ISSUES: JON'S PLATFORM

Taxes

Under the Maryland tax code, modest-income families are saddled with the greatest burden. Taking steps to change the tax code to lessen the burden on these families is important and necessary. This year I passed legislation that reduces the amount of taxes modest families are required to pay upon the death of their loved ones. I will continue to advocate changes to the tax code where necessary to ensure that working families receive the most relief possible.

Healthcare

Limited access to healthcare and prescription drugs is a continuous struggle in our society. One of my top priorities is to ensure that people who need medical attention have it available. We also need to ensure that prescription drug plans are truly beneficial. Meeting the needs of everyone, especially our seniors, is of great importance.

The shortage of primary care doctors is a growing concern in our district. We need to offer incentives to our medical school graduates to enter primary care fields. To meet all of our growing needs for health care professionals, we should improve the process of certifying military medical professionals to work in our state. This will help fill the vacant positions at our local hospitals and practices.

Elections

Recent years have shown us that the balance of power on both the state and federal level may rest on the outcome of our local elections. Before Maryland falls victim to problems with voter fraud and election irregularities that so many states have experienced, we must reevaluate and overhaul our state's electoral process - to do otherwise leaves the integrity of our democracy at stake. I support the creation of an audited electronic voting system, an electronic poll book system, and an early voting program.

Environment

Maryland's finite environmental resources are both extraordinary and fragile. We must take action immediately to create a sustainable world and to preserve the natural environment now and forever. Reducing our dependence on oil, and fostering the development of alternate sources of energy are my primary goals. This development would simultaneously improve the environment and benefit the economy. I will continue to sponsor legislation that provides tax credits for solar power, hybrid technologies, and bio-solid renewable fuel sources.

Education

Education is a priority for me, and for all of us. It is the key to reducing crime, achieving higher paying jobs, minimizing unemployment, and producing a productive and satisfied workforce. I am proud that Maryland has one of the best-educated workforces per capita in the United States, but there is still room for improvement. My vision for improving education in Maryland includes increasing parental involvement and individualized student attention and reducing class sizes. Through our partnership with Johns Hopkins University and other institutes that pledged to approve educational opportunities, we can reduce the achievement gap and create summer learning programs for at-risk students.

Stem Cells

I agree that stem cell research is an important tool for helping Maryland to be a leader in the field of biomedical research and helping Marylanders confront disabling conditions.

In this difficult fiscal environment, I will carefully consider the costs and benefits of stem cell research as I work with the state to find ways for us to play a role in supporting this research.