Schmoke asks state to fund prosecutor

ANNAPOLIS -- Baltimore Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke told a Senate committee yesterday that he wants the state to assume control of the city state's attorney's office.

The state already has taken over the City Detention Center and the New Community College of Baltimore.

But Sen. Barbara A. Hoffman, D-Baltimore, said there may not be enough money in the budget for the state to pick up the $12 million tab for the city's prosecutor.

"It is a good idea," said Senator Hoffman, vice chairwoman of the Budget and Taxation Committee, which heard from Mr. Schmoke yesterday. "But right now, I just don't know where all the money is supposed to come from."