Maryland Comptroller Blasts Lack Of Air Conditioning In Baltimore County Schools

The Baltimore Sun (10/20, Bowie) reports that in testimony before the Maryland Board of Public Works, State Comptroller Peter Franchot "criticized Baltimore County leaders Wednesday for failing to use $7 million in school construction funds to air-condition schools" and "asked the board to force the county to spend at least half of the money, which has come from the state alcohol tax, on air-conditioning. But Gov. Martin O'Malley and Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp, the other board members, said that while they were sympathetic to the pleas from children and parents, they would not interfere with local decisions on school construction spending."