Politics & Government

Local Council Members Debate Mayor's Speech

Reactions to the mayor's State of the City speech are mixed.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s State of the City speech was met with mixed reactions from North Baltimore members of the Baltimore City Council.

Councilman Carl Stokes, D-District 12, said the mayor’s address was short on specifics. Stokes said he came ready to applaud Rawlings-Blake but called the speech “vanilla.”

“I thought a lot of what was said this afternoon lacked the transparency that she said others don’t give,” Stokes said.

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Stokes, who is rumored to be considering running for mayor, criticized Rawlings-Blake for mentioning a property tax cut without presenting actual plans to reduce taxes.

“There was no plan of action. No plan of how we’re going to cut property taxes or what it means or how much of a property tax cut,” he said.

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He was also critical of Rawlings-Blake for praising the work of Dr. Andres Alonso in the Baltimore City Public Schools while simultaneously cutting funds for school construction for the next two years by nearly 20 percent.

“When she talked about tough cuts, tough decisions she didn’t mention who would be part of that conversation,” Stokes said.

Councilman Bill Henry, D-District 4, praised Rawlings-Blake’s speech and said he was impressed with several of her initiatives, such as a 10-year financial plan for the city. But, he added, he wants to see specifics.

“I noted the emphasis was on straight talk … and [an] honest appraisal of where we are and what we can do, and what we’re capable of, and I heartily endorse that,” Henry said.

He said Baltimore will not get out of its tough financial situation until the government recognizes its fiscal reality.

Proposals for a system of addressing domestic violence, an emerging industry job creation plan and the 10-year financial plans are some of the specific proposals he wants to know more about.

“Is that 10 year financial plan going to be available this year before … the budget we have to vote on this year? Or is it a longer term plan that will get worked on over the course of the next year?” Henry said. “Because if we’re going to have one — which I can see where that would be a tremendous benefit — if we’re going to have one, we should have it as soon as possible, and make sure this coming budget takes it into account.”

Henry said he is concerned about the tight budget and how Rawlings-Blake’s pledged “responsible austerity” may impact the Department of Parks and Recreation and his district's recreation centers.

“I have three recreation centers in my district and I’m naturally concerned for the lives of all three. So one of the things I’ll be looking for is the details of this plan and the budget,” Henry said.

Mary Pat Clarke, D-District 14, said Rawlings-Blake’s message was that the city needs to face up to its economic hardships, but that the challenge was also an opportunity.

Clarke said that she was happy to hear about a domestic violence initiative called "DVstat" that Rawlings-Blake announced.

“There’s a connection between violence in general, guns in general and domestic violence. So if we focus on that, and work with people [to] identify problems before they erupt, that’s going to help all of Baltimore City,” Clarke said.

Clarke said she wasn’t sure what Rawlings-Blake meant by the phrase “responsible austerity,” but that the councilwoman doesn’t support pension system changes for firefighters and police.

“You have to think about, in terms of fire and police, you have to continue to be able to recruit and retain the people that you’ve trained. So you have to look at that as a value as well as saving some money,” Clarke said.

Rawlings-Blake’s speech covered a variety of topics on everything from crime to city pensions. The speech was delivered as the city tries to adjust to decreased revenues because of a lagging economy and as the mayor prepares for what will be a crowded Democratic primary election in September.

She will be seeking her first elected term as mayor. Rawlings-Blake was appointed to the position after former Mayor Sheila Dixon stepped down.


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