 The following contains excerpts from Mayor Rawlings-Blake's 2015 State of the City Address. To read the speech in its entirety, visit mayor.baltimorecity.gov/sotc2015.
I was born and raised in Baltimore. I am a Baltimore girl through and through. My mother is from the Eastside. She graduated from Dunbar. My father is from the Westside. He grew up in Poe Homes and graduated from Douglass. I am a very proud graduate of Western High School. And I am also very proud that my daughter attends Baltimore City Public Schools. I LOVE this city.
In my inaugural address, I laid out a challenge. It was time for us to be bold—to focus on growing Baltimore. I wanted to not only attract new families, but to improve the quality of life for those already here. We are doing great things in Baltimore. No one can deny that we have turned a corner. For the first time in decades, the city is growing.
Since I introduced my plan to reduce property tax rates for homeowners 20 cents by the year 2020, I have been working responsibly and steadily to provide real relief. When I announce next year’s budget proposal, I will deliver yet another cut. I promised that I would reduce property tax rates, and that is a promise I am keeping.
We are also creating jobs for city residents. Since I came into office, our city’s unemployment rate has declined by a third, and the number of jobs in our city has increased by more than 12,000.
Growing Baltimore also means nurturing small business. My Strategic Plan for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Growth in Baltimore contains 20 specific action items to increase resources for small businesses and make Baltimore more business-friendly. These actions include launching a new online entrepreneurship resource network and establishing a new $1 million Innovation Fund to help small and medium size businesses adapt to the latest technology.
In addition to creating a solid financial foundation for our city to grow, our top priority has been making our city safer. Last year, we experienced declines in every major crime category—including a 10 percent decline in homicides, resulting in the second lowest number of annual homicides in a generation. I am encouraged by our progress, but I am still not satisfied.
We have been actively working to improve community trust while also producing results for all citizens. Citizen complaints alleging excessive force are down 46 percent. Police discourtesy complaints are down 53 percent. Notices of lawsuits alleging police misconduct are down dramatically over the past three years. We know the overwhelming majority of our officers treat our residents with dignity, respect, and courtesy. However, it only takes a few bad actors to damage the reputation of an entire city.
Residents have called on us to do more. To that end, we are working to bring body cameras to the police department — a pilot program will be in place later this year. We will continue to take steps forward in enhancing public trust. But there can be no public trust without public engagement. Of the 211 tragic killings in our city last year, 189 of the victims were African American men. We need to end the violence in our communities. Our African American men need to believe in their future.
This week, I announced the start of an intense focus on our African American young men. At the end of this month, I will bring together community leaders and experts for a “Call to Action to End African American Homicides.” Through this call to action, we will recruit men committed to making a difference in the lives of our children to serve as mentors, volunteers, tutors, job training coaches, speakers, and more. We will reach out to organizations that are already working on this issue, and we will encourage others to join. We will not do it alone. We cannot do it alone. And most importantly, we cannot afford to fail.
Our young people must also be kept safe and engaged, and recreation is vital in that pursuit. Under my administration, we are building new rec centers for the first time in years. We need to keep that progress going! I have proposed legislation that would provide millions of critical dollars for investments in our rec programs and centers, and I have called on the City Council to bring my plan forward. Our children deserve better.
The state of our city IS strong. We are growing Baltimore! And I plan to keep that momentum going.
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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at my website or by email at mayor@baltimorecity.gov. You can also follow the Mayor’s Office and be a part of the conversation on Facebook or Twitter.
 Sincerely,
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor, City of Baltimore
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 The crowd is dressed in green for the St. Patrick Parade, an annual celebration of Irish culture and heritage in Baltimore City. The 2015 parade will take place this weekend along Charles and Pratt Streets. Photo by Mark Dennis.
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Baltimorphosis Changemaker Award
Do you know an adult or youth (age 12 – 18) living in Baltimore City who is making a difference in their community or school by working to end violence? In celebration of National Youth Violence Prevention Week, we want to recognize them as a Baltimorphosis Changemaker. Four adults and eight youths will be recognized as Baltimorphosis Changemakers during Youth Violence Prevention Week (March 23 – 27). The deadline for nominations is March 17. For more information, or to obtain a nomination form, visit health.baltimorecity.gov or email BmoreYVP@baltimorecity.gov.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Household Hazardous Waste Collection season begins on April 4 at the Northwest Citizen Convenience Center (2840 Sisson Street). Baltimore City residents can drop off their hazardous materials on the first weekend of each month, from April through October (no collection in July). Proof of City residency will be required. Residents must also be able to identify the material. Commercial vehicles are not allowed at the facility. For more information, visit publicworks.baltimorecity.gov.
Baltimore CASH Campaign Tax Preparation
The Baltimore CASH Campaign strives to provide working families access to the tools and services they need to maximize their earning dollars. Free services are provided to low- to moderate-income taxpayers. Trained and certified volunteers will prepare and e-file taxes for free, and even help you set up direct deposit for a faster refund. For more information, or to see if you qualify, visit www.baltimorecashcampaign.org.
Mayor's Spring Cleanup Registration
Get ready to for spring cleaning in Baltimore! Communities are encouraged to sign up for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s Spring Cleanup, which will take place on April 25. Communities can register to participate by calling 311. Participation in organized cleanups may qualify property owners for credits to reduce their Stormwater Fee (visit www.cleanwaterbaltimore.org for more information on Stormwater Fee credits). To learn more about the Mayor's Spring Cleanup, visit publicworks.baltimorecity.gov.
MECU Neighborhood Event Grants
The MECU Neighborhood Event Grants program distributes funds to qualified neighborhood associations and community-based, nonprofit groups for the purpose of strengthening neighborhoods through producing events, such as street festivals, health fairs, and block parties. The deadline to apply is March 24. Selected applicants will be required to attend a mandatory event planning workshop on Saturday, April 15. For more information, or to apply, visit www.promotionandarts.org or call 410-752-8632.
PNC Transformative Art Prize Applications
The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts and PNC Bank announce the return of the PNC Transformative Art Prize! The award supports communities in their efforts to improve their surroundings with long-term, lasting visual & performing art projects. Neighborhoods are asked to partner with artists and/or arts organizations to reinvent public spaces using art. Qualified community-based nonprofits may be granted funding up to $30,000. The application and guidelines are available at www.promotionandarts.org/grants. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, April 8, at 4:00 pm. For more information, call 410-752-8632 or visit www.promotionandarts.org.
I-rishcyle Recycle Bin Sale
Saturday, March 14, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Southwest Citizens’ Convenience Center, 701 Reedbird Avenue
Just in time to collect those celebratory St. Patrick’s Day cans and bottles, DPW is offering a recycle bin sale! 25-gallon bins will be on sale at a deeply discounted rate of $7 (regularly $12), and 18-gallon bins will be on sale for $4 (regularly $5). Lids for the 25-gallon containers are just $3, subject to availability. For more information, visit publicworks.baltimorecity.gov.
Shamrock Shindig
Sunday, March 15, 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
Pierce’s Park, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor at Pier V
Irish Eyes will be smiling at the Waterfront Partnership's 4th Annual Shamrock Shindig! Featuring live Celtic music, food and drinks, Shamrock Alley for kids, a strolling leprechaun, stilt walkers, games, and more, this event is a fun and family-friendly way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The event concludes just in time for the 60th Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, which kicks off at 2:00 pm. Admission to the event is free, but the Shamrock Pass for children and the Unlimited Drink Wristband for the 21+ crowd are both available for additional purchase. For more information, visit www.waterfrontpartnership.org.
The Elevation: A Community Continuum Resource Fair
Wednesday, March 18, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Maryland War Memorial Building, 101 N. Gay Street
The Mayor’s Office of Human Services, the Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services, and the Baltimore Safe & Sound Campaign present this free event for individuals returning from incarceration and their families. The resource fair will feature a number of service providers to help individuals reintegrate into the community. For more information, or to confirm your attendance, call 410-545-6958 or contact Renard Brooks at renard.brooks@baltimorecity.gov or 410-396-1809.
Women’s History Month Celebration at the National Aquarium
UPDATED: Friday, March 20, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
National Aquarium, 501 E. Pratt Street
The National Aquarium celebrates Women’s History Month with an evening of live performances, exhibits, and activities that honor Women from around the world. There will be a cash bar for guests 21 and over. Test your knowledge with women’s history trivia, join an interactive Zumba performance, explore a special exhibit celebrating women’s accomplishments in STEM, and more! All activities are included with Aquarium admission—discounted to $12 for the Aquarium's Fridays after 5:00. Tickets can be purchased at www.aqua.org.
Delta Authors on Tour
Saturday, March 21
Owings Mills Mall (lower level), 10300 Mill Run Circle, Owings Mills
The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. National Arts and Letters Commission presents ten talented, intriguing, and inspiring female authors. This free all-day event, hosted by the Baltimore Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter (BMAC), is part of an effort to promote literacy and entrepreneurship across the country. Delta Authors on Tour features literary ladies from Maryland; Washington, DC; California; Georgia; and Florida. For more information, email artsandletters@bmacdst.org or call 443-803-4672.
City Living Starts Here
Saturday, March 28, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church, 4640 Edmondson Avenue
Participants in Live Baltimore's City Living Starts Here tour will become eligible to apply for a $5,000 homebuying incentive through Baltimore Housing. The event will feature a city living fair and a narrated walking tour of the Hunting Ridge area. Exhibitors including real estate professionals and community organizations will be on-hand to answer your questions. Registration is $10. For more information, visit livebaltimore.com/events.
Your Money, Your Goals
Thursdays through April 2, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
All Baltimore City Community Action Centers
Join the Baltimore City Community Action Partnership to learn about financial literacy and planning. These workshops will cover topics ranging from household budgeting and debt relief to banking, credit, and savings. For more information or to register, visit humanservices.baltimorecity.gov, call 410-545-6958, or visit your local Community Action Center.
Community Action Centers
- Northern: 5225 York Road
- Northwestern: 3939 Reisterstown Road
- Southern: 606 Cherry Hill Road
- Southeastern: 3411 Bank Road
- Eastern: 1400 E. Federal Street
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