If you live near Loyola University, your neighborhood participates in the school’s strategic planning.

That collaboration began with a bill of mine that was defeated – forty years ago.

Loyola had purchased a nearby apartment building to convert it into a dormitory.

My legislation would have required that the elderly tenants, whose leases were not renewed, be assisted in finding a new apartment.

After my bill was defeated, Speaker Ben Cardin and Mayor William Donald Schaefer urged Loyola to begin a planning process with its neighbors to avoid conflicts like this.

That cooperative effort continues today.

However, before my bills are defeated, I now ask the affected parties if they can take steps to address a problem that do not require a change in the law.

With that commitment, I can withdraw my bill.

I did that twice today.

To assist entry-level workers in gaining the skills needed to advance to higher paying jobs, the Department of Labor will modify an existing program.

Employees at Sinai and Levindale, many of whom live nearby, will benefit.

Two weeks ago, I wrote you about discussions with Herman Berlin, an auto parts distributor, and state procurement officials.

Herman wrote me today, “The memo from [a state procurement official] is exactly what I need.”