Press Release: RADICAL Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 8, 2025 

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Dwaine Thomas 

media@nickforbaltimorecounty.com 

[Nick Stewart is available for interviews with media (print, radio, and television) on this topic.]  

Stewart Unveils RADICAL Bill to Modernize Government and Restore Trust. The plan requires public reporting of legal settlements and limits NDAs to protect victims — not politicians. 

Baltimore County, MD — In advance of the Baltimore County Executive Democratic Primary Forum sponsored by the Baltimore County Young Democrats and other county-based Democratic clubs,  including UMBC Students for Democracy and hosted at UMBC, Baltimore County Executive candidate  Nick Stewart today announced the Real Accountability & Disclosure In Insurance Claims and Litigation  (RADICAL) Act — a major government modernization proposal designed to bring full transparency to taxpayer-funded legal settlements. 

The announcement comes after the public learned of a previously sealed settlement paid to a former high-ranking county official — a case where the County Council approved a payment without being briefed on the nature of the claim. 

“Baltimore County cannot modernize if it keeps running government in the shadows,” Stewart said.  “Taxpayers should never wake up to discover their money was used to secretly settle a problem for insiders. We need a transparent, modern government — one that earns trust, not demands it.” 

Maryland law is clear that public funds cannot be used for secret settlements, Stewart added, and invoking confidentiality to protect county employees and their reputations is a practice that belongs in the past. 

 

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The RADICAL Modernization Agenda  

Stewart’s RADICAL Bill will:  

  • Require annual public reporting of all county legal settlements  
  • Open settlement processes to public oversight and comment  
  • Limit NDAs strictly to protecting the victim’s privacy  
  • Prohibit sealed agreements involving taxpayer dollars except where legally required to protect  victims  

“This is about modern accountability,” Stewart said. “We are going to end the practice of back-room  deals and bring county government into the 21st century.”  

A County Ready for Reform 

Stewart noted that secrecy has defined too many recent decisions — including redistricting maps, the appointment of the interim County Executive, the Inspector General process, and now settlement decisions shielded from both the public and elected officials.  

“I am talking about making Baltimore County modern, aƯordable, and inclusive. But we cannot do that if we cling to outdated, closed-door politics,” Stewart continued. “This is about culture change. Modern  government is transparent government.”  

First-100-Days Commitment 

Upon taking office, Stewart pledged to: 

  • Introduce the RADICAL Bill within the first 100 days  
  • Issue an executive order immediately limiting NDAs to victim-protection only  
  • Launch a public transparency dashboard tracking spending, settlements, and ethics reforms  

“Day One, we start modernizing Baltimore County — not just our systems but our values,” Stewart said.  “Government shouldn’t be afraid of sunlight. We will build a county that works in the open and works for  the people.”  

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Learn more: www.nickforbaltimorecounty.com 

Follow Nick on social media: www.nickforbaltimorecounty.com/socials  

By Authority: Citizens for Nick Stewart, Jaeah Fortune, Treasurer