Howard County Council District 2

A: My top priority for D2 is making sure all of District 2’s interests are represented. Each of my pledges are achievable by working with state officials and following my economic plan to increase revenue.

I pledge to renovate Oakland Mills High School to remove toxic mold, asbestos, and black sludge.I pledge to find consensus on a Long Reach Village Center renovation plan– and follow it through to completion.I pledge to advocate for Capital Budgets that equitably invest in Elkridge so residents receive a fair share of county services.I pledge to prioritize the acquisition and transfer of land at the Troy Park site to the Board of Education so construction planning can finally begin for High School #14.I pledge to make improvements to Route 1 so cyclists and pedestrians are safer.I pledge to see the Gateway redevelopment project through to completion so that D2 residents can access more local jobs and the County can collect more revenue from thriving businessesI am the only candidate offering detailed plans to improve affordability and our economy. You can read those plans at www.voteforarinze.com/issues .

A: We must focus on what’s important to working families: jobs, affordability, and safety. I have a plan to achieve each through:

Quality Housing Options: My plan would reignite our housing market by providing a $20,000 tax credit to seniors seeking to cut expenses by downsizing, which would increase our housing inventory for first time homebuyers and seniors.Affordable Childcare for Working Families: My plan would cut childcare bills by 65%. Under the ‘Tri-Share’ model, the cost of childcare is divided equally among the employee, participating employers, and the county.A Thriving Local Economy: My plan would attract federal dollars and jobs to Howard County and generate long-term tax revenue. Building 500,000 sq ft in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) space ensures Howard County meets a growing—and unmet—national demand for secure workspaces for private and government entities working on top secret national defense projects.Safe Neighborhoods: I support investments in youth engagement and family resources to deter violence. Additionally, we can drive better safety outcomes through investments in technology and developing key partnerships within the community.Protecting School Budgets: As a fierce advocate for labor—and especially those who teach our children— I believe collectively bargained salaries must be honored.

A: It is unconscionable that the Board of Education turned its back on the Oakland Mills High School renovation and the County Council supported that decision. As recently as FY 25 the County Executive’s budget included funding for Oakland Mills Middle School, Oakland Mills High School, and High School #14 in Elkridge. Today, just one of those projects is underway.

Our children and staff deserve better than constant exposure to toxic mold, asbestos, and black sludge.I have 18 years of experience in Federal, State, and Local government here in Maryland. I will work with our State delegation to find additional resources for these projects and do all that I can to improve Howard County’s local economy so that we have more revenue available to renovate our aging buildings and construct new schools as needed.

A: Howard County Schools have more than $194M in deferred maintenance projects. And the school system continues to cut positions, programs, and benefits for staff.

If we want to reverse these negative trends we will need more revenue. Howard County is already home to one of the highest local income taxes (3.2%) in Maryland, and legally we can only raise taxes by 0.1% more. In short, we cannot tax our way out of this problem.My campaign is focused on growing our economy and improving affordability. Our tax base is shrinking as residents and seniors are priced out of the County. I’m the only candidate offering detailed policies on my website that explain exactly how I will accomplish those goals as a legislator.District 2 residents deserve capable, innovative, independent and experienced leadership. As both the youngest and most experienced candidate in this race– funded almost exclusively by friends, family, and local contributions– I will be a forceful advocate for the needs of D2 residents and schools above all else.

A: Our seniors want to stay in the community they built, but the math just doesn’t add up. My “First Time Downsizer Program” supports seniors looking to downsize in the County.

Under my plan: Residents with at least 18 years of consecutive primary residence who downsize would be eligible for a $20,000 property-tax credit, so long as they sold their old home to a first time homebuyer. This limited, voluntary, program increases single family housing inventory and incentivizes developers to deliver more 55+ units– all while sidestepping impacts to public infrastructure and school overcrowding. More housing inventory drives home prices down.Visit my website for specifics on how the program would work and how the County would fund the program.District 2 residents deserve policies, not priorities. I am the only candidate in this race offering specific plans to address our housing affordability issues at the local level. And I look forward to bringing my 18 years of experience from Capitol Hill, Maryland State government, and Baltimore City government to the Howard County Council to make life better for my friends and neighbors in Oakland Mills, Long Reach, Elkridge, and Ellicott City.

A: School construction and deferred maintenance. District 2 is home to some of the country’s most underrepresented communities. I have championed equity my entire career as an economist and educator, and my time as a council person will be no different. Elkridge residents deserve a high school closer to home and Oakland Mills High School needs to be prioritized for renovation. Most of the other school buildings in district 2 are in need of at least some significant repairs. I have relationships with HCPSS leadership and Board of Education members that make me uniquely positioned to effectively advocate for this issue.

A: Increasing support for public education is my top priority. This will require resource reallocation as well as revenue growth. As the 2024 Howard County Teacher of the Year, I do not need any convincing. This is not a campaign platitude. I have devoted my adult life to community service and public education. I see my co-workers struggling to do more with less and leaving the profession completely. Every day I see how inadequate resources result in students being left behind. It is time for Howard County voters to elect the first public school teacher to the county council.

A: Some of the policies and positions supported by current council members have constrained our ability to welcome new residents, support local businesses, and generate the revenue we need to fund essential services, like education. We need the revenue that comes with smart growth in order to fund things like school construction. Businesses would rather operate in neighboring counties where permits are more straightforward. Dogmatically anti-growth positions have harmed our economy significantly and haven’t alleviated any over-crowding. We need a more balanced approach—one that preserves what people love about Howard County while ensuring it remains accessible, economically vibrant, and fiscally sustainable.

A: The primary role of the county council is to provide the school system with funding, but that is the bare minimum. Because I am a veteran educator in the county, I will be able to leverage relationships and my knowledge of how the school system operates to maximize advocacy efforts. Another way council members can support schools is by showing up at their events, platforming their achievements, and amplifying their needs. Council members have a responsibility to hear from constituents and advocate on their behalf. This means being responsive to calls, emails, and requests for meetings.

A: I will expand housing options by reforming exclusionary zoning and allowing “missing middle” housing—like duplexes, townhomes, and small apartment buildings—in more neighborhoods where the schools have capacity. We must also streamline approvals for some kinds of projects through clear, by-right standards to reduce delays and costs, like senior housing and efficiency units. I am very supportive of public housing trusts that expand housing options for lower-income residents and I believe it is extremely important to integrate diverse types of housing in the same areas to avoid creating concentrations of poverty. By pairing increased supply with targeted investments and protections, we can ensure Howard County remains accessible, inclusive, and economically strong.