Shoemaker: While I appreciate many of the ideas that the Kirwan Commission is recommending, very little of their time has been spent analyzing adjustments that need to be made to the Thornton funding formula which puts jurisdictions like Carroll County at a disadvantage because of it’s relative wealth and declining enrollment. If fundamental unfairness that affects counties like mine is addressed, I’ll be more than happy to address their other recommendations. However, as a state, we are spending $6.5 billion on education. At some point, money alone can’t be the answer.

Shoemaker: Only 3-5% of the public regularly use mass transit, yet we spend about 50% of our transportation budget on it. Thankfully, Governor Hogan has placed an emphasis on spending transportation money on projects that serve the other 95% of us, i.e., roads, bridges and the like. I support the Governor’s reprioritization.

Shoemaker: I don’t support legalization until we get more data from States where it has been legalized, like Colorado.

Shoemaker: I fully support the Governor’s idea of requiring the owners of the Conowingo Dam to reduce sediment (which is a major contributor to pollution in the Bay).

Shoemaker: The best thing the State can do is to stop mandating coverage for this and that, because those costs get passed along to the consumer. Furthermore, nationally, Congress needs to act to allow interstate competition by health insurance companies to drive down the costs of premiums.

Shoemaker: The state spends millions of dollars on Baltimore City. The legislature needs to spend less time coddling criminals, and should enact stricter sanctions on repeat offenders, and drug dealers. In 2018, we took some steps forward, but there is more to do.

Shoemaker: Under Governor Hogan’s leadership, the business climate has improved considerably. He has reduced regulations and has passed legislation to incentivize job creation. There is more to do, and I will support additional efforts to revamp Maryland’s tax policy to make us more competitive with surrounding states.

Shoemaker: Absolutely. I have cosponsored the Governor’s bill to do just that. I firmly believe that the Supreme Court will ultimately take action to reverse O’Malley’s gerrymandering.

Shoemaker: Yes, it does and no it should not. One size does not fit all, and if the Baltimore Police Department has issues, those should be addressed through Baltimore-specific legislation.

Shoemaker: We are spending a bunch of money on this epidemic. As a consequence of recently passed crime legislation (which I voted for), we have imposed enhanced penalties for drug dealers. That’s a start. We also need to get better control over doctors’ ability to prescribe opioids.

Shoemaker: Nothing. If people are suffering from discrimination, there are ample laws on the books to address those issues.

Shoemaker: I’m a firm believer in governmental transparency, and current law promotes that notion, however, there is room for improvement. For instance, I support the Governor’s quest to live stream General Assembly sessions.