today mayor stephanie rawlings blake released a budget proposal to close the gap. it includes 600 layoffs. seven fire companies could be closed and 29 ep&recreation centers shut down. >> i didn't create this problem. but we have to solve it. this is the biggest budget reduction in 19 years. >> let's take a closer look at some of the specific areas that could fall under the budget ax. cuts will run deep in the city, police and fire department. the fire chief is looking at the permanent closure of three fire company and continuing rotating closures. plus, moving 90 firefighters positions. it is something that will save money but could cost lives because of longer response times. >> people need to understand that this is significant. it is the worse budget process i have been through in my career. 25 years. it is a big deal. >> at police headquarters the department is looking at shut doing the mounted horse patrol and loosing the helicopter. they'll loose 200 positions. it is all all bleak. the numbers could change for the better if new revenue strings develop some of

mayor stephanie rawlings-blake will reveal the budget and the cuts that go with it and she admits, they're not pretty. wjz and andrea fujii are live outside of city hall. >> good morning, everyone. the city's facing a $120 million budget short fall and the the mayor's message are making some uneasy. >> reporter: for months, the city's closing some fire companies on a rotating basis and now, there's the possibility that three fire companies will close permanently and the firefighters are sounding the alarm. those are vital services, if you cut the services, people get hurt and die. at some point, people will look around and say, what's happening to the fire department. >> reporter: today's budget proposal is expected to ground the police helicopter and the police commissioner says there could be hundreds of lay offs. >> that's an entire district's worth of police officers. there's only so much copy paper you can save and so much overtime you can cut from the police department and we've done our best over the past two and a half years to do that. >> reporter: mayor stephanie rawlings-blake p

we congratulate blake bailey. [applause] >> thank you very much. i am blake daily by the way. [laughter] wow. thanks very much to the book critics circle for this honor. this was in many ways a dream project for me, and i had so much help every step of the way. the cheever family was an believably supportive and their attitude toward their father was touching and been using. they always spoke with him with a deep affection but also with iran not activity and that is an ideal situation. and a certain 80. it was wonderful collaborating on this and in the and they didn't accept for a few factual quibbles anyone who reads my book knows that it's pretty devastating in places but they just wanted the truth. i'm blessed in a wonderful agent david mccormick who supported me at a time when i needed all of the support i could get. i have a wonderful editor at knopff why a door, my beloved mother who has had an unwarranted degree of faith in me. finally my wife who i love more than words can say. thank you three much. [applause] >> my name is james marcus. it was my privilege to chair th

mayor stephanie rawlings-blake is working on a tax package to close the city's $120 million budget gap. the unveiling of the plan is still about two weeks away. >> yeah, but there is already opposition tonight. keith daniels in highlandtown where there is talk against one of her particular ideas. >> well, we are at santoni's grocery store where the owner is part of a beverage industry coalition. and to fight the tax. now the mayor is looking for solutions to close the budget gap. and one of the revenue sources she is considering, is a 5-cent tax on all bottled and canned beverages. including soft drinks, and the additional tax would mean millions of dollars collected at businesses for the city. but santoni and the coalition call it a bad idea. >> in my opinion, i think that baltimore city has to find their own ways to secure their own deficit. downsizing government. you know, more efficiencies in ring the city. you have to stop trying to take it out on business. >> well similar tax was implemented in baltimore city, and the county. in 1989. and the opposition was so strong it led to a

. >> mayor stephanie rawlings-blake meets with her cabinet to balance baltimore city budget.th the department of parks and recreation that faces massive cuts. it calls for 600 layoffs. eliminating the police aviation, marine and mountedp units. closing of seven fire companies and 29 recommend centers, parks and recreation said there has to be another way. >> any time we consult facilities and opportunities for young people to be engageed in something. there is a possibility there could be -- they could be involved in risky behaviors and activities. >> the city faces $120 million deficit. >> the mayor also is trying to prevent those cuts to city services but there is mounting opposition to some of her plans. keith daniels is in highlandtown where they are lashing out tonight against a beverage tax. >> well, we are at san tony's grocery store and this is what it is about. drinks like these o store shelves, across the city. and tonight, there is a fight on against a proposed tax, that could be placed on your favorite drink. >> kenneth butler rarely drinks water. so most of his t

mayor rawlings-blake was in the oliver community this weekend, a neighborhood that has been showcased nationally for its crime. hbo's "the wire" shot scenes on the streets and the dawson family was killed when their rowhome was firebombed by drug dealers. at an event this weekend the mayor assured the community some of the cuts outlined in the initial budget plan last week were unnecessary and went too far. she plans to submit a different plan to spare deep cuts to police and fire. >> they will commit crimes knowing the districts are short. >> reporter: when the mayor submits her new plan it will include restoring the rotating fire department closures. the mayor also wants to avoid closing rec centers. in the studio, linda so, abc2 news. >> if you want to see the mayor's entire budget proposal head to abc2news.com. scroll down on the righthand side of the home page to "links mentioned on air." it will take you directly to city hall's web site. again, that is abc2news.com. >>> 6. 32. 52 degrees. topping a look at news around the nation, repair crews brought down the crane that collapse

. >>> the woman now in that office, mayor stephanie rawlings-blake, this afternoon met the officials to discuss the proposed budget. show talked about the option she prefers to offset a projected $121 million deficit. >> because we can be more flexible but we are looking for a comprehensive solution to fund, sources of funds to protect public safety, public education, as well as essential services. >> the mayor says she will work with city council on an alternative budget man to restore critical services. the plan should be released by mid-april. >>> well, on the weather front we had a little bit of everything out there today. had the rain earlier this morning. that cleared the area. then chilly winds all afternoon, and tonight it is cold outside. can you see skies clearly off rapidly. maryland's most powerful radar, all five sweeps showing a clear sky. expecting things to stay dry for the rest of the weekend. 38 in baltimore, 36 out in frederick and temperatures in the 30s and headed down into 209s overnight tonight. if you have some outdoor plans, bring those in. we don't want to s

. >>> balbaltimore mayor stephanie rawlings-blake is getting cristism about tightening the belt. one her biggest critics is the woman who has had the job before her. >> for the past 7 years, baltimore city leaders and church leaders have gathered outside of the city on palm sunday for the blessing of the city. >> i fully understand that prayer does make a difference. >> reporter: but this year, many say that is needed more than ever. the city faces a $121 million budget gap. prompting stephanie rawlings-blake to propose massive cuts, including closing 29 of city's rec centers. >> we have entitled the role models . >> reporter: and laying off more than 600 city employees, many from fire and police. >> god of justice and mercy, look at the eyes and the ears of the decision makers that they may find the way to help more than just society. >> this is not something just that we planned, this is a budget that we inherited but what i always believe is you have to play the card that you dealt. >> reporter: the mayor has gotten a lot of crticism for her plan, including crticism from the f

and mayor stephanie rawlings- blake will ask for tax hikes and new fees for the public and the mayorrs announced they won't accept the pay raise. back to you. >>> and it may be a rough morning for light rail commuters as the crews clean up after a tractor trailer and a light rail operator. this morning, a bus bridges the stops. >>> another change in leadership for the baltimore sun newspaper. monty cook resigned. he's accepted a position with his alma mater in north carolina. he's served as editor since 2009. >>> and stay with wjz-13, maryland's news station. up next, sexting laws. sending and receiving ,, ,,,, - bread. - laundry detergent. even paper towels and toothpaste. at safeway, we've made a promise to lower the prices... on thousands of everyday items throughout the store. and, with our club card specials like lucerne yogurt, only 40¢, and 12-pack pepsi or 7 up, buy 2 get 3 free, safeway is keeping that commitment. so you'll always get what you want, when you want it, - at the price you need. - today and tomorrow. that's our promise. that's ingredients for life. safeway. to m

jeff blake will never win ms.the pork barrelers and corruption in washington and stands up for the people in this country that don't have the lobbyists and special interests. but the great mayor of mesa scott smith is here. you are doing a great job. kirk adams the speaker of our house of representatives. boyd done the mayor of chandler and thank you to the principal of dobson high for your hospitality. my friends, i'm so grateful you are here. by the way, sarah and todd are leaving here and guess where they are going. they are going to searchlight, nevada. the hoeme of the majority leade soon to be minority leader of the united states senate, or maybe not the minority leader. maybe just out of a job, former majority leader. harry reid. and you know the message is, this healthcare bill repeal and replace, repeal and replace, repeal and replace. repeal and replace. repeal and replace. andç if you don't, we are goin to repeal them. ok? let me just luntion to you something you may have seen like in that 2,733-page m

mayor stephanie rawlings-blake who took office last month, asked the committee to meet with department heads, and then report back to her with any recommendations. keith daniels is live at city hall with word from the mayor tonight. keith? >>well, jeff the report gives many examples of waste, and mismanagement, including the housing department, and its management, of head start. and then there is the issue of trash and vacant homes. >> it was boarded up, figured nobody lived there. >> ramona ross lived on milton avenue. and as seen, on so many other city blocks. >> one, two, three. >> her neighborhood is plagued with empty homes. creating a disensen five investment said city officials and unsafe environment say the people that live next door to empty homes. >> they need to be removed. re they really. do because no one is going to buy them. sitting '94 years and years. it doesn't make sense to me. >> 150 member transition team, appointed by mayor stephanie rawlings-blake. >> i am in the process of reading the report. >> has recommended that the city create a program to quickly dispose o

. >> mayor stephanie rollings blake and other local officials are pushing for people to mail in their forms and hoping fr a better return rate than in the 2000 census. the mayor announced a new high-tech way to keep tabs on whether your neighbors have sent theirs in. >> there is a google interactive map that will enable you to click on your community and view your community census mail-in rate. >> people that don't send them in will get a knock on the door, and they are recruiting for those in the area. >> they are going to knock on the doors of every household that did not return the forms and they are going to try to get the responses from those house holds. >> the bottom line for the census is 10 minutes for $10,000. if you are in the area, the number to call is -- census workers will never ask for a bank account number or social security number. they also will never solicit for money. in federal hill, kim dacey, wbal-tv 11 news. >> it may be the weekend they were working in annapolis yesterday. the maryland house of delegates began a measure that will begin implementing the new ma

. >>> mayor stephanie rawlings- blake turned 40 today and took part in a two-fold celebration this morning andrea fujii splawns, the mayor celebrated her birthday on the run, for an organization which helps the homeless get back on their feet. >> reporter: before the clock struck 6, hundreds of people were running the streets of baltimore, including mayor stephanie rawlings-blake. >> we sprinted the last part. >> reporter: this is how she wanted to spend her 40th birthday. in conjunction with celebrating the one-year anniversary of "back on my feet." >> reporter: the organization is a nonprofit group that helps baltimore's homeless. not by food or shelter, but support through running. >> engaging in this activity that helps gain confidence and builds a support system around them to be able to do what it is they're pursuing in life. >> reporter: in one year, their staff has tripied -- tripled in size and helped about 145 people, some who ran this morning. >> reporter: the mayor helped present them with a nearly $3200 check from whole foods. >> it's quite a celebration to see how much we've

. >> a budget mayor stephanie rawlings-blake herself said is devastating, unacceptable. must be done. >> what we did is try to look at the money that we have. look at the priorities. and act accordingly. >> today the city's department of finance released its proposed budget. filled with drastic spending cuts. agency consolidations and service reductions. >> you talk about 11 percent reduction in animal control. who will be picking up the dead carcasses of the animals. who will do the inspection when is we have animal cruelty. >> budget cuts include 600 layoffs. police aviation, marine and mounted units, gone. and 7 fire companies shut down. and 90 firefighters out of job. and 29 of the city's 55 recreational centers closed. >> we are going to probably need more police officers on the streets. if recommend centers are closed. which is going to increase our budget. >> but the mayor said no one has been spared. and in order to slash $120 million from the $2.2 billion budget. >> backed into the corner, but crawl out of it. >> the proposal also cuts down on bulk trash pick up

. >> mayor stephanie rawlings- blake says it is the worst budget crisis in the city and 19 years. the plan detail today is one she hopes the city will not have to deal with. the budget crisis is so severe, even police and fire department feel the pain. >> in this fiscal crisis, they cannot go untouched. >> these cuts are particularly tough. >> andrew klein delivered the preliminary budget plan this morning. it is intended to close the budget deficit, the result of a drop in state highway funds, income tax revenues, an exploding engine of. english is the layoffs of more than 600 city employees. 120 in the police department, 91 in the var department. seven city fire houses were closed. 29 rec centers would close. >> no one has been spare, no agency, and the budget reflects that. >> this is not the plan and the mayor wants. she will present a different one in three weeks, including new proposals to raise the million dollars in new revenues. translation, new taxes and fees. but not touching the property tax. >> i would not prefer to increase the property tax. >> the new plant will inc

. >>> mayor stephanie rawlings-blake announces cuts to the city budget. to bridge the gap in a $120 million budget deficit. not everyone is happy about how she plans to do it. public safety is taking a big hit of getting rid of 200 police positions to closing fire companies. former police commissioner ed for ris joinnorris joins us for. >>> this is the preliminary budget, but just listening to the direction that this is going, what is your initial reaction. >> i'm not buying this. i think they're looking for a public outcry. you are not in one of the most dangerous cities in the country, they're getting rid of the police services, and 7 fire houses. i don't buy it for a second. >> is this the budget office coming out with a worst case scenario, so that mayor rawlings-blake can come in two weeks and say, we will save the day. >> reporter: she will save the day, and governor o'malley will give us some money. look at us, the mayor and the governor came in saved us all. >> let's go under the assumption that that is not going to happen and these cuts will be m

mayor rawlings blake says this is just the first step in the budget process and some of those cuts could be avoided. >> we're looking to make reductions, to try to do more with less. after taking a look at what was leftover, try to get a comprehensive revenue package through so we can restore some of those public safety cuts. >> the head of the city's police union say the mayor's proposed cuts go too far. we should learn more about these cuts at the next council meeting, april 12th. we're live at city hall, linda show abc2 news. >>> to a developing story involving governor ehrlich. it's tough to keep a secret in this town. our sister's station says ehrlich plans to run for governor again. ehrlich will formally announce his candidacy coming up april 7th in rockville. that event will be followed by an event in ehrlich's hometown of arbutus. governor martin o'malley seemed unphased by the thought of a rematched. >> i enjoyed it the last time, i'm looking forward to it this time. >> he lost his 2006 re-election bid to martin o'malley. >>> here's the latest into the investigation of the crash

mayor rollings blake turned down a pay raise. >>> two agencies seeing deep cuts are in charge of keeping the city safe, a city that's been ranked one of the deadliest in the nation. joy lepola joins us with more. >> reporter: jennifer, residents are worried about these budget cuts. three fear this proposal could place their safety in jeopardy. we headed to west baltimore today and talked with some residents who say the city should look elsewhere. under the current proposal, the police department stands to lose nearly 200 positions while the fire department could see 90 firefighters laid off and seven fire companies shuttered. >> horrified because the police have a hard enough job as it is and the fire department, really those two things, we have to find money from some place to keep them here. >> reporter: some people i talked to today did question whether this was a scare tactic being used to rally effort around the notion of raising fees or taxes in the city. joy lepola, fox 45 news at 5:30. >>> that brings us to our question of the day, how do you think baltimore city should balance i

mayor rawlings blake says this is the first step in the budget process and some of the cuts could be avoided. >> looking to make reductions to try to do more with less. after taking a look at what was leftover, trying to get a comprehensive revenue package through so we can restore some of those public safety cuts. >> reporter: half of the city's rec centers could also close and the city's bulk trash pick-up program could be eliminated. the next city council meeting is slated for april 12th. >> to find out more about the proposed cuts, log onto our website, abc2news.com. click on links mentioned on the air. you can read the preliminary budget. >>> they're crunching numbers in annapolis as well. the maryland senate has given preliminary approval to the budget. the senate could cut $120 million. one of the largest cuts comes from the fund to help clean up the chesapeake bay. it's been cut from $20 million to $10 million. a 50% cut from stem cell research from $12.4 million to $6.2 million. >>> we can live with the cable guy showing up somewhere between 9:00 and 5:00, but we're not supp

all of it, according to stephanie rawlings-blake too much for the city to bear. >> let me be clear. some of the cuts that we would be forced to make are simply unacceptable. especially those cuts to the police department, fire and recreation and infrastructure. to put any family in financial crisis, particularly at this magnitude, this crisis has the power to rip us apart or to bring us closer together. >> here is what happens next rate in three weeks, on april 12, the mayor will present what she calls an alternative comprehensive budget plan that will include new ideas for new revenue. the mayor was not at all specific about what those revenue raising measures will include. she has hinted in the past that she has been talking with some of the city's nonprofit institute. the rebels and idea of some day -- of some kind of in lieu of payment from those institutions. those are hospitals and universities. she made it very clear today what she will not do. that is that she does not intend to ask for any increase in the property tax rate. coming up later at 5:00 and 6:00, we will have muc

major stephanie rawlings blake says the cuts could be set all by new revenue streams. ideas which will be released at a later date. brian keebler abc 2 news. >>> baltimore's city council president jack young says she's concerned about children not having a safe place to play. >> i don't want to see public safety compromised atall. i look at parks as part of the crime fighting effort as well. to close 29 reck centers is unacceptable. i look at it as part of a crime-fighting initiative along with the fire department and police department. >> the mayor says she's work with city council on a budget plan to restore these critical services. that plan should be released by april 12th. >>> maryland senate has given initial approval to the state's $13 million budget. the state give preliminary approval to a bill that made $120 million in cuts to the governor's budget proposal. now the budget moves on to the house. >>> all new at 5:00, our sister station in washington, d.c. is reporting the former governor robert erlich is planning to run for governor again. a source says he'll

at an event this weekend mayor rawlings-blake said some of the outlines in the initial plan went too far. she plans to submit a different plan in the coming weeks that would spare deep cuts to police and fire. initially there was talk up to 300 positions in the police department would be eliminated and seven fire companies would be cut. >> april 12th i will be introducing to the city council an alternative plan to balance the city's budget which would fully fund our obligation to public school, maintain every single good news for -- maintain, maintain every single police patrol officer. >> reporter: when the mayor submits her new budget plan it will include restoring the new rotating fire department closures. she also wants to avoid closing rec centers. linda so, abc2 news. >>> police are still looking for leads in the shooting death of a 16-year-old in baltimore. happened 4:30 saturday morning in the 1,400 block of north lou certain avenue, near oliver street. the teen died at the hospital. his name not now being released. >>> police are investigating a deadly home invasion in perry

with stephanie blake, and they're metings with leaders in faith-based community and hope to spread theimportance of filling out the questionnaire which is only ten very short questions. >> the most important thing you can do in the next few weeks and months is to make sure everyone is counted, that everyone is counted. [applause] >> this year's census takes less than five minutes to fill out. you can do it with your coffee, and the information you supply will be kept confidential. >>> we are talking about vitamin d, we all know how important it is to maintain, but a new study finds many infants in this country, well fed infants are not receiving enough vitamin d it may not be evident for many years to come but they're serious. here is timothy johnson. >> reporter: babies not getting enough vitamin d face an increased risk for cancer and other diseases later in life. a report published in the april issue of pediatric examined data on infants from a national survey, conducted between 2005 to 2007. some of the infants were breast fed, some were given formula and others had mixed feedings.

>> mayor stephanie rawlings blake has made the decision, let's go live to linda sow, live outside of city hall with where the cuts are going to hurt. >> reporter: the mayor has made it very clear. these cuts are going to be painful, but they are necessary to balance the books. the baltimore city fire department and police department make up about half of the city's budget. if there's major cutting to be done, that's where much of it will come from. the mayor's proposal includes getting rid of about 200 police officers and 100 firefighters. more than half of the city's rec centers will close and the city's bulk trash pick-up program will be no more. >> could end up in allies, street corners. they can't trace them back. >> reporter: now we should learn more about the proposed budget cuts coming up at the next city council meeting on april 12th. we'll learn what will be final, what will stay, what will go and also if taxes could go up in the city. live at city hall, linda sow, abc2 news. >> log onto our proposed website, abc2news.com. look under the links mentioned on the air. we'll con

currently the mayor controls the nomnominations to the five membs of the panel, under mayor rawlings blake plan the mayor would appoint three positions and the city council would appoint the other three position. >>> t i think it's another stepo ensure the public's trust in the elected officials. >> the board investigated and cleared dixon. she was later prosecuted and convicted by the state of embezzlement. >>> community activity group acorn is closing its doors for good. the baltimore's office a shownsd last week that it was shutting down. now it seems that's the plan for all acorn offices across the country. the group is disbanding because of money problems. the group closing comes 6 months after they were recorded giving advice to pimp and a prostitute. congress and the private donors stopped giving the group money. the last offices will close april first. >>> a new bilk considered by the general assembly would take the governor out of the parole process. the legislation under consideration would eliminate the need for the governor to grant parole to inmates serving life sentences. mar

under stephanie rawlings blake's plan the police hospital and marine unit will be caught -- cut. officers on s.w.a.t. teams will be laid off. they'll continue to restate closures. the mayor proposed closing 55 recreation centers and seven public pools and eliminating public funds for the parade and fourth of july fireworks. >>> president obama signed executive order designed to ensure no federal dollars can be used for elective abortions under the new healthcare legislation. the senate is still trying to pass the sixth legislation that makes changes to the healthcare overhaul legislation. >>> there was a familiar face on the doctor's show this afternoon. jones hopkins doctor robert montgomery was on the show. he was talking at his 100th kidney transplant. he said the kidney swaps were a revolutionary way of getting around the waiting list. >>> blood is thicker than water. is it thicker than that paper used to print out a lottery ticket? why two sisters are battling over the numbers on a piece of paper. >>> why now may be the time to book the summer vacation. the lure airlines are

mayor stephanie rawlings-blake will release a deep cutting plan today.ivatizing trash collection. the city will consider taxing nonprofits like hospitals and schools. the city is facing a $121 million deficit. >> reporter: i'm joel d smith at cockeysville where the light trail train is not running today because of a crash between the light train and a tractor trailer that pulled in front of it. the driver of the train is in serious but stable condition. people are wondering if crossing gates could have stopped all of this. the tractor trailer not having crossing gates they pulled out in front. for those people have to get out in kook seizevill cockeysville s shuts. shuftsshuttles so far the peoply it's working out. >>> under the bill the state will be able to use $127 million for unemployment benefits. the money will arrive as soon as governor o'malley science signsn the bill. maryland's current unemployment rate is 7 .5% lower than the 9.2%. >>> blue man the experienced genie is going to make them happen instead. blue man is here, the experience genie v

. >> scrimmage top of the second, blake davis lines the second one anded to williamsson heads to the play and that gave the squad a 1-0 lead. caleb joseph, rips a single in the 3rd, here comes a throw, blacks takes a 2-0 lead, they beat the orange squad. cavalier center shaquille o'neill will miss the rest of his season after having surgery at left thumb. dr. thomas graham chief of the hand center said the operation was a success. o'neill suffered the thumb injury on tuesday's night game. that is your morning sports. i'm bruce cunningham, fox 45 morning news. >>> coming up in our 6:00 hour, assessing the devastation in chile. the search and rescue operations going on after the weekend's massive earthquake. >>> and closing arguments are set to begin this morning in the trial for three alleged cult members. i'm megan gilliland, what the defense is expected to argue straight ahead. >>> we're on the eve of a big decision for the catholic schools in the baltimore area. i'm joel d smith live in northwest baltimore where this could be one of a dozen or more

instance stories can be a window on the enormity and enormousness and a means to borrow from william blake to see the world in a grain of sand. we're born responding to stories, i think. one way we organize the world's chaos and one way we pass that information on from generation to generation. the best stories are living monuments to memories that have to be preserved. and they don't need any other justification. by training all the dickens my mother used to read me and by inclination and probably by deficiency i understand the world best through stories. and because the engine of any story is human character, i've spent most of my years not as a writer looking first of all not for subjects but for characters. a smalltown cop whom i first met because i was speeding. my wife met him later that same day for the same reason. [laughter] >> and he didn't give her a ticket. [laughter] >> and this interested me. i soon discovered that hewv didt usually give women tickets 'cause he didn't like to see women cry. [laughter] >> there was a pair of old men who were in a nursing home room who were spe

and mayor stephanie rawlings- blake says that some of the jobs could be saved if the city council approved limited after a light rail train and a tractor trailer crashed tuesday morning. the crews are repairing the damaged line. the light rail operator is in serious condition. hundreds of friends and loved ones gathered to remember the life of carlos williams comcast repairman gunned down early sunday morning. the police have no suspects in the case and they're asking anyone with information to please come forward. >>> and a bill banning drivers from using cell phones while driving is heading before the house of delegates. it could hit violaters with a 40-dollar fine. several states have the law in effect already. [singing opera] >> for music, go to aisle 3. shoppers got a surprise yesterday afternoon at whole foods. several people who appeared to be workers were singers at the washington national opera. you're looking at the east -- in this morning's masn spring training report. brian roberts is going to make his debut and he's been out with a herniated disk. >>> stay with wjz-13, marylan

. >> as baltimore mayor stephanie rawlings-blake prepares to tackle these $21 million budget deficit, we're learning more about what might be cut. the there is enough pain this time around for everyone, basically. >> there really is. we understand a preliminary view of the budget should be available to the public sometime next week, but the rumblings are starting already. there are rumors that they look at fire, police and trash services. however, the mayor is opening -- is urging patients to night. this is going to be a long process. >> councilman robert kirk -- robert curran summing up the mayor's budget proposal. the main cuts would affect two areas. the first, public safety, including cutting three fire stations and grounding the police helicopter foxtrot, and eliminating the marines mounted and police service units. it would also make drastic cuts to the parks and recreation department. the city would also eliminate bulk trash pickup. >> i would book -- i believe we will also have to cut some services. the caveat is to find those that have the least impact on spending. >> committ

. >> mayor stephanie rawlings-blake said the census is important because it determines who gets $4 trillion in federal funding over the next 10 years. and to get community groups involved in spreading the word she launched the 4/10 census challenge today. >> take 10 minutes to, answer 10 questions, help us secure 10 years of funding, now you need to go and tell 10 people. >> the census forms need to be filled out and mailed back by april 1st. >> the count begins. we have revealed questionable spending by the census bureau here in baltimore. documents obtained through a freedom of information act request reveal the census bureau is renting 6100 square feet of office space downtown and is costing you a lot of money. office politics is our cover story, later on fox 45 news at 10:00. >> it is going to drag the system back. rather than advance it. >> stopping massive health insurance price increases. why it may work against reform. coming up next on fox 45 news at 10:00. >> catholic school questions. when local students find out the fate of their schools. >> what politicians do, they can undo. >

mayor stephanie rollings blake is scheduled to receive a cost of living increase of about $3,800. the pay hike is part of a bill approved by the city council in 2007. the money will be given back to the city. baltimore is facing a $121 million budget deficit. >>> one thing possibly going up in maryland, car insurance i'm bill to raise the minimum of auto liability insurance to $30 is headed to the senate. the house backs the bill. drivers would need insurance that covers them for at least $60,000 for accidents where more than one person is injured compared to $40,000 now. if it passes, it takes effect in jean. >>> more trouble for toyota as claims of a cover-up has surfaced. a panel dropped by the nation press club to discuss what they believe is behind the real issues of sudden ape -- issues of sudden acceleration. >>> whatever anybody thinks about the health care bill, that nice but it has to be built on a constitutional foundation. >> the health care bill is now law but the debate is far from over. coming up next, virginia's attorney general ken cuccinelli is facing a little ba

mayor rawlings-blake here firsthand.r proposed budget means for police officers. >>> a former pharmacologist sentenced. tonight, his punishment, in connection with several drug charges. check in for more on these stories and several of the day's breaking news. eyewitness news at 5:00 starts right now. >>> breaking news, a plane submerged after a plane crashed in anne arundel county. >> tonight, the condition of the pilot and the search for the wreckage. >> hi, everyone. i'm mary bubala. >> i'm denise koch. kai had the evening off. >> a single-engine plane crashed into the south river. a little more than an hour ago. investigators are now calling it an emergency landing. sky eye chopper 13 is live over the scene in anne arundel county. captain mike perry has the latest on the efforts to get the plane out of the water. and the condition of the pilot who office board. >> it all did occur just shortly around 3:20 this afternoon. where an airplane operating in the vicinity of the annapolis airport, near route 2, had to make a

under the preliminary budget by mayor stephanie rawlings-blake. we'll is weighing the potential impact of these budget cuts. >> reporter: denise, the best news in all of these are that these cuts are not final. but filling the gap means raising more than $50,000 in fees. some of that should come in nonprofit. but none of that is a done deal at this point. >> reporter: the police chopper, marine and mounted units will go away under the proposed budget, which cuts more than 100 police positions. three fire companies will be permanently closed. in some of the biggestductions in years to baltimore's budget. >> no one has been spared. no agency. and the budget reflects that. >> i think what we should be doing with the public is letting them know what is our priority and don't threaten them to the point where they have to make difficult decision. >> i don't want to create panic. but it certainly does minimize our ability to simply be there when needed. >> reporter: it does fund schools, pliburglaries and more -- libraries and more money for the health d

. >>> mayor rawlings-blake officially kicked off baltimore census 2010 action plan. she says it's important everyone be counted because a lot is at stake. the census determines the allocation and distribution of more than $4 trillion in federal funding over the next 10 years. the money goes towards things such as housing development, school construction, job training, road transportation planning, you name it. also congressional seats are doled out depending on a state's population. >>> the mayor also kicked off the city's 410 challenge. the goal is to get communities involved in the 2010 census. the contest recognizes neighborhoods for using creative means to encourage people to fill out census forms and mail them out by april 1st. winners receive prizes and there's a ceremony at city hall. for more information we have all the information posted on abc2news.com. when you get there click under "links mentioned on air." >>> according to the president, when it comes to graduation rates in baltimore we get an f. in washington yesterday the president touted a new $900 mi

. >> larry: another not guilty you have is the robert blake gun, right, glen martin?ect, sir. >> larry: now, he was also found not guilty. what is the relevance of the gun? >> again, this is a case of enduring public interest on the first -- on the firsthand. the second part is, again, talking about the hundreds of investigators that are here. maybe there's something to be learned here. and that's particularly relevant to the kennedy case where 42 years later that is still the largest single homicide investigation ever tackled by the los angeles police department and we know with all these detectives, not all work for an agency the size of lapd so there are lessons that can be learned by the people here today particularly when dealing with something of the scope of an assassination of a u.s. senator or dealing with the arrest of a hollywood celebrity. >> but i would also say there is a missed opportunity in terms of dealing with victims and victim advocacy and telling you what we see on the other side. when the case closes we still have a life to live and still have t

>> my best friend, will blakely, and other two good friends, marquis cooper and corey smith. >> larryere in the nfl, right? >> yes. >> larry: bleakley played with who? >> usf as well. >> larry: why did you write this book? >> a few different reasons. i had a decision to make. just a couple months after the accident, unfortunately, i was approached and pretty much came down to the fact that there was going to be a book and i needed to make the decision whether or not i wanted to make that book in my words or there could be a book out there with whatever. so i made the decision not necessarily for myself but for the three guys and their families to kind of help, you know, disperse any rumors that, of course, were out there. you know, once again, not for myself but the families. >> larry: better coming from the person who was there, you, than some reporter getting information from others. it couldn't be any others. it was just the four of you out there. >> correct. >> larry: how are you doing psychologically, by the way? >> i'm doing better. like you said, it's been a year. time definite

mayor stephanie rawlings-blake, city council president jack young, and the comptroller are slated toback the raises they were going to receive this year. city council members are receiving a $1,400-a-year salary increase, but it is not known if any of them plan to return their races. >> the weather should be quiet this morning. we will make it to the 60's this afternoon. a little breezy, but not bad. it to the weekend, clouds thickening up tomorrow. rain thursday night and friday. temperatures will fall into the fifties over the stretch. >> thank you for joining us. another update at 9:55. ♪ who let the dogs out ♪ who let the dogs out >> whether your dog is a fearless downhill sledder like lola, or simply has a winning heartfelt story, we want to hear from you. >> send us a one-minute video showing us why he or she deserves to be crowned "today's top dog." all the info is at todayshow.com. we're taking submissions through the end of april. >> the end of april. we got to watch the animation. makes me giggle. >>> in this half-hour, getting your kids on the right track regarding snacks

jeff blake will never win miss congeniality in the united states congress.e fights the corruption in washington and he stands up for the people of this country that do not have the lobbyists and special interests there. the great mayor is here -- scott smith. you're doing a great job. kirk adams, the speaker of our house of representatives. thank you to the principle of the high school. -- think you to the principal of the high school. my friends, i am grateful you are here. saratov are leaving here. guess where they are going? they are going to search light, nevada, the home of the majority leader soon-to-be minority leader of the united states senate, or maybe not the minority leader. maybe just out of a job, a former majority leader. harry reid. do you know what the message is? it is health care bill -- repeal and replace. repealed and replaced. repeal and replace. if you do not -- if you do not, we are going to repeal them. let me mention to you something you may have seen in that monstrosity. i read every page. i will tell you we're going to be finding

. >> blake sings it better. >> that's what people says. >> i'm carl quintanilla along with joe kernen becky quick. our guest host this morning, tony crescenzi, market strategist for pimco having fun this morning talking about markets. speaking of which, the markets will get another revision to fourth quarter gdp later on today. economist expecting a slight decline to 5.8 from 5.9 coming out at 8:30 eastern time ahead of the numbers futures looking good. we got this deal between the euro zone and imf and who knows if it will stick and be necessary really and other concerns like portugal will outweigh that. decent growth in futures here. >> up by 45 points. the white house is set to announce a new plan to help strapped homeowners later this morning. that plan will require lenders to lower mortgage payments for some unemployed workers and give them incentives to cut mortgage principle for those who owe more than their homes are worth. congress approved a package of changes to the health care reform bill expected to be signed by president obama next week. those changes help make insurance

>> i think there it is, because you have to wait and see what mayor rawlings-blake douse with that legacys with that legacy. there could be changes with the commission ers, whoer, who snez. >> wknows. >> we will stay tuned and watch a business backed by the superguarantee®. only at superpages.com®. and let the good guys come to the rescue. [ male announcer ] achievement: starts small... ...and dreams big. achievement: loves staying close to home... but isn't afraid to stretch its legs once in a while. achievement: makes big moves... ...and takes baby steps. it helps you keep the lights on... ...and it knows when to turn them off. achievement: is all around us. a part of our very lives. at pnc, we help make achievement happen. pnc. for the achiever in us all. >>> 7:31 is the time. welcome back to fox 45 morning news. i'm patrice harris. a lot of people are getting up and back to work after hopefully what was a good weekend for you. will the workweek be the same? meteorologist steve fertig is here with a look at the forecast. >>> good morning to you, i'm excited, absolutely we're getting cl

jeff blake will never win miss congeniality in the united states congress.fights the corruption in washington and he stands up for the people of this country that do not have the lobbyists and special interests there. the great mayor is here -- scott smith. you're doing a great job. kirk adams, the speaker of our house of representatives. thank you to the principle of the high school. -- think you to the principal of the high school. my friends, i am grateful you are here. saratov are leaving here. guess where they are going? they are going to search light, nevada, the home of the majority leader soon-to-be minority leader of the united states senate, or maybe not the minority leader. maybe just out of a job, a former majority leader. harry reid. do you know what the message is? it is health care bill -- repeal and replace. repealed and replaced. repeal and replace. if you do not -- if you do not, we are going to repeal them. let me mention to you something you may have seen in that monstrosity. i read every page. i will tell you we're going to be finding ou

more than 100,000 colorado seniors, like my friend frank blakely in colorado springs will pay less for prescription drugs. right now these seniors hit what we know as the medicare doughnut hole. which means they have to pay thousands of doctors directly out-of-pocket for their medicines. but beginning this year, every one of these seniors will receive a $250 check to help offset those costs and we'll begin to close the overall gap in medicare coverage so we completely fill this doughnut hole by the year 2020. and you know this will be really welcomed relief to those on fixed incomes all across the u.s. because it will -- mr. president, it will free up scrace retirement dollars to visit family members, help pay a grandchild's college tuition or even, in some cases, to help put food on the table. i think one of the overriding features of health reform is the freedom that will give coloradans and hard-working americans. the freedom to change jobs, to launch a business, to even start a family while knowing that health care coverage will be there for them when they need it. americans need t