Editor’s note: The following commentary aired on wbal.com on September 10, 2018. Listen to the commentary. On September 12 a major event will roll into the Baltimore Convention Center, drawing 30,000 visitors and $17 million in estimated spending. The organizers of the event, Natural Products Expo East, say they love Baltimore. But they’ve decided to move after 20 years to Philadelphia. Why? The expo is growing and the Baltimore Convention Center isn’t large … Continue reading →

Editor’s note: The following article appeared on thedailyrecord.com on August 23, 2018. It was disappointing and a bit disheartening to see Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh and Transportation Director Michelle Pourciau announce last week that the Baltimore Bike Share program was being shut down August 15. The bike-sharing venture certainly endured a rocky go of it in Baltimore since launching in 2016. Issues that dogged the program included poor equipment maintenance, … Continue reading →

Editor’s note: The following commentary aired on wbal.com on June 5, 2018. Listen to the commentary. A recently released report by the Greater Baltimore Committee and Baltimore Metropolitan Council provides a captivating snapshot of the Baltimore region today compared to 20 years ago. The 2018 Greater Baltimore State of the Region Report found that the region is more ethnically diverse, better educated and wealthier than in 1998. Here are just a few findings … Continue reading →

Editor’s note: The following commentary appeared on thedailyrecord.com on March 15, 2018. There is good news worth noting in the fight against violent crime in Baltimore City. The number of homicides and non-fatal shootings have been trending downward over the past four months. It’s too early to identify the specific factors that have brought about this welcome trend. However, to their credit, Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh and law enforcement officials have been … Continue reading →

Editor’s note: The following commentary was recorded at WBAL News Radio 1090 on February 26, 2018. Listen to the commentary. Baltimore got a rude awakening regarding the dire condition of its Metro system when the MTA abruptly shut it down because portions of the track are unsafe. The Metro will remain closed for repairs until mid-March. It’s unconscionable that this critical link in Baltimore’s mass transit network was allowed to fall … Continue reading →

Editor’s note: The following commentary appeared on thedailyrecord.com on February 15, 2018. Baltimore has experienced some good news of late in the fight against violent crime. No homicides were reported for 12 days, the longest streak since 2015, according to news reports. Mayor Catherine Pugh attributes the public safety initiatives that she has implemented to this welcome break in tragic killings. Others have said that it is not entirely clear … Continue reading →

Editors note: The following commentary appeared on thedailyrecord.com on December 28, 2017. As I read a recent article on the tax bill approved by the U.S. Congress, one line in particular caught my attention. “Drilling would be allowed in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.” The bill’s other provisions are related to taxes, deductions, exemptions and credits. But the drilling provision, on its face, has nothing to do with a taxation bill. Such unrelated amendments, or … Continue reading →