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.

>> Charles: RISING TENSIONS AT THE STATE HOUSE.

>> I CAN TALK LOUDER ARE.

>> DO YOU WANT TO DO THAT?

SIT DOWN.

>> YOU HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS OR MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESS GET OUT OF MARYLAND NOW.

>> Jeff: THE STATE FACES BILLIONS IN ABUSE CLAIMS.

>> NEVER DID I THINK THE NUMBER WOULD BE WHAT THEY WERE.

>> YOU CAN DO AWAY WITH THE ENTIRE STATUTE AND TAKING AWAY RIGHTS YOU CONFIRMED.

>> Jeff: AND A SOME BER ANNIVERSARY.

>> IN THE FACE OF ONE OF THE WORST TRAGEDIES, MARYLANDERS STEPPED UP.

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

>> Jeff: THE STORY AROUND "STATE CIRCLE" IS 10 DAYS ALL THAT REMAINS IN THE SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE BIGGEST DEBATE IS STILL ONGOING HOW TO CLOSE A BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET DEFICIT?

SENATE PRESIDENT FERGUSON EXPECTS THE SENATE VERSION TO BE FINALIZED EARLY NEXT WEEK.

>> WE ARE LOOKIN AT THE EXPANSION OF THE SALES TAX ON IT DATA A.I.

SERVICES AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN TAILOR IT APPROPRIATELY.

THERE ARE SOME ISSUES THAT HAVE ARISEN AROUND LICENSING AND IP THAT WE DID NOT INTEND TO CAPTURE WITHIN THE EXPANSION.

THE DETAILS WE'RE WORKING THROUGH NOW.

I BELIEVE OVER THE WEEKEND AND THROUGH THIS WEEK WE'LL GET TO WHERE THE MOST APPROPRIATE ON THE FRONT END.

>> Jeff: GOVERNOR MOORE REITERATED HIS SUPPORT FOR THE CUT IN THE CORPORATE TAX RATE.

BUSINESS LEADERS SAY THE BROADENING OF THE TAX WILL HURT.

>> I WANT TO LOWER THE CORPORATE TAX CUT.

IT IS A LONG-TERM GOAL FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND BECAUSE IT'S CONSISTENT WITH EVERYTHING ELSE WE ARE DOING TO MAKE MARYLAND MORE PRO GROWTH.

>> Jeff: DELEGATES APPROVED THEIR VERSION OF THE BUDGET LARGELY ALONG PARTY LINES.

>> WHAT IS INTOLERABLE IS UNSAFE ROADS AND UNSAFE BRIDGES.

YES IT'S GOING TO BE HARD FOR ME TO GET TO VOTE ON THE EXCISE TAX OF RENTAL CARS.

IT'S HARD.

BUT WHAT IS INTOLERABLE WE WILL NOT HAVE THE MONEY IN THE TRUST FUND TO MAKE SURE OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES ARE SAFE FOR MARYLANDERS.

>> YOU CANNOT BLAME DONALD TRUMP FOR THE $3 BILLION DEFICIT THAT EXISTED BEFORE HE TOOK OFFICE.

AND DONALD TRUMP IS NOT TAKING A VOTE ON THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: KEY REVENUE MEASURES INCLUDE HIGHER INCOME TAXES FOR HIGH EARNERS.

THE NEW TAX ON TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND INCREASING THE SALES TAX ON VEHICLES, CANNABIS AND VENDING MACHINE PURCHASES.

WITH DEBATE HEATING UP, NORMALLY CORDIAL RELATIONS IN ANNAPOLIS ARE BEGINNING TO FRAY AS NANCY AMATA REPORTS.

>> I JUST WANTED TO STAND AND SPEAK AGAINST SOME OF THE WORD SALAD EMOTIONAL TERRORISM WE'RE HEARING TODAY.

>> THE JABS WENTZ BACK AND FORTH ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AS LAWMAKERS HAD THE LAST SAY AHEAD OF THE VOTE ON THE BUDGET.

>> 38 PEOPLE ARE IN HERE THAT IS NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.

FOR THE 102 THIS IS FOR YOU, STAND FIRM ON THIS BUDGET WITH US.

>> AND WHEN A DEMOCRAT STOOD UP TO EXPLAIN HER NO VOTE CHAOS ENSUED IN HER PARTY AFTER SHE REPEATEDLY REFUSED TO PUT DOWN THE MIC.

>> ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

WHEN I HAVE AN 80-YEAR-OLD WOMAN CALL ME.

>> MACHINE.

>> I'M TRYING TO HELP.

>> THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING ME.

THE TWO MINUTES WITH THE YOUNG LADY ARE OVER.

>> I CAN COUNT.

>> YOU MUST SIT DOWN YOU NO LONGER HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> ONE LAST THING I'M TRYING TO SAY, IS THAT -- >> TWO MINUTES.

>> I CAN TALK LOUDER.

>> DO YOU WANT TO DO THAT?

SIT DOWN.

>> LET'S KEEP CALM.

>> AND THEN THERE WERE THESE WORDS FROM REPUBLICAN DELEGATE MARK FISHER.

>> DON'T MOVE INTO MARYLAND.

AND IF YOU HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS AND A MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESS GET OUT OF MARYLAND NOW.

THE DEMOCRAT PARTY SEES YOU AS AN ATM MACHINE AND THEY WILL NEVER STOP.

>> Jeff: WHEN ASKED ABOUT IT THE DELEGATE'S COMMENTS DREW HARSH CRITICISM FROM GOVERNOR MOORE.

>> I THINK HIS COMMENT WHERE WAS EMBARRASSING AND DISAPPOINTING.

YOU NEVER ROOT AGAINST YOUR YOU NEVER ROOT AGAINST ITS PEOPLE.

I THINK, FRANKLY, HE OWES AN APOLOGY TO THE PEOPLE, AN APOLOGY TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

>> FISHER SAYS IT'S THE GOVERNOR WHO OWES MARYLANDERS AN APOLOGY.

>> HIS RHETORIC DOES NOT MATCH POLICIES.

HIS POLICIES ARE TO RAISE TAXES AND RAISE FEES HE HAS DONE IT EVERY YEAR HE IS HERE.

HE HAS BLOWN THROUGH GOVERNOR HOGAN'S SURPLUS AND THEN SPENT ANOTHER $3 BILLION IN ADDITION TO THAT.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE ECONOMY DEALING WITH THE ECONOMY WE ARE DEALING WITH THE POLITICS OF WASHINGTON.

>> DELEGATE SANDY ROSENBERG SAYS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CUTS POLICIES AND LABELING OF MARYLAND AS A LIBERAL STATE IS ADDING PRESSURE FOR STATE LAWMAKERS AFTER SERVING 42 YEARS HE SAYS LAWMAKERS NEED TO REMEMBER... >> YOUR CONSTITUENTS JUDGE YOU BY THE TOTALITY OF WHAT YOU DO.

NOT BY ONE VOTE.

AND IF THEY THINK AND HAVE REASON TO THINK THAT YOU WORKED HARD AND GAVE IT A LOT OF THOUGHT BEFORE YOU CAST A DECISION, ON THE BUDGET OR ANY OTHER BILL THAT THEY MAY NOT BE COIN00% -- 100% BEHIND.

>> >> Jeff: TWO YEARS AGO THE STATE DISAWAY WITH STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.

THE DEBATE WAS FOCUSED ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BUT THE STATE ITSELF IS FACING THOUSANDS OF CLAIMS FOR ALLEGED ABUSE IN JUVENILE DETENTION CENTERS.

THE ORIGINAL SPONSOR IS SEEKING CHANGES AS SUE COPPIN REPORTS.

>> WITHOUT THIS LEGISLATION, THE POTENTIAL EXPOSURE COULD SPIRAL INTO THE BILLIONS.

THE TENS OF BILLIONS.

CRIPPLING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

>> DELEGATE WILSON HIMSELF A SURVIVOR OF PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE AS A CHILD SAID THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS WHO HAVE COME FORWARD SEEKING LEGAL ACTION HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING.

>> NEVER DID I THINK THAT THE NUMBER OF CLAIMANTS WOULD BE WHAT THEY WERE.

IT WAS BEYOND MY IMAGINATION 4500 IF NOT MORE.

BECAUSE HOW COULD YOU PREDICT WHY WOULD YOU THINK THERE WERE SO MANY?

TO THE POINT WHERE OUR STATE WOULD BE BANKRUPT.

>> IT COMES IN A YEAR WHERE LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING THROUGH A $3 BILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL.

>> WE ARE NOT A PRIVATE CORPORATION AND NOR CAN WE SHIFT COSTS TO THE SHAREHOLDERS.

WE MUST MAINTAIN A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET WHILE SAFEGUARDING THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE DEPEND UPON INCLUDING EDUCATION PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTHCARE.

>> HOUSE BILL 1378 REQUIRES THAT AWARDS BE BASED ON AN INDIVIDUAL CLAIMANT AND NOT ON THE NUMBER OF ALLEGED ABUSES T REQUIRES A MANDATORY ARBITRATION PROCESS FOR ALL PLAINTIFFS PRIOR TO SEEKING A TRIAL.

AND THE MAXIMUM AWARD AMOUNT WOULD DROP TO $400,000 FOR ANYONE SUING AFTER OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR THAT WOULD NOT APPLY TO SUITS FILED BEFORE OCTOBER FIRST.

LISA JORDAN WITH THE MARYLAND COALITION AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT SUPPORTS THE BILL AND IS CONCERNED IN THE REDUCTION OF THE AWARD.

>> REDUCING RECOVERY TO $400,000 PER CLAIMANT IS REALLY TROUBLING.

THAT IS GOING TO REDUCE THE STATE'S INCENTIVE TO PROTECT A CHILD ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN ABUSED BY THE STATE ONCE.

BECAUSE THE SECOND TIME IS NOT GOING TO BE MORE EXPENSIVE.

>> ANDREW FREEMAN OPPOSED THE CHANGE.

>> ALL THIS AMENDMENT WOULD DO IS SAY IF YOU ARE READY ENOUGH, IF YOU YOU ARE PREPARED ENOUGH TO COME FORWARD BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER OF 2025, YOU WOULD GET 890,000.

IF YOU ARE NOT READY, WE'RE GOING -- YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE YOUR POSSIBLE RECOVERY CUT BY MORE THAN HALF.

>> AND CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONALITY ABOUT THE PROPOSED CHANGES AS WELL.

>> YOU CAN DO AWAY WITH THE STATUTE BUT YOU WOULD BE TAKING AWAY RIGHTS YOU CONFERRED.

NOBODY WANTS TO BANKRUPT THE STATE, NOBODY IS TRYING TO BANKRUPT THE STATE.

INSTEAD OF GLAM OF BLAMING ALL.

VIVID OF INDIVIDUALS OUT HERE TODAY, THE REALITY IS WHAT IS BAKED INTO THE STATUTE HAS WRITINGS AND WE WOULD RATHER YOU WORK WITH US TO FIND A SOLUTION.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IN A NUMBER OF SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE STATE WITH CHILD ABUSE PLAINTIFFS AND INDICATED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD BE ATTENDING THE HEARINGS.

WHILE HE DID NOT ATTEND THE COMMITTEE WAS NOTIFIED HE DID SUPPORT THE BILL WITH AMENDMENTS.

AT THE STATE HOUSE, SUE COPPIN FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: THIS WEEK, MARYLAND MARKED THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLLAPSE OF THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE.

CHARLES ROBINSON HAS THE STORY.

>> WE DON'T JUST LOOK BACK ON MARCH 26 AND REMEMBER THE HORROR WE REMEMBER THE HEROISM.

BECAUSE IN THE FACE OF ONE OF THE WORST TRAGEDIES IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY, MARYLANDERS DID WHAT WE ALWAYS DO, MARYLANDERS STEPPED UP.

AND TO THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS THAT ARE WITH US TODAY, THERE IS LITTLE THAT I CAN SAY.

TO TRULY FEEL THE PAIN YOU FEEL.

>> THINKING ABOUT THAT MORNING I WOULD NOT GO INTO BATTLE WITH A TEAM OTHER THAN THE ONE WE WENT THROUGH.

EVERY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL GAVE THEIR HEART FOR THE FAMILIES, OUR CITY, STATE AND REGION.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE.

>> A WHO'S WHO OF FIRST-RESPONDERS, DIGNITARIES AND POLITICAL FIGURES WERE AT THE KEY BRIDGE TO REMEMBER THE ANNIVERSARY OF ITS COLLAPSE.

THE PROCESS FOR REPLACING THE BRIDGE WILL BEGIN THIS SPRING.

THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ARE PLAYING THEMSELVES OUT.

A REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD, SUGGESTS MARYLAND WAS NEGLIGENT FOR NOT INSPECTING THE KEY BRIDGE AND THE BAY BRIDGE.

THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGED THE CONCLUSION OF THE REPORT AND THE GOVERNOR LAID THE BLAME SQUARELY ON THE DALI WHICH LOST POWER PRIOR TO STRIKING THE BRIDGE.

ACCORDING TO THE LEGAL EXPERTEDS WHO FOLLOW MARITIME LAW THERE ARE SEVERAL CASES TO MATCH, IT INCLUDES THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY ACT OF 1851.

IT DEALS WITH LIABILITY AND HOW MUCH YOU CAN BE AWARDED IN DAMAGES.

A MEMORIAL IS A CONSTANT REMINDER OF THEIR LOSS.

SPOKE MEN FROM THE FAMILIES COME TO DPRIPS TO SHARE THIS TRAGEDY.

>> WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE TRIAL AGAINST THE IRRESPONSIBLE COMPANY THAT OWNS THIS BOAT SO WE CAN CLOSE THIS CHAPTER THAT EVERYTHING POSSIBLE HAS BEEN DONE TO ACHIEVE THE JUSTICE THE VICTIMS DESERVE.

CONCRETE AND STEEL CAN BE REPLACED.

THE LAUGHTER OF A FATHER, THE EMBRACE OF A HUSBAND, THE FUTURE OF SIX MEN THESE ARE LOST FOREVER.

>> IT COULD TAKE UP TO FIVE YEARS TO SETTLE ALL THE CIVIL AND CRIMINAL SUITS IN THIS CASE.

AT THE KEY BRIDGE, I'M CHARLES ROBINSON FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

[♪♪] >> Jeff: OUR NEWSMAKER IS MICHAEL SHIELDS AN ENGINEERING PROFESSOR AT JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY AND AUTHOR OF THE NEW REPORT LOOKING AT THE RISK OF CATASTROPHIC COLLISIONS BETWEEN SHIPS AND BRIDGES.

SIR, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WHAT WERE YOUR KEY FINDINGS.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

I THINK THE MAIN TAKEAWAY FROM OUR STUDY IS THAT THERE IS A REAL RISK TO BRIDGES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES FOR MAJOR COLLISION EVENTS LIKE WE SAW WITH THE KEY BRIDGE.

SO AS A RESULT, WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS RISK AND TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS.

>> Jeff: WE'RE UNFORTUNATELY PRETTY AWARE OF RISK AROUND THESE PARTS.

BUT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS THIS REPORT MEANT TO SOUND AN ALARM?

>> YES, IN SOME SENSE.

THE MAJOR PORTS ARE SPREAD ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, FROM THE EAST COAST TO THE WEST COAST TO THE GULF OF MEXICO.

AND ALL OF THESE MAJOR PORTS HAVE LARGE BRIDGES THAT LEAN INTO THEM AND AS A RESULT WE HAVE VERY LARGE VESSELS PASSING UNDER ENORMOUS BRIDGES AND POSING A THREAT TO THE BRIDGES.

>> Jeff: INTERESTINGLY ON YOUR RISK OF THE LIST AT THE MOST AT RISK BRIDGES NEAR THE TOP IS THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY BRIDGE NOT THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE THE ONE THAT GOES TO OAKLAND.

WITH YOUR ESTIMATED RISK OF A COLLISION EVERY 20 YEARS, BUT IT'S 90 YEARS OLD.

AND STILL STANDING.

SO THAT'S PART ONE OF THE QUESTION.

PART TWO IS WHICH SECTION OF THAT BRIDGE ARE YOU MOST CONCERNED ABOUT?

>> WELL, THERE ARE A FEW THINGS I WOULD MENTION ABOUT THAT SPECIFIC BRIDGE.

FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THAT THE RISK PROFILE HAS BEEN EVOLVING CONSIDERABLY OVER THE SEVERAL DECADES THAT THE BRIDGE HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE.

WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS BUILT, SHIP TRAFFIC WAS A FRACTION OF WHAT IT IS NOW.

SHIP TRAFFIC THESE DAYS IS IN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE LARGER THAN IT WAS IN THE EARLY 20TH SCENERY WHEN THAT BRIDGE WAS BUILT.

WE HAVE LARGER VESSELS AND MANY MORE OF THEM.

THAT IS THE FIRST PIECE.

THE SECOND PIECE IS THAT THAT BRIDGE IN PARTICULAR, IS OF HIGHER RISK BECAUSE IT HAS SEVERAL PIERS IN THE WATER.

WE ARE LOOKING AT SPECIFICALLY THE OLDER SPAN OF THE BRIDGE THAT CONNECTS TO THE SAN FRANCISCO SIDE WHICH HAS SEVERAL PIERS IN THE WATER.

AND THE THIRD THING I WOULD ADD IN THE LIFE OF THE NTSB REPORT THAT CAME OUT LAST WEEK WE ARE AWARE THAT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE BAY AREA AUTHORITIES ARE IN FACT IN THE DESIGN PHASES OF PROTECTIONS FOR THAT BRIDGE.

>> Jeff: INTERESTING WHEN YOU CONTRAST THAT TO THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE AROUND THE CORNER WHERE IT ONLY REALLY HAS ONE PIER IN THE WATER.

BUT IT'S A NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT, THE GOLDEN GATE IS KNOWN FOR ROUGH CURRENTS AND FOG AND YOU WOULD IMAGINE THERE WOULD BE RISK THERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE MAIN THING THAT THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE HAS GOING FOR IT IT HAS A MUCH, MUCH LONGER SPAN.

THE SPAN IS OVER 4,000 FEET LONG.

AND IT ONLY HAS ONE MAJOR PIER CLOSE TO THE SHIPPING CHANNEL.

AS A RESULT, THE RISK TO AT THAT TIME BRIDGE IS LOWER BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE AS MANY PIERS IN THE WATER AND THOSE POORS POORS ARE FARTHER APART.

>> Jeff: HOW ABOUT OUR CHESAPEAKE BRIDGE THE TWO SPANS THAT CROSS THE BAY?

>> THE CHESAPEAKE BRIDGE HAS A CHANCE OF COLLISION ONCE EVERY 86 YEARS.

AGAIN, I HIGHLIGHT WITH THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE THAT THE RISK HAS CHANGED, HAS EVOLVED CONSIDERABLY SINCE THE TIME IT WAS BUILT.

IT WAS BUILT IN THE MID-195 OWE WHEN SHIPPING TRAFFIC WAS A FRACTION OF WHAT IT IS TODAY.

>> Jeff: THE BAY BRIDGE IS FOUR MILES OR SO AND THERE IS A LARGE EXPAND AND YOU HAVE THE LITTLE PIERS WHERE THE BRIDGE IS NOT THAT HIGH IN THE AIR.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT DEFENDING THAT WHAT SHOULD STATE OFFICIAL IT IS CONSIDER?

>> YEAH, THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT FACTOR INTO IT.

AND SO WHEN LOOKING AT THE RISK TO THE BRIDGE, YOU FIRST OF ALL LOOK AT THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC THAT IS UNDER THAT BRIDGE.

AND THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC UNDER THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE IS VERY HIGH ONE OF THE MOST HEAVILY TRAFFICKED BRIDGES IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND IT SEES VERY, VERY LARGE VESSELS.

THE NEXT THING YOU LOOK AT IS THE SPAN OF THE BRIDGE, THE LENGTH OF THE BRIDGE AND THE NUMBER OF PIERS IN THE WATER.

BY COMPARISON YOU MENTIONED THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE THE SPAN OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE IS RELATIVELY NARROW ABOUT 1600 FEET COMPARED TO MORE THAN 4,000.

SO THAT PUTS THE BRIDGE AT HIGHER RISK.

SO THE MAIN THING IN DEFINING PROTECTIONS FOR THAT BRIDGE IS TO KEEP SHIPS AWAY FROM THE PIERS AT ALL COSTS.

MEANING PUTTING DOLPHINS IN THE WATER AND TAKING CORRECTIVE ACTIONS WITH SHIPS PASSING UNDER THE BRIDGE AS WELL.

>> Jeff: THE DOLPHINS DON'T SWIM.

THEY ARE SORT OF BARRIERS AND THE KEY BRIDGE, I BELIEVE, FROM THE DAY IT WAS BUILT, HAD THEM AND IT DIDN'T WORK.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE KEY BRIDGE HAS TWO SMALL DOLPHINS AND THOSE DOLPHINS WERE AGAIN, CONCRETE STRUCTURES PLACED AT SOME DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE PIERS.

WHAT WE'VE COME TO FIND IS THOSE DOLPHINS AS THEY WERE DESIGNED DID VERY LITTLE TO PROTECT THE BRIDGE.

THEY WERE TOO SMALL AND TOO FAR AWAY FROM THE BRIDGE TO HELP AGAINST A SHIP LENGTH OF DALI.

>> WHAT ARE FACTORS YOU LOOK AT IN YOUR ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT BRIDGES?

>> I MENTIONED THE TRAFFIC IS PROBABLY THE MAIN FACTOR.

WE LOOKED AT WHAT IS KNOWN AS AIS DATA AUTOMATED IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM DATA A TRANSPONDER ON EVERY SHIP THAT COMMUNICATES WITH THE COAST GUARD TELLING THE LOCATION AND SPEED AND WHATNOT FOR THE SHIP.

WE CROSS REFERENCED THAT DATA FROM EVERY SHIP IN AMERICAN WATERS WITH THE NATIONAL BRIDGE INVENTORY AND LOOKED AT HOW MANY SHIPS ARE ACTUALLY PASSING UNDER THESE MAJOR BRIDGES.

SO THAT'S THE FIRST PIECE.

THE SECOND PIECE IS WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT A SHIP GOING UNDER THE BRIDGE IS GOING TO AN RATE GO OFF COURSE?

AND THE THIRD PIECE IS GIVEN THAT A SHIP GOES OFF COURSE WHAT ARE THE CHANCES IT WILL COLLIDE WITH THE BRIDGE?

WHEN YOU PUT THOSE THREE FACTOR TOGETHER YOU GET THE NUMBERS WE ESTIMATED.

>> Jeff: THE HEAD OF THE NTSB WAS CRITICAL OF MARYLAND OFFICIALS FOR NOT HAVING DONE THIS SORT OF ANALYSIS ON THE KEY BRIDGE.

AND IN THE YEAR SINCE THE KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE, NOT HAVING DONE A SIMILAR ANALYSIS OF THE BAY BRIDGE.

DOES YOUR WORK SORT OF DUPLICATE THAT?

DOES IT SOLVE THE NEED FOR INFORMATION AND TELL US THAT WE SHOULD JUMP TO THE NEXT STEP OF ADDING SOME PROTECTIVE MEASURES?

>> YEAH, WHAT OUR WORK DOES IT ACTUALLY BUILDS ON WHAT THE NTSB DID.

THEY IDENTIFIED 68 BRIDGES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES WITH UNKNOWN COLLAPSE RISK.

AND OUR STUDY IDENTIFIES MANY BRIDGES AS HAVING A SIGNIFICANT COLLISION RISK.

WE DIDN'T GO SO FAR AS TO LOOK AT COLLAPSE RISK THAT IS A MUCH MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS THAT REQUIRED DETAILED KNOWLEDGE OF THE STRUCTURE AND ITS RESPONSE TO A COLLISION.

BUT OUR STUDY DOES LOOK AT SEVERAL OF THOSE 68 BRIDGES AND IDENTIFIED THERE IS SIGNIFICANT RISK OF A MAJOR COLLISION OCCURRING.

AS TO THE RISK ANALYSIS, I THINK OUR INVESTIGATION FURTHER MOTIVATES BUILT ON THE NTSB FINDINGS THAT A RISK ANALYSIS FOR MANY OF THE BRIDGES IS REALLY CRITICAL.

I WOULD, HOWEVER ADD, THERE'S BEEN NO MANDATED REQUIREMENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR ANY LOCAL AGENCY OR ANY BRIDGE OWNER TO DO THIS FOR BRIDGES BUILT BEFORE THE MID-1990s.

AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE, VERY FEW OF THEM HAVE CONDUCTED THIS ANALYSIS FOR THIS RISK ANALYSIS FOR MAJOR BRIDGES.

>> Jeff: LASTLY, IF YOU HAD A FAMILY MEMBER HEADING TO THE MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE TO THE BEACHES, ANY HESITANCY IN LETTING THEM DRIVE OVER THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE?

>> NOT AT ALL.

YOU KNOW, I THINK WHEN WE THINK ABOUT IT FROM A SOCIETAL PERSPECTIVE, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT IT ON THE SCALE OF DECADES, THERE IS A REAL RISK TO MANY OF THESE BRIDGES.

BUT IF I THINK ABOUT IT IN AN INDIVIDUAL COMMUTER FROM AN INDIVIDUAL COMMUTER PERSPECTIVE, THE CHANCES THAT A COLLISION WILL HAPPEN WHILE I'M ON THE BRIDGE IS INCREDIBLY SMALL.

SO I WOULD HAVE NO HESITATION TO DRIVE OVER THE BRIDGE MYSELF OR RECOMMEND OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.

>> Jeff: MICHAEL SHIELDS, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, SIR, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU, JEFF.

[♪♪] >> Jeff: NOW FOR THE POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE SUE COPPIN IS JOINED BY JACK HOGAN OF "THE DAILY RECORD".

JACK LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT AN INCREASED COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION SPENDING.

THE GOVERNOR HAD WANTED TO PACE THAT A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY BASICALLY SLOW IT DOWN TO SOME DEGREE WHICH WAS NOT RECEIVED WITH OVERWHELMING APPLAUSE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WOULD YOU SAY THAT?

>> LARGE CHUNKS OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL HAVE BEEN NOT ACCEPTED AT ALL BY THE LEGISLATURE.

THE ONE THAT STICKS OUT THE MOST IS RAISING THE RATE OF INCREASE FOR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS IN AREAS WITH CONCENTRATED POVERTY THAT PROVIDE WRAP AROUND SERVICES TO STUDENTS.

NEITHER CHAMBER HAS GONE WITH THAT APPROACH.

THERE'S STILL DISCONNECT WHERE THE TWO CHAMBERS ARE RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE HEADING INTO THE LAST FULL WEEK OF SESSION.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE TOP NEGOTIATORS IN EACH CHAMBER WILL FOCUS ON IS WHETHER TO ADOPT ANOTHER ONE OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS WHICH IS FREEZING COLLABORATIVE TIME, OUTSIDE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT TIME FOR TEACHERS.

THE GOVERNOR IDENTIFIED THE TEACHER SHORTAGE AS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUE.

WE'LL SEE THE LENGTH OF PAUSE AND AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WOULD SAVE THAT LAWMAKERS MIGHT AGREE ON.

>> Jeff: THAT IS LESS TIME TEACHING MORE TIME PLANNING?

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS A PERCENTAGE OF TIME IN THE CLASSROOM THAT TEACHERS WOULD HAVE AND THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING SOMETHING LIKE 60% TO 40%, 40% OF THE TIME THAT THEY WOULD BE PAID FOR WORKING THEY COULD BE ABLE TO USE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM FOR THAT PLANNING TIME.

>> Jeff: SUE, IT SOUNDS LIKE ON THE BUDGET THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.

WHEN WE START LOOKING AT SOME OF THE REVENUE PROPOSALS, IT STARTS GETTING MORE COMPLICATED?

>> IT'S COMPLICATED AND TIME IS SHORT.

OBVIOUSLY THEY EXTENDED THE DEADLINES AND THE BUDGET SHOULD HAVE TECHNICALLY BEEN PASSED BY NOW.

SO IT'S STILL OBVIOUSLY IN THE SENATE AT THIS POINT.

AND THEY HAVE TO GIVE ITS FINAL APPROVAL BEFORE THEY CAN SEND IT TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND YOU KNOW WELL, JEFF, WHEN TIME RUNS SHORT YOU CAN GUARANTEE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> Jeff: THE SENATE PRESIDENT THIS MORNING WAS ASKED ABOUT THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE EXCISE TAX ON CARS A SALES TAX, AND THE IDEA THAT MIGHT GET CONFUSED BY CITIZEN/VOTERS WITH THE TRUMP TARIFFS ON IMPORTS AND THE EFFECT OF THAT.

>> JACK, YOU WERE THERE, SENATE PRESIDENT IS FRUSTRATED BY THE DUAL CONFUSION AND THE IMPLICATION OF WHAT THE PRESIDENT'S EXCISE TAX ON VEHICLES IS GOING TO MEAN FOR THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.

IT FURTHER COMPLICATES THINGS.

>> THIS IS GOING TO PLAY A ROLE IN THE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.

THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT INCREASING THE VEHICLE EXCISE TAX IN MARYLAND TO HELP PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS AND SERVICES.

AT A TIME WHEN THE FUEL TAX, IS ON THE DECLINE.

THE PERCENT INCREASE THAT LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING AT IS COMING DOWN TO ACCOUNT FOR THE HIGHER PRICES THAT CAR BY BUYERS MAY SEE BECAUSE OF THEE TARIFFS.

>> Jeff: ALL RIGHT WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> YOU TOO, JEFF.

>> Jeff: YOU CAN READ JACK'S REPORTING AT "THE DAILY RECORD".COM AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" JOIN US EVERY WEEK FOR THE LATEST ON MARYLAND'S POLITICAL STAGE.

YOU CAN SEE OUR RECENT PROGRAMS AT VIDEO.MPT.TV AND THE FREE PBS APP.

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THAT IS MONDAY EVENING LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY.

[♪♪]