Baltimore is poised to become the first major U.S. city to prohibit privatization of its water system and the first to do so by amending its city charter.
“Water privatization is simply unethical, immoral, and dangerous,” said Rianna Eckel, Maryland organizer with Food and Water Watch and convener of the Right to Water Coalition Eckel, at a press conference at City Hall on August 6, 2018. Behind her stood Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, City Council President Jack Young, and dozens of members of the Right to Water Coalition.
An hour later, Baltimore City Council overwhelmingly voted to approve the measure. Council President Young, who introduced the amendment, fast-tracked the bill through the legislature. Mayor Catherine Pugh signed it earlier this week. It will now go before voters on the November ballot, where it is expected to pass.
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BY DHARNA NOOR | AUGUST 17, 2018