Democratic Mayoral Candidate Accountability Assembly Responses

1.    Youth Employment: Will you double youth employment from 5,000 to 10,000 summer jobs and work to create year around job opportunities for older youth?

YES, I am in favor of increasing youth employment and my Administration has a real record of protecting funding for youth programs and community services, laying the foundation for a better and stronger Baltimore in the coming years. In contrast, my opponents have proposed reckless economic policies that would cut City revenue by up to $400 million, forcing devastating cuts to schools, youth programs, community services and public safety.  I look forward to working with BUILD as well as its coalition and partners in protecting Baltimore’s youth from dangerous economic plans that would destroy our city and harm our young people.

 

Despite the expiration of federal funding that supported thousands of summer job placements in 2009 and 2010, my Administration’s YouthWorks program will employ approximately the same number of young people who worked last year — 5,300. This accomplishment is no small feat, as cities all over the country are dramatically cutting back the numbers of summer jobs for youth. Under our administration, Baltimore now invests $389 million in programs and services providing direct support of children and youth, including $1.6 million in funding from the City of Baltimore for youth employment.   We have also appointed a new Mayor’s Youth Cabinet, whose members represent all City agencies with oversight on programming and funding for children.

 

 

2. After School: Will you double funding for after-school programs from $4.2 million to $8.4 million?

 

YES, I am in favor of increased funding for after school programs in Baltimore.  In contrast, my opponents have proposed reckless economic policies that would cut City revenue by up to $400 million, forcing devastating cuts to schools, youth programs, community services and public safety.  I look forward to working with BUILD as well as its coalition and partners, in protecting Baltimore’s school programs from dangerous economic plans that would destroy our city and harm our young people.

 

Despite two years of historic budget deficits, my Administration has fully funded effective afterschool programs two years in a row—sustaining a level investment ($5M) in each of the last two years, while other City programs and services have been cut.  Under our administration, Baltimore’s Out of School Time Strategy has begun its 12^th year of working to increase the quality and quantity of Out of School Time (OST) programs. As a result of this commitment, the City of Baltimore has made it to the final round for consideration to receive a $1 million grant from the Wallace Foundation to support the expansion of OST. We have also fully-funded the City’s contribution to Baltimore City Public Schools despite tough budget shortfall. In addition we have fully funded neighborhood libraries to promote literacy and lifelong learning.

 

 

3. Community Centers: Will you create 55 high quality community centers so that all neighborhoods have access to recreation?

YES, I am in favor of more community centers.  In contrast, my opponents have proposed reckless economic policies that would cut city revenue by up to $400 million, forcing devastating cuts to community centers, schools, youth programs and public safety.  I look forward to working with BUILD as well as its coalition and partners in protecting Baltimore’s youth from dangerous economic plans that would destroy our city and harm our young people.

 

My Administration continues to implement a real and achievable plan to improve the city’s network of recreation centers. In July 2010, we convened a Mayor’s Recreation Center Task Force and based on the Task Force Report, Recreation and Parks developed a comprehensive plan to create a network of high-quality facilities and programming.

 

Under the comprehensive plan:

 

1. The City will construct three (3) new community centers (and substantially renovate/expand one (1) center at a total cost of $14.8 million). Staffing levels will be increased from approximately one to four staff to four to six full-time and one or two part-time staff (based upon seasonal demand). Hours will be increased during the week from 1 p.m-8 p.m. to 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Hours will also be added on Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All these centers will see an overall increase of 34 operational hours per week.

 

2. The City will transform and expand 10 existing recreation centers into new community centers. Staffing levels will be increased from approximately one to four staff to four to six full-time and one or two part-time staff (based upon seasonal demand). Hours will be increased during the week from 1 p.m-8 p.m. to 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Hours will also be added on Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All these centers will see an overall increase of 34 operational hours per week.

 

3. The City will significantly enhance up to 16 existing recreation centers by making building repairs, increasing staff levels and improving programming options. Staffing will be increased from approximately one to four staff to three to five full-time and three or four part-time staff (based upon seasonal demand). Hours will be increased during the week from 1 p.m.-8 p.m. to 8 a.m.-8 p.m. In certain cases, seasonal Saturday hours may also be added. All these centers will see an overall increase of 25 operational hours or more per week.

 

4. New Schools: Will you finance the $2.8 billion needed to construct 28 new schools and renovate the remaining 134?

 

YES, I support new schools and capital renovations to existing schools.  To accomplish this goal, we formed a joint task force with Baltimore City Public Schools to explore the physical infrastructure needs of the BCPSS buildings. The task force continues its work and in the meantime, our Administration is moving forward immediately with concrete resources that will improve the physical conditions of our schools by:

 

1.       Leveraging of an additional $12-15 Million in State Funding. In cooperation with BCPSS, we were able to leverage an additional $12.2 -$15M in State funding for the school system by accounting for the city’s local contribution for the healthcare of the retirees of BCPSS. Though a portion of the funds ($5.6 million) will be allocated to offset operating costs in FY ’12, those funds will be dedicated to construction priorities.  

 

2.       Raising the Bond Cap from $100 to $200 Million.  The $12-15M will be leveraged into a significant bond issuance. In partnership with City Schools, the City of Baltimore plans to introduce legislation in the 2012 legislative session to raise BCPSS’ bond cap from $100M to $200M.  Raising the cap will make an additional $150M in immediate bonding capacity available, for which the additional revenue identified above may be used to pay the debt service.

 

3.       Creating an Alternative Financing Plan.  The joint Task Force will continue to operate, fleshing out some of the more intricate challenges to alternative financing of public school construction. The following items will be included in this work:

 

• developing and launching a “capital campaign” to engage private sector participation in alternative financing strategies for school construction, and further leverage the $200M in bond  capacity;
• implementing the BCPSS’ “sale/lease back” strategy in conjunction with private investors;
• creating a strategic plan to align school, planning and housing priorities. The strategic planning process should also include coordination with the Lever Public School Construction Committee, which was commissioned to explore ways to refine the process for funding school construction projects. It is imperative that our efforts influence and comply with any potential legislative and regulatory changes that may result from the Committee’s work.; and finally
• creating an Advisory Board as a mechanism to engage community advocates, such as the ACLU, in the strategic planning process.

 

Though the ACLU’s report calls for $2.8 billion in investments to improve school facilities, it is unclear as to whether that assessment is truly accurate. We are interested in a further assessment of the school buildings to better understand the scope of need, and to craft the most strategic solutions.  The BCPSS’ commissioned assessment should be the foundation for that.  That report is due to the BCPSS in October. It will then be submitted to the Maryland General Assembly, per a legislative committee request.

In contrast, my opponents have proposed reckless economic policies that would cut city revenue by up to $400 million, forcing devastating cuts to schools, youth programs, community services and public safety.  I look forward to working with BUILD as well as its coalition and partners in protecting Baltimore’s youth from dangerous economic plans that would destroy our city and harm our young people.

 

 

5. Invest in Downtown and Uptown: Will you match any City public subsidies spent on new large-scale downtown development dollar for dollar to create a Neighborhood Investment Fund that supports new developments in our neighborhoods?

 

 

YES, I support economic developments that create jobs in neighborhoods and throughout Baltimore.  In contrast, my opponents supported and voted for these very same programs, even though they now pretend to oppose these programs.  I will not join them in dividing Baltimore by pitting one community against another.

 

The public/private projects supported by my Administration will help revitalize communities like Mondawmin, Belvedere Square, Frankford Estates, and Clipper Mill–creating 5,000 jobs for Baltimore, and generating millions in tax revenue we would not otherwise collect.

 

The location of the new developments are market driven, and I have never turned down financing support for a good neighborhood project that creates jobs and strengthens our communities. Neighborhood Projects like Mondawmin and Belvedere Square happened because of this leadership.

 

My opponents flip flops and divisive tactics are bad for Baltimore, bad for all communities and will force devastating cuts to youth programs and other vital services.