Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith Wednesday congratulated General Assembly members for securing nearly $50 million in state funding for local schools and projects, but said the state?s financial woes bested several priorities.
The Democrat hosted a luncheon in Oregon Ridge park to commend General Assembly members for expanding the state?s criminal DNA database, tightening development in coastal areas and repealing a sales tax on computer services. Smith staffers drafted several key bills, he said.
“We had some wins,” Smith said. “I?m really pleased with our role in some of the statewide bills. We were major players.”
But Smith also supported measures to legalize speed cameras and require metal dealers to report their acquisitions to local police daily ? both of which failed. Smith said theft of scrap and precious metal increased by more than 625 percent over the past four years.
Another Smith priority ? legislation that would subject the proceeds of identity theft to forfeiture ? also failed. County State?s Attorney Scott Shellenberger said the measure will be reintroduced next year.
Shellenberger became an Annapolis fixture this year, successfully lobbying for legislation enabling police to release the names and photos of violent criminals who escape from juvenile facilities such as the Charles Hickey School.
“We can now immediately post your picture or name on TV without a court order,” Shellenberger said. “We think it?s a really important public safety tool.”
The state funded nearly $2 million of Smith?s modest $5 million request for local projects. But lawmakers added about $16 million for their own initiatives, including a new library at the Community College of Baltimore County?s Catonsville campus and about $190,000 for “green” features at the Perry Hall library.
The county has secured $30 million of Smith?s $81 million for school renovations.
