Maryland House of Delegates District 12A

A: The General Assembly’s most fundamental responsibility each year is passing a balanced budget to fund our state government and the services it provides for our constituents. Recent years have been particularly difficult with the challenges of a structural deficit complicated by uncertainty surrounding the impact of unprecedented federal actions. Despite significant challenges and difficult decisions, we have passed balanced budgets focused on funding our shared values and priorities.

I support maintaining strong services to benefit all Marylanders and making sure the public employees who provide those services are fairly compensated and have good, safe working conditions. To be able to afford that, we need sound budgeting with responsible revenue structures where everyone pays their fair share. While I believe there is room for — and a need for — cost-cutting in some areas, we must be careful. When we cut services, we are balancing our budget on the backs of those Marylanders who depend most on those services. We must look beyond the annual options of spending cuts or revenue enhancements toward a longer-term strategy of growing our economy — recruiting new employers, encouraging existing businesses to expand, attracting investment, and promoting growth in jobs with family-sustaining wages and benefits.

A: Strengthening Maryland’s public schools

We’ve made tremendous progress in education, but there is much more work to do to ensure that every student has access to a world-class education and the opportunity to thrive. Education continues to be one of the top priorities I hear from my constituents, and it continues to be a top priority for me in the legislature.

Making Maryland more affordable

Affordability is a growing concern for almost all Marylanders, and for many, it is presenting a genuine crisis. While many factors impacting the soaring prices we see in almost every sector are beyond our control at the state level, we must work strategically to limit rising costs where we can and to support wage growth as well.

Standing up against the chaos and cruelty of the Trump administration and protecting Marylanders from the harmful impacts of federal policy decisions

From lost federal jobs to lost SNAP benefits and from environmental protections dismantled by the EPA to U.S. citizens detained by ICE, now more than ever we need state leaders who will stand up for our neighbors and our shared values to ensure that Maryland is an inclusive community where everyone can thrive.

A: Maryland’s affordability crisis reflects a combination of rising costs – housing, energy, healthcare, childcare, groceries, and gas. While there are many factors beyond our control at the state level, we have a responsibility to address affordability where we can.

We’ve made progress in addressing the statewide housing shortage by making it easier to build new housing and expanded support for affordable housing. We passed energy legislation to reduce electric bills, strengthen utility oversight, limit the costs passed to customers, reform rate-setting practices, hold data centers accountable for their grid impacts, accelerate new clean energy generation, and strengthen programs that reduce energy costs over time. We’ve increased access to health insurance, expanded coverage requirements for insurers, and established the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to help rein in the high cost of prescription medications. With the cost of childcare exceeding college tuition, we’ve expanded access to childcare scholarships to help working families afford this critical care. We’ve passed consumer protection measures to prohibit price gouging, require transparency in advertised pricing, and ban grocery stores from using customers’ personal data for discriminatory and predatory dynamic pricing. With more progress needed, we must continue to address affordability from every angle possible.

A: Passing the blueprint was a huge success, and now we have to see it through in its implementation. Ensuring that every child in Maryland, regardless of Zip code, has access to a world-class education is the best investment we can make in Maryland’s future. Education is our most important investment not only in our youths, but also in the future of our workforce, our economy, and our democracy.

It is a long-term investment, though — pre-K through graduation takes 14 years. If we don’t stand by our commitment through full implementation of the blueprint, we will never have the opportunity to realize the full return on the significant investments we have already made. I expect we will likely see modifications to the blueprint over the next few years, but I am hopeful — and will be working hard to ensure — that we do not back away from our commitment to our youths, our educators, and our future.

A: I always appreciate hearing from constituents. Whether they agree with my positions or not, their feedback and their perspective is helpful to hear. That is why I work hard to make myself as accessible as possible to my constituents, whether it’s by email or phone, showing up at community events, or holding community office hours around my district. Community office hours provide an opportunity for constituents to drop in and meet with me at various locations around the district (usually at a coffee shop, sometimes virtually) to ask questions, share their opinions, discuss an issue they may need help resolving, or simply just to say hello. I am a strong believer in the power of conversation — getting to know people, understanding each other’s different perspectives, learning from each other, and identifying and building on shared values. When constituents take the time to share their questions, concerns and feedback, it helps make me a better representative.

A: I would begin with a comprehensive audit of state spending to identify inefficiencies, duplicative programs, and underperforming initiatives. We must protect core priorities like education, public safety and healthcare, while making targeted reductions elsewhere.

On the revenue side, I support closing corporate tax loopholes, improving tax compliance, and evaluating narrowly tailored adjustments that do not place additional burden on working families. We should also invest in economic growth strategies that expand the tax base over time. The goal is clear: restore fiscal stability while maintaining essential services and making government more efficient and accountable.

A: Affordability, education and economic opportunity. I have been speaking with many Maryland families, and the truth is there are some changes they need to see or they would be forced to leave. Maryland families are struggling with rising costs, our education system must remain strong and sustainable, and we need to expand pathways to good-paying jobs while ensuring equitable access to opportunity.

A: I would focus on housing affordability, workforce development and targeted tax relief for working families. Expanding housing supply, supporting small businesses and reducing everyday cost burdens are key to making Maryland more affordable.

A: We must protect the core goals of the blueprint while ensuring fiscal sustainability. Before raising broad taxes, we should evaluate implementation, prioritize high-impact programs, and ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively.

A: Beyond elections, I believe in transparency and accessibility. These include regular town halls, community meetings, and clear reporting on legislative actions. Constituents should have consistent opportunities to engage and hold me accountable.