James B. Kraft

James B. Kraft is a member of the Baltimore City Council representing the First Council District in Baltimore, Maryland. The First District covers Southeast Baltimore, including the neighborhoods of Little Italy, Butchers Hill, Fells Point, Washington Hill, Patterson Park, Canton, Highlandtown, Brewers Hill, Greektown, Graceland Park, and St. Helena. [http://www.baltimorecitycouncil.com/District1/neighborhoods.htm]

Background

Kraft attended Mount Saint Joseph High School. He received his bachelor's degree in education from Towson University and his law degree from the University of Baltimore.
In addition to his legal practice, Kraft has maintained a steady schedule of community and political involvement. He is a member of St. Casimir Church, where he serves on the school board. He also serves on the boards of the Greektown Community Development Corporation, the Friends of Maryland Olmsted Parks and Landscapes, and the Baltimore Regional Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.
He is the father of three and grandfather of four. He and his wife, Tammy, live in the Patterson Park neighborhood. [http://www.jimkraftcc.com/bio.html]

In the Council

Kraft chairs the Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee. He is the vice chair of the Public Safety and Health Committee and the Land Use and Transportation Committee. He also serves as the Council representative to the Commission on Historical and Architectural Preservation, the Commission on Sustainability, and the Maryland Municipal League. [http://www.baltimorecitycouncil.com/District1/default.htm]

Legislative History

Kraft is most well-known for his environmental legislation. He has successfully sponsored bills requiring green building standards for new construction in the City [http://legistar.baltimorecitycouncil.com/detailreport/?key=3289] , establishing the Office of Sustainability [http://legistar.baltimorecitycouncil.com/detailreport/?key=3096] , and creating the Commission on Sustainability [http://legistar.baltimorecitycouncil.com/detailreport/?key=3257] .
Kraft's other main focus has been public safety. Recently, the City Council passed his bill, Council Bill 08-0046, "Firearms - Reporting Theft or Loss," which requires gun owners to report any theft of their firearms. [http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.council12aug12,0,745375.story] He also was the primary sponsor of Council Bill 08-0070, "'Padlock Bill' - Scope," a bill revising the City's public nuisance law. Under the newly-strengthened ordinance, Linden Bar and Liquors, a frequent site of criminal activity (including a July 19, 2008, shooting death), was padlocked. [http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.padlock19aug19,0,946583.story]

References