE WERE JUST IN TRANSIT FROM ONE SIDE OF TOWN TO THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN.

AND PROBABLY DIDN'T FOCUS ON THOSE COMMUNITIES.

WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT BOTH SIDES OF THIS BRIDGE?

A LITTLE BIT INDUSTRIAL BUT THE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE THERE ALSO.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY INDUSTRIAL.

MOST OF US THINK ABOUT THE LEGACY OF BETHLEHEM STEEL AND THE SHOULDER INDUSTRIES WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THAT AREA OF THE COMMUNITY.

BUT YOU ARE RIGHT.

THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS THERE.

AND SO YOU NOW HAVE VERY LARGE TRUCKS DRIVING THROUGH SMALL STREETS.

YOU HAVE COMMUNITIES LIKE HUMPHREY IN NORTHERN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY THAT ARE DEALING WITH TRAFFIC PATTERNS THEY NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH BEFORE.

IT IS A SENSE OF RESILIENCE.

I THINK THEY LEAN ON ONE ANOTHER.

I THINK THEY ARE FIGURING IT OUT.

I THINK THEY ARE EAGERLY WAITING FOR THE REBUILDING OF THE BRIDGE IN A COUPLE OF YEARS.

BUT THEY ARE RESILIENT AND WE WANT TO BE A SMALL PART WHAT THEY ARE ABLE TO CREATE IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS TO COME.

>> Jeff: TELL US ABOUT THE BALTIMORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.

I THINK THE LAST TIME WE STALKED YOU WERE FAIRLY NEW AND IT'S BEEN A FEW YEARS.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN FOCUSED ON AND WHAT HAS CHANGED?

>> THIS MONTH MARKS MY SEVENTH YEAR AT THE BALTIMORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND IT'S NOT BEEN BORING.

WHEN WE SPOKE LAST IT WAS THE OPENING MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC.

SO WE WERE SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY, WORKING WITH FUNDERS AND INDIVIDUALS TO SUPPORT EMERGENCY NEEDS UNDER THAT PARTICULAR CRISIS.

AND THE INTERVENING PERIOD, WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT STRONGER SCHOOLS AND STRONGER NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE BELIEVE THAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE HOW PEOPLE DEFINE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.

WE WANT THEM TO BE SAFER, GLEEN GREENER, CLEANER AND VIBRANT.

SUPPORTING TREE PLANTINGS OR URBAN GARDENS OR SIGNAGE FOR FESTIVALS OR LIGHTING PROJECTS TO LIGHT UP DARK ALLEYWAYS AND STREETS SO THEY ARE LINES OF SIGHT WE WANT TO SUPPORT THOSE PROJECTS.

AND WE ARE ALSO SUPPORTING STRONGER SCHOOLS.

WHAT WE FOUND COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, WE HAD MANY PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO HAD BEEN OUT OF SCHOOL FOR AS LONG AS TWO YEARS THAT SCHOOLS NEEDED TO ESTABLISHED AS PLACES OF COMFORT AND WELCOMING.

WE HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING SCHOOL CLIMATE AND CULTURE, MENTAL HEALTH AND WE'VE CONTINUED TO DOUBLE DOWN IN OUR COMMITMENT TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TO MAKING SURE THAT 0-5 ARE FORMATIVE YEARS AND WE WANT ALL STUDENTS NO MATTER YOUR ZIP CODE TO HAVE A FAIR START AT STARTING AT THE START LINE.

WE'VE SEEN TREMENDOUS SUCCESS WITH THOSE EFFORTS IN BALTIMORE.

>> Jeff: AND THAT ISN'T JUST ANECDOTE TALL, IT OBVIOUSLY MAKES TENSE BUT THERE IS GOOD DATA TO BACK THAT UP.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

THERE IS AN ASSESSMENT CALLED THE KINDERGARTEN READINESS ASSESSMENT AND THE STATE OF MARYLAND USED TO ADMINISTER IT EVERY YEAR ACROSS ALL 24 JURISDICTIONS.

THIS LAST YEAR, THE STATE ADMINISTER THE TEST BUT BALTIMORE CITY CONTINUED TO ADMINISTER IT.

AND WHAT THEY FOUND IN THE LATEST RELEASE WHICH CAME OUT THIS MONTH, IS THAT MANY OF THE STUDENTS PARTICULARLY THE STUDENTS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE JUDY CENTER PROGRAM SOMETHING THAT BCF HAS SUPPORTED FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS THEY ARE AS LIKELY TO BE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN AS THEIR PEERS WHO COME FROM MIDDLE AND AFFLUENT BACKGROUNDS.

SO WE KNOW THAT WITH SUPPORT WITH LITERACY, NUMERACY, SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS AND PHYSICAL MOVEMENT WHEN A PARENT OR FAMILY MEMBER IS INVOLVED THAT STUDENTS NO MATTER THEIR ZIP CODE OR BACKGROUND, NO MATTER THEIR POVERTY LEVEL CAN BE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN.

WE SEE REAL, REAL RESULTS AND WE'RE PROUD OF THAT AND SOMETHING WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN.

>> Jeff: YOU ARE DOING GOOD WORK AS THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE BALTIMORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Jeff: NOW AN ANNUAL SCAVENGER HUNT FOR VISITORS COMING TO MARYLAND FOR THE CIAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.

SUE COPPIN REPORTS.

>> WE HAVE LIKE AT LEAST 80 PROBABLY 100 CUPCAKE FLAVORS, ANOTHER 50-80 CHEESECAKE FLAVORS AND WHATEVER I FEEL LIKE MAKING.

>> SHE IS THE OWNER OF THE BAKE SHOP.

SHE IS A FORMER TEACHER, A BAND DIRECTOR WHO TURNED HER PASSION INTO A CAREER.

>> I HAD ALREADY BEEN BAKING AND STARTED AS A SIDE GIG A COUPLE YEARS BEFORE COVID HIT.

AND MY MOM USED TO SAY YOU KNOW, SOME DAY YOU ARE GOING TO GO FROM BEING A TEACHER WHO BAKES TO A BAKER WHO TEACHES AND THE COVID MADE THAT HAPPEN QUICKER.

>> SHE HAS BEEN OPERATING OUT OF THE LOCATION SINCE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, SINCE SHE LEFT TEACHING HER CAREER IS PART OF HER PRESENT.

>> A LOT OF MUSIC TERMS ARE ITALIAN AND LITTLE IN ITALIAN.

IT IS LIKE A LITTLE ENDING AND OUR IDEA IS WE GIVE YOU SOMETHING SWEET TO FINISH YOUR MEAL IN THE SAME WAY THAT IT FINISHES MUSIC.

FOR A SWEET FINISH.

>> SHE IS EXCITED TO BE PART OF THE CIAA SCAVENGER HUNT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> THEY ARE DOING A GOOD JOB OF FEATURING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND HONESTLY, THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN BALTIMORE IS REALLY PART OF A CULTURE IN THE FABRIC OF THE CITY.

>> TAKING PART IS THE EMPANADA LADY AND OWNER ALISSA.

>> I DIDN'T HAVE CULINARY EXPERIENCE OR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE PRIOR TO OPENING THIS AT ALL.

NOT EVEN RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE.

I JUST CAME FROM MAKING MY GRANDMOTHER'S FOOD.

I MEAN GOOD FOOD AND I JUMPED INTO MY DREAMS.

>> THERE IS A PERSONAL TOUCH WITH THE FOOD AND DRINKS IN DOWNTOWN BALTIMORE AND SHE WAS ONLY TOO HAPPY TO JOIN THE OTHER BUSINESSES TAKING PART IN THIS YEAR'S CIAA SCAVENGER HUNT.

>> TAKING PART WAS EASY BECAUSE IT WAS JUST LIKE NO SWEAT OFF OUR BACK.

PRIZES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

PRIZES FOR OUR GUESTS.

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO WIN.

IT WAS GREAT TO SAY, HEY SIGN UP FOR THIS YOU CAN WIN A HOTEL STAY, YOU CAN WIN $500, YOU CAN GET TICKETS.

>> NEXT YEAR BOTH BUSINESSES SAY THEY'RE IN.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US AS BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS TO CONNECT WITH VANGUARDS OF THE BLACK CULTURE.

AND I THINK CIAA TOURNAMENT IS ONE OF THOSE.

ONE OF THOSE MAINSTAYS IN THE BLACK REGIONAL CULTURE.

YEAH, WE WANT TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE CIAA FOR AS LONG AS IT'S IN BALTIMORE.

>> AS MUCH PROFITABILITY IT BRINGS TO CITY AND THE LIFE AND LIGHT IT SHINES ON BALTIMORE TO HAVE FUN AND ENGAGE AND CATCH THE EXPERIENCE.

>> IN BALTIMORE, SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: THIS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT MARKS A MAJOR MILESTONE FOR WOMEN'S BASKETBALL.

AS NANCY AMATA TELLS US.

>> VERY EXCITED.

IT'S MY LAST ONE MY LAST CHANCE TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP SO I'M EXCITED.

>> BOWIE STATE SENIOR JEANISE AND TEAMMATES ARE GEARING UP FOR THE STIFF COMPETITION AT THE CIAA TOURNAMENT.

PREPARATION INCLUDES FAR MORE THAN LEARNING PLAYS AND CONDITIONING THEIR BODIES.

>> I THINK IT'S MORE MENTAL BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR EVERY GAME THIS YEAR COMING UP TO THIS.

IT'S NOTHING NEW WHEN IT COMES TO PREPARATION BUT MENTALLY THIS IS A TIME TO JUST LOCK IN AND TAKE EVERYTHING SERIOUS AND EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE BUILT ON AND PUT IT ON THE FLOOR.

>> A WINNING MENTALITY THAT PERSONIFIES THE SPIRIT OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, THE MILESTONE IS BEING CELEBRATED AT THE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT BRUNCH AT THE BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER.

>> IT TAUGHT ME HOW TO PICK MYSELF BACK UP.

>> REFLECTING ON HER EXPERIENCE AT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY, CIAA COMMISSIONER JACKIE McWILLIAMS PARKER.

>> WOMEN'S BASKETBALL HAS ALWAYS BEEN FABULOUS IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE HAVE NEVER GOTTEN THE SAME EXPOSURE.

WE'VE MADE SURE THAT OUR WOMEN ARE HIGHLIGHT ON ESPN PLUS YOU CAN WATCH THEM LIKE THE MEN OUR CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

YOU GET TO SEE THEM.

THAT WASN'T THE CASE.

>> I'M GLAD IT'S GROWING WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY.

>> SONJIA IS THE SENIOR ATHLETICS DIRECTOR FOR WINSTON SALEM UNIVERSITY WHERE SHE PLAYED BASKETBALL AND SOFTBALL AND THE WOMEN'S TEAM HAD A HARD TIME FILLING THE STANDS.

>> IT WAS EMPTY BECAUSE WE PLAYED DOUBLE-HEADERS SO THE MEN PLAY SECOND AFTER THE WOMEN.

WHEN WE WERE PLAYING NOT MANY PEOPLE WERE THERE USUALLY OUR FAMILIES AND SOME FRIENDS.

AND AS IT GOT LATER IN THE GAME EVERYBODY WHO SHOW UP FOR THE MEN'S GAME.

YOU FELT LIKE A SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS.

>> WHAT CHANGED?

>> THE EXPOSURE.

THERE'S MORE SPONSORSHIP AND MARKETING AND WE'RE SEEN ON TELEVISION AND MORE GIRLS THAT CAN SEE THEMSELVES AND SEEING THE OPPORTUNITY.

THERE IS AN INVEST.

>> THE CONFERENCE ITSELF MAKES SURE THAT THE WOMEN ARE SEEN AND HEARD.

AND WHEN THEY GET SEEN AND THEY GET HEARD YOU ARE EMPOWERING THEM TO GO FURTHER AND DO THE THINGS THAT THEY WISH TO DO USING BASKETBALL AS THEIR PLATFORM.

>> I'M NANCY AMATA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

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

[♪♪]