Category: County Government

County Government

A Chance to Reduce Crime: An Open Letter to Councilman Marks

By Fergal Mullally. On Tuesday, January 21st, Baltimore County Council will vote on the SAFE Act. If passed, the SAFE Act will require gun retailers in Baltimore County to make reasonable efforts to properly secure their stock of weapons. Legislation about guns is always controversial, and sends people to running to their ideological corners. But I urge you to consider this legislation from outside of … Continue reading A Chance to Reduce Crime: An Open Letter to Councilman Marks

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County Government

Time to get rid of a relic of Baltimore County’s checkered past

By David Plymyer. Anyone unfamiliar with the extensive history of corruption in Baltimore County should read  Eyes of Justice, the recently published book by James Cabezas, a long-time investigator for the Maryland State Prosecutor. Baltimore County’s quadrennial “Comprehensive Zoning Map Process” (CZMP) is a throwback to that checkered past, when government actions like zoning changes were bought and sold. The CZMP must be replaced with … Continue reading Time to get rid of a relic of Baltimore County’s checkered past

Elizabeth Brown4 Comments
County Government

Private School Bond Vote Should be Postponed

By Fergal Mullaly. As a resident of Towson, and the parent of two students attending Baltimore County Public Schools, I was concerned to learn about Resolution 145-19 introduced at the Council Work Session last Tuesday. Briefly, this bill would grant the ability to McDonogh School, a private fee-paying institution, to issue a 16 million dollar tax free bond (see page 9 of the Notes to … Continue reading Private School Bond Vote Should be Postponed

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County Government

Scrutiny Required for County Attorney Nominee

By David Plymyer. The appointment of James R. Benjamin, Jr. by Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski to be the new County Attorney is subject to confirmation by an affirmative vote of at least four of the seven members of the County Council. If fewer than four members vote in favor of confirmation the appointment is rejected. The council has scheduled a public hearing on the … Continue reading Scrutiny Required for County Attorney Nominee

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County Government

Home Act Hearing Reveals Landlords Already Discriminating

By Forward Baltimore Editors. Our post from Corey Johns listed and debunked some of the myths that abound about the Home Act. At the Baltimore County Council work session this past Tuesday, we noticed an error in some testimony that we thought required addressing, as well. It was stated that landlords would have to install ramps for tenants if this bill passes, which would put … Continue reading Home Act Hearing Reveals Landlords Already Discriminating

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County Government

Letter to Kach: Please Support Home Act

Dear Councilman Kach- I write as a relatively new member of your district because I understand from the Baltimore Sun that you will vote against the HOME Act. I am not aware of your specific reasons for voting against the bill despite trying to find something on your website.  If you have issued a statement that explains with specificity your position please send it to me so … Continue reading Letter to Kach: Please Support Home Act

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County Government

Objections to Home Act Based on Myths

By Corey Johns. On October 7, 2019 the Housing Opportunity Made Equal (HOME) Act was introduced to the council council. The purpose of this bill is to prohibit housing discrimination based on source of income, such as alimony, child support, Social Security, disability benefits, inheritance, a pension, or, Housing Choice Vouchers. A housing voucher is a source of supplemental income that helps low income residents … Continue reading Objections to Home Act Based on Myths

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County Government

Chairman Quirk is Missing the Point about Sage Policy Group

By Peta Richkus. This article is a response to the August 7, 2019 Letter to the Editor written by Tom Quirk, Chair of the Baltimore County Council. Since my testimony before the Baltimore County Council during their June 25, 2019 Work Session prompted Council deliberation about the proposed Sage Policy Group contract referred to by Council Chairman Quirk (“Some Baltimore County Council members are questioning … Continue reading Chairman Quirk is Missing the Point about Sage Policy Group

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County Government

Residents Have a Right to Know What’s in County Legislation—BEFORE the Vote

By Liz Brown. Early this month, I was compelled to speak (my first time doing so!) after a Baltimore County Council legislative session—not about legislation that was pending, but about legislation passed last month: Bill 16-19, which dealt with the issue of so-called “impact fees” for developers. Like many, many people in the County, I was and am very much in favor of impact fees. … Continue reading Residents Have a Right to Know What’s in County Legislation—BEFORE the Vote

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County Government

Time for a New Baltimore County Economic Analyst?

By Peta Richkus. Editor’s note: We are pleased to publish testimony presented by Ms. Richkus to the Baltimore County Council during their June 25, 2019 Work Session concerning the proposed contract award: Agenda Item FM-17, Economic Consultant to the County Council. The proposed award would be a Sole Source contract to Sage Policy Group, Anirban Basu, Chairman and CEO. The contract award will be voted … Continue reading Time for a New Baltimore County Economic Analyst?

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