Baltimore Sun: Elijah Cummings thanks Maryland General Assembly for aid to Baltimore, criminal justice reform

Rep. Elijah E. Cummings said Tuesday the hundreds of millions of dollars the Maryland General Assembly steered to Baltimore will have a significant impact on the city.

Cummings praised lawmakers for the money that will speed up the demolition of vacant houses, along with funding for schools, mentorships and other programs. Cummings, who served in the legislature for 14 years, said he wanted to thank "every member of the city delegation," along with Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael E. Busch and all other members who supported the spending.

"I appreciate everything they have been able to accomplish; the $290 million coming to Baltimore to address the many needs of our city is very, very significant," Cummings said.

The congressman also highlighted the legislature's passage of sweeping criminal justice reforms that makes treatment for drug offenders a priority over prison and eliminates mandatory minimum sentences for some drug crimes, among other changes.

"We didn't get everything we wanted, but we made steps in the right direction," Cummings said.

The session ended Monday.