Maryland Senate District 42

A: Maryland’s structural deficit is real, and it can’t be fixed with one‑time gimmicks. I would start with a growth agenda that makes Maryland more affordable so we attract and keep residents instead of losing them. That means focusing on jobs, housing, and quality of life so we grow our population and our tax base, rather than constantly raising rates on the same people.

At the same time, growth alone won’t be enough. I support independent performance audits of major state programs, slowing the growth of lower‑priority spending, and ending budget maneuvers that hide long‑term costs. If, after reasonable efficiencies and growth there is still a gap, I’d consider targeted revenue changes that fall on those most able to pay and on under‑taxed sectors — not on working families already struggling with affordability.

A: Affordability: Maryland families are being squeezed by the cost of living. Wages are not keeping up with the price of housing, groceries, childcare, and basic services, and too many people feel they can’t build a secure future here. We need a clear, growth‑oriented strategy to make Maryland a place where middle‑class families can afford to stay and young people can afford to start out.

Energy costs: Marylanders are paying more to heat and cool their homes and fuel their cars, and that hits working families and seniors on fixed incomes the hardest. As we transition to cleaner energy, we must protect ratepayers, demand transparency and accountability from utilities, and prioritize reliability and affordability alongside climate goals.

Education: Strong public schools are the foundation of our communities and our economy. Families are concerned about classroom resources, staffing shortages, and whether the state can sustainably fund its commitments. We need to support teachers, keep class sizes manageable, and ensure that every dollar we invest in education is spent effectively to improve outcomes for Maryland students.

A: I would pursue a growth agenda to make Maryland more affordable by expanding our population and tax base instead of constantly raising taxes on the same people. My focus is on three main cost drivers: housing, energy, and everyday expenses.

First, we need more attainable housing so people can live near where they work. That means speeding up approvals for workforce and middle‑income housing and removing unnecessary barriers that drive up costs. Second, I would work to lower energy costs by demanding transparency and accountability from utilities, targeting relief to low‑ and middle‑income households, and managing the clean‑energy transition in a way that protects ratepayers and prioritizes reliability. Third, I would focus on growing good‑paying jobs and cutting the nickel‑and‑diming fees that hit families hardest. A stronger, growing economy — paired with more efficient state spending — will do more to lower the cost of living than any single short‑term fix.

A: The blueprint should be implemented, but it has to be implemented smartly, with a constant focus on getting the most bang for each buck, not on writing a blank check. I don’t start from rolling back the blueprint’s core goals, and I also don’t start from broad new tax hikes on Maryland families who are already struggling with affordability.

Instead, I support implementing the blueprint “as we go,” phasing and pacing it based on what actually delivers results in classrooms. That means real performance measures, transparent reporting, and independent reviews of major components so we can see what’s working, what isn’t, and where dollars can be reallocated toward higher‑impact strategies. Before raising new revenue, the state should prioritize the most effective, classroom‑focused parts of the blueprint and trim or redesign lower‑yield mandates and bureaucracy. If, after serious efficiency and reprioritization, there is still a gap, I’d consider targeted, fair revenue options — not across‑the‑board tax increases — to sustain proven, high‑impact parts of the blueprint.

A: I’d like constituents to judge me by whether I deliver real, measurable results in four areas:

Responsiveness: You should expect timely, respectful responses to your calls, emails, and concerns, and clear follow‑up on casework and community issues. I want people to feel they are heard and taken seriously, even when we disagree.

Fiscal reliability: You should be able to see that I’m making careful, honest decisions with taxpayer dollars — supporting long‑term, sustainable budgets, avoiding gimmicks, and focusing spending on programs that actually work.

Population growth: Over time, I want my record to reflect a Maryland that is attracting and retaining people, not losing them — because that’s a sign we’re getting affordability, opportunity, and quality of life right.

Job opportunities: Finally, I want to be judged on whether there are more good‑paying jobs in Maryland, and whether more Marylanders can find work that supports a family without having to leave the state.

A: For the last four years, each proposed General Fund budget has been smaller than the previous year, and that trend should be continued to prevent a structural deficit. Any adjustments necessary for future budget years should be on the expenditure side (that is, spend less) and not on the revenue side (that is, no need to increase taxes). With increased productivity, Maryland should be able to provide existing services with fewer personnel, which should happen gradually (for example, when someone retires, their position should be reviewed as a candidate for not being replaced). Maryland has over 86,000 employees, and every year there is a “natural turnover” of several thousand.

A: Education, environment, and finances. Excellence in education provides the necessary foundation for a successful life. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is a way to achieve that excellence. I am the only candidate (out of three Democrats and three Republicans) for senator in District 42 who has been endorsed by the Sierra Club. Affordability is a real issue for many Marylanders and additional taxes should not add to their burden.

A: The cost of living for Maryland residents is primarily determined by fiscal and monetary policies at the federal level, but the General Assembly can at least not worsen the problem through higher taxes. It is possible that taxes could be lowered somewhat if productivity increases continue.

A: The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future will transform public education in the state into a world-class education system. That goal is to be celebrated and not rolled back. As the blueprint is implemented, additional businesses will be attracted to Maryland and increase the tax base, which will provide the necessary revenue. If any additional revenue is needed, then existing revenue sources should be used, which may require reallocation within existing programs, but new revenue (that is, taxes) should not be used.

A: 1. A person of integrity (“my word is my bond”).

2. Listen to my constituents.

3. Communicate on a regular basis.

A: I support the goals of the state’s blueprint education plan, but we have to ensure these plans are connected to the reality of the state’s finances. I would rather see a slower rollout than a financial crisis that results in deep K-12 cuts. But the state needs to be more responsible in spending by reducing growth across state agencies and improving government efficiency.

A: Lower cost of living, better schools, safe neighborhoods.

A: We have to address the growing housing crisis that is driving up prices and costs for businesses. The state must also work to bring down surging utility bills and build more local power plants to keep costs low in the long term.

A: We can fund our education goals without increasing tax burdens on struggling families. The state should be more responsible and accountable in how it spends our tax dollars, so that money is not wasted on programs that don’t work. That’s how we free up more money that can help meet the costs of the blueprint programs.

A: I want voters to demand measurable outcomes from all legislators, including me, for state programs.