This Wednesday, the Baltimore City Council passed a $3.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2024. According to WBAL NewsRadio that budget includes:

• $250,000 for the Department of Public Works to assist in composting efforts as part of larger zero waste and waste diversion strategies.
• $250,000 for the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks' Forestry Division after the revelation during budget hearings of an 11-month backlog for tree maintenance and removal.
• $1,000,000 for the Dante Barksdale Career Technology Apprenticeship Fund to increase opportunities for youth employment and access to vocational programs.

You can read the article HERE.

You can also see the full budget HERE.

Just like a family budget, those in charge must ensure that needs are being met. I am asking you, are your needs being met? Are your streets and neighborhoods clean? Are you confident that your children are receiving a quality education? Do you feel safe walking around the city?

The answer to all those questions must be YES. Unfortunately, we all know that all these needs are not being met. So where does that leave us, and what can we do about it?

The good news is that you, as a resident of Baltimore, have the power to hold government accountable. We do it through elections, ballot initiatives, attending City meetings, calling, emailing, and communicating with our elected officials.