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: DOES THE TECH TAX NEED TO BE REBOOTED?

THIS WAS NOT A MINOR SHORTFALL BUT A FUNDAMENTAL MISS.

>> Jeff: IS THERE REAL RELIEF IN NEW UTILITY LEGISLATION?

>> MANY BILLS DON'T DO ENOUGH THE QUESTION IS DID THEY DO SOMETHING?

THIS BILL DOES SOMETHING.

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ELEMENTS THAT WILL COME OFF OF FOLKS' ENERGY BILLS.

>> Jeff: AND WHY ONE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS LIMITING SCREEN TIME.

>> THIS YEAR WE MADE THE DECISION TO INTRODUCE LIMITS TO SCREEN TIMES AND THE COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF SCREEN TIME.

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

>> Jeff: GOOD EVENING.

THE BIG STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" IS THE ROCKET DOCKETED.

LAWMAKERS FAST TRACKING A PLAN TO PROVIDE RELIEF FROM SOARING UTILITY BILLS.

>> GOVERNOR WES MOORE JOINED BY SNAP BILL FERGUSON AND HOUSE SPEAKER JOSELINE PENA-MELNYK LAST FRIDAY ANNOUNCED A LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE NEEDED BREATHING ROOM.

>> THERE BEING 108 VOTES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE AND 25 IN THE NEGATIVE.

>> THE BILL PASSED IN THE HOUSE AND HEADS TO THE SENATE WHERE IT HAS SUPPORT FROM SENATE PRESIDENT BILL FERGUSON.

>> THE LEGISLATION LOOKS TO SAVE A FAMILY $150 EVERY YEAR ON THEIR ENERGY BILLS.

REPUBLICANS CRITICIZED THE LEGISLATION CALLING IT A LAST-MINUTE FRANKENSTEIN BILL BUT MARK CORE MAN ONE OF THE SPONSORS SAID IT IS WHAT THETATE NEEDS.

>> THE BIGGEST THING I HEARD WAS IT DOESN'T DO ENOUGH.

THE QUESTION IS DO THEY DO SOMETHING?

AND THIS BILL DOES SOMETHING.

>> THE STATE IS TAPPING INTO $ 200 MILLION FROM THE STRATEGIC ENERGY INVESTMENT FUND HALF OF THAT WILL GO TOWARD RATEPAYER REFUNDS TO OFFSET UTILITY FEES.

THE $100 MILLION WITH FUND A BIDDING PROCESS TO JUMP START CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS IN MARYLAND.

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ELEMENTS THAT WILL DIRECTLY COME OFF OF FOLKS' ENERGY BILLS WITH RESPECT TO THE EMPOWER PROGRAMS AND THE EMPOWER PROGRAMS ARE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT MARYLANDERS MAKING CHOICES TO USE LESS ENERGY AND TO USE MORE CLEAN ENERGY.

>> THE BILL TAKES A TOUGH LOVE APPROACH TO UTILITY COMPANIES.

IT PROTECTS RATEPAYERS FROM PAYING FOR EXECUTIVE BONUSES AND IF YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT THE MASSIVE DATA CENTERS POPPING UP AROUND THE STATE, IT ALSO REQUIRES THEM TO COVER THEIR OWN INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS SO THEY ARE NOT PASSED ON TO CUSTOMERS.

OFFICIALS SAY IT MAY TAKE TIME BEFORE YOU NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR MONTHLY ENERGY BILL.

>> THE UTILITY RELIEF ACT DOES BRING SOME IMMEDIATE BILL RELIEF FOR CUSTOMERS.

THE ONE PROVISION I CAN POINT TO IS WITH THE EMPOWER REFORM.

EMPOWER IS A MONTHLY SURCHARGE THAT ALL CUSTOMERS ARE PAYING INTO AND THAT SURCHARGE AMOUNT HAS INCREASED.

>> >> Jeff: AFTER CLEARING THE SENATE, THE STATE BUDGET WILL BE UP FOR DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES NEXT WEEK.

IT CLOSES A FORECAST DEFICIT WITHOUT NEW FEES OR TAXES.

BUT IT DOES INCLUDE CUTS TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

THE PLAN DOES NOT ADDRESS EXPECTED MULTIBILLION DOLLAR DEFICITS IN FUTURE YEARS.

AS PART OF THE DEBATE, SENATORS CONSIDERED REPEALING THE TECH TAX.

AS NANCY YAMADA REPORTS IT IS NOT JUST REPUBLICANS WHO ARE OPPOSED.

>> THIS POLICY WAS ENACTED WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT IT WOULD RAISE OVER $500 MILLION.

>> SENATE MINORITY LEADER HAD HIS I TOLD YOU SO MOMENT WHEN HE STOOD BEFORE LAWMAKERS POINTING OUT THE 3% TECH TAX ON IT, DATA AND SOFTWARE PUBLISHING SERVICES ONLY BROUGHT IN $35 MILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE FISCAL YERPLT THE BUREAU OF REVENUE ESTIMATES REVISED THE FORECAST PROJECTING IT WILL GENERATE $110 MILLION IN ITS FIRST YEAR.

>> THIS WAS NOT A MINOR SHORTFALL, BUT ACTUALLY A FUNDAMENTAL MISS.

AND CONFIRMS WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT VERY MUCH DURING THE DEBATE THAT THE BUSINESSES WOULD NOT SIMPLY ABSORB THIS TAX.

AND WE'VE SEEN WHAT THEY'VE DONE, IS THEY'VE ESSENTIALLY RESPONDED RATIONALLY BY RESTRUCTURING CONTRACTS, THEY SHIFTED PROCUREMENT OUT OF STATE.

AND THEY HAVE IN SOME CASES CHOSE TO LOCATE ELSEWHERE ALTOGETHER.

>> THE SENATOR TRIED TO CONVINCE LAWMAKERS TO PASS AN AMENDMENT TO THE BUDGET TO REPEAL THE TECH TAX ALTOGETHER.

IT FAILED, BUT BY 24-20 MARGIN WITH SIX DEMOCRATS VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT.

>> I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE.

THE VOTE CAME CLOSE.

>> THE SENATOR SAYS IT'S TIME TO ADMIT THE TECH TAX FAILED TO DELIVER.

>> I THINK WHAT WE WANTED TO SIGNAL TO MARYLANDERS IS WE HEAR THEM WE'RE HEARING FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS MORE AND MORE THAT THE COST OF LIVING AND AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGES ARE NUMBER ONE FOR THEM.

WHEN WE SAW THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE WITH THE AMENDMENT THAT SAID THE TECH TAX PEOPLE WERE NOT SEEING THE BENEFITS WE WANTED TO LET THEM KNOW WE HEAR YOU AND FEEL IT AS WELL.

>> THE TAX IMPOSES NEW BURDENS ON 3,000 BUSINESSES THAT HAVE NEVER HAD TO COLLECT STATE SALES TAX IN THE PAST WHILE CONCEDING THE IT TAX IS NOT THE REVENUE GENERATOR THEY ANTICIPATED... >> HOWEVER IT IS A PART OF THE STRUCTURAL LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO WHAT WE ARE ALL DEALING WITH EVERY YEAR.

>> THE CHAIR OF THE BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMITTEE SAYS OVER TIME, THE REVENUE THAT IS COMING IN WILL FILL A GAP IN THE STATE STRUCTURAL BUDGET DEFICIT.

AS FOR WHY THE TECH TAX PROJECTIONS WERE OFF BY $400 MILLION?

>> I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF ASSUMPTIONS YOU CAN MAKE ABOUT THE WAY BUSINESSES WORK AND OPERATE, WHETHER THEY TRANSFERRED TO OTHER PLACES, WHETHER THEY JUST, I THINK, A LOT ARE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND AND GET USED TO IT.

SO THEY MAY NOT HAVE COMPLETELY FILED YET.

AND WE ARE GOING TO LEARN EXACTLY WHAT ALL THAT MEANS OVER THE COURSE OF TIME.

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

>> Jeff: REPUBLICANS ARE ALSO CALLING FOR I AONE-MONTH GAS TAX HOLIDAY.

PRICES AT THE PUMP JUMPED IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS DUE TO SUPPLY INTERRUPTIONS RELATED TO THE WAR WITH IRAN.

>> STATE ADDS 46 CENTS A GALLON OFFER GAS TAX.

ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY.

AND OUR PROPOSAL IS JUST TO TEMPORARY SUSPEND THAT TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RELIEF IT WOULD TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY SO MARYLANDERS WOULD SEE THE BENEFIT RIGHT AWAY.

>> WE CAN LOWER GAS PRICES BY 50 CENTS A GALLON.

$7 A FILL UP.

THAT IS ISRAEL MONEY WE CAN DO THAT IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT HAVE LITTLE IMPACT ON OUR STATE.

>> Jeff: REPUBLICAN LEADERS SAID THEY WILL OFFER A GAS TAX HOLIDAY AMENDMENT NEXT WEEK.

A SPOKESMAN FOR GOVERNOR MOORE SAID REPUBLICANS SHOULD INSTEAD CONCENTRATE ON GETTING PRESIDENT TRUMP TO END HOSTILITIES WITH IRAN.

>>> FOR 30 YEARS A MOBILE CLINIC HAS BEEN PROVIDING FREE HEALTH SERVICES THE GOVERNOR'S WELL MOBILE WAS STATIONED OUTSIDE THE STATE HOUSE YESTERDAY.

THE PROGRAM IS RUN BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF NURSING AND INCLUDES SERVICES FROM NURSE PRACTITIONERS.

THE PROJECT DELIVERS CARE TO SPANISH SPEAKING, UNINSURED AND UNDERSERVED I AM GRANTS IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY.

LAST YEAR SEEING 1600 PATIENTS.

[♪♪] OUR NEWSMAKER Dr.

SONJA SANTELISES, THE C.E.O.

OF THE BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

ALSO THE 2026 MARYLAND SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR.

SO CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE WITH YOU ALL TODAY.

>> Jeff: YOU ARE LEAVING THIS POSITION AT THE END OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

YOU'VE BEEN THERE FOR ABOUT A DECADE, WHICH IS QUITE A LONG RUN IN THE RECENT HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> NO, IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

IT'S BEEN A FABULOUS DECADE.

CLEARLY A LOT STILL LEFT TO DO.

BUT ALSO, A LOT THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN DONE TOGETHER IT'S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE IN THE POST IN THE CITY.

>> Jeff: WE'LL COME BACK TO YOUR EXPERIENCES.

WE WERE ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN A MOVE YOU HAVE MADE ON THE SUBJECT OF SCREEN TIME AND YOUNGER KIDS.

SO TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> SURE.

ONE OF THE THINGS, JEFF, THAT A NUMBER OF THE MEMBERS OF MY TEAM, PARTICULARLY MY ACADEMICS TEAM, SOME PRINCIPALS, COACHES, AND PARTICULARLY ALSO OUR EARLY LEARNING TEAM, WE NOTICED THAT A NUMBER OF THE BEHAVIORS WE WERE SEEING IN OUR EARLY LEARNING CLASSROOMS AND FRANKLY ACROSS THE K-12 SYSTEM WERE MATCHING A NUMBER OF TRENDS THAT WERE EMERGING IN THE RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF SCREEN TIME AND YOUNG CHILDREN.

AND FRANKLY, CHILDREN ACROSS THE K-12 SYSTEM.

SO WE BEGAN LAST YEAR WITH TIGHTENING UP OUR SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY FOR EARLY ADOLESCENTS AND THAT WAS ONE BIG LEAP.

BUT THIS YEAR, WE MADE THE DECISION TO INTRODUCE LIMITS TO SCREEN TIMES AND THE COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF SCREEN TIME IN CLASSROOMS KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SECOND GRADE.

WE ALREADY HAD DEVICE-FREE PRE-K FOR STUDENTS.

TEACHERS WOULD USE DEVICES FOR OBSERVATIONS AND WHAT WE WERE SEEING IN THE PREKINDERGARTEN CLASSROOMS WERE LARGER NUMBERS OF YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGING IN THE ACTIVITIES IN CLASSROOMS, THE PLAY, WHAT WE NOTICED WAS A DROP-OFF THAT AGAIN MATCHED WHAT WE WERE SEEING IN RESEARCH.

THE OTHER PIECE THAT BECAME VERY EVIDENT TO US, JEFF, IS OUR EARLY LEARNING TEAM SAW YOUNG CHILDREN ENTERING OUR CLASSROOMS WHO WERE EXHIBITING BEHAVIORS THAT REFLECTED WHAT WE THOUGHT WERE DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS LIKE THE INABILITY TO ATTEND, TO MAKE EYE CONTACT, THE LESSON ATTENTION SPAN AND WE REALIZED IT WASN'T DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS IT WAS THE MANIFESTATION OF BEHAVIOR OF YOUNG PEOPLE HAVING TOO MUCH TIME ON DEVICES.

AND WITH THAT, AND REALLY SEEINGS THE SUCCESS OF OUR PRE-K WE MADE THE MOVE TO LIMIT THAT TIME REALLY CUT THAT BACK SEVERELY.

AND IT'S WUNSCH THOSE THINGS THAT WE KNOW IS IMPORTANT AND FRANKLY, JEFF, MORE AND MORE RESEARCH IS BACKING UP WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

THAT THE DEVICES, TOO MUCH DEVICE TIME IN SCHOOLS IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE LACK OF YOUNG STUDENTS ABILITY TO ATTEND.

AND FRANKLY IT IS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM BUT WE FELT IT WAS A REAL EASY DECISION AND CALL TO MAKE ON OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS.

>> Jeff: SOUNDS LIKE YOU MIGHT BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE USE OF THESE DEVICES AT HOME AS WELL?

>> WE ARE, JEFF.

AND I DO THINK IT NEEDS TO BE PART OF A CONCERTED EFFORT ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.

WE AT SCHOOLS HAVE TO DO OUR PART WHICH IS WHY WE ARE MAKING THESE MOVES THAT WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER.

BUT IT REALLY IS A WHOLE COMMUNITY ISSUE.

IT IS AN ISSUE THAT DOES BEGIN WITH PARENTS, WITH GRANDPARENTS.

BUT A LOT IS IN EDUCATION.

A LOT OF IT IS MAKING SURE THAT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY KNOWS THIS.

THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY KNOWS THE LONG-TERM NEGATIVE EFFECTS.

AND I THINK WE LET PARENTS KNOW THAT THAT TIME IN THE SUPERMARKET AND LET'S BE CLEAR I HAD THREE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FOUR AT ONE-TIME BECAUSE I AM A MOTHER I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT CAN BE TO NAVIGATE THE SUPERMARKET BUT ALL THAT TIME ON CELLPHONES AND ALL THAT TIME ON iPADS FOR OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN IS IMPACTING THEIR EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING.

IT IS A DISTRASSION IN EARLY LITERACY SKILLS.

THEIR ABILITY TO INTERACT AND COMMUNICATE.

AND I THINK IF WE CAN MAKE THIS A COMMUNITY WIDE EFFORT, WE REALLY CAN TACKLE WHAT IS GOING ON.

BUT AT THE VERY LEAST WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, I FELT AS IF WE HAD TO HAVE THE DEFINITIVE MOVE TO SAY WE KNOW ENOUGH AT THIS POINT THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO DO HARM TO CHILDRN WITH UNREGULATED SCREEN TIME IN SCHOOLS.

>> Jeff: YOU KNOW, HERE IN THE PUBLIC TV BUSINESS WE ARE KIND OF PROUD OF WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED WITH KIDS LOOKING AT SCREENS AND WATCHING SESAME STREET FOR EXAMPLE, GOING BACK HALF A CENTURY OR SO.

AND I IMAGINE MAYBE THEY ARE WATCHING THE TV SCREEN IT MIGHT BE ON THE TABLET THESE DAYS AND IF YOU DESIGN EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE TO HAVE THAT INSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENT AND ALSO INTERACTIVITY IT FIGURES LIKE IT OUGHT TO BE GOOD.

I MEAN IS THIS A SITUATION WHERE IT'S TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?

OR THE CONTENT IS NOT RIGHT?

>> THAT IS AN EXCELLENT POINT, JEFF.

AND ONE OF THE MESSAGES WE ARE BEING CLEAR IN CONVEYING IS THIS IS NOT AN ANTITECHNOLOGY PURGE THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

BUT YOU RAISE A REALLY STRONG POINT AND IT REALLY IS A POINT OF INTENTIONALITY.

I'M OLD ENOUGH THAT I WATCHED SESAME STREET, I'M SURE IT CONTRIBUTED TO MY EARLY FLUENCY SKILLS.

WHAT WE ARE SAYING WE HAVE TO BE INTENTIONAL.

AND IN CLASSROOMS WHERE TEACHERS HAVE THE SUPPORT, WHERE TEACHERS HAVE THE ABILITY TO USE TECHNOLOGY AND FRANKLY, AS CONSUMERS SAY WHICH TECHNOLOGY IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN OTHERS WE ARE SEEING REAL POSITIVE GROWTH.

BUT I WILL ALSO SAY TO YOU, JEFF, IN THOSE CLASSROOMS WE WERE IN A SIXTH GRADE CLASSROOM A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WITH A NUMBER OF FOLKS ACROSS THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY, AND IF YOU LOOKED AT THAT TECHNOLOGY IT LOOKED VERY DIFFERENT THAN YOUNG PEOPLE SITTING IN FRONT OF SCREENS BLANKLY, POKING BUTTONS TO FILL WHAT I CALL AN ELECTRONIC WORK SHEET OR GAME.

IT REALLY WAS YOUNG PEOPLE GOING TO THE TOOL FOR SHORT SPURTS AND THEN IMMEDIATELY GOING INTO SMALL GROUP CONVERSATION WITH COLLEAGUES AND SMALL GROUPS WITH TEACHERS, TEACHERS WERE STILL GIVING DIRECT INSTRUCTION ACROSS THE CLASSROOM AND THE TECHNOLOGY WAS REALLY A TOOL.

THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE WERE SEEING IN TOO MANY OF OUR CLASSROOMS WHICH WAS YOUNG PEOPLE PASSIVELY SITTING AND WATCHING AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WOULD PUNCH BUTTONS.

IT DOES MEAN WE'VE ALL HAVE TO BE MUCH BETTER CONSUMERS OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY.

>> Jeff: I JUST HAVE A FEW MINUTES WE WANT TO LOOK BACK ON YOUR TENURE COMING TO A CLOSE RUNNING THE CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM.

YOU HAD THE PANDEMIC IN THE MIDDLE.

OF WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD TO PUT IT IN MY BEST ENGLISH?

>> YOU DID WELL, JEFF.

I'M MOST PROUD THAT YEAR-OVER-YEAR WE HAVE OUTPACED THE STATE IN THE PERCENTAGE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE READING.

THE STATE OF MARYLAND IS STILL ONLY AT 45%.

I KNOW Dr.

WRIGHT IS WORKING ON THAT BUT WE HAVE MORE SCHOOLS CLOSE TO THE STATE AVERAGE NOW.

WE HAVE OUTPACED THE STATE IN THE GROWTH AND WE HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY FOR THAT GROWTH.

I'M ALSO REALLY PROUD OF THE FACT WE HAVE MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS NOW AND PEOPLE LOOK AT ME, BUT IN A CITY WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BOTH GOOD AND BAD OPTIONS WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THAT OUR INVESTMENT IN MIDDLE GRADES ARTS ARE -- MIDDLE GRADES SPORTS WE HAVE DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF ARTS TEACHERS.

PROUD WE HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CAN TAKE DANCE AND THEATER.

AND VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT BALTIMORE CITY HAS BEEN CALLED OUT FOR OUR INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE QUALIFYING AND TAKING ADVANCED PLACEMENT.

ACROSS THE BOARD WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

BUT I'M VERY PROUD OF TEAM CITY SCHOOLS OUR PRINCIPALS, FAMILIES, TEACHERS, STUDENTS, EVERYBODY.

SO IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL RIDE.

WE HAVE MORE SCHOOLS THAT MORE OF OUR FAMILIES FEEL ARE VIABLE OPTIONS.

AND THE RACE IS NOT OVER BUT I'M HANDING THE BATON TO THE NEXT PERSON.

>> Jeff: PEOPLE MAY HEAR YOU TALK ABOUT THE EXTRACURRICULARS AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT.

BUT WANT TO FOCUS MORE ON TEST SCORES AND I KNOW YOU ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON TEST SCORES BUT THE PROFICIENCY LEVELS REMAIN LOW.

>> THEY ABSOLUTELY DO, JEFF.

AND I HAVE NEVER SAID AND I DON'T SAY I KNOW THERE'S NEVER BEEN A FORUM WHERE I HAVE SAID WE HAVE REACHED THE PEAK THAT WEIGH NEED TO.

A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, RIGHT COMING RIGHT OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, I SAID TO PEOPLE WE ARE NOW IN THE PHASE OF ACCELERATION.

AND I BELIEVE THE DISTRICT IS STILL IN THAT PHASE.

SO WE DO HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

BUT WHAT WE ARE ALSO SHOWING IS THAT WITH STUDENTS THAT WERE AS FAR BEHIND AS MANY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WERE 10 YEARS AGO, WE NOW HAVE MORE OF THEM PERFORMING AT HIGHER LEVELS.

AND WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN MATH.

THE STATE OF MARYLAND AS A WHOLE ONLY HAS 25-30% OF YOUNG PEOPLE PROFICIENT IN MATH.

WHILE BALTIMORE SCORES ARE STILL VERY LOW, I DO THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK INTO THE STATE OF MARYLAND TO SAY HOW DO WE ACCELERATE GROWTH ACROSS OUR STATE.

BECAUSE, YES, THE MATH LEVELS ARE LOW IN BALTIMORE CITY BUT THEY ARE LOW ACROSS MARYLAND AND FOR A STATE WITH SOME OF THE HIGHEST INCOME AVERAGES, IN THE COUNTRY, THEY NEED TO BE HIGHER.

AND I DO THINK IN CONVERSATIONS WITH COLLEAGUES, WITH Dr.

WRIGHT, I DO THINK WE ARE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION AND WHY WE'VE SEEN GAINS.

I'VE NEVER SAID WHERE WHERE WE NEED TO BE BUT OUR GROWTH IS OUTPACING THE STATE AND OUTPACING THE NATION PARTICULARLY IN LITERACY.

BUT WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> Jeff: LAST QUESTION I HAVE TIME FOR A COUPLE SENTENCES ON THIS.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THE EDUCATOR WHO SUCCEEDS YOU IN THIS ROLE?

>> VERY QUICKLY, JEFF, TO THE EDUCATOR WHO WILL COME AFTER ME, FIRST I WILL SAY GOD BLESS AND I WILL HAVE YOU IN MY PRAYERS.

THE OTHER PIECE IS NEVER LOSE SIGT OF WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE GROUND.

NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING, WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING WHAT FAMILIES ARE SAYING.

AND THEN FINALLY, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN THE BEST GUIDE I'VE HAD AS A MOTHER, WHENEVER I WALK INTO A CLASSROOM OR A SCHOOL, I ASK IS THIS THE KIND OF EDUCATION THAT I WANT FOR MY OWN THREE DAUGHTERS.

AND WHEN I LOOK THROUGH THAT LENS, WHEN THE NEW PERSON LOOKS THROUGH THAT LENS IT DOES BRING INTO CLEAR FOCUS WHAT THE GOAL IS.

>> Jeff: Dr.

SONJA SANTELISES WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, JEFF.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: JOINING US FOR THE REPORTER ROUNDTABLE MADELINE O'NEILL WHO REPORTS FOR THE BANNER.

MADDIE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, JEFF.

>> Jeff: LOTS OF ACTION AT THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK WITH CROSSOVER DAY APPROACHING ON MONDAY.

ONE BILL THAT MOVED THROUGH THE SENATE WOULD RESTRICT A CERTAIN KIND OF HANDGUN.

WHAT IS THE STORY THERE?

>> YES.

SO THE BILL RESTRICTS THE SALE OF HANDGUNS THAT HAVE A CREWS FORM TRIGGER BAR A WAY OF SAY TO GO WOULD RESTRICT THE SALE OF GLOCKS AND SIMILAR PISTOLS BECAUSE GLOCKS ARE THE ONLY GUN THAT USE THAT TRIGGER BAR.

THE REASON LAWMAKERS WANT TO DO THIS IS BECAUSE GLOCKS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO GLOCK SWITCHES IT IS A LEGO LIKE DEVICE THAT CAN BE EASILY ATTACHED TO A GLOCK AND USED TO DISABLE THE MECHANISM THAT MAKES IT A SEMIAUTOMATIC WEAPON.

WHEN YOU ATTACH A SWITCH TO A GLOCK IT FUNCTIONS LIKE A MACHINE GUN AND SHOOT ROUNDS ON ONE PULL OF THE TRIGGER WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SAID THEY HAVE BEEN COMING ACROSS MORE AND MORE OF THESE CONVERTED WEAPONS SO THE LEGISLATION UNDER CONSIDERATION WHICH PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE YESTERDAY WOULD PROHIBIT THE SALE OF THESE EASILY CONVERTIBLE HANDGUNS WHICH MOSTLY APPLIES TO GLOKS.

>> Jeff: I DON'T BELIEVE THE HOUSE MOVED ON IT YET AND THAT MAY WAIT UNTIL AFTER CROSSOVER DAY BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE SENATE BILL BUT THIS SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING THAT WOULD GO TO FEDERAL COURT THE.

BUT THE HISTORY IS THAT MACHINE GUNS ARE ILLEGAL.

AND REMAIN ILLEGAL.

>> YES.

AND SWITCHES THEMSELVES THE DEVICES THAT CAN CONVERT THESE INTO MACHINE GUNS ARE ALSO ILLEGAL.

THIS LEGISLATION WANTS TO GO FURTHER AND SAY GUN MANUFACTURERS, IF YOU WANT TO SELL YOUR PRODUCTS HERE IN MARYLAND YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO THESE CONVERSION SWITCHES.

AND YOU ARE RIGHT IT HAS NOT MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE YET.

IT PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE YESTERDAY AFTER DEBATE FROM REPUBLICANS, WHO ARE ALREADY PROMISING A LEGAL CHALLENGE.

AND A SIMILAR LAW THAT PASSED IN CALIFORNIA DUBBED A GLOCK BAN IS FACING A LEGAL CHALLENGE THERE.

IT WOULD PROMPT A LAWSUIT IF IT PASSES IN MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: YOU HAVE BEEN LOOKING INTO THE MYSTERIOUSLY EMPTY HOLDING AREA FOR PEOPLE BEING DETAINED FOR IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS AT THE FEDERAL BUILDING IN BALTIMORE.

A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SHOWED UP FOR A SURPRISE INSPECTION AND WERE SURPRISED TO SEE NOBODY WAS THERE.

WHAT WAS THE STORY?

>> YEAH, SO WE AT THE BANNER A TEAM OF REPORTERS WERE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED THERE IN PART BY USING COURT RECORDS MY SPECIALTY.

AND WE FOUND THAT I.C.E.

HAD THE DAY BEFORE THAT CONGRESSIONAL INSPECTION I.C.E.

MOVED 100 PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOLDING ROOMS WHICH WERE NOTORIOUSLY OVERCROWDED AND UNCLEAN.

A FEDERAL JUDGE A FEW DAYS PRIOR ORDERED I.C.E.

TO CLEAN UP THE HOLD LIMITS AND LIMIT CAPACITY TO WHAT THEIR INTENDED CAPACITY WHICH IS 59 PEOPLE.

AT TIMES I.C.E.

WAS HODDING 123 PEOPLE IN THOSE ROOMS FOR DAYS AT A TIME IN FILTHY CONDITIONS.

SO WE LEARNED THE DAY GOOD AFTERNOON CONGRESS SHOWED UP I.C.E.

PACKED EVERYONE UP INTO A PLAIN AND -- PLANE AND FLEW THEM TO ARIZONA.

>> Jeff: ANY LIMITATION ON I.C.E.

'S ABILITY TO FLY PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY?

AND THE SECOND PART OF THAT, THIS FEDERAL SETTLE THE ONLY PLACE, I THINK WHERE I.C.E.

CAN HOLD PEOPLE AT THE MOMENT?

>> IN MARYLAND BECAUSE LAWMAKERS PASSED THE DIGNITY NOT DETENTION ACT A FEW YEARS AGO, I.C.E.

CANNOT USE LOCAL JAILS TO HOLD PEOPLE AS IT DOES IN OTHER STATES.

AND I.C.E.

DOES NOT HAVE ANY ACTIVE DETENTION CENTERS HERE IN MARYLAND.

SO I.C.E.

SAYS WELL WE HAVE TO HOLD PEOPLE IN HOLDING CELLS BECAUSE YOU WON'T LET US HAVE DETENTION CENTERS.

I.C.E.

IS ALSO WORKING ON BUILDING A DETENTION FACILITY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY BUT THAT IS HELD UP IN COURT.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S SUED OVER ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS TO BLOCK THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT WAREHOUSE INTO AN I.C.E.

DETENTION CENTER THAT COULD HOLD 1500 PEOPLE.

>> Jeff: I HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE BUT YOU HAVE BEEN REPORTING ON THE JUVENILE JUSTICE BILL THAT PASSED THE SENATE AND WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OFFENSES THAT AUTOMATICALLY SEND SOMEBODY TO ADULT COURT.

THAT WAS ALSO HEAVILY AMENDED.

>> THE LEGISLATION PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE LIKE YOU SAID.

I THINK IT'S EXPECTED TO MOVE IN THE HOUSE ALTHOUGH IT HAS NOT MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE YET AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ADVOCATES ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE HOUSE WILL PASS A VERSION THAT THEY SEE AS MORE PROGRESSIVE THAT WOULD LOWER THE NUMBER OF CHARGES THAT RESULT IN AUTOMATIC ADULT CHARGES FOR CHILDREN BY MORE THAN THE SENATE VERSION DOES.

THE SENATE VERSION DOES REMOVE ASSAULT AND POSSESSION OF A GUN AS CHARGES THAT RESULT IN AUTOMATIC CHARGES ADULT CHARGES FOR CHILDREN AND THOSE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF ADULT CHARGES AGAINST JUVENILES.

SO IT WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT BUT NOT AS LARGE AS ADVOCATES WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

>> Jeff: MADELINE O'NEILL REPORTING FOR THE BANNER THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME 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".

[♪♪]