The Baltimore youth group that staged a hunger strike to demand more funding is taking credit for delaying approval of the city?s nearly $3 billion budget.
Hathaway Ferebee, executive director of the Safe & Sound Campaign, which pushed for more money for youth groups, said City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has postponed the City Council?s vote on the proposed fiscal 2009 budget.
Councilman Bernard Young said “a couple of issues” prompted the delay.
Members of Peer-to-Peer, a student mentoring group with about 20 programs, have rallied at the Inner Harbor and subsisted on water and fruit and vegetable drinks for five days to try to force the city to give it $3 million to expand.
But the City Council and Mayor Sheila Dixon have opposed using money from the $88million “rainy-day fund.” More than $14 million is allocated in next year?s budget for youth programs.
But Councilman Bill Henry said the rainy-day account has funding for Peer-to-Peer. The mayor-appointed Youth Commission, which comprises liaisons between the government and young adults, has been rebuffed in their efforts to work with Peer-to-Peer. “There are other youth groups out there that may need money,” Commissioner Chantel Clea said.
