On Thursday, the public will have the opportunity to testify and attend the hearing in the Taxation, Finance & Economic Development Committee for the Water Accountability and Equity Act, CB 18-0307. Dozens of Baltimoreans plan to wear all blue in support of the critical legislation -- impacted residents will be available for interviews. The group will include the Baltimore Right to Water Coalition to showcase the overwhelming public support that exists for strong legislation to correct Baltimore’s water woes and bring more accountability and equity into the water billing system.

The bill was introduced by Mayor Jack Young [1] and cosponsored by every member of the city council. It has wide support from a community that faces serious problems due to incorrect and unaffordable water bills. The bill will create a Water-for-All Affordability Program to ensure water bills are affordable for low-income households, and it creates the Office of the Customer Advocate to provide an effective, timely and accountable process to resolve billing disputes.

Impacted residents Kimberly Armstrong and Rev. Alvin Gwynn, as well as local business owners, national utility affordability expert Roger Colton and local expert witnesses from Food & Water Watch, Public Justice Center, and Neighborhood Housing Services are able to do pre-interviews or share their testimony on-the-record leading up to the hearing, or post-hearing. Contact me ([email protected] [2], 202-683-2538) to make arrangements for that!

What: Public hearing and interview availability on Water Accountability and Equity Act

When: Thursday,  May 16, 2019, hearing starts at 5 pm, interview availabilities

Where: Baltimore City Hall

Who: Baltimore residents gathered by the Baltimore Right to Water coalition and Food & Water Watch, legislative sponsors, faith leaders, water advocates

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