A digest of Baltimore news from local sources.
From the Baltimore Sun: Maryland awards $3 million to fight heroin, but not in Baltimore
"Gov. Larry Hogan announced Monday that the state will distribute $3 million in grants to fight the heroin epidemic in Maryland, but none of it will go to Baltimore — which has accounted for more than a third of the state's heroin-related overdose deaths in recent years.
"The city didn't apply for a share of the money, the governor's office said. A Baltimore police spokesman said the money wouldn't have helped the city.
"The bulk of the money will go to counties where drug problems are less severe. Since 2010, the number of Marylanders who have died of heroin overdoses has more than doubled.
"Hogan spokesman Doug Mayer said notice of the availability of two types of grants — one to pay for a heroin coordinator in law enforcement agencies and the other for a Safe Streets initiative — was posted on the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention website. Emails were sent to let local jurisdictions know they could apply.
"A spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said City Hall wasn't sure why the Baltimore Police Department didn't put in a bid.
"'We would have encouraged the participation of anyone who was qualified in this administration to apply,' spokesman Anthony McCarthy said.
"Police spokesman T. J. Smith said the grants didn't meet the department's needs.
"'They just weren't good fits for the Baltimore Police Department,' he said.
"Smith said Baltimore police shied away from the heroin coordinator grant because the funding lasted only one year. He said the city might have had to lay off whoever it hired when the money ran out.
"The money at stake was a relatively small amount of the state's $42 billion budget. The budget includes $74 million this year for aid to local police.
"Of the nearly $3 million, $2 million will go toward the state's Safe Streets Initiative, which is distinct from a Baltimore program of the same name.
"Under the state program, five cities and four counties will receive amounts ranging from $161,000 to $345,000 to address problems with heroin and other drugs.
"According to the governor's office, the state initiative tracks down and arrests the most serious offenders while steering those with addiction programs into drug treatment and other services."
From the AFRO American: Baltimore’s North Avenue Rising Projects gets $10 Million for transportation improvements
"North Avenue, the second most traveled bus route in Baltimore, received a $10 million grant on July 29 from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This will aid the $27.3 million North Avenue Rising Project which aims to create jobs and provide essential services to low-income residents.
“'After decades of lack of investment, North Avenue and the surrounding communities will get the long overdue attention they deserve,' Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement. The project is part of Hogan’s BaltimoreLink plan which will add 12 new color-coded bus routes and redesign the bus system.
"The grant is part of the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) program, and it will fund upgrades to MTA’s Penn Station Metro Subway and Light Rail stations, roadway re-pavement, dedicated bus lanes, new bike lanes, traffic signal prioritization and improved sidewalks and major bus stops. The North Avenue Rising project is also funded by the city of Baltimore and the Federal Highway Administration.
“'North Avenue is one of BaltimoreLink’s key transit corridors that will link residents to jobs and education,' Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn said in a statement.
"North Avenue sees nearly 4 million passengers each year, and it connects both the MTA’s Metro Subway and the Light Rail transit systems. It is essential to both Coppin State University and Maryland Institute College of Art. Many consider this a vital travel route as it connects East and West Baltimore. It also brings people to historic neighborhoods, schools, and jobs across the city.
“'I am pleased that we can move forward with our local and federal partners to implement an efficient, effective transportation plan to improve the lives of many Baltimore residents in this important job corridor. This investment will produce much-needed economic revitalization in this important area,' said Hogan."
From City Paper: After amendments fight, Baltimore City Council moves $15 minimum wage bill
"A bill that would raise Baltimore's minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2022 advanced in the city council today by the slimmest of margins, and its prospects at the final vote next week are still uncertain.
"The bill, under discussion since the spring, received seven yes votes to four no votes, with three council members abstaining and one, First District Councilman James Kraft, absent. As he had previously signaled, City Council President Bernard C. 'Jack' Young voted against.
"Councilman Robert Curran (3rd District) began the session by introducing six amendments, including a carve-out for businesses with 25 or fewer employees, an exemption for youth and full-time students, and a stretch of the implementation of the full $15 wage from 2020 to 2022. Those amendments barely passed, with yes votes from Curran, 2nd District Councilman Brandon Scott, 4th District Councilman Bill Henry, 6th District Councilwoman Sharon Green Middleton, 7th District Councilman Nick Mosby, 10th District Councilman Edward Reisinger, and 14th District Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke.
"Councilwoman Helen Holton (8th District) then offered her own amendments, which were narrowly voted down. Then, as Curran tried to move the bill, Councilman Eric Costello (11th District) broke in with his own amendment, that the city's minimum wage raise would not take effect unless Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties raise theirs as well.
"The current bill creates a 'severe competitive disadvantage' to Baltimore City businesses, Costello said. His amendment failed.
"'We have not done a good job of developing an able-bodied and effective workforce in Baltimore City,' Holton said after the meeting.
"The council will take the bill up for final passage next week."