BALTIMORE (AP) - When Baltimore's streets erupted in the worst rioting in 40 years, Republican Gov. Larry Hogan pledged to help heal the city. Instead, critics say, some of his administration's policy decisions over the last 16 months undercut local efforts to address the deep-seated poverty and violence that triggered the unrest in the first place.
The Hogan administration counters that the state allocates more direct local aid to Baltimore than any other jurisdiction and the highest K-12 funding per pupil.
But critics point to Hogan's refusal to release an $80 million package authorized by lawmakers as their latest example. It included $1 million for a violence intervention initiative that hires former felons and ex-gang members to mediate potentially violent conflicts.
The program could be forced to close without the money.
