Qualifications: What are your qualifications for this office? (50 words)
As an incumbent, I’m a recognized leader in the legislature, and have had a direct and positive impact on state policy in healthcare, child welfare, state procurement, and open meeting regulations. I led several local citizen advocacy efforts, from electric transmission fights in Urbana to grant/project awards in local communities.
1. Housing: With federal money for affordable housing drying up, should state government fill the gap?
(50 words)
The state can make a positive impact on the availability of affordable housing stock by giving counties and municipalities the flexibility to create financial incentives for builders of affordable housing. One example is to allow the waiver of fees and assessments for first-time purchasers of affordable housing units.
2. Education: How should state government work with local governments to solve the crisis in public school education effecting many Maryland communities? (50 words)
There are two areas contributing to the “crisis”. One is wealth-related, the other is immigration-related. The State Board of Education needs the ability to immediately assume control (including budgetary) of a failing school system such as Baltimore City. All jurisdictions need more assistance in dealing with non-English speaking populations.
3. Transportation: Is current funding for transportation adequate? If not, would you support increasing funding and how? If you do not support increasing it, how should available funds be allocated? (50 words)
I support the dedication of one cent of the sales tax to transportation, if the disbursement of those funds is equitably distributed between road and mass transit funding. I also support a slight increase in the cost to use mass transit, as we seriously lag in fare box recovery.
4. Public Funding for Campaigns: Do you support a voluntary system, which would publicly fund campaigns for the General Assembly and set spending limits for those who qualify for the system? Why?
Why not? (50 words)
I do support public campaign financing, patterned after successful efforts in Arizona and Hawaii. Several states have proven that public financing works. I would prefer to see the question taken to referendum, as Maryland voters should have a say in such a dramatic change in election process.
5. Redistricting: Should Maryland continue to use the current redistricting system or do we need a new system, such as one relying on the legislature or an independent commission? (50 words)
I would NEVER support a redistricting plan created by the Maryland legislature. No one should! All that would do is negatively impact rural Maryland, as the urban areas exercise such dominant control. I would be open to an independent commission if all levels of government were fairly represented.
6. Energy: Now that data is available, what is the benefit of deregulation to the Maryland consumer? (50 words)
I see absolutely no benefit to deregulation, at least as envisioned in 1998. All of the promised savings through competition have failed to materialize. Power companies are being consolidated, choices reduced, and consumers are paying higher bills. I would support creating a new regulatory environment to benefit Maryland consumers.
