Jun 12, 2009 7:17 pm US/Eastern
City Council Members Rip Mayor's Budget Apart
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
The budget battle at Baltimore's City Hall took a nasty turn.
Mike Hellgren reports Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon says she feels blindsided and disappointed that her budget was ripped apart by the City Council members.
In a rare move, some City Council members went against the mayor and told her not to cut their programs. The budget battle at City Hall took a nasty turn, the mayor said she was blindsided after several council members revolted, demanding she put money back into pools, libraries, and recreation centers.
Council members kept the budget in committee, holding it hostage. That's how Councilman Robert Curran sees it, he was so angry, he stormed out of City Hall.
"But because of the charter and the limited power the council has. Last night it might of been about exercising facility," said Councilman Robert Curran.
The council ordered hundreds of thousands of dollars in cuts to international and immigrant affairs, the Inspector General's Office, and the city's cable channel, hoping to force the mayor's hand.
"We are all dealing with budget crunches right now, businesses are, families are and government areas. Other council members say they are just responding to those they serve," said Councilman Curran.
Baltimore City citizens are angry over cuts to major services. In the $2.4 billion budget, some cuts are necessary to close a $64 million shortfall.
"It is not fair, its not fair to the parents who work hard, our economy is bad and you are closing our schools for the poor parents to come out here to pick the kids up, I think it's ridiculous," said Joyce Carter, parent.
"The city council has chosen a really exciting time to exert its muscle," said political analyst Lester Spence with Johns Hopkins.
Spence tells Eyewitness News the debate is healthy.
"Although, I can understand why the mayor would propose a budget that would cut valuable city services, you have a number of low income residents who actually needed those services," said Spence.
Councilman Curran has a new proposal, he wants to collect a flat fee on all video poker machines licensed in the city. He said he could save those services in danger of disappearing.
"It has the potential to become $3 to $4 million in new revenue," said Curran.
In all, City Council members cut more than $1 million from the mayor's budget, so the battle is not yet over.
The council must approve a budget by the end of June. The course will likely force them to act.
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