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- Do I support the Race to the Top and its effect on the education system in Maryland? While I believe the Race to the Top initiative was good in Theory, I no longer support it due in some part to the cheating scandals we’re now witnessing across the states.
- Revenue raising ideas to fund public services- Two revenue raising ideas I feel would yield significant dollars for public services are: enforcing recovery rules for health care entities and other providers. Providers who operate non-compliantly are numerous. The fees associated with compliance infractions run in the millions of dollars. I say, give regulators the tools they need to police providers and the state would recover millions of improperly paid claims and penalties. We should also concentrate on recovering delinquent tax payments and taxes on insurance premiums. These taxes are collected by insurance companies and should be paid to the insured’s city but many cities don’t collect on these taxes.
- Is there a pension crisis. Without a doubt there is a pension crisis in this city which borders on theft. Ripping off or borrowing from pension funds is a stain on the fabric woven by the workers of Baltimore. There should be no excuse for the type of blatant misuse of pension funds evident in Baltimore City. Responders should not have to be worried about their pensions while city leaders enjoy cost of living raises.
- My position on Baltimore’s City Maintenance of Effort requirements I believe the Maintenance of Effort Bill sets forth reasonable requirements in that services would at least the most recent levels. However , again a word of caution regarding accountability and resisting the urge to issue waivers due to other budget shortfalls. There should be no waiver considered for any county if we are to protect the bills integrity.
- Rotating closures. I have never supported the rotated closing of fire departments as I feel it endangers people’s lives.
- My view on appointed education officials is well-known. I think it is the most ridiculous notion that the governor, mayor, and CEO of Schools would appoint individuals to the school board when the people most affected by those appointments are our children. Let the will of the people determine the direction of the board. At a minimum, fifty percent of board seats should go to elected officials.
- Reduced class size- It is widely accepted that smaller class sizes yield better performance of students. I strongly support and desire a reduction in class sizes in Baltimore City.
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