Summary of Baltimore City's $4.6 billion Budget: Funds Migrants, Slashes Police Budget

$4.6B Budget Prioritizes Migrants Over Public Safety
- Nearly $2M is going to legal and social services for migrant communities while funding is cut from the police department.
More Bureaucracy, Not More Safety
- Creation of new departments and expansion of government offices while violent crime remains a top concern for residents.
Public Safety Takes a Hit
- $1.2M cut from the Baltimore Police Department, and $112K diverted from the State’s Attorney’s Office, despite ongoing crime issues.
Blaming Trump for Fiscal Accountability
- Mayor Scott blames federal funding cuts from the Trump era, which were part of broader efforts to reduce government spending.
Fee and Fine Increases Hidden in Amendments
- Nearly $7M in fee hikes passed alongside the budget, potentially burdening working-class Baltimoreans.
Green Agenda Moves Forward, Crime Solutions Delayed
- $750K allocated for composting, but critical police and prosecution resources were cut or shifted.
Expansion of Government with Questionable ROI
- New Department of Consumer Protection and licensing reform adds layers of bureaucracy with unclear benefit.
Raises for Sanitation Workers – One Bright Spot
- Long-overdue pay increases for city sanitation workers were included, offering some relief to frontline workers.

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Summary of Baltimore City’s $4.6 billion Budget: Funds Migrants, Slashes Police Budget