On Key Issues

Job Creation & Economic Growth

Strengthening our economy and getting people back to work is my top priority. I will work toward creating a better economic climate by getting government out of the way. Businesses are struggling in Frederick County and across Maryland and unemployment continues to rise. Instead of offering help, the current group of politicians in the House of Delegates raised taxes by $1.4 billion, including increases to the state sales tax, personal income tax, and corporate income tax.

That is not the way to get the economy going again and help the private sector create jobs. I believe that by reducing the regulatory and tax burden that government places on businesses, we can enable them to flourish and create more jobs.

Reduced Spending & Lower Taxes
State government spending is out-of-control and Maryland now faces a multi-billion dollar budget deficit. The incumbent politicians in the House of Delegates consistently vote to increase our taxes to support their wasteful spending. I will find ways to cut spending and restore some fiscal sanity to our state. I will also fight for lower taxes for hardworking Marylanders, so you can keep more of what you earn. When I served in the legislature from 2003-2006, I worked with Governor Ehrlich to make state government more efficient. We were able to turn an inherited $4 Billion budget deficit into a nearly $2 Billion budget surplus. I also helped to successfully block $7.5 Billion worth of tax increases that would have taken more money out of your pockets.

Improving Our Community
Responsible budgeting means setting priorities and I believe education, transportation, and public safety should be top priorities to improve our quality of life.

Reducing Traffic on Our Roads
I will be a strong voice for safer roads and less traffic by supporting the necessary investments in our transportation system. During my previous term in the legislature I helped bring millions of dollars for new road projects in Frederick, including $90 million for the construction of the new I-70 interchange at Route 85 and the East Street extension.

My top transportation priority is to finally solve the traffic mess on I-270. It has been talked about for decades, but nothing has been done. So many residents of Frederick waste hours a day sitting on I-270. That is time they could be spending with their families.

Supporting Education
I will advocate for Frederick’s fair share of state funding because we deserve a strong education system where our children have every resource they need to learn and succeed. From 2003-2006, I helped secure record increases in education funding for Frederick County including $50 million for school construction projects.

Protecting Our Environment
I will continue to be a strong advocate for environmental protection. Serving on the Environmental Matters Committee enabled me to have a significant positive impact on our environment and natural resources.

I helped rally support for a bill which I co-sponsored, entitled the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act. This piece of legislation was aimed at cleaning up wastewater treatment plants across the state and significantly reducing harmful pollutants in the Bay. It has been labeled the most significant step toward saving the bay in 30 years. Because of this legislation, one million pounds of pollution is prevented from entering Maryland’s waterways every year.

I also co-sponsored the Agricultural Stewardship Act, a bill which establishes programs meant to preserve farmland and farming in the state. That bill also provided incentives to farmers that will help to improve water quality in Maryland’s rivers and streams.