Maryland State Senate District 33

A: Maryland must continue to take a disciplined, forward-looking approach to its finances to ensure long-term stability. The FY27 budget made important progress by aligning ongoing spending more closely with ongoing revenues, maintaining strong reserves, and avoiding broad new taxes.

My focus is on protecting core priorities: public schools, safe communities, and access to affordable healthcare. That requires looking for efficiencies in how government operates while maintaining a strong, stable public workforce before considering new revenue. It also means ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively, strengthening accountability, regularly reviewing programs, and adjusting the pace of spending growth where necessary to keep our budget sustainable without disrupting essential services. On the revenue side, any changes should be targeted and thoughtful. I support closing outdated loopholes, improving compliance, and reviewing tax credits that no longer deliver clear public benefit. We should also ensure our tax code reflects today’s economy and is applied fairly and consistently. If adjustments are needed, they should avoid placing additional burden on middle-class families. Maintaining strong reserves is essential, particularly given economic uncertainty and potential federal impacts, and must remain part of a responsible long-term fiscal strategy.

A: Maryland is at a point where we need to focus on three core priorities: reducing our reliance on the federal government, improving affordability for families, and strengthening our workforce. For too long, our economy has been closely tied to federal spending and employment. That dependence creates vulnerability when federal priorities shift or funding tightens. Building a more resilient economy means diversifying our economic base, supporting private-sector growth, and creating more opportunities that are not driven by federal dollars.

At the same time, affordability remains a real concern for many Marylanders. Housing costs, energy prices, and healthcare expenses continue to put pressure on family budgets. Addressing these challenges requires a disciplined approach that looks for ways to lower costs, increase supply where possible, and ensure that government policy is not adding unnecessary burdens. Finally, none of this works without a strong workforce. From classrooms to hospitals to skilled trades, workforce shortages continue to limit our ability to deliver results and grow our economy. That means investing in education and training, strengthening pathways into high-demand careers, and making sure Maryland remains a place where people can build and sustain a career. Taken together, these priorities are about building a more stable, competitive and self-sustaining Maryland economy.

A: Lowering the cost of living in Maryland requires a focused approach on the biggest drivers of household expenses: housing, energy, healthcare, and taxes and fees, while recognizing that some of these pressures are driven by factors outside the state’s control, including federal policy and broader economic conditions. First, on housing, we need to increase supply in a smart, predictable way. That means making it easier to build housing where it makes sense, streamlining permitting, and supporting mixed-use and transit-oriented development so we can bring more units online and relieve upward pressure on prices.

Additionally, energy costs are a growing concern. We need to expand in-state generation and modernize the grid so Maryland is less exposed to price volatility in regional markets. Strengthening oversight of utility spending and ensuring large-scale users contribute fairly can also help protect ratepayers. Healthcare is another major cost. I’ve worked to bring down prescription drug prices by expanding the authority of the state’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board so it can take stronger action on high-cost medications, alongside efforts to improve access and transparency. There’s no single fix, but a coordinated approach across these areas can make a meaningful difference for Maryland families.

A: We made a commitment to our children, our educators, and our families with the blueprint, and I take that commitment seriously. This is an investment in our future, and walking away from it is not the right answer. At the same time, we have to implement it in a way that is responsible and sustainable. My focus is on protecting the parts of the plan that are making the biggest difference, including early literacy, targeted tutoring, and career and technical education, while also making sure educators have the support, training, and stability they need to succeed in the classroom.

Where the numbers or assumptions have not held, it is reasonable to adjust the pace. That could mean slowing certain funding increases, revisiting formulas, or making sure new programs are rolled out in a way that schools can realistically implement. Accountability has to be central to this. We should be measuring outcomes, not just spending, and directing resources to the strategies that are actually improving student achievement and helping educators do their jobs effectively. However, I do not believe the first step is raising new revenue. It is to making sure we are getting results and using taxpayer dollars wisely.

A: I want constituents to look at results. Did I help lower costs where I could, including on prescription drugs? Did I support our public schools and deliver real investments for students and educators? Did I advance policies that keep our communities safe and strengthen our local economy? Did I bring resources back to District 33 and follow through on the issues people raise with me? Transparency matters. People should be able to see how I vote, what bills I sponsor, and how I explain those decisions. I make a point of communicating regularly so constituents understand not just what I did, but why, and how it impacts their families and daily lives. Accessibility is another measure. My office works hard to respond to constituent concerns, help navigate state agencies, and be present in the community. That day-to-day work often matters just as much as (and often more than) what happens in Annapolis. Ultimately, I want people to be able to point to tangible progress in their daily lives and feel that their concerns are being heard and acted on.