County Executive James T. Smith Jr.
400 Washington Avenue
Old Courthouse Mezzanine
Towson, Maryland 21204
410-887-2450
E-mail Address: jimsmith@baltimorecountymd.gov
Dear Friends of Baltimore County,
With the onset of February, we enter the second month of the 2008 General Assembly Session. Throughout January, county government and our dedicated senators and delegates worked hard in Annapolis to secure the resources our communities need to thrive.
This year, the General Assembly’s work in Annapolis started a little earlier than usual with the Special Session last November. Working collaboratively with Governor Martin O’Malley, the Senate and the House made significant progress toward placing our State solid, fiscal ground for the long term. It was not easy. They confronted a monumental task, but in the end they crafted a reasonable solution to a very complex problem. They made significant budget cuts, and at the same time, they reformed the State’s tax structure. As a result, the General Assembly identified a middle ground and a balanced approach to solving the State’s fiscal crisis.
After such a busy and difficult special session, it is tempting to think that the hardest work is behind us. But we know that is not true. Baltimore County must stay engaged in the process of making the remaining adjustments required by the State’s budget reconciliation plan. It is not easy for State and local government to maintain fiscal stability and provide necessary government services and projects in challenging economic times. And in order to meet that challenge, both County and State must recognize the challenges each of us face, and be mutually supportive.
Education and Public Safety will once again be the main concerns of Baltimore County during this legislative session.
For the past five years, we have all made education our priority during the legislative session, and that must not change. Baltimore County will once again support adequate funding for the Maryland Infant and Toddlers Program. School systems across the State are relying on capital funds to support the necessary improvement and expansion of their school facilities. Governor Martin O’Malley has once again demonstrated his understanding of the needs of local jurisdictions by committing $333 million dollars in his budget towards school construction and renovation funding.
This year, Baltimore County is once again supporting legislation to provide our courageous Police officers, firefighters, and EMTs with the resources that they need to preserve the security of our County and our State.
Identity theft crimes are more sophisticated than ever, and as a result, we are seeing increasing numbers of victims who are experiencing unprecedented losses. We believe that as the stakes are raised for us, they should also be raised for criminals who prey on us. As a result, Baltimore County once again supports State legislation to make proceeds traceable to identity theft subject to forfeiture, just as the profits of drug crimes are.
The State Department of Juvenile Services plays an important role in providing care and treatment to young people who are in urgent need of services. However, some of the youth in the care of the Department of Juvenile Services pose a significant risk to our communities. Baltimore County is supporting our State’s Attorney, Scott Shellenberger, in seeking legislation that will enable law enforcement officials to release the names and photographs of offenders who escape from juvenile facilities. This will allow the police to publicize identifying information about juvenile escapees so that they can be more quickly apprehended.
The Baltimore County Police Department and the Maryland State Police do an outstanding job in keeping the roads of our communities safe. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, they cannot be everywhere at once. That is why Baltimore County supports legislation that authorizes the installation of speed monitoring technology, or speed cameras, throughout Maryland.
A crime that occurs in one County frequently has consequences in another, and it is important for Baltimore County and our neighbors throughout the State to share information and work together. Two pieces of proposed legislation will make it possible for stolen property to be identified more quickly and will allow law enforcement to expedite investigations where the stolen property may lead to the identification of a suspect. Baltimore County supports legislation that requires pawnshops to report acquisitions electronically. This will allow law enforcement agencies throughout Maryland to check pawned property promptly against burglary records. We are also supporting Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson by pursuing legislation that will require scrap and precious metal dealers to also report their transactions electronically.
This legislative session represents a critical opportunity to continue the progress that we have made in Baltimore County and the State of Maryland. I look forward to working with our legislators, and with you, as we continue important work of the 2008 General Assembly Session.
James T. Smith
County Executive
Revised January 30, 2008
Courthouse 