Alexandra Smith

Longtime Public Servant. Dog mom. Amateur chef. Voracious reader. Meditator. Awe-seeker. Aspiring writer. Based in Baltimore. Nickname: Alli.

[The Baltimore Sun @baltimoresun]

On the eve of what would turn out to be a mass overdose incident in the Penn North neighborhood last week, members of the Baltimore City government, local overdose prevention groups and concerned residents gathered at Cherry Hill Elementary School to discuss ways to prevent such events.

Scott passed an executive order in 2024 promising to use the $402.5 million in financial settlements and awards Baltimore City received from pharmaceutical companies to reduce fatal overdoses by 40% by 2040.

The listening sessions are intended for residents to provide suggestions and direction for how to achieve that goal and use the funds. Read more: https://t.co/KNvTZ766B8

📸: Chevall Pryce, @baltimoresun

[Ruben Gallego @RubenGallego]

Medical debt doesn’t tell you if someone is financially irresponsible. It tells you they got sick.

Trump’s decision to re-add it to credit reports will punish millions of Americans for having cancer, caring for a sick kid, or going to the ER.

[Alexandra Smith @AlliTremain]

@eric_hontz I guess that’s one way to look at it!

[Alexandra Smith @AlliTremain]

Baltimore’s 988 call center leads the nation in answer rates. In Feb 2024, we got ~3,500 calls. By Jan 2025, it rose to 4,900+.

Progress is real—but many still don’t know when or how to use 988. And frankly some don’t trust it.

That’s why outreach like this is critical.

[Emily Opilo @emilyopilo]

Baltimore’s spending board approved a $10M contract this morning to do outreach for the 988 behavioral health crisis line. The $ will come from the city’s opioid restitution funds. It will cover 5 years worth of outreach including annual polling to see how people view the system

[Bill Ferguson @SenBillFerg]

Maryland just launched the Department of Social and Economic Mobility to lead the charge on equity, innovation, and support for small and disadvantaged businesses. Special thanks to @SpeakerAJones for sponsoring HB1253 to make this vision a reality!

[Justin Fenton @justin_fenton]

Data analyzed by @BaltimoreBanner shows that despite Trump promising his mass deportation campaign would go after violent criminals, 60% of immigrants arrested in Maryland have never been convicted of crimes. Only 13% committed violent crimes https://t.co/Og1gISAR7Q

[Alexandra Smith @AlliTremain]

Most recent report on this work was published yesterday and is open now for public comment: https://t.co/grlYV19x1S

[Alexandra Smith @AlliTremain]

The Behavioral Health Collaborative convenes cross-sector partners to drive system-wide transformation. It’s an active structure for accountability, coordination, and change. The next mtg is 5/22 and anyone is welcome: https://t.co/5A4SqH8M2k

[Emily Opilo @emilyopilo]

The council hearing on police response to behavioral health issues isn't on the calendar yet, but I'm hearing it will be in late Aug. Residents are pleading to be heard now. "This needs to be addressed immediately, not kicking the can," said resident Charlene Rock-Foster.

[Alexandra Smith @AlliTremain]

If I could pick a single line to capture the last 11 years, it would probably be this single line from remarks I gave in the council hearing today:  

[The United States Conference of Mayors @usmayors]

In 2021, @MayorBMScott rolled out a comprehensive plan to reduce gun violence by approaching it as a public health threat instead of simply a crime issue.

Four years later, Baltimore is seeing the fewest homicides in more than 50 years. https://t.co/GqqvDLiKMO

[Alexandra Smith @AlliTremain]

See you tonight, Cherry Hill!

[Brandon M. Scott @MayorBMScott]

REMINDER: Our first public listening session on the new citywide Overdose Response Strategy kicks off TONIGHT. Come join the conversation and have a voice in shaping the final version of this plan.

To register and find a session in your community, visit: https://t.co/Te0lkC6T8J

[Jayne Miller @jemillerbalt]

As the House passes Trump's budget...
A rural health clinic in Nebraska has announced it is closing due to uncertainty over Medicaid funding.
There have been repeated warnings rural health care would be at risk with cuts to Medicaid.

[Brandon M. Scott @MayorBMScott]

This is an ugly bill-cruel, reckless, and deeply out of touch with the needs of everyday Americans. This isn’t just bad policy-it’s a betrayal. And every member of Congress who voted for this should be ashamed. Baltimore won’t forget.

[Brandon M. Scott @MayorBMScott]

As of this morning, homicides are down 27.7% and nonfatal shootings are down 19.6% compared to this time last year.

Our continued progress is the direct result of the comprehensive, evidence-based public safety strategy that we have implemented in partnership with residents.

[Alexandra Smith @AlliTremain]

💐 💐 💐
I wish Tater was alive to witness this too.

[Keisha @Hey_MissKeisha]

This is great news. Let's make sure to express our gratitude to the violence interrupters who courageously put themselves at risk each day to deescalate conflict in order to save lives.

[Alexandra Smith @AlliTremain]

@justin_fenton Omg

[Alexandra Smith @AlliTremain]

I’m sharing a personal update as I prepare to step away from my role in the Mayor’s Office after 11 years. This is a reflection I wrote about the decision, the work I’ll never forget, and what comes next.
–
Eleven years. Four mayors. A city I love. 

https://t.co/vbkt2Cpl8g

[Justin Fenton @justin_fenton]

The previous first half low was 77, in 1977. Even adjusting for the massive population loss since then, this is the lowest murder rate since 1978 when William Donald Schaefer was mayor

[Justin Fenton @justin_fenton]

Baltimore ended the first half of 2022 with 179 homicides, the worst first half of a year on record (since 1970).
Baltimore just ended the first half of 2025 with 68 homicides, which is the fewest on record.
That’s a 62 percent drop from 2022-2025

[Alexandra Smith @AlliTremain]

Patriots

[Charlie Kirk @charliekirk11]

BREAKING: The Big Beautiful Budget Bill has FAILED 16-21 in the House Budget Committee vote after several Republican Budget Hawks voted against it for lack of spending cuts.

Here are the 5 Republican NO votes:

Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas
Josh Brecheen, R-Okla.
Andrew Clyde, R-Ga.
Ralph Norman, R-S.C.
Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa.

A setback, but this is not our last chance to pass the bill. Let's get folks back in the room and get REAL cuts.