Question 1: Constitutional Amendment – Declaration of Rights – Right to
Reproductive Freedom
There is only one statewide question this year and it is for an amendment to the Maryland Constitution. This is an amendment to the state constitution affirming the right to an abortion. The recommended (correct) response to the is For the Constitutional Amendment.
Questions A-D: Bond Issues
There are eight ballot questions that are specific to the City of Baltimore. The first four of these are all bond Issue questions. $20M for Affordable Housing, $55M for new schools, $50M for economic development, and $125M for public infrastructure (streets, bridges, libraries, courthouses, city buildings, etc.) The recommended responses to these are For the bond issues.
Question E: Charter Amendment – Baltimore City Police Department
There have been many questions about this over the last few years, but historically the Baltimore City Police have not been run as a city agency, but as an extension of the state. In a previous election we voted to allow this power to be transferred to the city and this ballot question asks whether the city shall under these new powers establish the Baltimore City Police Department as an agency of the city of Baltimore under the city charter. This questions is largely about governance and not about your feelings about the police in general. In my opinion local control and accountability is better. The recommended response to this question is For the Charter Amendment.
Question F: Charter Amendment – Inner Harbor Park
Question F has been a point of consternation for some, although it seems that it’s a vocal minority in a mostly white part of a majority Black city + Thiru Vignarajah (dude who wants literally an position of power pretty please). It is to amend the city charter to allow private development firm MCB to redevelop the waterfront to include new retail, commercial space, and residential property. Additionally, this plan includes significant road diets downtown and improved public space. There has been some back and forth but the Maryland Supreme Court recently ruled that this question will be counted. The recommended response to question F is For the Charter Amendment.
Question G: Charter Amendment – Community Reinvestment and Reparations Fund
This charter amendment is for the creation of a separate fund from the general fund that would be the repository for Baltimore’s share of the state alcohol and cannabis tax for use by the Community Reinvestment and Reparations Commission. The recommended response to Question G is For the Charter Amendment.
Question H: Charter Amendment via Local Petition – Reducing the Size of the City Council
There’s really no two ways about this. David Smith, owner of Sinclair Broadcasting and now owner of the Baltimore Sun has used his money once again to meddle in city affairs. The detest he has for the city of Baltimore is clear although why he feels this way may be less overt (it’s racism). This amendment would reduce representation for all Baltimoreans, particularly people of color. It’s being introduced under the guise of saving money for the city that can be routed to other important causes, but the real reason is David Smith has a lot of money, he hates Black people, and he wants them to have less power. This blog implores you to vote Against the Charter Amendment and tell David Smith his money is no good here.
