The $424 million proposed for a new track could be better spent on housing, street and bridge repair and public safety. City schools have a $3 billion project backlog to bring them into 21st century with air conditioning and heating that works, and millions more dollars are needed to improve teaching and student outcomes. Our police don’t have the communications equipment and training capacity they need to combat our dire crime situation. We have inadequate cable and wifi and crumbling sewer and water pipes. Neighborhoods that fear for the safety of their children want playgrounds and community centers. Gov. Larry Hogan sabotaged plans for a new state office and retail center and the cross-town light rail, but no one at City Hall seems focused on those issues.