A digest of Baltimore news from local sources.
From the Washington Post: The senator who handed Hillary Clinton her sledgehammer
"PHILADELPHIA — The longest-serving woman in Congress in U.S. history placed Hillary Clinton’s name in nomination Tuesday night, standing at the microphone before thousands of cheering Democrats in a moment she would later describe as overwhelming.
"On Wednesday, Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski shuttled between multiple luncheons and receptions at the Democratic National Convention, celebrating the first female major-party presidential nominee in history and her own legacy as the first Democratic woman to win a Senate seat without being appointed to the position or succeeding her husband.
"Mikulski — who is 80 and will retire in January after 30 years in the Senate — took the podium again Thursday night.
“'Though I was the first, I didn’t want to be the only,' she said, after quieting a thundering ovation from the packed hall. 'As my ranks have grown, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring so many talented women.'
"The diminutive politician from Baltimore is also the first woman to chair the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. Her departure will mark the end of an era, supporters say, one that has inspired many women to seek elected office and could encourage generations more to do the same.
“'Any woman in Maryland politics is going to look up to Barbara Mikulski,' said Heather Mizeur, a former member of the state House of Delegates who ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for governor two years ago.
"Before submitting Clinton’s name to be the Democratic nominee, Mikulski recounted a warning that Abigail Adams gave her husband, John Adams, during the days of the Continental Congress.
“'Our Founding Fathers gave us a great start,' Mikulski said in her trademark raspy voice. 'But it was the founding mothers who said, "Do not forget the ladies, or we will foment our own revolution."'
"She called on women in the hall and those watching on television to dream big and achieve their goals so that other women will know what is possible.
“'Many of you have broken barriers,' she said. 'But you know that when you broke a barrier, you didn’t do it for yourself. You did it so others would not have barriers — only opportunities.'
"The senator also was supposed to announce Maryland’s delegate allotment during the roll call later that night. But she gave that honor to Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, a fellow Baltimorean, saying she wanted to share the spotlight.
"Admirers mobbed her Wednesday after a luncheon aimed at rallying Maryland’s convention delegates, asking her to pose with them for selfies and group photos.
“'If Hillary Clinton is shattering the glass ceiling, then Senator Mikulski handed her the sledgehammer,' Miller said in an interview. 'She has been a leader for us for the majority of her career.'
"Mikulski told an audience at the National Democratic Institute, a nonprofit group that promotes democratic institutions around the world, that she struggled to keep her emotions in check while nominating Clinton.
“'When I walked out there, the full weight of the historic moment hit me,' she said, according to a recording of her remarks. 'I barely could get through it, just as I can barely get through telling it to you today.'
"Mikulski received a standing ovation, aides said.
"On Thursday evening, she joined other female Democratic senators on the stage, the last time she would appear as a lawmaker during one of her party’s nominating conventions.
“'She needs help, across the generations,' Mikulski said of Clinton, as the Maryland delegation screamed, 'Barbara! Barbara! Barbara!'
“'Families of America, it’s time to suit up,' Mikulski continued. 'Women, put on your lipstick! Men, polish your shoes! Our shoulders are square. We’re ready to fight to put Hillary in the White House, because we know she’ll carry the torch for all of us.'”
From the Baltimore Sun: Baltimore City Council panel approves $15 minimum wage bill
"A divided City Council will decide next month whether to increase the minimum wage in Baltimore to $15 an hour, which would be the highest in the state.
"The council's labor committee voted 4-0 Thursday to send the bill to the 15-member council, where President Bernard C. "Jack" Young has pledged to scale back the proposed increase.
"Advocates say joining a national movement to raise the wage to $15 an hour would help to lift impoverished Baltimoreans. But Young and others say it would lead to higher unemployment and fiscal calamity.
"The council is split on the measure. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has said she would sign the bill if it reaches her desk.
"Baltimore does not have its own minimum wage. Business and workers are subject to the state minimum wage, which rose to $8.75 this month, en route to $10.10 by 2018.
"The city is the latest jurisdiction nationwide to consider an increase. Washington, Seattle and San Francisco have approved increases to $15 an hour. California and New York have approved statewide increases to $15.
"Democrats meeting in Philadelphia this week agreed to push for a national minimum of $15 in their party platform. Republicans, who gathered in Cleveland last week, said the minimum wage is 'an issue that should be handled on the state and local level.'
"In Baltimore, about 30 proponents — including union leaders, community organizers and low-wage workers — gathered outside City Hall before the committee vote Thursday to voice their support.
"The labor committee approved several amendments to the legislation before approving it. The original version would have required employers to pay workers at least $15 an hour by 2020. It would have exempted businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
"The legislation approved by the committee Thursday would require employees to pay workers $15 by 2022. It would exempt businesses with fewer than 25 employees or less than $500,000 in gross annual income. It would also exempt the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and the city's YouthWorks program."
From the Baltimore Sun: Walters Art Museum launches diversity initiative for endowment portfolio
"The Walters Art Museum has hired four minority- or women-owned firms to manage a portion of its $116 million endowment portfolio through a new diversity initiative.
"The four firms are: Brown Capital Management in Baltimore, Channing Capital in Chicago, Elizabeth Park Capital Management in Cleveland, and Garcia Hamilton & Associates in Houston.
"'I am excited that the Walters has been able to take this critical step in aligning investment policy with inclusive practices and excellence in performance,' said Ellen Bernard, president of the Walters' board, in a statement. 'We made it a priority to engage more minority and women-owned investment management firms. By doing this, we are strengthening our portfolio performance with some of the best managers in the industry.'
"The money manager initiative is part of a broader push for diversity that is included in the museum's strategic plan.
"Other initiatives to come out of the plan so far include new partnerships with Morgan State University and University of Maryland, Baltimore County, mentoring programs for aspiring museum professionals with diverse backgrounds, and programming on social issues."