BALTIMORE, MD – The City Council today took a historic first step toward reversing planned cuts in services geared toward children, seniors and families.

Today’s voting session by the Council’s Committee of the Whole reduced the Mayor’s proposed $2.8 billion fiscal year 2013 budget by $6.1 million, supporting a majority of Council President Young’s Plan for a Better Baltimore. Included in the $6.1 million in overall savings is nearly $1 million in approved cuts that were proposed by City Councilman James B. Kraft.

The Council’s spending reductions restores funding to help keep city recreation centers open, increase the amount the city spends on providing youth summer jobs and help prevent the planned closure of some fire companies.

“My colleagues and I have sent a clear signal that restoring funding to vital city services should be our top priority,” Council President Young said. I am looking forward to working with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to use the $6.1 million in spending reductions to fund these critical priorities.”

The council’s Committee of the Whole will vote on the approved amendments to the Mayor’s budget on Thursday, June 21 at 4:30 p.m.