Local government

20 months after Mayor Brandon Scott first announced the city’s intent to buy two hotels to provide permanent and temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness — a flagship piece of the homeless services strategy — city officials say they have yet to close the deal.

The four-year-old equity legislation was introduced and championed by Mayor Brandon Scott when he was a City Councilman.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski will not pledge to complete his second four-year term, which he won in a landslide election last month.

The move, though long anticipated, is a gut punch for Downtown Baltimore, which has been home to the Danish jewelry company’s regional head office for Pandora Americas since 2015.

County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. has hired or promoted four new department directors one month after announcing departures of several Baltimore County officials, including the county’s first female police chief, who has not been replaced.

Animal welfare experts in Baltimore say the link between these cases and other forms of violence is real and should not be ignored.

Dennis Delp is the interim top cop in Baltimore County as officials continue a nationwide search to replace former chief Melissa Hyatt.

The county will pay another $2.1 million to the city’s Department of Public Works for undercharging some county ratepayers in the last two years.

Community supporters have lined signed up to speak at public meetings, praising CEO Lakey Boyd’s work and demanding answers from the board. Board members have largely remained silent.

Caring for children with highly complex emotional and behavioral needs is a challenge that exists across the country. But in Maryland, the problem has worsened over the last decade — and many blame outgoing Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.

Almost 200 Pikesville condominium owners are challenging how Baltimore County sets the price of their utilities, saying that they’ve been collectively overcharged by millions of dollars for water and sewer service due to decades-old rules.

Test your knowledge of this week’s local news events by taking our quiz.

Part of Rosaryville State Park in Prince George’s County has been named the “Rutherford Area,” an honor that Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford did not know was in the works when he visited the park this week.

Baltimore’s new Sheriff, Sam Cogen, has instructed an advertising company to remove his predecessor’s billboards telling city residents to pay child support.

The delays can often leave city partners to begin work without a contract and without approved funding.

Should Councilman Ryan Dorsey’s charter amendment receive approval from the council and mayor, the earliest it would appear on city ballots is 2024, giving supporters and detractors alike nearly two years to debate the merits of term limits.

Lichter succeeds Julie Henn as chair, while Harvey replaces Rod McMillion as vice chair. The two new leaders both had the backing of the teachers union in the Nov. 8 election.

Some, however, express skepticism that the Baltimore Police Department has the manpower to support the expansion.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman started his second term Monday, taking the oath of office under a tent at the old Crownsville State Hospital. It was a symbolic start that the Democrat said reflects his intent to focus on people who are the most vulnerable.

City Council President Nick Mosby decried Mayor Brandon Scott’s veto of his bill to loosen restrictions for council members’ pensions, saying the decision will discourage people of all backgrounds from running for office.