City Government Structure: Out of Date?

Summer Reading

More than 700,000 new titles will be published this yearby traditional publishers. And what better time to read a book than in the summer. Sara Goodman Confino is a Maryland author whose new bookis titled “Off the Record.” It is set in the 1960’s during the Cold War when the main character– a young female reporter-- hada very difficult time breaking into the male dominated profession of journalism. Sara is a former high school teacher who taught Englishand journalism in Montgomery County. The state of journalism is also part of our conversation.

Mediation to Settle Sex Abuse Claims

It's been nearly three years since the Archdiocese of Baltimore filed for bankruptcy. This was as the Child Victim's Act went into effect which lifted the statute of limitations on sex abuse claims against the church. Currently, the Archdiocese and thecommittee of sex abuse survivors are meeting weekly this summer to resolve competing plans to settle the bankruptcy on behalf of more than 900 people who have filed claims. The gap is wide. The committeeproposes $740 mil. The Archdiocese proposes approximately $246 mil. $44 mil of which is from the Archdiocese, the rest from insurance. The bankruptcy judge has set adeadline of early August for a potential resolution. My conversation is with attorney Jonathan Schochor, anattorney who represents sex abuse survivors who have sued the church. And he representsa member of the survivors committee.

Dirt Bike Culture

"Dirt bike culture is Baltimore culture." From my conversation with Brittany Young, founder of B-360, a non-profit organization that sees opportunity in young people who ride dirt bikes. Its 2026 summer camp is starting now where young people learn auto mechanics, STEM, and safety. Baltimore police are cracking on dirt bike riders. B-360 has a different plan to keep people out of traffic.

Regional Thinking

Baltimore is just one of two cities that is independent. No governance relationship with its surrounding counties like Atlanta, Miami, Pittsburgh. The list goes on. Would more regional alliances in the Baltimore areadeliver better services in a more cost effective way? Housing, transit, public safety, education, water—all areregional services in other parts of the country. Plus – a land value tax might help level the playingfield. My conversation is with Zac Blanchard, member of theBaltimore City Council, District 11.

"There's Just a Math Problem"

Closing the gap between wages and the rising cost of living. More than 60 years ago, when Lyndon Johnson was president, he signed the Economic Opportunity Act which created Community Action Agencies. They grew out of the War on Poverty and are funded by Community Service Block Grants. There are 19 of them across Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia. But they are under threat by cuts to federal funding. My conversation is with Angela Martin, executive director of Maryland Community Action Partnership.