Evictions decline in city
Early data suggest that a law that prohibits landlords from throwing evicted tenants' belongings on the sidewalks is cutting down on the number of evictions. In the five months since the law went into effect, evictions have fallen 25 percent, according to city statistics.
Contractor declined Morgan work
The contractor building a new library at Morgan State University declined to do several million dollars' worth of work on another project that the university asked for, saying it went so far beyond the contract that the work would have violated state procurement laws, according to a 2006 letter obtained by The Sun.
Schools central office cuts proposed
Baltimore schools chief Andres Alonso presented a proposed budget to the Board of Education that would cut $110 million from the central office, redistributing $70 million to schools and using $40 million to help close a budget shortfall.
Columbia company handed record fine
Columbia-based W.R. Grace & Co. has agreed to pay $250 million, the most in the history of the federal government's Superfund program, to clean up contamination from a Montana vermiculite mine that caused 1,200 residents and former mine workers to become ill or die from asbestos-related diseases.
City contractor pleads guilty
A city contractor who employed Mayor Sheila Dixon's sister while doing work for the city pleaded guilty yesterday to falsifying tax returns -- the latest development in a months-long investigation into questionable spending practices at City Hall.
Support grows for new tax plan
Support is growing in the General Assembly for a plan to replace Maryland's new computer services tax with an income tax surcharge on top earners, suggesting that the coming weeks could become a reprise of the debate that nearly scuttled November's special legislative session.
Arbitrator rules in planning dispute
An arbitrator has issued a ruling in the dispute between Baltimore schools chief Andres Alonso and the city teachers union over planning time, allowing for 45 minutes of collaborative planning time at most schools.