Council President Scott to Introduce Critical Housing and Water Justice Legislation at Tonight’s Council Meeting

Council President Scott to Introduce Critical Housing and Water Justice Legislation at Tonight’s Council Meeting 

Other meeting agenda items include United States Postal Service and Indigenous People's Day legislation. 

BALTIMORE, MD (October 5, 2020) -- Council President Brandon M. Scott will introduce critical housing and water justice legislation at tonight’s first October council meeting. The meeting will take place virtually, this evening at 5PM.

“COVID-19 continues to have a major impact on our communities, and Baltimoreans need support now more than ever,” said Council President Brandon Scott. “With the delay of the Water Accountability and Equity Act’s implementation and eviction protections for renters scarce, we need to take action to get relief and support to our residents as soon as possible.”

Members of the press are encouraged to attend a virtual press conference at 4PM hosted by the Baltimore Right to Water Coalition and Baltimore Renters United.

Tonight, President Scott will: 

• Introduce 20-0625: “Landlord-Tenant - Right to Counsel in Eviction Cases,” which will establish a program led by the Housing Department to provide certain tenants with legal counsel in eviction proceedings. The legislation also requires the Housing Department to create a “Tenants’ Rights” pamphlet to be included with all leases informing tenants of the program.

• Introduce 20-0626: “Water Accountability and Equity Act - Modifications,” which will set benchmarks for implementing provisions of the Water Accountability and Equity Act prior to the July 1, 2021 deadline. It will modify the effective date of the Water Accountability and Equity Act, delayed by executive order, and suspend water service cut-offs and the imposition of service restoration fees until the Water Accountability and Equity Act is fully implemented.

• Introduce 20-0251R: “Save the United States Postal Service,” which will call on our U.S. Senators and Congressional Representatives to continue supporting the emergency appropriation of funds to sustain the United States Postal Service and to ensure the Postal Service continues to function as a universal public service.

Also today, the Council will double read 20-0608: Indigenous People’s Day, sending it to the Mayor's desk for a signature prior to the holiday on October 12, 2020. This legislation will designate the second Monday in October as a legal holiday in recognition of Indigeouns People for the City of Baltimore, replacing the Columbus Day holiday. 

“Like many communities across the country, Baltimore is experiencing a reckoning about the legacy of systemic racism and oppression in this country,” said Council President Scott. “I am excited to have worked with Councilman Bullock and members of Baltimore's indigenous community to establish a day dedicated to the strength and resilience of our indigenous brothers and sisters.” 

Members of the public and press can stream the meeting online, watch live on CharmTV (channel 25), or call in to listen live at 408-418-9388 (Access code: 173 240 0841).

Information and an agenda for tonight's City Council meeting can be found here.