Senate wants city to explain lead paint payments
Maryland's state senate adopted a last-minute amendment to the capital budget that asks Baltimore's city government to explain how they will satisfy outstanding payments owed to residents who won judgments against the city in lead paint cases.
The amendment, offered by Baltimore Sen. Cathy Pugh, does not carry the force of law. It was approved by voice vote.
The House and Senate have passed different versions of the state's $1.45 billion capital budget. Pugh's amendment is one of many differences that will have to be worked out in conference committee meetings over the next 96 hours.
Pugh said she became outraged after reading a Baltimore Sun story that revealed the city's housing authority had no intention to pay roughly $12 million owed the victims of lead paint poisoning. “I think this is unconscionable," Pugh said. "We owe our citizens better than that.”
She denied this signaled her making a move into the 2011 mayor’s race. “This has nothing to do with that,” she said. But the second half of her answer was decidedly political: "It was not about taking a pot shot at the mayor or the city housing. It was a reaction to their lack of response to the public," she said.
An earlier draft of the amendment tied up funds for youth facility until a report was issues. The amendment that passed does not do that.
The amendment, offered by Baltimore Sen. Cathy Pugh, does not carry the force of law. It was approved by voice vote.
The House and Senate have passed different versions of the state's $1.45 billion capital budget. Pugh's amendment is one of many differences that will have to be worked out in conference committee meetings over the next 96 hours.
Pugh said she became outraged after reading a Baltimore Sun story that revealed the city's housing authority had no intention to pay roughly $12 million owed the victims of lead paint poisoning. “I think this is unconscionable," Pugh said. "We owe our citizens better than that.”
She denied this signaled her making a move into the 2011 mayor’s race. “This has nothing to do with that,” she said. But the second half of her answer was decidedly political: "It was not about taking a pot shot at the mayor or the city housing. It was a reaction to their lack of response to the public," she said.
An earlier draft of the amendment tied up funds for youth facility until a report was issues. The amendment that passed does not do that.
The housing authority’s refusal to pay, coupled with the fact that it has spent $3.8 million since 2005 to fight lead poisoning claims, is “just ridiculous,” Pugh said.
She talked about the well-documented harm caused by lead poisoning, including mental disabilities and behavioral problems that can lead to incarceration.
“It just makes no sense that we think we can walk away from a responsibility like this.”
She talked about the well-documented harm caused by lead poisoning, including mental disabilities and behavioral problems that can lead to incarceration.
“It just makes no sense that we think we can walk away from a responsibility like this.”
Comments
This situation where the Housing Authority refuses to pay legal judgements for causing permanent harm and disability is par for the course for Baltimore City. The Baltimore City Public Schools had a 20 year long legal battle over special education and the rights of students denied free and appropriate public educations. Clearly, Baltimore City does not like people with disabilities at all, especially when the City is responsible for causing the disability in the first place.
Posted by: Sue Keller | April 8, 2011 4:21 PM