Keiffer’s Record

During his time serving on the City Council, Keiffer Mitchell had a reputation as one of its hardest working members. Below are just some of Keiffer's accomplishments during his time there.

  • Brought $410,000,000 as Chairman of the Taxation and Finance committee in bond monies to Baltimore City for capital improvements to our schools, our libraries, the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, and our parks.
  • Utilized Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) as Chairman of the Taxation and Finance committee to bring city dollars to Belvedere Square, Harborview, Clipper Mill, Locust Point, Charles Village, and the Mondawmin area.
  • Named the 'Man with the Plan' by the Baltimore Sun after devising the $42 million city loan package to bailout the Baltimore City School System in 2004 (March 10, 2004).
  • Sought to bring tax innovations to Baltimore, such as allowing the Homestead Property Tax Credit to follow homeowners if they moved within the City
  • Fought regessive taxes such as the so-called "Cell Phone" and Energy taxes, which taxes all at the same rate no matter their income level
  • Called for the implementation of a Tax and Fee Structure Task Force to study Baltimore's antiquated tax and fee structure.
  • Has been an outspoken advocate for more accountability in the school system. He introduced 06-0205R, which asked to put City schools back in the hands of the City to stop the finger-pointing within the system.
  • Was the lead sponsor of a resolution (05-0011R) that created the Urban Education Reform Commission that is currently studying ways to make our school system safer for our children and as well as more productive.
  • Keiffer sponsored a bill amendment to to crack down on the rampant absenteeism in the schools. Now, for every day a child is truant, a judge can force the parent to perform an hour of community service in the public school that the child attends.
  • Fought for and secured an additional $3 Million to put computers in the classrooms of every division of Baltimore's public schools.
  • Sponsored the bill to allow public school teachers to buy houses for a nominal fee and receive loans to make repairs, encouraging teachers to work in Baltimore and clean up the city's thousands of vacant properties.
  • Implemented his "Taking Back Our Communities One Corner at a Time" campaign. Every month, rain, snow or shine, Councilman Mitchell, along with representatives from all major city agencies, took his City Council office to the worst drug corners in Baltimore.
  • Drafted legislation that would outlaw the sale or possession of pipes or glass tubes used to smoke crack cocaine and other illegal substances. The Baltimore Times called Councilman Mitchell's plan a "simple, yet bold step in the right direction" (Oct. 11, 2002).
  • Was the lead sponsor of a resolution (06-0180R) asking that Baltimore City contribute more money to the Energy Assistance Program, which assists low income families in paying their energy bills.
  • Was the lead sponsor of legislation (06-0414) that would exempt real estate transfers between spouses from the City's transfer tax.
  • Was the lead sponsor of legislation (06-0384) that would exempt City residents from the energy tax to ease the burden of the then-impending rate hike.
  • Introduced an ordinance to open new convalescent, nursing and rest homes in the community so seniors can live near their families.
  • In light of the death of a child, Councilman Mitchell launched an investigation of child welfare services to ensure that such a case of horrific neglect, abuse and torture does not ever again happen to any of our City's innocent children.
  • Was the lead sponsor of a resolution (06-0171R) requesting that Baltimore City appeal a plan approved by the Public Service Commission that would have allowed electricity rates to jump 72% without a public hearing.
  • Councilman Mitchell introduced a resolution calling for hearing to investigate the safety of Baltimore's water supply, and determine how to avoid further contaminations.
  • Secured $1.5 million to correct lead in the water of Baltimore City Public Schools.
  • Led the fight against predatory lending that forced many first-time homebuyers into incredibly high interest payments, and often, loan defaults. .