John Lee

Baltimore

Reporter at WYPR-FM (Baltimore, MD)

Husband, father, reporter, Deadhead

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Articles

Baltimore County IG wants legal clarity after reappointment denied

1 week ago | baltimorefishbowl.com | John Lee

Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan said the county attorney should offer guidance on whether County Executive Kathy Klausmeier can reappoint her. This comes following Klausmeier’s decision to not reappoint Madigan to a second term. In an interview on WYPR’s Midday on Friday, Madigan took issue with Klausmeier’s reading of the county code that she can’t be reappointed and instead it must be opened up to other applicants.
Baltimore County IG wants legal clarity after reappointment denied

1 week ago | wypr.org | John Lee

Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan said the county attorney should offer guidance on whether County Executive Kathy Klausmeier can reappoint her. This comes following Klausmeier’s decision to not reappoint Madigan to a second term. In an interview on WYPR’s Midday on Friday, Madigan took issue with Klausmeier’s reading of the county code that she can’t be reappointed and instead it must be opened up to other applicants.
Baltimore County's award-winning 'fraud fighter' might now be out of a job

1 week ago | wypr.org | John Lee |Teria Rogers |Sam Bermas-Dawes

WYPR Baltimore County reporter John Lee hosts Midday and speaks with Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan. Madigan held the position since the office's inception in 2020, and received praise for her active role in investigating waste, fraud and abuse in county government. But at the end of five-year term in January, Madigan learned she would have to reapply to continue a second term.
Debate over Baltimore County code clouds Madigan’s reappointment as inspector general

1 week ago | wypr.org | John Lee

Two weeks after Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan was told she would have to reapply for her job, questions remain as to why. In a May 12 letter to Madigan, County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said that it’s the county code that requires her to open up the process for hiring an inspector general rather than reappoint Madigan. A spokeswoman for Klausmeier said the executive did not feel the need to request legal advice from County Attorney James Benjamin about the code.
Baltimore County OKs budget with no tax hike

2 weeks ago | wypr.org | John Lee

The Baltimore County Council passed a budget Thursday for the next fiscal year that does not raise taxes. The Council left County Executive Kathy Klausmeier’s $5.2 billion spending plan virtually untouched. The council did slice $6.6 million from the budget. That money was for renovating the clubhouse at the Rocky Point Golf Course in Essex.
Baltimore County Council fails to find a way to help teachers get raises

2 weeks ago | wypr.org | John Lee

The Baltimore County Council is poised to pass next year’s $5.2 billion annual budget Thursday afternoon. Heading up to that vote, Council members tried to flex their muscles to force the school system to fully fund raises for teachers. But in the end, they had to come to terms with the fact that when it comes to the county budget, they have few options.
$178M federal funding threat puts Baltimore County schools, jobs at risk

2 weeks ago | wypr.org | John Lee

About eight percent of the Baltimore County Public School’s budget comes from the federal government according to school officials, who said they are weighing the consequences of possibly losing that funding. George Sarris, the schools’ acting chief financial officer, told the county council at a May 15 budget hearing that they are counting on $178 million in federal grants for next year’s budget. Sarris said about two-thirds of that money will go to low income schools and special education.
$38 million gap expected to slash Baltimore County teacher raises

3 weeks ago | wypr.org | John Lee

Baltimore County Schools are $38 million short of what they need to give teachers the pay raises they were promised next year. At a budget hearing before the County Council Thursday, School Superintendent Myriam Rogers called it “not probable” that they will come up with the money. Rogers said her staff is looking for savings in the budget that can be shifted to salaries. “We are slowly but surely finding additional reductions in additional areas, not impacting the school house,” Rogers said.
Majority of Baltimore County Council backs IG Madigan amid reappointment dispute

3 weeks ago | wypr.org | John Lee

A majority of the members of the Baltimore County Council want Inspector General Kelly Madigan to keep her job, after she was told that she must reapply. That’s significant because while County Executive Kathy Klausmeier nominates the inspector general, the pick needs to be confirmed by the county council.
Baltimore County bows to state on solar farm control

1 month ago | wypr.org | John Lee

In an acknowledgment that it likely is losing its authority over where large solar farms can go, the Baltimore County Council Monday night passed legislation that aligns with a bill that was approved by the Maryland General Assembly last month. Under the new state legislation, localities only control solar projects that generate less than one megawatt. A one megawatt farm needs 5-7 acres, according to the Solar Farm Industries Association.