One of the witnesses for property owners would have the committee believe that because of the lead in the water in Flint, Michigan, we’re spending too much money and effort enforcing Maryland’s laws directed at deteriorated rental properties.

“As this committee well knows,” I began my testimony in response, “lead paint in poorly maintained housing is the principal cause of lead poisoning in our state.”

“Our focus,” I continued, “needs to be on enforcing our existing law.”

My bill would increase the annual fee for an affected property to fund more inspections and better computer coordination between the state agencies that deal with lead poisoned children.

I acknowledged that my number was too high, but you would never know that from the landlords’ testimony that followed.