
Education and Youth
Increase our education budget
Libraries as Center of Environment (LACE)
Identifying funding (general budget, grants, bonds) to extend Enoch Pratt hours to 11pm at all locations, providing computer access, community programming, and skills trainings
–Includes reopening branches
On Squeegee Kids
We have been more reactive than preventative with Squeegee Kids. If these kids are out there, they’re trying to make ends meet because their parents or guardians cannot. So, we must provide the jobs and resources needed that allows children to be in school, libraries, or rec centers.
For older teens and adults, there will be work training programs zero waste and clean energy, among other fields.
Compensated Parental Leave Trial Act
10-year plan – 12 for employers with under 50 employees – to reach 16 weeks of fully-paid leave for parents, including those who are adopting or fostering. Initially, 50+ employers will be the focus, with Under-50 employers starting the program two years later.
Parents can split the weeks however they choose, which also means single parents can use the entirety.
Swinton Tax-Adjustment Plan
Notes
–This structure decreases the tax burden on homeowners by 25%, while still providing replacement revenue to the city, and encourages people to move back into Baltimore
–Nonresident taxes, new home purchases, and more businesses opening via my PEACE Zones and FisT plans will assist in paying for Kirwan recommendations, and allow us to lower the property tax further
LGBTQ+ Support
1. Implement comprehensive sex-ed, including healthy relationships, consent, and LGBTQ rights
– Enhance contraception access for teens, including an IUD program similar to Colorado, as well as birth control
2. $10 million in funding for new mental health counselors and programming in BCPSSS
3. Work with LGBTQ Commission and residents on LGBTQ+ rights in our city – underscore and end the violence experienced by Black transwomen
4. City observation of National Coming Out Day/Month
5. City observation of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, and Domestic Violence Awareness Month
– Citywide programming, including employee observation of Denim Day
6. Provide funding for a new domestic violence shelter and safe houses
7. Sex Work Analysis Program
– Commissioning a study on the sex work industry in Baltimore, evaluating reasons for entry, the necessary steps to improve safety for workers, and decriminalization
New Revenues
3% City Sales Tax on vehicle purchases, which will increase by 10% each year until about 5.3%, then increase to 10% the subsequent year
–All revenue goes to transit improvements
$10 Hospitality Tax attached to a night at hotels – funding goes toward a mental health fund for homeless and low-income residents
$5 Hospitality Tax attached to a night at hotels – funding goes toward sewer repairs
Provide reasonable property tax credits for large-scale developments that
-Hire locally (likely 0.25- to 0.5-mile radius)
-Fit an aesthetic approved by both the community of the proposed site and its respective councilmember(s)
Gun Buyback Program
$1.5 million for 1,000 guns annually
-One buyback per person every two years
Drug Policy
Contribute $10 million to establish safe-consumption sites
Work with state to release all Baltimore residents imprisoned on marijuana possession or distribution charges by 2023
Legalize purchase and distribution of marijuana
Rent Control
To prevent gentrification, I will restrict rent increases to 4% plus inflation
Elections
Ending partisan primaries for Baltimore City races and implementing a Condorcet (ranked-choice) voting system
–Removes Democratic primary as de-facto general election
–Primary election would have candidates from all parties, with top five finishers on the ballot in November
Additional Policies
Advocate for and support more community land trusts, signing letters of support for grants
Recognize that Baltimore welcomes immigrants and will not work with ICE, but will lift up their roles in strengthening our communities
Mandate all hospitality services (restaurants, bars, hotels) post in windows, online, and/or on automatic phone lines whether they are ADA-accessible
$1.5 billion bond for infrastructure repairs
Repeal massive property tax cuts for large housing investors (ex: no 80% breaks for five years)
Remove rate hikes on water bills over the last five years
Ban water lien sales
Establish clean water as a human right