Balt.Co. schools are big winners

Baltimore County lawmakers counted school and transportation funding among their greatest successes during the tumultuous session in Annapolis, saying such positives outweighed negatives like failed attempts to block a liquid natural gas plant in Sparrows Point and close the debate on juvenile detention centers.

County legislators increased $15 million for new school construction to $35 million, and secured $2 million for renovations. Legislators also touted the Hometown Hero Act ?which reduces income taxes for retired emergency workers ? and new restrictions on where group homes can be located.