Commentary

by Thomas KelsoDec 3, 2023

Former MSA chair says a planning process started in 2017 to rethink the entire Camden Yards complex has been hijacked by the Orioles peddling a vague live-work-play idea. [OP-ED]

Nov 24, 2023

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

The governor’s showy salesmanship on behalf of two hot-button development issues in Baltimore is jarring. [OP-ED]

Nov 14, 2023

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

What should be part of a long-range plan for a crucial piece of publicly owned land is handed over to a developer who plainly states his priority is to make a profit. [OP-ED]

Sep 19, 2023

Acting City Solicitor has no authority to appeal a state order to release the Mosby donor names to media

Only the custodian of the records in the case, the Baltimore Board of Ethics, can decide to file an appeal and, so far, it hasn’t voted to do so [OP-ED]

Sep 11, 2023

Fighting the release of Mosby donor names is a bad look for the Scott administration

The Maryland PIA Compliance Board said the names, illegally withheld from the media, could show “who might be seeking to curry favor with elected officials.” So why won’t Acting City Solicitor Thompson and her boss comply? [OP-ED]

Sep 5, 2023

IG report on bribes at Baltimore’s housing department helps clarify the importance of a land bank

The discovery that DHCD has a “culture of acceptance” of gifts to inspectors tells us all we need to know about whether it should continue to be entrusted to solve Baltimore’s vacant house crisis. [OP-ED]

Jul 3, 2023

Yes, those BGE gas meters are ugly, but there’s other reasons to be skeptical

Jun 16, 2023

After bullying a bureaucrat who was trying to do the right thing, Schleifer follows up with a bad bill

Jun 12, 2023

On display at a Baltimore City Council hearing: Arrogance and overreach

May 30, 2023

The Olszewski administration’s 2021 deal with Chris McCollum was as generous as it was unlawful

Special SeriesMar 29, 2023

Baltimore Ethics Board: Don’t make a mockery of Maryland’s Public Information Act

Feb 17, 2023

ANALYSIS: Under the BOE’s rules, no justification for Wednesday’s vote on the conduit deal

Jan 13, 2023

Reason for hope as the Blue Ribbon Commission on Ethics in Baltimore County concludes its work

Jan 9, 2023

By again naming Julian Jones as chair, Baltimore County Council joins him under an ethical cloud

Dec 2, 2022

Self-dealing, political payback and drift

Nov 25, 2022

Scott’s cigarette butt lawsuit sends a worrisome message about the mayor’s priorities

Nov 20, 2022

Mayor Scott’s fumbling of the city solicitor appointment is an unforced error

Sep 3, 2022

Local media’s missteps are hurting Baltimore

Nov 26, 2021

A gay Catholic’s open letter to the St. Francis of Assisi school and parish community

Aug 31, 2021

Inspector General oversight fight is a watershed moment for this city

Jul 6, 2021

Olszewski’s IG bill is now on hold, but questions about his motives will linger

May 24, 2021

Baltimore County IG is scaring the political insiders – and that means she’s doing her job

Apr 16, 2021

Cops charged in George Floyd and Freddie Gray deaths got similar special treatment

Feb 14, 2021

For Marilyn Mosby, a taxing question