Should Baltimore City and County Join Forces?

Why does Baltimore City have a separate government from Baltimore County? Some people think it would it make more sense to combine those two jurisdictions. Some don't, of course, but it’s an idea that has been bandied about for more than 70 years.A new report by the Abell Foundation is intended to revive the conversation about a consolidated regional government in the Baltimore metropolitan area. It’s called “Combining Forces,” and it includes case studies of three examples of metropolitan consolidation that did go forward-- in Nashville, TN, Indianapolis, IN and Louisville, KY. Jeff Wachter is the primary author of the Abell report. He is a researcher who specializes in the development of American cities and suburbs. Klaus Philipsen is an architect who writes and lectures widely about urban design, architecture, preservation and transportation issues.

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