Education funding, speed cameras and a shift of liquor licenses to the Towson area topped Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith’s legislative “wish list” of 2009, which he described as modest in light of the tough economic times.
In his annual legislative rollout Monday, Smith urged Gov. Martin O’Malley to keep his $325 million commitment to school construction funds, more than 25 percent of which he said should be allocated to the county school system.
“Our country’s current economic crisis makes the education of our future work force more important that ever,” Smith said. “For the past six years, education has been Baltimore County’s number one priority in Annapolis, and the same is true again this year.”
Improvements at Parkville High School, Catonsville High School and Milford Mill Academy will consume $20.4 million in requested funds, Smith said. The county also is requesting $18.9 million from the state to build a new George Washington Carver Center for the Arts and Technology, and $7 million for a new elementary school, both in Towson.
During this year’s session, which kicks off Jan. 14, the county’s General Assembly delegation will be sponsoring legislation to transfer 10 liquor licenses from the east side of the county to the Towson commercial revitalization district, Smith said.
They also will lobby for one $3 million bond bill to acquire and improve Robert E. Lee Park from Baltimore City.
Several crime initiatives — including legislation enabling speed cameras — returned to Smith’s list after unsuccessful tries last year. Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson said legislation requiring scrap metal dealers to report daily transactions electronically to local police departments is particularly important.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in Baltimore County in copper theft from catalytic converters,” Johnson said. “Oftentimes the destruction left behind costs more than the theft itself.”
Smith also is pushing for legislation authorizing the seizure of identity theft proceeds, requiring pawnbrokers to report transactions electronically, and enabling Baltimore County to obtain fingerprint background checks from potential employees.
Newly elected Rep. Frank Kratovil joined Smith at his annual event, and said Smith’s priorities have promise.
“Obviously there isn’t a lot of money to go around at the state level or the federal level,” Kratovil said. “I was happy to see the public safety issues — these are the things that don’t cost a lot of money and can be done.”
