Times are tough in Baltimore County. Modest 3% cost-of-living raises have recently been denied to several unions, including teachers, nurses, and correctional officers, among others.

But a bit to our southwest, there are much greener pastures. Montgomery County’s employees will be getting more money in their paychecks — quite a bit more actually, by Baltimore’s standards — once the Council approves the new contracts in May.

Over the next three years, firefighters will be getting a 28% pay increase; police officers, 29%. Teachers: about 5% each year.

It’s not that MoCo has more money than we do (although they do). Their budget is a mess as well, with a projected $297 million shortfall, and these raises will cost their taxpayers $40 million. However, they are throwing all caution to the wind, anticipating an economic upswing by the end of the three years, which in their minds will offset the costs of the raises. That’s almost delusional considering all the talk of a recession lately, but I guess this is a county full of millionaires who probably won’t feel the effects anyway.

Montgomery County hopes to retain quality employees by rewarding them with more money. I’m sure that will happen, if only because it is one of the most desirable places to work regardless. Raise or no raise, MoCo’s employees are still better off staying in their current positions than moving to Baltimore or PG counties.

Baltimore County loses an estimated 1,000 teachers annually. Where do you think they’re going?

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