Maryland House of Delegates District 30A

A: Unlike the federal government, Maryland is constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget each fiscal year, which means we must confront the structural deficit with a clear, disciplined approach. First, we need to grow the economy. That means increasing housing supply, investing in infrastructure, supporting the workforce, and streamlining regulatory and permitting processes so we expand the tax base and generate sustainable revenue.

Second, we must protect critical services for our most vulnerable neighbors - including healthcare, education, and food access - while identifying targeted efficiencies elsewhere. That includes reducing duplicative spending, improving procurement practices, and ensuring programs are delivering results. On the revenue side, we should ensure our tax system is fair and modern. That includes closing loopholes, enforcing existing tax laws, and asking the largest corporations and highest earners to contribute their fair share - while avoiding new burdens on working families.

A: State government is more critical now than ever. We have to push back against federal actions that are harming our economy and targeting vulnerable communities, while also proving that government can still solve big problems and deliver results.

The first major challenge is the rising cost of living - especially housing, energy, and groceries. Too many Marylanders are being priced out of the communities they call home, and we need to increase housing supply, lower energy bills, and create more economic opportunity. Second, we are seeing continued federal actions that threaten our workforce, our neighbors, and our shared values. Maryland must stand up to protect our workers, defend access to healthcare, and ensure every neighbor is treated with dignity and fairness. Third, and especially in communities like Annapolis, the impacts of climate change are accelerating. From sea level rise to stronger storms, we must continue investing in resilience, protecting the Chesapeake Bay, and leading on real climate solutions.

A: Marylanders are facing rising costs across the board - housing, energy, childcare, and groceries - and lowering the cost of living is my top priority.

In the most recent session, we took meaningful steps to address these pressures. The Utility RELIEF Act works to bring down energy costs. Our childcare package expands access and helps more families afford care. We passed a ban on dynamic pricing to prevent corporations from using consumer data to artificially raise grocery prices. And my bill, the Housing Certainty Act, provides regulatory certainty and increases housing supply so we can bring down costs over time. But there is more work to do. We must continue driving down energy prices by increasing supply and holding corporate utilities accountable, expand access to affordable childcare so families can fully participate in the workforce, and significantly increase housing production to meet demand.

A: I am who I am because of the world-class education I received in Anne Arundel County public schools, and I will always fight to ensure every student and educator has access to that same opportunity.

The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is a long-term investment in our state’s success – one that will ensure that every child, no matter their Zip code, has access to a world-class education. Rolling it back would be the wrong approach. Instead, we should remain committed to fully implementing the plan while ensuring it is executed effectively and efficiently. That means continuing to focus on efficient implementation and identifying smart savings where possible - but not backing away from our commitment to students and educators. If additional resources are needed, we should take a balanced approach that prioritizes fairness, including closing loopholes and ensuring those most able to contribute are paying their fair share. Investing in education is investing in Maryland’s future workforce and economy, and we cannot go back on our commitment.

A: I’m grateful to serve in a democracy where elections are the ultimate measure of accountability. But between elections, I want constituents to judge my performance based on whether they feel heard, represented, and supported.

That starts with responsiveness - returning phone calls, answering emails, and helping people navigate government when they need assistance. It also means being visible and accessible in the community, whether at Graul’s or at your local HOA meeting. Just as importantly, I want to be evaluated on results: whether I am fighting to lower the cost of living, standing up for our shared values, and delivering real progress on the issues that matter most to the people I represent. At the end of the day, this job is about public service - and I want constituents to feel that their government, and their delegate, is working for them.

A: Maryland’s budget has been significantly impacted by an unpredictable and vindictive federal government. Of all 50 states, we have endured the largest impact from federal layoffs, and we continue to face threats of serious cuts to vital programs that our residents rely on. This makes accurately predicting revenues and budgets for future years exceedingly difficult. I have consistently said that protecting Marylanders from the blowback of federal actions is my top priority, and I’m committed to keeping that promise in future budget years.

A:

• The chaos and price increases caused by this federal administration
• The rising cost of utility bills
• The lack of accessible and affordable childcare

A: During the 2026 session, I was proud to work with my colleagues in the General Assembly to pass the bipartisan Utility RELIEF Act. This legislation builds off our work last year to reduce utility bills in both the short and long term. Additionally, one of the first bills I passed as a delegate was to remove sales tax from diapers, car seats, and other baby products to directly reduce costs for working families. Since my first day in office, lowering prices for Maryland families has been one of my top priorities. I have a track record to demonstrate this commitment, and I’m focused on this issue moving forward.

A: I am a strong supporter of investing in public education and have valued the opportunity to engage with teachers and parents on the importance of this funding. Investing in our schools is an investment in Maryland’s future, and we are already seeing returns on that investment across every corner of the state. As the Blueprint has been implemented and the state has faced budget headwinds, we have revised implementation while remaining fully dedicated to the program. I will continue to work with my colleagues to balance future budgets while doing everything possible to fund our schools, teachers, and students so that everyone can succeed.

A: As those who have interacted with my office know, I am deeply committed to constituent correspondence and casework. Over the past six years, I have sent thousands of emails engaging with constituents on the issues that matter most to them, and helped thousands more who reached out needing assistance with issues spanning every level of government. I am extremely proud of my legislative record, but serving my constituents is, and always will be, at the core of my work in the General Assembly.

A: Maryland’s structural deficit calls for seriousness, not shortcuts. A successful response begins with a stronger demand for efficiency across every facet of state government, including review of underperforming expenditures, duplicative functions, and areas where government can operate more effectively. It also requires practical legislation and a deliberate focus on the long-term retention of Maryland residents and taxpayers.

Policy should solve problems without automatically creating new layers of cost. The Bee Bill, which can be found on DelegateBKO.com, reflects that approach. It is structured as a resource-saving measure that can be phased in through existing maintenance and operational frameworks, rather than through creation of a costly new standalone expansion. Maryland would benefit from more legislation grounded in that same principle of making better use of what government already possesses before asking more of taxpayers. Additionally, through the establishment of a commission focused on increasing resident retention across Maryland, we can identify the exact pressure points driving people out, whether in housing, utilities, taxation, employment opportunity, or quality of life. Finally, legislators should listen closely to union leaders, long-term workers, and frontline employees whose daily experience can help identify waste, improve operations, and strengthen government performance without undermining core public services.

A: Our largest and most prominent issue is affordability across Maryland. Families, seniors, and young adults are being pressed by housing costs, utility bills and transportation expenses while the cost of daily life continues to rise. Maryland cannot remain strong if residents are working harder yet feeling less secure in their ability to remain in the communities they know and love over the long term.

Accordingly, the spillover of our affordability issue has contributed to a growing retention problem across the state. Maryland must do more to ensure that public education, workforce development, apprenticeship pathways and access to meaningful employment are aligned in a way that continues to provide residents with real opportunities to build a successful and satisfying future under our state’s flag. Subsequently, as Maryland continues to grow, we must retain a strong focus on protecting what can be passed down to the next generation. Maryland has an opportunity to lead through legislation that supports pollinators, improves ecological health, and makes better use of existing maintenance systems. Through the protection of honeybees and other pollinators, we support agriculture, strengthen environmental stability, and deepen the long-term public value of these vital species within our ecosystem.

A: The cost of living in Maryland should be addressed by focusing on expenses residents cannot avoid. Housing remains one of the clearest pressure points. Maryland’s housing assessment makes clear that the state does not currently have enough housing to meet existing and projected demand, which will require an additional 590,186 units through 2045. For that reason, support would be directed toward improving approval processes to increase efficiency, promoting community continuity through attainable housing near jobs and sustainable infrastructure, and maximizing coordination between state and local government so supply and demand can come into better balance.

Utility costs must also be met with greater focus. As your delegate, my focus would be on stronger oversight, support for local energy generation, and rate structures that protect residents long before protecting corporate convenience. Childcare and other essential household costs must be addressed as well. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future carries long-term value in this area by strengthening early childhood education and further fortifying the foundation upon which working families build. The objective should remain clear by reducing unavoidable financial pressure, supporting family stability, and making it easier for residents to remain, work, and build in Maryland for generations to come.

A: The core of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future should not be rolled back. Current legislative budget projections indicate that general funds will be needed to support Blueprint costs beginning in fiscal 2028, and the General Assembly’s 2026 Blueprint revisions show that Maryland is already adjusting parts of implementation rather than abandoning the plan outright.

A responsible path forward should protect the heart of the Blueprint while demanding discipline in how it is carried out. Early childhood education, literacy, teacher development, and career readiness carry long-term value for students, families, and the state. If additional revenue becomes necessary, it should be targeted and recurring, not broad-based tax increases on working families already under pressure. At the same time, Maryland should continue reviewing rollout, administrative burden, and measurable outcomes so that programs producing strong results are protected and areas needing adjustment are addressed honestly. The right answer is not to retreat from the Blueprint. The right answer is to preserve its core commitments, manage it responsibly, and fund it in a way that remains fair to Maryland families.

A: A delegate has the ability to affect positive change through public service. I witnessed the power of the delegate’s office firsthand through Michael Busch, who inspired me to venture down this path. For that reason, a delegate should be judged by the service they provide to their immediate district, in addition to their ability to serve the State of Maryland. Constituents should be able to measure performance throughout the year through visible, consistent, and transparent standards. That begins with a public record of responsiveness. Residents should be able to see whether concerns are being answered, whether follow-through is taking place, and whether the office is active and present in the community outside of campaign season. They should also be able to review measurable work, including legislation introduced, support built for that legislation, district meetings held, casework resolved, and public resources or improvements delivered back to the district. Public service should be judged through presence, accessibility, accountability, results, and honesty.