How stupid does she think we are?

From the Baltimore Sun

Mayor Sheila Dixon committed yesterday to spending $250 million to build as many as 10 new city schools over the next decade, a slice of optimistic news in the otherwise grim process of reshuffling school property in recent years.

[…]

The announcement came less than three weeks before the Sept. 11 Democratic primary in which seven candidates are running to unseat Dixon. She offered few details about where the schools would be built, when construction might begin and how particular schools would be paid for.

I think we all know the answers to those questions. There won’t be new schools but there will be tax increases to pay for them. According to article the Baltimore Public School system has classroom space for 125,000 students but an enrollment of 85,000 and falling. In fact, given Dixon’s track record in this regards it is amazing that here statement wasn’t received with hoots of derision:

Trending: Thank You

One of the only spending disputes in this year’s city budget debate focused on a decision by Dixon to redirect $5 million from school construction toward after-school programs. The money was part of a $25 million pledge to schools made by Dixon’s predecessor, Gov. Martin O’Malley.

So what is the next step?

Officials said they will hire a consultant to pursue the new methods to pay for schools.

And in answer to the question I ask in the story title, the fact that she made this proposal tells you all you need to know.