At the public hearing on City Council Bill 25-0100, Bill Henry acknowledged that the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund has been subject to unfair media scrutiny, noting that early architects of BCYF underestimated how the optics of a taxpayer-funded entity would invite heightened attention. He clarified that BCYF’s audits were publicly posted on the organization’s website, even when not directly submitted to the City Auditor, and accepted responsibility for gaps in how oversight processes were initially structured.
During the nearly three-hour public hearing, Alysia Lee reaffirmed BCYF’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and public oversight, while expressing concern that the bill, as written, could weaken outcomes for Baltimore’s youth-serving organizations. Bill sponsor Mark Parker praised BCYF’s impact and growth, and noted the need for updated legislative clarity. No vote was taken, and amendments will be considered at a future hearing.
Read the full article, covered by Baltimore Brew, for more coverage and detailed testimony from the hearing.
