How Do We Fix Maryland?

Creating a Common-Sense State Budget…Because we ALL have to live within our means.

Marylanders deserve a Governor that will spend our tax Dollars wisely. Our citizens cannot continue to be taxed to death to pay for the wasteful spending programs that do not benefit Marylanders. For far too long, our tax Dollars have been spent without any consideration for efficiency and with absolutely no accountability. Our current Governor has taken the surplus of over $5 Billion Dollars that we had when he took office and used it as if it had no end. Well…guess what? It’s all gone! As a result of this reckless and wasteful spending spree, Marylanders suffered “fee” increases of nearly $500 Million Dollars in the 2024 budget. The 2025 budget has a projected deficit of over $3 Billion Dollars. The current Governor is now proposing tax and fee increases to close the gap; while cutting payments to the Maryland’s counties and Baltimore City. This means that the counties and Baltimore City will be forced to make up the loss of income by raising property taxes and fees as well.

As Governor, I will end wasteful spending and demand accountability for our tax Dollars. I will order an immediate line-item review of each of Maryland’s 22 Principal Departments and 54 Independent Agencies. We will find out where our tax Dollars are going and why. I will order a study to explore consolidating some of these Principal Departments and Independent Agencies to make them more efficient and cost-effective. I will never forget that the money in the State Treasury in YOUR MONEY…not the State’s.

Encouraging Businesses to Come to Maryland…Because the Federal Government cannot be Maryland’s ONLY business.

Our current Governor has publicly stated that he has no interest in seeking out private industries to come to Maryland – that the Federal Government is Maryland’s business. This is a very short-sighted approach to economic opportunities and offers most Marylanders absolutely nothing. While it is true that the Federal Government is Maryland’s largest employer, the Federal Government is looking for ways to reduce its massive spending – and that includes reducing the total workforce – including those positions in Maryland. The current Federal Administration recently announced that it has canceled plans to move the Bureau of Engraving and Printing from its current location in downtown Washington, D.C. to Beltsville, MD; and there is talk of them canceling plans to move the FBI Headquarters to Greenbelt, MD. These developments further illustrate the need to expand our economy beyond servicing the Federal Government. The Federal Government also pays no property taxes to the State or counties. Marylanders need more diverse economic opportunities.

Maryland’s only industry simply cannot be the Federal Government. While I will foster a cordial working relationship with the Federal Government, as Governor, I will also seek out new opportunities for attracting major corporations to locate some of their facilities throughout Maryland. I will find ways to support local companies who are looking to expand or begin operations and will work to promote small businesses and Maryland’s vast natural resources (agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, technology) in order to provide economic opportunities to ALL Marylanders.

Providing Our Children with a Quality Education WITHOUT Bankrupting the State in the Process…Because we all want what’s best for our children.

One thing I believe we all can agree upon is that our State Government has failed us when it comes to the state of Maryland public education. Far too many of our children are simply pushed through the system without being truly educated – despite the best efforts and intentions of their Teachers. Many who do graduate cannot read, write, or do math anywhere near grade level; and far too many of our children simply give up and drop out altogether. We need to fix this now…not 10 years from now…and throwing money at the problem isn’t necessarily the solution. The “Maryland Blueprint,” as enacted, will never fix the problem and will bankrupt the State in the process. We need to re-evaluate our State’s education system from top to bottom; with inputs from Educators, Administrators, and – most of all – PARENTS to find real, doable, cost-effective solutions.

Maryland’s children deserve education that provides them the foundations necessary to continue onto college, trade school, or into the job market. As Governor, I will work with Educators, Administrators, elected Officials, and PARENTS to find real, practical, cost-effective solutions that restore a quality educational experience for ALL Maryland’s children. I will seek out experts in the fields of technology training to provide students with opportunities to gain experience and earn certifications that will make them more competitive in today’s high-tech workforce. Together, we can usher in a new and bright future for our children.

Public Safety...Because crime affects us all, yet politicians just don’t seem to care.

Crime is an issue that affects us all, directly and indirectly; in large ways and small. Maryland is one of the greatest States in America. Why can’t we be safe in our homes and in our streets? We will lead on this issue unlike politicians who just want to brush it aside. It is the criminals who should be afraid, NOT US!

Solving Maryland’s crime problem will be a whole of Government effort. We won’t be able to solve it overnight, but we will start working on it on day one. I will direct my entire Administration to focus on this issue. We will involve Law Enforcement, the Legislature, Community Leaders, and Maryland citizens to create real, effective, and lasting solutions.