Senators Seek Action From Baltimore On Lead Paint

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Baltimore senators want to hold $17.5 million planned for a youth prison until Baltimore City leaders say how they will pay millions of dollars in settlements in lead paint lawsuits.

Sen. Catherine Pugh, D-Baltimore, is drafting an amendment to the state's capital budget which would withhold the money for the city until it lays out a plan to pay $12 million to victims of lead poisoning.

Pugh and other state lawmakers representing Baltimore said they are angry they have not gotten a response from the city on how it would pay the $12 million. Baltimore's housing commissioner has previously said the city does not have the money to pay the multiple judgments.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)