Commentary

by David A. PlymyerJun 29, 2026

How did the costs for renovating the Rocky Point Golf Course clubhouse jump from $500,000 to $6.6 million without Baltimore County lawmakers’ knowledge? [OP-ED]

Special SeriesJun 15, 2026

If Maryland residents want independent and effective inspectors general, they are going to have to insist on it

It’s clear that elected officials don’t share the public’s wishes. Here’s a reasonable way to give IGs access to records otherwise protected by the Maryland Public Information Act. [OP-ED]

Jun 5, 2026

Klausmeier administration’s ridiculous explanation for funding a pet project of the former county executive

CAO D’Andrea Walker says the $6.5 million for a new Rocky Point Golf Course clubhouse never went through the grant approval process because it wasn’t a grant [OP-ED]

Special SeriesMay 18, 2026

The Baltimore County Council pension bill: Too little too late

Complicit in a convoluted pension grab, lawmakers are trying to save face now with a bill that could set the county up for a lawsuit. [OP-ED]

Special SeriesMay 1, 2026

The Brandon Scott image Cumming posted was bad, but Ferguson exploiting it to shut her work down is shameful

The attacks on Cumming are aimed at diverting attention from Scott’s goal: to neutralize the inspector general’s ability to investigate fraud, waste and abuse within his administration. [OP-ED]

Apr 13, 2026

How low can you go? Baltimore’s helicopter playground puts city life at risk

The increase in low-flying tourist and police helicopters is endangering public safety. The FAA needs to act. [OP-ED]

Mar 4, 2026

Expansion of BPD’s license plate reader capability is dangerous – and flying in under the radar

Special SeriesMar 2, 2026

Remembering Baltimore Mayor McKeldin, an extinct species: the moderate-to-liberal Republican

Special SeriesFeb 23, 2026

A new state mandate requires jurisdictions to permit accessory dwelling units. Baltimore is making a mess of it

Feb 9, 2026

Mayor Scott’s war on Baltimore’s inspector general: Part II

Feb 2, 2026

An alarming and baseless attack on Baltimore’s inspector general

Special SeriesJan 26, 2026

Getting members of the Baltimore County Council to eliminate their pension windfalls won’t be easy

Special SeriesJan 20, 2026

Four Baltimore County Council members are now in a position to double their pensions

Special SeriesJan 5, 2026

Exaggerated reports about squatters favor landlord profits over tenant rights

Dec 15, 2025

Up in the Air: No authority in Baltimore County law to appoint an “acting” inspector general

Nov 24, 2025

Baltimore’s former zoning board director explains why she lost faith in zoning

Nov 18, 2025

Scott’s zoning bills will support real people with real needs by enabling “gentle density”

Nov 17, 2025

Eroding the bedrock of single-family-zoned neighborhoods in Baltimore doesn’t make sense

Nov 14, 2025

A frustrating game of hot potato in Baltimore County

Nov 13, 2025

No progress for Baltimore if it allows neighborhoods to cater only to “the people who own”

Nov 12, 2025

A warning from Marble Hill: Zoning bill will reverse our historic Black neighborhood’s progress

Oct 27, 2025

There’s a better way to craft legislation that will change the rules for Baltimore housing

Oct 24, 2025

A master class in how to turn Baltimore County’s zoning into a political free-for-all

Oct 20, 2025

The false promise of zoning bills being pitched as a path to affordable housing