Gov. Hogan Tells Bryan Nehman He's 'Frustrated' With Baltimore Lawmakers' Opposition To Crime Bills

Gov. Larry Hogan says he's still intent on doing all he can to help fight violent crime and blight in Baltimore, but wishes elected officials would get out of their own way.

In the third part of his sit-down with Bryan Nehman, he touted efforts like Project CORE and the demolition of the old city jail, but said he was "frustrated" with the lack of cooperation from "some folks that are supposed to be representing the city."

He cited the opposition by most of the city delegation in the General Assembly to his bill mandating at least 10 years in prison for repeat violent offenders and the opposition from some to allowing Johns Hopkins to establish a police force. That legislation passed the state Senate last week, and a hearing was held Wednesday in the House of Delegates.

"They're fighting about whether we should add 100 extra police officers into the city for Hopkins and they're not sure if they want to do that or not," Hogan said.

City lawmakers also shelved a proposal to arm city school police officers. On Tuesday--Cross Over Day in Annapolis--Hogan fumed, calling Democratic lawmakers "the most pro-criminal group of legislators I've ever seen."

Hogan said he would continue to demand accountability from the city school system, but also highlighted the 43 federal opportunity zones in the city. In addition to the federal tax breaks under President Donald Trump's tax reform, Hogan introduced legislation to offer additional incentives for developers.

"That's going to attract potentially hundreds of mils worth of investment into the city, which we're trying to supercharge to create...more jobs and put more job training in those neighborhoods that need the help the most," Hogan said.

Nehman also asked Hogan about the medical aid in dying bill, which Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said Tuesday he believes will narrowly pass.

"It's a real difficult issue, and one that I wrestle with a lot personally, and I'm not sure how I would come down if I were put in that position," Hogan said. "It's one that if it comes to my desk, and I'm not sure it will, don't believe it will, but it's something I would give a lot of heartfelt and very careful consideration to."