By Tashi McQueen, AFRO Political Writer, Tmcqueen@afro.com Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott officially signed the formerly stalled CB 23-0195, “Inclusionary Housing for Baltimore City” and the CB 23-0369, “High-Performance Inclusionary Tax Credit” into law on Jan. 22. Both laws will ensure there are more affordable homes available in Baltimore as soon as next year. […]
Author Archives: Tashi McQueen AFRO Staff Writer
Posted in!Front Page Baltimore News
Councilman Zeke Cohen to introduce bills for a new independent redistricting commission
By Tashi McQueen AFRO Political Writer tmcqueen@afro.com Councilman Zeke Cohen (D-District 1) will introduce an ordinance and charter amendment, creating an independent redistricting commission in Baltimore City – fundamentally altering the process. Cohen will introduce the legislation at a city council meeting at 5 p.m. on Feb. 12. “What we came up with was this […]
Posted inBaltimore Community
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski runs for Congress
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com As the Feb. 9 candidacy filing deadline approached, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. (D) announced his bid for Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District seat. He officially filed with the Maryland State Board of Elections on Jan. 31. The campaign launch comes after U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) announced Jan. 26 […]
Posted in2024 Elections
Thiru Vignarajah announces his candidacy, plan to run on public financing
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Thiruvendran “Thiru” Vignarajah, former deputy attorney general of Maryland, is running for mayor of Baltimore City yet again. “I hope the people of Baltimore understand that I love running, but I love running for Baltimore,” said Vignarajah on Jan. 24 to reporters outside Baltimore City Hall. Vignarajah ran an unsuccessful […]
Posted in!Front Page Maryland New
State and city leaders release bill to relieve impoverished neighborhoods
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political writertmcqueen@afro.com Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Mayor Brandon M. Scott and other legislators across the city and state gathered in support of the new legislation, the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments, and Households Grant Program (ENOUGH Act), SB482/HB694. “As legislators, we get tens of hundreds of emails, sometimes tens of thousands of […]
Posted in2024 Elections
Congressman John Sarbanes endorses Angela Alsobrooks for U.S. Senate
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political WriterTmcqueen@afro.com U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.-03) recently announced his endorsement of Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) for U.S. Senate. Sarbanes said he sees Alsobrooks as “good for Maryland” and “terrific for our country.” “It’s why I’m as motivated as I am in this moment to support her and her […]
Posted inDMV News
U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, 84, announces run for re-election
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political WriterTmcqueen@afro.com U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.-05) announced Jan. 9 that he will seek re-election in 2024, ending speculation that he would step down after representing the state for 23 terms in the House of Representatives. In an interview with the AFRO, Hoyer said he sat down with his wife, Elaine C. […]
Posted inMayor Brandon Scott
Baltimore City officials announce significant progress in consent decree
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) recently filed a joint motion with the Department of Justice (DOJ) announcing that BPD has reached full and effective compliance on two sections of their mandated consent decree. “Together with the DOJ, we filed a joint motion that BPD has reached a state of full […]
Posted in!Front Page Maryland New
Wes Moore unveils proposed budget
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Gov. Wes Moore unveiled his fiscal year (FY) 2025 proposed budget on Jan. 17, highlighting his focus on public safety, with increased funding for police protection, the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and a new statewide gun violence prevention center. Moore said that his goal is to “make Maryland safer, […]
Posted inMayor Brandon Scott
Mayor Brandon M. Scott touts crime reduction strategies and continued efforts in 2024
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com Mayor Brandon M. Scott, alongside legislators and public safety officials, reflected on the city’s public safety strategies, accomplishments and shortcomings from 2023 and shared the city’s plans for 2024. “When I took office, Baltimore was grappling with high rates of violence that have crippled our city for nearly a decade,” […]
Posted in!Front Page Maryland New
Maryland General Assembly begins 2024 legislative session
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com The much anticipated 2024 Maryland General Assembly commenced on Jan. 10. Though the first day is largely ceremonial, hundreds of pieces of legislation have already been filed and assigned to committees. The 90-day session will feature policies aiming to reduce gun violence trauma, protect youth and hold them accountable for […]
Posted inGovernor Wes Moore
Gov. Wes Moore lays out his 2024 juvenile justice and public safety initiatives
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Political Writertmcqueen@afro.com After much anticipation, Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced his “aggressive” all-of-government approach to public safety, through his legislative priorities for 2024. Moore recently announced three pieces of legislation that he will sponsor and potentially testify on behalf of during the hearings for the bills. “We introduce the Victim Compensation Reform […]