Court to Hear Challenge on Harborplace Ballot Question

A legal challenge to the wording of Baltimore's Harborplace redevelopment ballot question, known as Question F, is set for a hearing next week, following claims by former mayoral candidate Thiru Vignarajah that it is confusing and misleading. The proposal by MCB Real Estate includes building 900 apartments and a large park area, but Vignarajah's opposition campaign has gained traction ahead of the November vote. Meanwhile, a separate political power struggle is unfolding in Baltimore, with billionaire David Smith financing a proposal to cut the City Council size, which Mayor Brandon Scott argues aims to shift control back to affluent white individuals. In Lynchburg, city councilors debated a five-year-old ordinance regarding their pay raises, which had initially been set aside due to the pandemic. Additionally, Baltimore County is facing contention over a proposed council expansion, with Republicans and Democrats at odds over a politically fair redistricting map that some allege violates public engagement protocols. The outcomes of these political maneuvers could significantly impact local governance and representation in Maryland.