On the Agenda for May 8
Show Us the Money
06-0422 Charter Amendment ? Affordable Housing Trust Funds
» Would change the city charter to allow for the creation of several funds to finance andpromote the development of affordable housing in the city. Will need voter approval in the fall election.
» The Skinny: Council insiders say that setting up the fund is a good sign that plans for funding affordable housing are moving forward, but that sources of money still need to be determined, even if the council and the voters approve the amendment.
Rate Fright
06-0180R EnergyAssistance Program ? Let?s Add to the Fund
» Calls for several million dollars from the city?s surplus to be added to the city?s Energy Assistance fund, a program that helps low-income residents with their BGE bills.
» The Skinny: City Hall insiders say that 5,000 more residents requested help paying their BGE bills this past winter, and that the BGE rate hike could further strain the system.
Donation Steering
» Council President Sheila Dixon withdrew a resolution from the council agenda that would have called for Constellation Energy CEO Mayo Shattuck to donate part of his expected $90 million windfall from the merger of Constellation and Florida Power and Light to the city?s energy assistance program. The resolution was withdrawn prior to the meeting.
Council Watch is a regular feature by Examiner staff writer Stephen Janis highlighting the goings-on at the Baltimore City Council. [email protected]
