Isaac "Yitzy" Schleifer
City Council District 5
About
Isaac “Yitzy” Schleifer is the Councilman for the 5th District of Baltimore City.
Councilman Schleifer is a lifelong resident of the 5th District and currently serving on the City Council since 2016. Councilman Schleifer is the Chair of the Rules and Legislative Oversight Committee and serves on both the Health, Environment, and Technology Committee and the Ways and Means Committee.
This is why we can’t have nice things.
We were told that the $641 MILLION in COVID relief money would be a one time investment used responsibly. Instead, one of the most controversial programs created was “Clean Corps” a $14 MILLION neighborhood cleanup program paying select groups to do work DPW already performed and continued to perform in hundreds of other neighborhoods, and our own communities and volunteers were already doing for free.
Meanwhile, the hardworking men and women of DPW showed up every single day throughout COVID, risking their health to keep this city running, while lacking basic equipment and supplies to do their jobs safely. Imagine how insulting it was to watch millions get handed out to politically connected cleanup groups while DPW workers were left behind.
We were told that Clean Corps was a temporary, two year bridge program created by the former planning director, Chris Ryer, and that workers would eventually transition into real AFSCME union city jobs with salaries and benefits.
That commitment is now broken.
Instead of ending the program now that the money has run out, taxpayers are now stuck with a new $3 MILLION annual General Fund burden. Even worse, after money from the program went missing, the Baltimore Civic Fund is refusing to take legal action to recover the money or the assets that were purchased with that money.
So now Baltimore taxpayers get the worst of both worlds:
Broken promises. Missing money.
And another permanent bill for our constituents who are already paying the highest property taxes in the state.
We need to stop throwing good money after bad. If we have 3 million to spend on cleaning up our streets, it needs to go to the hardworking men and woman of DPW, FULL STOP. ... See MoreSee Less
23 CommentsComment on Facebook
The City isn’t stuck with Clean Corps. The Mayor decided to keep it. Why? He has trouble saying no. And many in the neighborhoods being cleaned value it. There are so many bigger issues with City operations you could call out. Why do you keep bringing up Clean Corps again and again? Because it’s not operating in your neighborhood? The program doesn’t belong in DOP, it belongs in MOED, for two reasons: 1. It’s primarily a job training program and that’s what MOED does; and 2. MOED has long had much stronger processes and fiscal oversight than pretty much any other agency in the City. There also ought to be more attention given to ways to prevent litter and graffiti vs. cleaning it up. Enforcing fines for littering would bring in revenue and dissuade those throwing trash from their cars every single day. If Clean Corps employees want to apply for DPW jobs, they can. And they can get a DPW sanitation job easily if they can pass a drug test. DPW is always hiring for sanitation workers. And if they don’t want a DPW sanitation job, it’s likely because the pay is low or they can’t pass a drug test. The only way the City is going to close the revolving sanitation worker pipeline is if they negotiate with the union for 2-person crews vs. 3-person crews so they can pay them more. Clean Corps isn’t taking work away from DPW employees; it’s a job training program and the City has far more trash and graffiti than DPW can keep up with.
People should be appalledj at this, and I have to say thank you Councilman for having the backbone to stand up and say something about this egregious act
Thank you for making this information public. The responsibility of keeping communities clean start with the people that live there. DPW is responsible for general sanitation and should not be expected to clean up after chronic illegal dumping. Please enforce the laws that exist and increase fines associated with littering and illegal dumping. Use money generated from the fines to support any cleanup groups that are not volunteering to help communities with beautification projects.
What other specific steps if any can be taken at this point?
The City Council members seem so concerned, how about you all take over control of the ship and step up.
Thank you for saying something!!!!! The overspending of the Scott administration is insane. And a continuous slap in the face to every citizen who’s footing the bill.
Councilman Isaac Yitzy Schleifer, once again you're missing the headline. The real travesty is that money that was supposed to be used to pay wages for unemployed and underemployed Baltimore residents appears to have been mismanaged by #Baltimore #MayorBrandonScott. The City Council has the power to remove the Mayor for cause. If you're not going to use that power, these posts are purely performative.
It’s time for the f.e.d to step in
Not you using AAVE in the caption! Black Culture is worldwide 🤣🤣
We can't have nice things because billionaires exist. Say it back with me.
Again, Isaac Yitzy Schleifer, and KENNY EBRON PUTS A SPOT LIGHT , on the explosive spending growth! A 50% Growth from ~$12.4 MILLION increasing by ~6.2 million ballooning up to ~18.6 MILLION. In just two YEARS! Temporary Government projects seem to never die! Yet the burden is finally borne by City taxpayers! It’s a crushing burden on our City taxpayers, especially our Property Owners and renters! Baltimore City needs fiscal discipline with people in the City Council and a Mayor who understand the burden being placed upon the hard working people living in the city. Thank you Councilman Isaac Yitzy Schleifer and Kenny Ebron , for your leadership!
I understand it’s superfluous spending but I don’t understand the mixed message. I can’t tell if they did a good job or any job at all. Cleanliness is a “nice thing”. Unfair preferences and bidding in city contracts are not a nice thing. DPW being paid a fair living wage and keeping Baltimore sanitary is a nice thing. Dangerous work conditions are not. Clarity in purpose of serving the public by good stewardship of our tax revenue from our government, nice thing. Inflammatory rhetoric and mixed messages not helping our causes.
Shocker. Brandon Scott steals. Hahahah.
Dammm shame, If Martin, Thurgood, Malcolm, etc could March for Our Rights, I'm not understanding why these Millennials can't/ won't ‼️👎
Wake up this is the world the city we live in work pay taxes work pay more taxes get lied to period.
WHO THE HECK IS WE.... THE OTHER SIDE OF NORTHERN PKWY HAS ENDURED UR LACK LUSTER CONSIDERATION EVEN BEFORE BRANDON ENDORSED YOU OVER CHRIS ERVIN. When does Park Heights And Rogers get a pharmacy to replace CVS? ... WHEN DO WE GET THE FANCY PERSONAL SECURITY CAMERAS AND STAFF TO MONITOR. Stop waving ur left hand in front of eyes to distract what your right hand is doing.. THIS IS WHY POLITICS IS JUST A FILTHY LINT TRAP. .... WHERE IS YOUR OPINION ON NATIONAL ISSUES.. OR ARE U JUST HAPPY WITH THE PRESSURE UR THUMBS HAVE. There are people in your district that only see you when u do this, or when ur complaining about lack of... yet we have LACKED YOU FOR YEARS.
We live in a sad ass city! The corruption just continues please do not stop investigating these criminals in our city government.
Man I’m sick of this corruption
Stop electing democrats..
Maryland has the most corrupt politicians in the entire country and they are all Democrats !! All they're interested in is keeping the citizens of Md on the "Democratic Plantation" while they steal millions of taxpayers money ... 🤔
Where are the Feds?
Wow! Smh
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BALTIMORE TAXPAYERS ARE ABOUT TO PAY FOR Lazarus Rite’s MESS.
During this past week’s budget hearings, the Deputy City Administrator confirmed something we feared:
Baltimore taxpayers may have to repay the federal government for missing ARPA money tied to the failed $1.4 million Clean Corps contract given to The Lazarus Rite.
Here’s what makes this even worse:
Instead of reimbursing expenses after proof that the money was properly spent, like most city contracts, the city/civic fund foolishly fronted a large chunk of the money upfront.
The contract was eventually canceled after allegations that Christopher Ervin 's nonprofit misused a significant portion of those funds.
And now the Baltimore Civic Fund is refusing even to try to recover the money.
Think about that.
No serious effort to get the money back.
No accountability.
Just Baltimore taxpayers are left holding the bag.
At a time when families are struggling with the highest property taxes in the state, high utility bills, and other unavoidable costs, the ARPA office was handing out millions with little oversight, and now residents could be stuck paying for the fallout.
The public deserves answers:
Who approved this deal?
Where did the money go?
And why isn’t every possible effort being made to recover taxpayer dollars? ... See MoreSee Less
92 CommentsComment on Facebook
Let the people who approved this pay it back with interest I R S can take everything we worked for For back taxes. Now let those responsible Dig deep
The City isn’t on the hook for $1.4M. It has to repay a much smaller amount - I recall maybe $70K? Lazarus Rite did good work but couldn’t do bookkeeping/admin, even after capacity-building attempts to get them there, which is what caused their contract to be revoked. Small community-based organizations often need funds advanced to them as they don’t have the cash flow or reserves like big corporations to pay their bills and employees. That’s typical and necessary if you want contracts to go to smaller businesses or community-based orgs. You need to contextualize your claim that funds were misused. I believe the poor bookkeeping simply couldn’t account for how all funds were spent vs. being spent illicitly. It makes zero sense to spend time and $ on recovering a small amount of unrecoverable funds. The City has done the math and it doesn’t make fiscal sense. The organization no longer exists. Funds were spent, they’re not sitting in a bank account. Investing in small organizations is a risk. Many small organizations serve the City well. This contract didn’t work out and the City let them go in a timely manner vs. continuing on with them. You must take some risk if you want to partner with small companies and local non-profits.
So if they're not going after the money someone's pockets are being lined CROOKS
Maybe if the Inspector General was allowed to do her job… Maybe we can find out where the rest of the money went. That’s what over site is for.
Scott's pockets are getting full!
Just another reason why Baltimore City needs an independent Office of the Inspector General. We need greater oversight, transparency, and accountability for how our tax dollars are being spent.
Non profits launder money consistently.
Wish you could make a difference , but , I this city it’s not likely !
When does deliberate mismanagement cross the line into a criminal act? What are Bill Henry’s responsibilities as comptroller?
Brandon Scott got the money
The taxpayers will be paying back the money. Why are people so shocked. This is just another program that is going to cost the taxpayers even more money when they had no idea the program existed in the first place. They may have even planned to pass the risk on to taxpayer from the start.
This is personal. You are mad the city won’t prosecute your political opponent.
Why isn't the IG OFFICE all over this situation?!
So typical of Baltimore and Maryland! Get out while you still can
How can we help?
this you bro? baltimorebrew.com/2017/11/27/councilman-lobbied-the-mayor-to-divert-slots-money-to-shomrim-patrol...
Mr. Yitzy Please push Zeke and the council (Tony G, Mark C) to GET RID OF THE BOARD OF ESTIMATES!!! These problems will get better if the council has control over contracts instead of the current system that is broken! The mayor has too much power! Please do something about it!
What do you expect? This is what happens when you give certain folks some power. The current administration could fuck up a 1 car funeral procession.
🤣
Wow who side are you on the status quo or taxpayers ?
Maybe if the AG could stop suing Trump for a second he could prosecute these people??
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This budget grows to over $5 BILLION with nearly $400 million in new spending… yet still NO property tax relief. THE MONEY IS THERE!
Only 36% of the General Fund is fixed costs. That means there’s room to prioritize lowering housing costs and giving residents relief.
The slide below from the City’s own 10-year plan shows just how uncompetitive Baltimore’s property taxes are compared to surrounding jurisdictions.
If we’re not lowering taxes in a year with this much new spending, then when?
Take a look through the budget books and post what stands out to you. I want your questions, concerns, and feedback as we head into budget hearings.
www.baltimorecity.gov/bbmr/budget-publications ... See MoreSee Less
8 CommentsComment on Facebook
Councilman there’s a way to force a property tax reduction. Get the council to cut the budget and direct the cuts to a property tax reduction.
What stands out is how small Baltimore’s property tax base is compared to other jurisdictions.
Baltimore City- leading the way.........
My City Council cut the budget to create enough to reduce tax rate $.05...at least then, only Mayor can reduction budget and rate.
Twice the taxes for half the services.
What can we do besides vote for you Yitzy? When one council member vote blocks the Inspector General, nothing can stop City corruption.
Put an end to all the waste that occurs within the Baltimore City Government
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In my effort to get a clear, itemized breakdown of how $2 million in COVID relief funds were spent on Artscape, both the Deputy CAO and the Executive Producer of Artscape referred me to the Inspector General’s report. Until they suggested it, I had not yet read it.
One part of the report stood out immediately:
The former Chief Recovery Officer reportedly stated they were “not a big fan of Artscape,” and did not “understand many of the associated costs,” and felt “it’s all like, too much money to me.”
Unlike the former Recovery Officer, I am a fan of Artscape. My family attends every year, and I believe it’s an important cultural event for Baltimore. But I also share the same concern: I still do not understand the costs, which is exactly why I’m asking questions and seeking transparency.
After reading the report, here are a few key takeaways:
• The report does not identify a single artist by name, so the public still has no idea who was paid what.
• It refers only to “Artist 1,” “Artist 2,” “Artist 3,” etc., despite there being many more performers including many smaller and some local ones involved in the festival.
• The public still deserves answers to my simple questions:�Where is an itemized list of where two million dollars of COVID relief money went?
The report also details other expenses funded with COVID relief dollars, including:
• $50,000 to the Festival Director�• $25,000 to the Operations Manager�• $15,000 to the Stage Manager�• $25,000 to the Volunteer Coordinator�• $40,000 in booking fees for whoever secured the artists.
Most shocking to me was the revelation that tens of thousands of dollars were spent on VIP events, including a VIP cigar lounge at the War Memorial Building.
My original question was simple:�What was the $2 million in COVID relief money for Artscape actually spent on?
After reading this report, my position is even stronger:�The public deserves a complete, itemized accounting of the full cost of Artscape and where every taxpayer dollar went.
As Chair of the Legislative Investigations Committee the only City Council committee with subpoena power, I believe it is necessary for the Executive Producer of Artscape to provide a full accounting of these expenditures.
I encourage everyone to read the Inspector General report for themselves.
s3.amazonaws.com/baltimorecity.gov.if-us-east-1/s3fs-public/2026-02/public_synopsis_case_25-0047-... ... See MoreSee Less
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
Sir, this is exactly why we need to support Baltimore City Office of Inspector General Cumming.
Hot take. Most, if not all, of these costs are reasonable, at least categorically. Make sure that the money was spent as indicated and, if so, move on. Artscape expenses are a legitimate use of ARPA funds.
Have read the report which emphasizes the absolute necessity of an independent OIG which we voted for and is part of our city charter those who want to change this should have the proverbial curtain opened as in Oz. Once again, thank you for actually representing the needs and concerns of Baltimore and not special interest groups or self aggrandizement
Will your supoena power provide you access to redacted information also?
Taxpayer money falls from the sky like magic pixie dust.
Whoever "they" are believe they are above accountability to not need to produce expenditures as commanded. It just shows "they" are thieves if they are hiding something. Would 'they" hide their finances from a bank financier to obtain a loan ? So why not show these Covid reliefs money transferred to Artscape.
And yet, they thinks it’s okay not to produce expenditures when requested. Wake up people!!!!!!
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Agency budget hearings begin in two weeks, and now is the time to start digging into the details.
The full agency budget books can be viewed at the links below. I encourage everyone to take a look through them. If you come across spending that raises questions, programs you think deserve more scrutiny, or areas you believe need more investment, post them here.
No question is too small. These hearings are one of the few chances we have to publicly question agencies about how your tax dollars are being spent, and community input helps shape those conversations.
Drop your questions, concerns, or observations in the comments and I’ll do my best to bring them up during the hearings.
www.baltimorecity.gov/bbmr/budget-publications
s3.amazonaws.com/baltimorecity.gov.if-us-east-1/s3fs-public/2026-05/2026-05-11-FY2027%20Agency%20...
s3.amazonaws.com/baltimorecity.gov.if-us-east-1/s3fs-public/2026-05/2026-05-11-FY2027%20Agency%20... ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Councilman Isaac Yitzy Schleifer what is the following up from the investigation of mismanagement of funds by The Time Organizations? That operates Two city owned shelters with 100's of grievances from occupants... Bill Henry and Zeke Cohen was speaking on the $$$$$ for shelters...
ICYMI: COVID relief funds are still unaccounted for, and the Baltimore Civic Fund wants taxpayers to just move on.
Absolutely not.
Baltimore taxpayers deserve to know: Christopher Ervin where did the money go? ... See MoreSee Less
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Councilman Isaac Yitzy Schleifer don't let the mayor take the independence away from the oig with his latest proposal!https://www.baltimorebrew.com/2026/05/13/mayor-scott-previews-legislation-that-cripples-the-independence-of-baltimores-inspector-general/?fbclid=IwdGRjcARzV89jbGNrBHNXgGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHjd_oJILJ0FVlvEmqZBSpsZ0uWoMrRSJDs9PpNwn7I82oDPxTbZP6z0RSQa0_aem_tO5PLW6U4jrebD2FV1_FmA
What the hell is going on in Baltimore-Trump
It’s hard to keep up with all the problems in City Hall. It would be helpful if we had a fully functioning OIG.