Maryland House of Delegates District 41

A: Maryland cannot cut its way out of a structural deficit without hurting working families, seniors, schools, healthcare and local governments. I would approach the gap by first requiring a serious review of state spending, contracts, vacancies, duplicative programs, and agency operations to identify savings that do not reduce core services.

At the same time, the state has to be honest about revenue. I would support targeted revenue options that ask more from those most able to pay, close corporate loopholes, and make sure large profitable businesses are contributing fairly. I would also look at modernizing revenue tied to industries that have grown, while being careful not to overburden low- and middle-income Marylanders. The goal should be a balanced approach: responsible spending restraint, stronger accountability for outcomes, and fair revenue that protects essential services and long-term investments in education, healthcare, public safety, transportation and economic growth. Maryland needs fiscal discipline, but it also needs a budget that reflects the needs of its people.

A:

• Cost of living and affordability
• Economic stability and job growth
• Housing affordability and access

A: I would focus on lowering the costs families feel every day, starting with utilities, housing and taxes. I would support stronger oversight of utility companies and push for policies that prevent unnecessary rate increases from being passed on to residents. I would also work to expand housing supply and affordability, especially in areas near jobs and transit, so people are not priced out of their own communities.

I would prioritize targeted tax relief for working and middle-income families, including strengthening access to credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit so people receive the support they are already eligible for. I would also support efforts that reduce the cost of healthcare and transportation, which continue to put pressure on household budgets. Lowering the cost of living means being focused on the real drivers of cost and making sure the policies we pass actually put money back in people’s pockets.

A: I do not believe we should simply roll back programs that are directly tied to student success, especially in communities that have been historically underserved. But I also do not believe we can ignore the cost or pretend the funding problem will solve itself.

I would support a careful review of implementation timelines, outcomes and administrative costs, while protecting the core goals of the blueprint. Where programs are working, we should sustain them. Where timelines need to be adjusted, we should be honest about that. If new revenue is needed, it should be targeted, fair, and not fall on working families already struggling with affordability. The goal should be to keep Maryland’s promise to students while making sure the plan is financially sustainable.

A: Constituents should be able to evaluate my work through results, accessibility, and consistency. My record is not based on titles, it is based on years of working with people, helping them navigate systems that are often more complicated than they should be, and making sure they get what they are entitled to.

I have worked across the executive and legislative branches, and I understand that public service does not end when a policy is passed. Effective legislators also provide oversight, advocate for their constituents, and make sure laws are implemented in a way that actually works for people. In many cases, the real work is in implementation, in writing guidance, coordinating agencies, and making sure systems work for the people they were designed to serve. That is where I have spent much of my career. In the 41st District, I want people to judge me by whether I am accessible, whether I follow through, and whether their concerns lead to action. Whether it is pushing for changes in policy, holding agencies accountable, or helping residents navigate systems, the question should be simple: Did it make a difference for you. If the answer is yes, then I am doing my job.

A: I would work to reduce the deficit in the following ways.

Revenue adjustments: We need to look at our outdated tax systems. Applying sales tax to digital services and professional services could raise revenue without hurting working families. We can also look into a cannabis tax, closing corporate tax loopholes, gambling tax, and creating a progressive tax adjustment.

Economic growth: We need to commit to bringing more businesses into this city. We need to make it easier to start and grow a business. We need to implement better small-business tax credits, commit to more green jobs, and commit more funding to workforce development.

Reducing fraud: We need to bring in a third party to combat fraud in Maryland’s Medicaid program. We need to reform procurement, modernize our IT system, and continue to review where we can maximize efficiencies.

A: I believe housing, healthcare and education are the most pressing issues facing our state.

For education: I would request a review of student outcomes to address where the disparities are. I would work to recruit and retain Black and Brown teachers to reflect the population of Baltimore City schools. I would give teachers the right to collective bargaining. I would hold schools accountable to ensure there is equity across the classroom. I would ensure no more cuts to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

For healthcare: I would look to do a review of the challenges to healthcare access for Baltimore City. I would work to improve ways we can get people access to healthcare efficiently - transportation, rides to healthcare clinics, building clinics closer to communities. We also need to address nursing shortages.

For housing: I would continue to improve on the strides the state has made in affordable housing. I would offer business grants to fund more businesses focused on rehabbing homes. I would work with housing experts to find innovative ways we can address the housing crisis. I want to also think holistically about the whole community. It’s not enough to just build a row of affordable homes.

A: Here are some ways I would work to lower costs for everyday Americans.

Housing

• Smart zoning reform to make it easier for folks to build affordable housing

• Stronger first-time homebuyer tax credits

• Curb large corporate investors, and private equity, from buying up residential properties and renting the homeowners out of their savings

Healthcare

• Cap the cost of drug prices

• I would look at the impediments to healthcare and help resolve those issues

Food costs

• I would make it illegal for grocery stores to do surge pricing for groceries

• Work to lower transportation and energy costs

• Work to actively support our farms. Right now, tariffs are killing our farmers.

• Support local food systems and encourage urban agriculture

Transportation

• I’d work to fix the transportation issues we have in this state, including overhauling our bus lines to ensure they come on time and serve every community.

• We also have to find ways to begin real talks around an adequate subway system that services the greater Baltimore area

Childcare

• I would expand subsidies to reduce the cost of childcare

• I would also work to build out more daycare centers

A: The state needs to raise new revenue. I do not believe that anything more should be taken out of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Education should never be on the chopping block. We need to invest in our kids, our schools, and our teachers. I would oppose any rolling back of programs that negatively impact the future of our schools and our kids.

A: I want them to see me as someone who didn’t shy away from tough conversations. I hope they know I will be someone who will come by throughout the year, not just during election season. I want them to see me as someone who will keep them in the loop on what is happening in session to ensure their voices are heard. I will be someone who will do coffee hours, town halls, digital forums, all in an effort to show folks I am on their side. I hope they see me as someone who champions unions, small businesses, and the environment. I want them to see me as someone who was always present, always communicating to them, keeping them informed, and someone who they can turn to for anything that is on their mind.

A: I would approach Maryland’s structural deficit by looking honestly at what is working, what is not, and being willing to move money where it delivers real results. To me, that means a line-by-line review of programs, contracts, tax credits, and agency spending to identify waste, duplication, and efforts that are not producing measurable outcomes. I would support cutting or restructuring spending that does not show a clear return for working families, local communities, public safety, education, workforce development, or economic growth. At the same time, I believe we should protect core services and make strategic investments that help grow the economy and reduce long-term costs. On the revenue side, I would be open to targeted, fair adjustments rather than putting more pressure on people already struggling. That means reviewing corporate tax breaks, closing loopholes, and making sure the wealthiest individuals and large corporations are paying their fair share. I also believe Maryland should do more to grow revenue through business development, stronger commercial corridors, tourism, workforce participation, and helping more residents move into stable employment. My approach is simple: stop funding what does not work, strengthen what does, and make budget decisions based on outcomes, fairness, and long-term growth.

A: For the 41st District, I consider the three most pressing issues facing Maryland to be safe communities, reliable infrastructure, and small-business growth. First, residents deserve neighborhoods where families feel safe, seniors feel secure, and public safety strategies focus on prevention, accountability, and strong community partnerships. Second, our roads, sidewalks, lighting, and transportation systems must be improved because infrastructure affects daily life, economic activity, and quality of life. Third, we must support small businesses and commercial corridors by expanding access to capital, cutting unnecessary barriers, and helping local entrepreneurs create jobs and keep wealth in our communities.

A: To lower the cost of living for Maryland residents, I would focus on the everyday bills that strain household budgets the most. That starts with working to reduce rising electric costs through stronger utility oversight, expanded energy assistance, and more affordable energy options. I would support reviewing auto insurance rates and pursuing reasonable caps or reforms that protect consumers from excessive increases. I also believe seniors and veterans who helped build our communities deserve relief, so I would support targeted property tax credits, freezes, or caps to help them stay in their homes. My focus would be practical relief that puts money back in people’s pockets and helps families remain stable.

A: I believe the blueprint should be adjusted rather than relying only on new taxes or continuing a one-size-fits-all model. Education funding should be tied to outcomes and the specific needs of each school community, not a cookie-cutter approach that treats every school the same. Some schools need stronger literacy intervention, some need workforce pathways, some need mental health support, and others need facility upgrades or safety investments. I would support giving local districts and schools more flexibility and autonomy to direct resources where they are needed most, while maintaining accountability for results. The goal should be smarter education spending that improves student achievement, supports teachers, and respects taxpayers.

A: Beyond an election, I want constituents to judge my performance by results and by legislation that reflects the community’s real needs. That means asking whether neighborhoods are safer, services are more responsive, roads and infrastructure are improving, and small businesses have more opportunities to grow. I also want residents to consider whether I am accessible, present, and responsive year-round, not just during campaign season. My record should be measured by action, accountability, and whether the work I support makes life better for the people of the 41st District.

A: This is always a challenging state issue. I would consider agency efficiency and consolidation and increased gaming/cannabis tax rates.

A:

1. Public Safety & Crime

2. Affordable Housing

3. Taxes, Budget & Spending

A: Expand affordable housing, reducing energy bills through efficiency, and boost income through job training and workforce development.

A: What I have learned this past session, there are options being floated around which include tax increases, scaling back mandates, or developing a “Blueprint lite.” It’s reported that some debate for full investment to secure long-term economic benefits, while others cite the need for fiscal sustainability.

A: How I have been consistently working in the community for the past 20+ years. In order for me to represent the district, I feel you must know and have worked in the district to fully understand the needs of the community.

A: To close Maryland’s structural deficit, I would examine how we can save, how we can generate more revenue, and how we can fortify the tax base. To achieve savings, I would call for a full audit of state spending to identify and eliminate waste, and I would streamline the procurement system to ensure dollars are spent as effectively as possible. From a revenue perspective, I would close corporate tax loopholes and establish a minimum effective tax rate for highly profitable corporations, while modestly expanding taxes on luxury items and preserving exemptions for essentials like childcare and utilities. To fortify the tax base, I would invest in workforce development, small-business growth, and in-state energy production.

A: The three most pressing issues facing Maryland right now are affordability, especially as it relates to rising energy costs and housing, with too many families being priced out of the state. Also, as our population ages, ensuring that older adults have access to the resources and support they need is an evolving challenge. Finally, ongoing instability at the federal level, including disruptions tied to the Trump administration, continues to impact our job market and the everyday necessities Marylanders rely on.

A: To lower the cost of living in Maryland and put money back into the hands of working families, I would expand the Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), eliminate the sales tax on essential goods like diapers, utilities, and childcare items, and establish a state-level living wage standard for large employers receiving public subsidies. I would also work to eliminate multi-year rate hikes from Baltimore Gas and Electric to protect residents from rising energy costs.

A: Maryland must raise new, sustainable revenue to ensure the blueprint for education remains fully funded. Students across the state deserve a world-class education that is properly resourced to prepare them to be globally competitive. We will not achieve that by compromising our investment in their success.

A: I want constituents to review my job performance by the way I intentionally incorporate them into the legislative process. I am clear that my seat does not just belong to me, it belongs to my constituents, and as a legislator it will be my responsibility to ensure that my constituents are fully involved in the legislative process and fully aware of decisions impacting their lives. I want constituents to evaluate my integrity, my communication, my follow-through, and my responsiveness to their concerns.