Money for school improvements and liquor license reform are at the top of the wish list for County Executive Kevin Kamenetz as the Maryland General Assembly opens its 2012 session.
Kamenetz met with the Baltimore County legislative delegation on Tuesday, Jan. 10, in Annapolis to outline his legislative priorities for the session, which opens Jan. 11.
"In recognition of the financial difficulties that confront our state right now, Baltimore County will only ask for what is absolutely necessary for our communities," Kamenetz said in prepared comments released to the Times prior to Tuesday's address.
First on the county executive's list was a request for $70 million to fund school improvement projects.
"Baltimore County's schools are among the oldest in the entire state," Kamenetz said. "We are immensely proud of what has been accomplished in those classrooms, but for many of these buildings, substantial work is required if they are to continue to serve as the facilities where our children are taught and provided the quality education they deserve."
Kamenetz said the state's Interagency Committee on School Construction already has granted Baltimore County $23 million. But he said additional funds are required for new high schools in Sollers Point and Dundalk, an addition and renovation at Stoneleigh Elementary School, a new roof at Hereford High School, and new windows and doors at Pikesville High School.
Kamenetz also asked the General Assembly to "pass enabling legislation which will allow us to consolidate some school system and county government business functions" in an effort to save money.
Additionally, the county executive is asking the delegation for sweeping changes to the way liquor licenses are distributed in Baltimore County.
Earlier this year, Kamenetz formed a 12-member task force to examine the county's liquor license laws, which currently allow Baltimore County's limited number of liquor licenses to be distributed by population in a given area.
As a result of that task force, Kamenetz presented the delegation with what he called "significant revisions" to the distribution of liquor licenses. He said the changes would "reform … a system that desperately needed change, while simultaneously protecting the business interests of current license holders."
The new legislation would allow an entity to own 12 liquor licenses instead of six, provided that one of the licensed locations is in the Liberty Road corridor — a change that Kamenetz said will help attract chain restaurants.
Additionally, the proposal would allow license holders on the east side of the county to sell their licenses outside of their specific election district. Should a set number of existing licenses not transfer in a given year, the county would be allowed to create and issue "service bar licenses" to meet demand.
And lastly, new licenses would be created by decreasing the amount of floor space required for a license in shopping centers and office buildings. All new licenses would be nontransferable and site specific, he said.
On the transportation front, Kamenetz reiterated to the delegation that the county's two priorities are Transit Oriented Development at the Martin MARC Station and infrastructure improvements around the Owings Mills Metro Center site at Reisterstown and Painters Mills roads. A similar message was delivered to state transportation officials at a meeting in October.
Kamenetz also requested a bill that allows traffic officers to enforce the two-hour limit on handicapped parking spaces, a $150,000 bond request for NeighborSpace and a $400,000 request for repairs and improvements to Battle Acre Park, site of the Battle of North Point.
The bond bill for NeighborSpace, a nonprofit that protects open space within Baltimore County's Urban Rural Demarcation Line, seeks $150,000 of state money.
Councilman Tom Quirk, who represents Catonsville and Arbutus, has championed NeighborSpace during his first year on the council, and said he "sincerely appreciates County Executive Kevin Kamenetz's support with this program."
"This is a strong beginning and it's something that we can continue to work toward: finding a balance and making sure we're building communities that are livable and sustainable," Quirk said.
Fifth District Councilman David Marks, who represents Towson, said he believes the county executive is on the right track with his proposals.
"It's a very modest legislative package, which is good," Marks said. "The state does not have the money to be spending on expensive projects, and I think the county executive is right to be pursuing a realistic and modest agenda."
As for his own Annapolis priorities, Marks said he will also be monitoring the ongoing Baltimore County school board reform process. In September, Marks called the issue of electing school board official "central to any discussions of reform."
"Quite frankly, I think there's been some very good improvements from the (Baltimore County) school board in the past year, but I still think we need to localize the selection process," he said.