Because of the Maryland General Assembly adopted the so-called “doomsday” budget Baltimore may have to take its preliminary budget back to the drawing board.
During the Board of Estimates Taxpayers’ Night at the War Memorial Building on Wednesday, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said the state budget, which includes $512 million in cuts, would force the city to slash an additional $20.2 million from the city’s $2.3 billion preliminary operating budget.
"Here in Baltimore, we did our job and put together a balanced budget that protects our priorities like public safety, public education, and essential city services," Rawlings-Blake read from a statement. "I’m hopeful that the State leadership will work quickly in a special session to fix the state budget."
to give your opinion of the preliminary budget.
The mayor also called on residents to support a special session of the General Assembly so that new revenue measures—such as allowing table games at casinos and additional taxes—can be passed to prevent the cuts.
But residents who attended Taxpayers’ Night still had plenty of criticism of the mayor’s , which closes a projected $48 million deficit for fiscal year 2013 that begins on July 1. A few residents attended the meeting and the most were highly critical of the preliminary budget.
Carolyn Wainwright, of the city’s parks and recreation board, said that she was "frustrated" that major facilities could be closed to the detriment of children and families in the city.
Kim Trueheart spoke three times during the meeting and criticized the preliminary budget for a variety of reasons ranging from the Baltimore Development Corporation, to hiring city workers who live outside of Baltimore and the size of the Baltimore police budget.
"Get rid of the inflated police budget," Trueheart said.
Judith Kunst, a Remington resident, who serves on the Mayor’s Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission, urged the mayor to keep funding services for animals.
"I would like for you to very much keep funding for BARCS and animal control," Kunst said.
Tom Kiefaber, the former owner of the Senator Theatre, spoke about what he called the Board of Estimates corrupt way of doing business and criticized the Baltimore Development Corporation.
"Do your job; get rid of the BDC," Kiefaber said.
BTW, I note that Bill Henry was one of the few council reps who did not attend the citizen meeting last night. Councilman Henry was busy however. As you may imagine, my first stop right after yet another demoralizing city meeting was to Grand Cru in Belvedere Square for a belt (for medicinal purposes). And sure enough, there was our thirsty 4th district Councilman Henry holding court with a bellowing voice, enjoying a high-proof liquid dinner with a few of the usual suspects. Like that pivotal meeting at The Senator Theatre about its future a few years ago, when Henry just couldn't make it, because he had to keep that bar stool warm at Zen West, on the taxpayers nickel !
Nationally, Baltimore is a disgraced city, because of the cozy, insider deals that are made in back rooms at the BDC. This is why few from outside of Baltimore want to invest in Baltimore. Would you, if you didn't know anyone who's part of the "in crowd?" The BDC is known for being a private/public agency that uses taxpayer funds, but then decides how to spend them in closed meetings. The outcome of these closed meetings routinely benefits only a very small group of usual suspects. If you're not one of the good old boy's back-slapping crony gang, and you try to run a business in Baltimore, you're likely to eventually have your property taken by someone who is part of the gang. That's just the way it works in Baltimore, and this is what makes Baltimore such a poor investment for outside business interests. Not only that, but the BDC, as the development agency for one of the most historic cities in America, has regularly refused to let anyone with preservation expertise sit on its board, in spite of the fact that the National Trust for Historic Preservation asks them to do so on a regular basis. Take a look at prominent BDC projects over the years, and you'll see a series of expensive, high profile failures. What a waste!
Bill is nototious for "not being able to attend b/c of other obligations". And we know this is not the only instance where he attended to food and drink and not community meetings. I just don't understand how the BDC can continue to operate. (with approval from their boss, the mayor) They even hold meetings behind closed doors that have nothing to do with financing information. (this is their reasoning for having closed meetings) How much do most citizens really know and understand about the BDC? If our mayor refuses to moniter them and/or turn a blind eye then who can we rely on to protect us from them?