Maryland House of Delegates District 15

A: Since I have been in the General Assembly, we actually have reduced the structural deficit. We have made sure that our “rainy day” fund maintains a robust balance. That’s particularly important in these times as Trump Administration policies have drastically reduced federal support for programs, and at the same time, left thousands of Marylanders without jobs. Raising revenues in this environment is extremely difficult, and therefore, requires us to look at paring down all areas of state government. So far, we have been very deliberate and precise in making sure our budget priorities are not too adversely impacted by any cuts we need to make. In the end, the only way out of our perennial budget challenge is to invest in programs that help grow our state’s economy. Investment in new technologies, such as bio-tech and clean energy, can help Maryland’s economy grow. We already are leading the way among states in these two industries, so small investments can bring bigger payoffs in terms of jobs and business opportunities.

A: 1. Affordability. 2. Rising utility costs and reduced power capacity. 3. Federal government cuts to programs and jobs.

A: We took a significant step toward making life a little more affordable for Marylanders during the 2026 Legislative Session by passing the comprehensive Utility Relief Act, which will lower utility bills modestly in the short-term and potentially very significantly in the medium- and long-term. We also passed important legislation to prohibit dynamic retail pricing in the state, which leads to higher and higher grocery prices and other costs for necessary goods. In addition, we need to continue to explore and implement policies that foster development of more affordable housing throughout the state. We can pass more legislation to eliminate high cost-driving housing practices such as so-called “ghost mortgages”. At the same time, we need to hold the line on raising taxes.

A: I think everything needs to be on the table when it comes to the Blueprint. However, no one who supports the Blueprint, including myself, could argue that there aren’t ways the program can be changed to produce more efficiencies. As with any comprehensive program, it needs some adjustments now that we’ve seen how it’s been working.

A: My constituents can follow me online and on social media. I also encourage them to reach out to my office. We respond to every communication sent to us from a constituent. I publish a regular free online newsletter. I also try to attend as many community events and discussions as I can. Our district is the largest geographic district in Montgomery County, so it takes real planning to be able to connect with all the communities we serve.

A: In the 2025 Legislative Session, we had to make a combination of budget cuts and revenue raises. In the 2026 Session we had to make many spending cuts especially to the DDA community, as well as taking money from the Strategic Energy Investment Fun to help balance the budget, as we did not raise any taxes in 2026 Session. We desperately need to spur economic development and growth in the state, especially since the Trump Administration cuts to over 25,000 Federal Employees that reside in Maryland. Furthermore, depending on the budget and revenue estimates we may need to make even more cuts.

A: 1. We need more private sector job growth

2. We need more energy generation and energy storage3. We need more affordable housing development

A: We need to find a way to ensure all Marylanders get paid a fair wage and living wage. Build and encourage more affordable housing, reduce the costs of affordable housing, reduce the cost of energy by applying incentive to build and deploy solar and energy storage at local and individual level. Innovate the transportation sector to reduce cost of transportation, both in bussing, trains and motor vehicle transport when and when necessary.

A: We won’t know the answer to that question until we have a better picture of revenues and the entire budget at that time, with that said we should be open to a combination of both or all ideas available.

A: Look at my voting recored, look at my advocacy for my district and my constituents.

A: Unless state and local elected leaders make growing the economy our top priority, we will continue to stare at the structural deficit year after year and be forced to find shortcuts to balance the budget. This is unsustainable.

In 2025 alone, Maryland lost 25,000 federal jobs, a wake-up call about the risks of our overreliance on federal spending. Maryland has been trailing the region in business and job growth, which directly impacts our fiscal health and quality of life, as residents have to travel farther to find good-paying jobs. It’s time we get serious about improving Maryland’s economy as the most sustainable measure to increase revenues. This is why I have consistently championed economic growth by removing barriers to doing business in Maryland AND making strategic investments in future drivers of economic growth. It’s a two-pronged approach. The first one calls for discipline among elected leaders in both our rhetoric and actions, so we don’t send the wrong messages about who we are as a state (such as being anti-business). The other is to have a robust strategy for such high-value, high-growth industries that depend on our state’s unrivaled R&D assets.

A: My top three are economic competitiveness, cost of living, and affordable housing.

a. Economy and business growth—The top-most pressing issue is growing Maryland’s economy to improve our people’s job prospects, quality of life, and our fiscal outlook. That requires both sensible business regulation to create an enabling business climate that attracts high-paying jobs without over-dependence on the federal government, and strategic investments in industries of the future and the necessary human capital. b. Cost of living—Maryland is a high-cost state, especially in metropolitan areas like Montgomery County, where costs are significantly higher than the rest of the state. While state and local governments have limited power to combat inflation, we have stepped up to rein in the costs of energy, childcare, healthcare, and surveillance-based price gouging. c. Housing—Maryland has an affordable housing crisis with an estimated shortage of close to 100,000 units, which seriously affects workforce availability, our tax base, and community demographics when young families cannot afford to move (or move back) to this great state. As a member of the new Housing Subcommittee, I will continue working with local counties and community developers to remove barriers to housing production, as we did this year.

A: I am proud that we made the cost of living our top priority this legislative session by focusing on the affordability agenda, which includes the costs of energy, childcare, and healthcare. For example, we passed multi-pronged legislation to rein in the skyrocketing energy costs through both immediate relief and longer-term measures, including increasing in-state production. We made childcare scholarships more accessible and fairer based on family income and needs, and we have our state health insurance premium subsidy program and the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to make healthcare more affordable.

In addition, we need to focus on housing affordability, which affects workforce availability and our overall economy and community makeup when young professionals and families cannot afford to move (or move back) into this great community.

A: I don’t believe we should raise taxes when people are already struggling to pay their bills amid great economic uncertainty. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is an ambitious, decade-long plan that requires significant state and local funding to implement. Since its inception, it has been a challenge for both the state and the local counties to meet the funding requirements.

As the state’s economic conditions and demographics, including student enrollment change, and other factors, including major disruptors like AI in shaping our life and the learning environment, the Blueprint should be constantly evaluated to make sure it’s aligned with the demands of the future economy and community needs without assuming it’s a static plan. In other words, this is not about raising new revenues or rolling back the state’s support, but about adjusting the plan to make it work for the counties and local school districts.

A: I hope my constituents can judge me on the impact of my work as a legislator and representative. As a legislator, I have been named “Legislator of the Year” three times and recognized as a leading voice on growing Maryland’s economy, making our primary elections more inclusive, and supporting working families and marginalized communities. My legislation has led to highly successful matching grants for innovation industries and small businesses, the establishment of the Governor’s LGBTQ+ Commission, the implementation of Maryland’s landmark Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, and consumer protection measures ranging from data privacy to price transparency. As a representative, I get enormous gratification from addressing constituents’ concerns and solving their problems. From pedestrian safety measures like new streetlights, crosswalks, and sidewalks from Potomac to Germantown to Clarksburg, to cutting through the red tape on tax refunds and unemployment insurance claims, to bringing significant state resources to the restoration and rebuilding of a historic Black church, our work is year-round. I am proud to have been recognized by Congressman Jamie Raskin as a local hero for my service to the community.