Commentary

by Dante Davidson-SwintonApr 22, 2025

An Earth Day warning that if City Hall doesn’t get serious about recycling, composting and other zero waste strategies, we’ll never kick this polluting, trash-burning habit. [OP-ED]

Apr 15, 2025

What “councilmanic courtesy” is and how it hurts Baltimore County

Baltimore County isn’t the region’s economic engine anymore. One reason why is the grip held over local zoning decisions by individual members of the county council. [OP-ED]

Apr 1, 2025

Before the Baltimore County Council: a rush job to manipulate future zoning decisions

The primary purpose of Bill 19-25 is not to preserve farmland. It is to exclude unwanted projects – or unwanted people – from a councilmanic district. [OP-ED]

Mar 27, 2025

A Baltimore County Council bill that targets a solar facility is a political ambush

The project has met all the legal requirements but Councilman David Marks, who lives less than a mile away, has crafted a bill to block it. [OP-ED]

Special SeriesJan 27, 2025

Speaker Jones: Stop blocking a fix for the incestuous system that loads the Maryland legislature with insiders

Small party committees now fill legislative vacancies, resulting in friends-and-family appointments rather than grassroots democracy. Advocates, citizens and even the Maryland Senate want change. [OP-ED]

Jan 10, 2025

Old habits die hard in Baltimore County: Klausmeier chosen via secret vote at closed meeting

The process of choosing a county executive was an apparent violation of the Maryland Open Meetings Act and a definite embarrassment. [OP-ED]

Dec 2, 2024

Why the not-so-public process to name Johnny Olszewski’s successor?

Special SeriesSep 19, 2024

Calling the judge’s Harborplace decision “voter suppression” shows a real ignorance of the law

Aug 19, 2024

Appeals Board rejects approval of a controversial housing project by Olszewski-promoted judge

Special SeriesAug 5, 2024

A look behind the curtain at the Olszewski administration in action

Jul 9, 2024

Baltimore County councilmen resort to legislative logrolling in their quest for a pension windfall

Jun 25, 2024

Baltimore County Council continues its grab for power – and for dollars from developers

Jun 3, 2024

Before the Baltimore County Council tonight: A vote to enrich its members’ pensions

May 29, 2024

Requiem for a Baltimore woman that addiction and social services programs failed

Mar 22, 2024

Ruling on Mosby defense fund donor redactions: Disappointing and wrong

Feb 15, 2024

It’s time for a pause and reflection, says former BDC head M.J. “Jay” Brodie

Feb 8, 2024

With another encampment clearing looming, a plea to Mayor Scott

Jan 15, 2024

Upon taking office, Mayor Scott secretly worked to ensure one developer got rights to Harborplace

Dec 12, 2023

Baltimore County Council: Fess up before your silence looks like a cover-up

Dec 8, 2023

Charm City Lights, appealing to cars and suburbanites, irks a Baltimore parks and youth advocate

Dec 3, 2023

Plans for the redevelopment of Camden Yards began years ago and should stay in the hands of the Stadium Authority

Nov 27, 2023

Once again, Johnny Olszewski avoids giving needed powers to Baltimore County’s inspector general

Nov 24, 2023

Championing a stadium deal and the Harborplace plan: Two rookie mistakes by Wes Moore

Nov 14, 2023

The outsized role of developers in Baltimore is reflected in the new Harborplace plan