I’ve been trying to prevent lead poisoning of children since my first year in the legislature.
From day one, the landlords have said, “If you require us to do preventive measures, the cost will put us out business.”
We’ve imposed reasonable requirements that reduce the risk to kids, and the landlords are still among us. Meanwhile, the number of children who’ve been poisoned has fallen dramatically.
That’s why I was dismayed to read in the Baltimore Sun that the Housing Authority of Baltimore City is making the same misguided argument that the property owners made 28 years ago.
“It is not possible” for the Housing Authority of Baltimore City to pay the legal judgments that have been awarded to its tenants who are victims of lead paint poisoning, according to the director of the Authority.
Senator Lisa Gladden, Delegate Nathaniel Oaks, and I wrote Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake about this today. Excerpts follow.
“Many of these victims will endure life-long disabilities due to the negligence of HABC, an entity that is not above the law and is legally obliged to comply with court orders.
“According to the Baltimore Sun, over the last several years, HABC has spent nearly $4 million in lawyer’s fees pursuing questionable legal theories and strategies to avoid its legal and ethical obligations to those it has harmed—even in those cases where HABC agreed in court to the amount of the award.
“Every dollar spent on frivolous and delaying legal tactics is also one less dollar available for the capital and operating budget needs of HABC.
“We would be happy to meet with you to discuss and explore the means by which HABC could find or raise the revenues necessary to compensate victims of lead poisoning who now face life-long conditions of often severe disability. This can and should be done consistent with the rule of law and in a manner which protects the resources of the Housing Authority.”
April 6
Thanks for speaking on behalf of our children! Baltimore City officials must be held accountable for their obvious malfeasanse in letting the insurance policy lapse that would have been available to pay these rightful claims…they must find the money!