One after another, the Baltimore lawmakers spat complaints at Mayor Sheila Dixon.
Dels. Nathaniel T. Oaks and Ann Marie Doory said they couldn't believe the mayor hadn't shared a traffic study with them. Del. Frank M. Conaway Jr. said he was "irritated with the political rhetoric we're hearing."
Dixon raised her voice to match the legislators', trying to continue her presentation at a recent city delegation meeting in Annapolis. But a few moments later, the lawmakers bristled again as Dixon told them about plans to meet with a casino developer. Several delegates wondered aloud if they would be invited. An exasperated Oaks blurted out: "Is there anyone you're talking to?"
At a time when the city is vying for state dollars in a tough economy, Dixon, a Democrat in her third year as mayor, can ill afford strained relationships with policymakers in Annapolis. This year, there's a new potential complication: Dixon was charged last month with 12 counts of felony theft, fraud, perjury and misconduct in office. She has said she is innocent and vowed not to let the case interrupt the city's business.
This time of year, much of the city's business takes place in the state capital. Decisions by lawmakers will determine how much money Baltimore gets for schools, roads and social services for inmates and drug offenders. The city's mayor needs to be a part of the discussion.
On the surface, Dixon's indictment has had little impact on her Annapolis routine.
Though she skipped the ceremonial first day of the General Assembly less than a week after charges were filed, she has met with lawmakers most Monday evenings since then, continuing a tradition.
On several recent trips to the state capital, Dixon was greeted warmly by legislators, who smiled and nodded at "Madame Mayor."
"I think the world of her," said Sen. Thomas "Mac" Middleton, a Charles County Democrat and Senate Finance Committee chairman, who greeted Dixon with a kiss before a private meeting one Monday evening. "She is a very decent and delightful woman. My attitude toward her will remain unchanged, unless something emerges to convince me otherwise."
But others, including several who watched the mayor's speech to the city delegation earlier this month, say they want Dixon to be more vocal and cooperative - especially when Baltimore could stand to lose $23 million in education money and other funding as the state snips away at its projected $2 billion deficit.
