Chevall Price

Moody’s Ratings has downgraded Baltimore’s credit rating, citing years of declining reserves across city government as Baltimore prepares to ask voters to authorize another $280 million in borrowing this fall. The downgrade does not mean Moody’s believes Baltimore cannot pay its debts. But it represents a warning about the city’s shrinking financial cushion at a time when officials plan to borrow more money for schools, roads, housing and other infrastructure.

Drivers in the Baltimore region are paying thousands each year because of rough roads, traffic congestion and crashes, according to a new report from the transportation research nonprofit TRIP. The analysis found motorists in the Baltimore metro area pay about $3,017 per year in added costs tied to deteriorating roads, delays and traffic crashes linked to inadequate safety features. Statewide, those problems cost drivers about $12.5 billion annually, the report found.

Maryland’s consumer watchdog is urging regulators to look into BGE’s multibillion-dollar infrastructure plans for the Baltimore Peninsula, arguing customers could be forced to pay for development that has not materialized. The utility says the projects are critical to reliability and long-term growth.