Are tax increment financing (TIF) packages working for development in Baltimore?

Today's guest is Melody Simmons, a Senior Reporter for the Baltimore Business Journal. For nearly 10 years, she has been covering the planned transformation of an 88-acre parcel of land near Hopkins Hospital by East Baltimore Development, Inc (EBDI). She gives us an update on this TIF anchored project and where it stands with key stakeholders.

Are tax increment financing (TIF) packages working for development in Baltimore?
Today's guest is Melody Simmons, <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/bio/32802/Melody+Simmons" data-cms-ai="0">a Senior Reporter for the Baltimore Business Journal</a>. For nearly 10 years, she has been covering the planned transformation of an 88-acre parcel of land near Hopkins Hospital by East Baltimore Development, Inc (EBDI). She gives us an update on this TIF anchored project and where it stands with key stakeholders.

Monday-Friday from noon-1:00, Tom Hall and his guests are talking about what's on your mind, and what matters most to Marylander's, the latest news, local and national politics, education and the environment, popular culture and the arts, sports and science, race and religion, movies and medicine. We welcome your questions and comments. E-mail us at midday@wypr.org

Monday-Friday from noon-1:00, Tom Hall and his guests are talking about what's on your mind, and what matters most to Marylander's, the latest news, local and national politics, education and the environment, popular culture and the arts, sports and science, race and religion, movies and medicine. We welcome your questions and comments. E-mail us at <a href="mailto:midday@wypr.org">midday@wypr.org</a>

Midday

Monday-Friday from noon-1:00, Tom Hall and his guests are talking about what's on your mind, and what matters most to Marylander's, the latest news, local and national politics, education and the environment, popular culture and the arts, sports and science, race and religion, movies and medicine.  We welcome your questions and comments. E-mail us at midday@wypr.org.

Tax increment financing, TIFs, are supposed to help Baltimore grow. But are they working?

Last year, the American Library Association reported a 20% increase from the previous year in efforts to ban books in the US in both school and public libraries.

As WYPR education reporter Bri Hatch reported, 148 titles were challenged in Maryland last year, which made our state one of more than a dozen states to exceed one hundred banned books.

Maryland is one of the states with laws that require specific criteria for removing books from libraries, and which protect library personnel who act within that criteria.

Dr. Sonia Alcántara-Antoine, the CEO of the Baltimore County Public Library and the President of the board of the Public Library Association, joins Midday to discuss censorship, the future of the county's public library system and her summer reading list for young and old.

Picture books and children's fiction:

On a Summer Night by Deborah Hopkinson

• A beautifully illustrated soothing bedtime story set on a quiet summer night where various creatures awaken one by one. Ideal for bedtime or anytime, offering comfort and encouragement to young readers, also great for read-aloud or story time

Beach Hair by Ashley Woodfolk

• A heartfelt picture book celebrating family and community, the narrative follows the family's journey from waking up with wild bed head to embracing their beach hair and heading to the beach. Ultimately, the book encourages readers to embrace and celebrate their individuality, mirroring the freedom and wildness of the sea.

The Squish by Breanna Carzoo

• Summery illustrations will catch children’s eyes. Easy text for an early reader, yet a very engaging and fun story for children, young and old.

Rohan Murthy Has a Plan by Rajani Larocca

• Rohan Murthy wants to start a pet care company to raise money but his family thinks this is a bad choice because he dislikes animals!

Children's non-fiction:

Bite by Bite: American History Through Feasts, Foods, and Side Dishes by Marc Aronson and Paul Freedman

• Summer is all about eating and this book takes young readers on a culinary journey of the cultural, historical, and social influences on American eating habits. Beginning in 10,000 BCE, this title explores the Indigenous foods of the Americas and continues through colonial times, European immigration, civil rights, and today.

Teen fiction:

Even if it Breaks Your Heart by Erin Hahn

• A swooning enemies-to-dating romance with the two protagonists as alternating narrators. Well-written novel includes a deep look at class differences and how teens deal with grief.

Fiction:

Jackpot Summer by Elyssa Friedland

• Multigenerational Jewish American family story mourning the loss of the family matriarch a year earlier and coping with adult problems ranging from marital to financial and career crossroads. Three of the four adult siblings go in on Powerball tickets and win millions. How does this life-changing money change each of the three and what about the fourth sibling who’s left out in the cold? A Great book club choice with lots of laughs and discussable issues, not the least of which is just what would you do if you won the lottery?

You Are Here by David Nicholls

• Meet-cute with two appealing but lonely sad sacks who find each other on a hike across Britain. The book showcases this author's signature ability to understand middle-aged adults with pitch-perfect dialogue.

NONFICTION

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan

• Exceptional writing captures the joy of the natural world, and includes her own lovely drawings of birds. Her tips include providing a lot of fresh water sources to attract a wide variety of birds

The Race to the Future: 8,000 Miles to Paris by Kassia St Clair

• Five teams attempted to drive across Asia and Europe in 1907, in early cars on mostly unpaved roads. This was a journalistic sensation of the era, with newspapers worldwide following their progress. St. Clair places the race in the context of the advent of the modern era, and how this event helped accelerate the shrinking of the world.

(Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, Library Of Congress. Via Wikimedia.)

Last year, the American Library Association reported a 20% increase from the previous year in efforts to ban books in the US in both school and public libraries.
<a href="https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2024-03-29/maryland-bill-stops-slippery-slope-of-censorship-by-banning-book-bans" data-cms-ai="0">As WYPR education reporter Bri Hatch reported</a>, 148 titles were challenged in Maryland last year, which made our state one of more than a dozen states to exceed one hundred banned books.
Maryland is one of the states with laws that require specific criteria for removing books from libraries, and which protect library personnel who act within that criteria.
Dr. Sonia Alcántara-Antoine, the CEO of the <a href="https://www.bcpl.info/" data-cms-ai="0">Baltimore County Public Library</a> and the President of the board of the Public Library Association, joins Midday to discuss censorship, the future of the county's public library system and her summer reading list for young and old.
Picture books and children's fiction:
On a Summer Night by Deborah Hopkinson
• A beautifully illustrated soothing bedtime story set on a quiet summer night where various creatures awaken one by one. Ideal for bedtime or anytime, offering comfort and encouragement to young readers, also great for read-aloud or story time
Beach Hair by Ashley Woodfolk
• A heartfelt picture book celebrating family and community, the narrative follows the family's journey from waking up with wild bed head to embracing their beach hair and heading to the beach. Ultimately, the book encourages readers to embrace and celebrate their individuality, mirroring the freedom and wildness of the sea.
The Squish by Breanna Carzoo
• Summery illustrations will catch children’s eyes. Easy text for an early reader, yet a very engaging and fun story for children, young and old.
Rohan Murthy Has a Plan by Rajani Larocca
• Rohan Murthy wants to start a pet care company to raise money but his family thinks this is a bad choice because he dislikes animals!
Children's non-fiction:
Bite by Bite: American History Through Feasts, Foods, and Side Dishes by Marc Aronson and Paul Freedman
• Summer is all about eating and this book takes young readers on a culinary journey of the cultural, historical, and social influences on American eating habits. Beginning in 10,000 BCE, this title explores the Indigenous foods of the Americas and continues through colonial times, European immigration, civil rights, and today.
Teen fiction:
Even if it Breaks Your Heart by Erin Hahn
• A swooning enemies-to-dating romance with the two protagonists as alternating narrators. Well-written novel includes a deep look at class differences and how teens deal with grief.
Fiction:
Jackpot Summer by Elyssa Friedland
• Multigenerational Jewish American family story mourning the loss of the family matriarch a year earlier and coping with adult problems ranging from marital to financial and career crossroads. Three of the four adult siblings go in on Powerball tickets and win millions. How does this life-changing money change each of the three and what about the fourth sibling who’s left out in the cold? A Great book club choice with lots of laughs and discussable issues, not the least of which is just what would you do if you won the lottery?
You Are Here by David Nicholls
• Meet-cute with two appealing but lonely sad sacks who find each other on a hike across Britain. The book showcases this author's signature ability to understand middle-aged adults with pitch-perfect dialogue.
NONFICTION
The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan
• Exceptional writing captures the joy of the natural world, and includes her own lovely drawings of birds. Her tips include providing a lot of fresh water sources to attract a wide variety of birds
The Race to the Future: 8,000 Miles to Paris by Kassia St Clair
• Five teams attempted to drive across Asia and Europe in 1907, in early cars on mostly unpaved roads. This was a journalistic sensation of the era, with newspapers worldwide following their progress. St. Clair places the race in the context of the advent of the modern era, and how this event helped accelerate the shrinking of the world.
(Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, Library Of Congress. Via Wikimedia.)

Book bans, and book fans, with Baltimore County's head librarian

Navasha Daya is a Baltimore-based performing artist, songwriter and activist who has earned international acclaim. She has performed internationally, sharing stages with the likes of Erykah Badu, Joan Baez and Common.

She is also an activist and organizer. She cofounded the Healing & Performing Arts of the Youth Resiliency Institute, and she is also the co-director of the Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival in South Baltimore.

Navasha Daya is set to appear Sunday, May 19, at Baltimore’s Keystone Korner, celebrating the birthdays of Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington.

(Photo Courtesy of Daya World, LLC photographed by Jazzystudios)

Navasha Daya is a Baltimore-based performing artist, songwriter and activist who has earned international acclaim. She has performed internationally, sharing stages with the likes of Erykah Badu, Joan Baez and Common.
She is also an activist and organizer. She cofounded the Healing &amp; Performing Arts of the Youth Resiliency Institute, and she is also the co-director of the Cherry Hill Arts &amp; Music Waterfront Festival in South Baltimore.
Navasha Daya is set to appear Sunday, May 19, <a href="https://www.keystonekornerbaltimore.com/tickets">at Baltimore’s Keystone Korner</a>, celebrating the birthdays of Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington.
(Photo Courtesy of Daya World, LLC photographed by Jazzystudios)

The distinct and soulful sound of Navasha Daya

Democrats and Republicans in Maryland now know the nominees for their respective parties in some of November's important elections.

Votes cast in last night's primary election are being counted, but the results so far pointed to several clear cut victories. Mayor Brandon Scott trounced challenged Sheila Dixon in Baltimore city's mayor race, while Howard County Executive Angela Alsobrooks is set to face off against Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan for one of Maryland's U.S. Senate seats.

Our guests join Midday to analyze the results, and look ahead to the general election.

Mary Miller is a former business executive who ran for Baltimore mayor in 2020. She also served in the Obama Administration at the U.S. Treasury.

Dean Roger Hartley heads the College of Public Affairs at the University of Baltimore.

William J. Ford covers news and Maryland politics for Maryland Matters.

Jim Burton Republican strategist and founder of Burton Research and Strategies.

Democrats and Republicans in Maryland now know the nominees for their respective parties in some of November's important elections.
Votes cast in last night's primary election are being counted, but the results so far pointed to several clear cut victories. Mayor Brandon Scott <a href="https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2024-05-15/incumbent-scott-takes-second-term-as-baltimore-city-mayor" data-cms-ai="0">trounced challenged Sheila Dixon in Baltimore city's mayor race</a>, while Howard County Executive Angela Alsobrooks is <a href="https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2024-05-15/maryland-democrats-choose-alsbrooks-for-u-s-senate-will-face-hogan-in-fall-in-crucial-race" data-cms-ai="0">set to face off against Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan for one of Maryland's U.S. Senate seats</a>.
Our guests join Midday to analyze the results, and look ahead to the general election.
Mary Miller is a former business executive who ran for Baltimore mayor in 2020. She also served in the Obama Administration at the U.S. Treasury.
Dean Roger Hartley heads the College of Public Affairs at the University of Baltimore.
William J. Ford covers news and Maryland politics for Maryland Matters.
Jim Burton Republican strategist and founder of Burton Research and Strategies.

Tax increment financing, TIFs, are supposed to help Baltimore grow. But are they working?

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