A recent OIG report says that the Baltimore Mayor’s Office failed to follow policies for 336 procurement card transactions totaling $167,455.06, including purchases for food, flowers and sporting events. The questioned spending represents less than 1 percent of the office’s $36 million in P-card use since June 2022.
Category: Baltimore Government
Posted inBaltimore News
Maryland leaders conduct surprise inspection of Baltimore ICE facility
Maryland leaders toured the Baltimore ICE facility, condemning the inhumane conditions identified even in the absence of detainees. Legislators praised Judge Julie R. Rubin’s March 6 order limiting capacity for detainees at the facility to 55 people and city officials have pledged to protect immigrants by fighting private detention centers.
Posted inBaltimore News
Study finds disjointed youth crime data hinders public understanding
A recent Abell Foundation report finds Baltimore’s juvenile crime data is fragmented, making it hard for the public to track trends. Experts say a more cohesive, accessible system is needed for clarity and accountability.
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore inspector general challenges city over limited access to records
By Megan SaylesAFRO Staff Writermsayles@afro.com Baltimore City Inspector General (IG) Isabel Mercedes Cumming has filed suit against Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Baltimore City Council after the city denied her office access to certain records and provided heavily redacted information in response to subpoenas. The suit seeks a court declaration confirming the Office of […]
Posted inBaltimore Government
Mayor Scott announces property tax relief, tax sale reforms for Baltimore homeowners
Baltimore homeowners could see property taxes drop below $2 under a new city plan announced by Mayor Brandon M. Scott. The initiative includes revising the Homestead Property Tax Credit, increasing the Targeted Homeowners Tax Credit, and reforming the city’s annual tax sale to offer payment plans and raise the minimum bid to the property’s assessed value. City leaders say the changes aim to make Baltimore more affordable, keep residents in their homes and encourage new homeownership.
Posted inBaltimore News
Hundreds protest ICE raids, condition of local federal building used to hold immigrants
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Staff Writer On Jan. 30 protestors gathered in downtown Baltimore, Minneapolis and cities nationwide to oppose the violent immigration raids and recent deaths at the hands of agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Border Patrol and other federal agencies. In Baltimore, the march and rally came as legislators and […]
Posted inBaltimore Government
State and local lawmakers comment on Mayor Scott’s 2026 legislative priorities
State and local lawmakers weighed in on Mayor Scott’s 2026 legislative agenda, supporting public safety, housing and infrastructure measures while adding their own priorities, including utility relief and youth programs.
Posted inBaltimore News
Mayor Scott reflects on historic crime drop and looks toward 2026
Baltimore ended 2025 with a record low of 133 homicides, the fewest in nearly 50 years. Mayor Brandon M. Scott (D) and city leaders highlighted strategies to sustain reductions and announced a new five-year violence plan, which will be released later this year.
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott named 2025 AFRO Person of Year
For Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, 2025 was a year of pressure and progress, from record-breaking reductions in violent crime to major investments in youth, education and neighborhood revitalization. As 2026 begins, Scott says he plans to build on those achievements while continuing his focus on public safety, economic development and changing the national narrative about Baltimore.
Posted inBaltimore News
Building, thriving, celebrating: Charm City Wins from 2025
2025 was a year of growth, creativity, and empowerment across Baltimore. From new Black-owned businesses and parks to wellness events and neighborhood projects, these highlights showcase the people and initiatives strengthening the city’s communities.
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore launches new housing partnership to support youth and families at risk of homelessness
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced a partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS), the Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS) and other local nonprofits Dec. 4, to ensure families who are at risk or currently facing homelessness can be rapidly placed in permanent housing with […]
Posted inBaltimore News
How Baltimore mentorship programs are closing the racial income gap for Black boys
By Victoria MejicanosAFRO Staff Writervmejicanos@afro.com Eighteen-year-old Kenneth Dorsey of Cherry Hill hopes to attend college to study mechanical engineering and establish his own home renovation business, spending hours studying trades on YouTube. But statistics show that he’ll grow up to earn less than his White peers because of his race, even if they come from […]