Baltimore is just full of surprises
Quote of note:
For example, Ehrlich's plan would have given the independent panel authority to rip up union contracts with Baltimore teachers after July 1.
Baltimore Rejects Aid For Schools From State
Council Passes Emergency $42 Million
By Lori Montgomery and Craig Whitlock
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, March 9, 2004; Page B08
Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley ended a brewing battle over control of the city's bankrupt public schools late yesterday, announcing that he would reject a state bailout offered by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and instead drain the city's rainy-day fund to pay the school system's bills.
At O'Malley's urging, the Baltimore City Council voted to approve an emergency loan of $42 million to the troubled school system, a move that eliminates the threat of a state takeover but that almost certainly will force the mayor and council to ask city residents to pay higher taxes, according to Baltimore lawmakers and other state officials.
Together with a $16 million loan from the private Abell Foundation, the cash will allow the school system to avert widespread layoffs and teacher pay cuts as it tries to recover from an estimated $58 million deficit discovered by a newly appointed administrator during the summer.
In the end, O'Malley and other Baltimore officials concluded that there were simply too many strings attached to the governor's offer.
