Maryland State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-life

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- No

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- As much as it disturbs me to know innocent children are being killed, our nation is not properly prepared to reverse abortion laws. We must fix the adoption system to give Mothers and Fathers of unborn babies better opportunities to ensure their children can be cared for. We must ensure the health and welfare women by ensuring we do not revisit the days of the "back alley abortion." We need to consider the rights of the Fathers of the unborn child. These issues must be solved before the United States can be fully prepared to end abortion.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- In this day and age of data, data analysis, and computer technology, we must be able to better identify government waste and then have the guts to cut it. Budgets at every level need to be more flexible and be required to "weight" their line items. Budgets should identify, in priority, areas that are targeted for cuts when the actual dollars are not available. Government budgets should be fully transparent to the public, who will help hold their elected official accountable for spending their tax dollars.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- No

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- People should be able to support their candidate by making generous financial contributions. Corporations are made up of people who should be able to support a candidate with generous financial contributions. I support complete transparency regarding campaign contributions.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- Yes

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- No

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No Answer

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- Violent crimes committed by a minor need to be considered on a case-by-case basis. Maryland's Attorney General has directed our state and local police to "stay out of" the business of federal immigration enforcement, because we have no right or authority to enforce it. His actions violate the equal protections clause of the US Constitution. They also violate Maryland's own Constitution, which states "The Constitution of the United States, and the Laws made...are, and shall be the Supreme Law of the State..." Yet our State AG ignores this Article of our State Constitution. We MUST fix our immigration process!

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No Answer

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- Yes

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- No

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Maryland?
- No

7. Do you support legalized state-sponsored sports betting in Maryland?
- Yes

8. Do you support increasing state regulatory oversight of ride-sharing drivers (e.g. Uber, Lyft)?
- No

9. Other or expanded principles
- a) Smart economic growth may be a result of some limited government spending, but normally, government spending is not done well. If done, this type of process should be carefully managed, and fully transparent to the public. e) This sounds great in theory, but I haven't seen a program that can be used as a financially viable model. I certainly support further studyf) I do not support a mandatory raise in minimum wage. Wages reflect the value of the service provided, not of the person performing the service.

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Maryland?
- No Answer

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No Answer

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Maryland high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- No Answer

4. Other or expanded principles
- a) States should have 100% control of their education system and dollars. b) Charter schools provide parents with additional choices to ensure their children are taught the way they learn best. The educational leaders in my county are publicly proud of preventing charter schools from existing here. States may need to help fund school choices to overcome the pushback by powerful public school unions. I am open to the idea of it, knowing the issue would require much discussion and effort. c) I don't like the idea, but understand the rationale. I would make adjustments to the program.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- No Answer

4. Other or expanded principles
- a) States should maintain a clear and reasonable focus on clean energy. We must be careful in managing these projects to ensure we do not prematurely reduce our capability to provide affordable power.b) Smart, attainable goals should always be the focus. The most successful programs should be considered for our state and modified for our specific needs. c) I'm not sure what the current funding is from the state and federal sources, or if there is a need for an increase.

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- No

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- No

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No Answer

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- c) The "armed teacher" issue is one each county should have the right to control. Every state and every county have very different views and history concerning firearms. Schools that do allow teachers to be armed, should ensure the process to do so is well thought out. Techniques, tactics, and procedures should be well defined and properly trained. The goal is to increase the safety of our students, teachers and staff. Other steps can and should be taken before arming teachers.

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Maryland's health care programs?
- No Answer

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- No

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- No Answer

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No Answer

6. Other or expanded principles
- a) Steps need to be taken to help fund facilities that are the most effective in combatting addiction. Many times these are faith-based programs. b) I'm not a fan of government run healthcare. Maryland is working to provide the best healthcare to the most people. I support the governor's efforts to ensure all Marylanders have the best healthcare.d) Death with dignity is a serious issue I am currently studying very carefully. e) I have a very personal interest in this issue. Not vaccinating a child can lead to a serious public health problem, but parents have rights.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Maryland's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Maryland's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by Maryland state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- a, b) My personal preference is to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect without categorizing individuals into groups by sex, gender, etc. To be honest, some of the actions in this regard concern me very much.

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- My top priority is to fix Maryland's gerrymandered districts and give the power back to the people to select their representatives. Gov. Hogan has attempted to implement his non-partisan plan for three years and the current general assembly has chosen to play political games rather than focus on real solutions. Other priorities include transparency and accountability in every aspect of government. Our public school system has insufficient oversight. The current representatives refuse to establish an office of investigator general. Maryland is one of only seven states that do not allow live streaming of sessions. Voters have a right to know.