On the Agenda for March 12
Bill 07-0612 Elected Officials Salaries Would give pay raises to the City Council, mayor, and comptroller.
Public Interest Grade: C- We understand that the city's elected officials haven't had a raise since 2000, and if they don't get one this year, they'll have to wait until the next mayoral election in 2011 to get one. Still, these raises would take officials' salaries up 18 to 23 percent (the average council member's pay would go up from $48,000 to $57,000), and we can't help but wonder: Do they really deserve such a hefty pay raise?
Resolution 07-0266R Informational Hearing--Baltimore Truancy Assessment Center Invites the executive director of the Baltimore Truancy Assessment Center in East Baltimore to address the City Council on how to lower the city's truancy rate by taking an interagency approach to the problem.
Public Interest Grade: A Baltimore's truancy problem is not just about kids behaving badly; it's also about kids who are hungry, uncared for, and might need social services to intervene in their lives. The city should take a broader look at the issues causing city kids to miss school.
Resolution 07-0263R Baltimore City Arts, Dining, and Entertainment Partnership Task Force Would create a task force to promote the city's arts, dining, and entertainment scenes.
Public Interest Grade: D Don't we already have the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association? And Live Baltimore? And the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts? And the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce? And the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance? Will another arts/culture/entertainment organization really have any significant impact on this city?
City Council Quote of the Week
"It's a proud moment to move this forward for all the girls . . . uh, all the gals in this chamber." --City Council Vice President Robert Curran (D-3rd District) on the council's nominees for the new Baltimore City Commission for Women.
City Council Fact of the Week
In 1943, Ella Bailey was the first woman elected to the City Council.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for March 26 at 5 p.m.
