WHO: Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon
WHAT: Baltimore City Solicitor George Nilson’s office was drafting a policy outlining when the city would reimburse legal fees for city officials. But the mayor told the law department to halt work on it.
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WHY IT’S A GOOD IDEA: There is no guarantee taxpayers will not end up footing the bill for Dixon’s legal fees. She could turn in her receipts generated defending her from a 12-count indictment on charges of stealing gift cards intended for the poor and not reporting gifts from her ex-boyfriend, developer Ronald Lipscomb, who received tax breaks from the city. But it should not be a policy to automatically reimburse officials. Dixon should take the next step and pledge to residents that she will not accept any taxpayer dollars for her defense.
WHERE TO ENCOURAGE HER TO DO THE RIGHT THING: 410-396-3835
Today’s dim bub: You’re fired
Giving Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon the power to fire the police commissioner “at the mayor’s pleasure” (i.e., for any or no reason at all) is a bad idea. What happens if the commissioner happens to be investigating corruption in the mayor’s office? That would essentially make Dixon and all future mayors above the law. Given her legal troubles, we think she should be strengthening accountability in the city, not making it easier for her to evade responsibility.
Quote of the day
“We understand there is a problem but think the solution proposed is overreaching. … It’s a few bad apples.” – Stanley Fine, a lawyer representing Baltimore-based convenience store chain Royal Farms, speaking about a proposal to require licenses for businesses wishing to stay open all night
