By Bernard C. “Jack” Young

The stakes for Baltimore City were extremely high at the start of this year’s legislative session of the General Assembly.

A number of items that we’ve spent years advocating in favor of were in a position to cross the goal line. But passing good legislation, much like gaining the last few yards before a touchdown, can be tricky and extremely difficult to achieve.

When the session convened on January 10, I knew I’d have to spend a considerable amount of time in Annapolis meeting with legislators and testifying in favor of bills that would help move Baltimore forward. The act of juggling my responsibilities as the head of the Baltimore City Council, with the need for me to frequently appear in Annapolis was certainly a tough one. But, I am pleased to report that our City emerged from this session strengthened.

Thanks to solid partnerships between public officials, advocates, and average citizens like you, we were able to wrap up the 2018 legislative session Tuesday morning on a high note for Baltimore City.

Here are a few of the legislative victories we helped secure:

• Water Bill Tax Sale – The General Assembly, in the final hours of the 2018 legislative session, approved a bill that would grant Baltimore City homeowners a temporary reprieve from the process of sending their properties to tax sale over unpaid water bills. Legislators plan to work on  a permanent fix during next year’s legislative session
• Education Funding Fix – The General Assembly passed legislation that fixes a policy that punishes Baltimore City for pursuing economic development. The legislation applies to tax-increment-financing deals that artificially inflate Baltimore’s wealth, which has resulted in the school system being penalized with a loss of funding from the state. The fix could keep the school system from losing more than $300 million in much-needed funding
• Public Safety Reform – The General Assembly approved legislation that would create a state commission with subpoena power to investigate the actions of the Baltimore Police Department and the Gun Trace Task Force unit
• Crime Prevention Tools – The General Assembly approved funding for Baltimore that will help pay for additional witness-relocation programs; more money to expand Safe Streets, a  proven initiative that’s helped lower violent crime
• Boosting Civic Participation – The General Assembly approved a measure that automatically puts residents on voting rolls when they receive a driver’s license, use a social services agency or buy insurance on Maryland’s health exchange. Advocates tout the new law, which brings Maryland in line with 10 other states and D.C., as a data-tested way of improving civic engagement among citizens
• Property Tax Credit for Public Safety Officers – The General Assembly approved a bill to grant a property tax credit to members of the Baltimore City School Police Department. This bill mirrors a similar effort last year that granted a property tax credit to city police. The bill is aimed at incentivizing police officers to move to Baltimore City

2018 Maryland General Assembly Session by the Numbers:

• 3,101 – number of pieces of legislation introduced in the Senate and the House
• April 28 – final day to present bills to the governor
• May 28 – deadline for governor to sign or veto bills
• July 1 – budgetary, tax, and revenue bills take effect
• October 1 – usual effective date for bills

Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee Vacancy

The Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee, is presently accepting resumes to fill the vacant position of Senator for the 41^st Legislative District.

To apply, one must be a registered Democratic voter in the State of Maryland, must have resided in the 41^st Legislative District for at least six (6) months and be at least 25 years of age.

Resumes for consideration must be postmarked no later than Friday, April 13th, 2018. All resumes must be sent BY U.S. MAIL to:

Angela C. Gibson, 41^st District Chair

Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee

P.O. Box 23762

Baltimore, Maryland 21203-5762

Interviews will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at the Forest Park Golf Club, 2900 Hillsdale Road, Baltimore, MD 21207; beginning at 6:00 pm.

Applicants will be notified of their specific interview times.

The elected voting members of the 41^st District State Central Committee, will vote publicly after all interviews have concluded.

If you have any questions, please contact Angela C. Gibson at (410) 917-5151.

27th Annual Law Day for Seniors​

The Bar Association of Baltimore City Senior Legal Services Program Presents 27th Annual Law Day for Seniors.

NEW LOCATION! New Psalmist Baptist Church 6020 Marian Drive Baltimore, Maryland 21215 NEW LOCATION!

Saturday April 14, 2018  8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Presentations Don’t be a Victim: Protecting Your Money from Fraud and Scams Tenants’ Rights  Pensions and Benefits Estate Administration (Baltimore City Orphans’ Court) Baltimore City Tax Sale Prevention Back for Another Year! Baltimore City Health Department Division of Aging and CARE ServicesBenefits Checkups Popular “Ask an Attorney” Q&A Panel Vendor Displays  Free Admission  Space Limited Free Onsite Parking  Handicapped Accessible Free breakfast and lunch (Donations Welcome) Reservations must be made by Tuesday, April 10, 2018 To RSVP, call (410) 396-5278 or email jjones@baltimorebar.org

Safe sleep for infants is an important health issue. 
 

Sleep-related deaths are the second leading cause of infant mortality in Baltimore and the leading cause of death for infants 1 month to 1 year of age.  Most of these deaths occur two to four months after birth. Nationally, African-American infants are twice as likely as white infants to suffer a sleep-related death.  

What you say and do makes a difference. 

Studies indicate that parents who have been counseled by health care professionals about safe sleep are more likely to place infants on their backs for sleep. Similarly, if patients have seen their infant placed to sleep on his or her stomach by a health care provider, they are more likely to adopt this dangerous practice at home. 

In Baltimore City, most infants who die in their sleep are found in unsafe sleep environments. These environments include bed sharing with an adult or sibling, sleeping on an adult bed, a couch, or other unsafe surface, and sleeping on the stomach.   

Education works.

Safe sleep campaigns have been associated with a decrease in SIDS deaths in countries that have implemented coordinated, far-reaching campaigns. Nationally, the Back-to-Sleep campaigns in the U.S. are credited with a 42% reduction in SIDS between 1992 and 1998.

In Baltimore, the number of sleep-related deaths has dropped and remained at lower levels since the 2010 launch of the SLEEP SAFE campaign, a coordinated effort of mass media advertising, community mobilization, and provider counseling.

Ready, Set, Hire!

ALL POSITIONS LISTED ABOVE ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE,

FILL OUT AN APPLICATION TODAY BY GOING TO:

https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/employment

Need help with your online application?

Contact the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development (MOED)

Senior Business Services Representative, Constance Buckley at bmore@oedworks.com

Out and About in Baltimore

City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young partnered with Maryland Youth Partners in Change (MYPIC) for  an environmentally-themed service presentations on the Heathy Harbor Initiative.

The MYPIC program focuses on leadership development and community service. As part of a three-year, service learning initiative under MYPIC, students from Booker T. Washington Middle School for the Arts in Baltimore City have teamed up with their peers from the Glenelg Country School in Ellicott City.

Coming up in Baltimore

FRESH at the Avenue
Every Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Avenue Market, 1700 Pennsylvania Ave
Proudly selling produce grown in 21217. Featuring produce from local farms. Quality prices!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake
Volunteers Needed!
www.biglittle.org/volunteer
Becoming a mentor is easy. Mentoring is about real relationships that help young people overcome obstacles and thrive. From education to extracurricular activities to community engagement, young people benefit from mentoring. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake Community One-to-One Mentoring Program connects young people with caring adult mentors. Matches are provided with professional supports, inclusive of a case manager, and monthly low to no cost activities. We ask that volunteers commit to mentoring a child for a minimum of one year and to plan two to three match activities per month. To apply contact Leticia Sharp at 410-243-4000 or visit www.biglittle.org/volunteer to complete an online application . Visit Big Brothers Big Sisters on Facebook: BBBSGreaterChesapeake, Twitter: @bbbsgc and instagram: bbbsgc.
 

Online Homebuyer Education Course
24 hours a day/7days a week
www.ehomeamerica.org/
Looking to buy a home? Don't just take your best shot, make it a slam dunk! eHome America can help make your homebuying experience a winning experience! Learn what you need to know about the homebuying process, on your own schedule, from any computer. The cost is low, but the information is invaluable. Visit us at www.ehomeamerica.org/ for more information, or to register online. Information courtesy of Steven C. Kinney of the GO Northwest Housing Resource Center on 2300 Garrison Blvd., Suite 140. For more information e-mail skinney@go-northwesthrc.org or call 410-947-0084.
 

GO Northwest HRC Free Foreclosure and Prevention Counseling
Wednesdays, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM by appointment only
2300 Garrison Boulevard, Suite 140
This workshop is for individuals who are behind on their mortgage and/or facing foreclosure. Free workshop and free parking! Appointment is required. Call 410-947-0084 x104 for more information.
 

Adult Education Classes in Baltimore City
Locations throughout Baltimore City
The Baltimore City Community College and the Housing Authority of Baltimore City will offer Basic Skills (Pre GED) Classes at the following locations: Eager Street Homes, 709 E. Eager Street; Gilmor Homes, 1515 Vincent Court; O'Donnell Heights, 1200 Gusryan Street; Pleasant View Homes, 201 N. Aisquith Street; Westport Homes, 2343 Norfolk Street; Brooklyn Homes, 4140 Tenth Street. You must be at least 17 years of age to enroll. For more information call 410-396-3212.