Politics

Chris Stoughton's Q&A prepared for the Voice newspapers

Takoma20912 editor's note: This has not been altered in any way from what Stoughton sent to us.

Takoma Voice

Silver Spring Voice

Kensington Voice

7040 Carroll Avenue

Takoma Park, MD 20912

301-891-6744 (phone)

301-891-6747 (fax)

editor@takoma.com

www.takoma.com

www.silverspringvoice.com

www.thekensingtonvoice.com

Candidate questionnaire: Primary 2010

State of Maryland House of Delegates and Senate

Dear Candidate,

In an effort to fulfill our obligation to inform voters, the Voice newspapers will be running a primary election guide in the September 2010 editions. This guide will be distributed to 50,000 readers in Takoma Park, Silver Spring, Wheaton, and Kensington. It will also appear on our websites.

We hope that you will have time over the next week to answer the following questions and return them for inclusion in our voters’ guide. We also ask that you e-mail a high resolution headshot for us to include with your response.

We apologize for the short time frame. Please let us know if you are having difficulty meeting our deadline of August 27.

Please keep responses to 250 words or fewer.

1. Senator Barbara Mikulski has said that politics is social work with power.

What is your general philosophy about public office and how would you conduct yourself?

Civic engagement, and specifically constituent services and outreach is my number one priority.  My political philosophy is that real progress is not possible without widespread and meaningful civic participation.       

Over the last several months I have conducted a door to door campaign in which I have knocked on over 7,000 doors and counting.   Once elected, I will continue this personal and proactive outreach to all residents of Silver Spring and Takoma Park.  My goal is to have the best constituent services and outreach of any elected official in Maryland. 

One of my top proposals is to organize a monthly town hall meeting to be held the same day and time at the new civic building in downtown Silver Spring.  These town hall meetings will be substantive and interactive.  I will invite the media, elected officials, and experts on whatever issue we are discussing.  I plan on broadcasting these meetings online which will enable those who cannot make the meeting to watch at home at whatever time is convenient for them.  These monthly meetings will eventually become a popular gathering of concerned citizens to have an ongoing serious dialogue about local, state, and federal issues.

2. What do you consider your major accomplishments inside and outside of representative or appointed office from the last four years?

Over the last four years I have worked with policy makers at the federal and state levels to enact evidence based public policies guided by the latest research in the field.  I led grassroots advocacy efforts, built coalitions, and developed relationships with state and federal law makers to advocate for public health and safety. 

My major accomplishments over these last four years include:

I worked with federal policy makers on the reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to combat global HIV/AIDS.  We helped make sure that the reauthorization included an expansion of research, evaluation and program monitoring activities.  This is extremely important because we have spent billions of American tax payer money on prevention and treatment programs and we need to know which programs have been effective in preventing, reducing, and treating HIV/AIDS.

I led a grassroots campaign to secure funding for the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws program.  This program has been extremely effective at saving lives, preventing and reducing underage drinking, and providing states with the resources they need to combat this serious problem. 

I led a grassroots campaign to restore funding for a Navy program to provide support for service members with mental health and substance abuse issues.  This program is especially needed as substance abuse and mental health problems are on the rise in response to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.  

3. What are your top three priorities in the General Assembly?

1.  Enact a renewable energy plan that will set Maryland on a path to become the first state in the nation to generate ALL of its electricity from renewable energy by the year 2050.  As part of this plan, I will propose that ALL of the revenue generated from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative be dedicated for this renewable energy plan. (see response to #8 below for more details on this 2050 Renewable Energy Plan)

2.  Pass REAL campaign finance reform.  I will lead the effort to finally pass voluntary public financing WITHOUT the compromise included this last year which would increase contribution limits for those who stay in the private system.  This compromise would in many ways make the situation worse since most if not all of the legislators who control the legislative process will stay in the private system.  I will work to eliminate this compromise and then build a coalition to DECREASE contribution limits and place greater fundraising restrictions on PACs, businesses, and lobbyists. 

3.  Pass the current proposal to raise $200 million a year through a 10 cents a drink increase in the alcohol tax to fund expansion of Medicaid, restore cuts for mental health and disabilities services, and for alcohol and drug cessation programs.  Unfortunately, Delegate Hixson, as the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, has blocked this legislation in recent years.  Residents I have talked to can’t understand why Delegate Hixson would use her position of power to block such sensible legislation. 

 

4. How aggressively should state and local police pursue the enforcement of immigration laws? What do you propose that the state address the issues associated with both legal and illegal immigration.

Being married to a Latina from Peru, South America, the issue of immigration is one that is very personal to me.   I have been helping my wife go through the citizenship process.  Going through this process has given me a special appreciation for how difficult it is to become a U.S. citizen.

I support President Obama’s plan for comprehensive immigration reform which strikes the proper balance.  As a state delegate I will make sure we do not pass an Arizona type law that encourages racial profiling.  We need to continue to improve our cooperation and coordination with federal agencies and officials concerning enforcing immigration laws.  Local police should have the training, tools, and capabilities to identify illegal immigrants who commit serious crimes.  The state should support the counties efforts to coordinate and cooperate with federal agencies and officials to properly enforce immigration laws.     

One of the things I love most about Silver Spring and Takoma Park is its diversity.  I have lived in many different parts of the world and I have a deep understanding, admiration, and respect for the various cultures that are so well represented in our community.

5. What is your position on campaign finance reform? Do you support public financing? What measures have you taken (will you take if elected)? Where have you been raising your money, inside the district or outside the district?

The need to raise large sums of money to run for office is the single most corrupting aspect of our political system.  I refused to play this game during this campaign and instead focused my efforts on going door to door to talk to the vast majority of residents who are mostly left out of this money game.  I personally knocked on over 7,000 doors over a three month period, by far the most of any other candidate.

I am in full support of public financing.  However the proposal that was offered this last year included a horrible compromise that would increase contribution limits for those who stay in the private system.  This compromise would in many cases make the situation worse since it would allow lawmakers who control the legislative process to raise even more money from businesses, lobbyists, and PACs.  Once elected, I will fight to take out this disastrous compromise and pass the public financing legislation on its own merits.  I will then work to REDUCE the contribution limits for those who stay in the private system as well as lead efforts to reign in campaign contributions from PACs, businesses, and lobbyists.

I have raised small contributions from family and individuals who live in Silver Spring and Takoma Park.  Besides family, I have not raised any money outside District 20.  I have not accepted any contributions from businesses, PACs, or lobbyists.  I also capped my contribution limit at $500.

6. Do you consider same-sex marriage a civil rights issue? Will you lead on this issue in the general assembly?

I do consider same-sex marriage a civil rights issue and I will work with others in the general assembly to ensure this right to all Maryland citizens.  I had the honor and pleasure to attend my cousin’s wedding in Los Angeles, CA in 2008 as I witnessed my cousin pledging her life long commitment to her partner in a religious wedding ceremony.  Nobody should be denied this inherent right.

7. How well is Maryland approaching the issue of climate change? What can be done to push Maryland ahead on this issue, given the recession?

Maryland needs to do a much better job of addressing climate change.  The recession cannot be used as an excuse to delay major action.  We need to take the following four actions in the coming years to make the reductions in greenhouse gases that are necessary:

1. Strengthen the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and pledge to dedicate ALL of the revenue generated from this cap and trade toward the development of renewable energy.  Right now, only 7% of the revenue generated is dedicated to renewable energy, which is ridiculous.
2. Enact a renewable energy plan which sets in stone the goal of generating ALL of Maryland’s electricity needs through renewable energy by 2050 as well as the specific steps on how to get there, including benchmarks and dedicated revenue sources (see details of this plan in response to question #8 below).
3. Expand mass transit throughout Maryland.  This will include building the Purple Line and Baltimore Red Line; expanding MARC services; instituting a Rapid Bus Transit system; building the Corridor Cities Transitway; and ultimately building a metro or light rail that circles Washington D.C and parallels the beltway.  I propose that we fund these transit projects through an increase in the gas tax and other driver user fees.
4. Write into zoning laws a requirement that any new major development projects abide by smart growth principles such as being near transit centers and being pedestrian and bicycle friendly.

8. Fifty-seven percent of Maryland electricity is generated by coal. Over 30% is generated by nuclear power. What’s your position on coal and nuclear power? Do you propose other sources of energy?

We need to wean ourselves off coal and nuclear power.  Nuclear power has too many risks, costs, and dangers associated with it.  Once elected, I will make it my number one priority to transform Maryland into a national leader in renewable energy.  The current goal of generating 20% of our energy needs from renewable energy by 2022 is both inadequate and underfunded.

                   

As a state delegate I will propose a Renewable Energy Plan that will set Maryland on a path to be the first state in the nation to generate ALL of its electricity from renewable energy by the year 2050.  This plan will include the following 4 goals to be met by 2050 along with specific benchmarks and measurements for progress along the way as well as the dedicated resources to get the job done. 

1. Reduce energy consumption by 20% from current levels.
2. Generate two thirds of our energy needs through wind power as outlined by a report issued by the Abell Foundation.
3. Install solar panels on EVERY house and building in the state along with major solar panel fields.
4. Create a statewide twenty first century smart grid, including installation of smart meters in every house and building designed for renewable energy redistribution.

I will propose that ALL of the revenue generated through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative be set aside to implement this plan.  Currently, most of the revenue is diverted for other purposes.  Maryland generated $112 million in 2009/10 from RGGI.   

  

9. What, specifically, do you propose to clean and protect the Bay and Maryland waterways, including the Potomac River.

Earlier this year, Annapolis provided yet another clear example of why our Bay is still in such horrible shape.   They passed legislation that delayed certain storm run off regulations.  It is shocking that both Delegates Mizeur and Hixson voted with developers and builders to delay these regulations.  Silver Spring and Takoma Park deserves a delegate who will fight for stronger regulations, not weaken them as this legislation did. 

I strongly support Delegate Hucker’s proposed Watershed Protection and Restoration Act and I will help lead the charge to get this legislation enacted in the 2011 General Session. 

We also need to make major progress in replacing industrial agriculture with organic farms; restoring the natural habitat of the Chesapeake watershed; greater public education and outreach; and reducing urban and suburban sprawl.  I will be a leader for such efforts in the General Assembly. 

10. There is a proposal to build a Bus Rapid Transit system in Montgomery County. Would you help the county find state financing for such a program?

I think this is a great idea which I will do everything in my power to help find state funding for such a project.  I will be a leader in the General Assembly to expand and improve mass transit throughout Maryland.  However, we need to make sure a Bus Rapid Transit system does not take resources away from building the Purple Line, which has to take precedent over all other public transit funding. 

11. Assuming that you support the Purple Line, what specific actions will you take to get it on track? Do you see gentrification around Long Branch and Langley Park as a potential Purple Line issue?

I do wholeheartedly support the Purple Line and I will be a leader to ensure we get it funded and built within the next several years.  I will work with state, county, and federal officials to find the funding to get the job done.  This will be one of my top priorities in the General Assembly. 

We should receive the federal funding to help pay for the Line.  If not, then I will work with other leaders to find the money in county and state budgets.  I also think we need to look into having developers who stand to benefit from the Purple Line provide some of the funding.  It is time we look into creating a public-private partnership to help fund transit projects. 

We need to do everything we can to reduce gentrification around Long Branch and Langley Park once the Purple Line is built.  For the most part the line should drive revitalization, renewal, and improve the quality of life for residents in these areas.  I think on the whole it will be a boon to these neighborhoods.  But there will be those who will be negatively affected and we need to minimize this damage as much as possible.  I will actively reach out to these communities to work with them on these types of issues.  We also need to look into rent control. 

12. What makes you more qualified than your opponents for this public office?

Over the last 15 years I have developed the skills, knowledge, and experience that will enable me to be a highly successful legislator in the General Assembly.  During this time I conducted rigorous research and analysis of policies and shaped legislation at both the federal and state levels.  I have learned valuable lessons on how to pass, implement, enforce, and evaluate public policy.

As a public health advocate I have acquired a diverse set of skills to be an extremely effective leader in Annapolis.  I have learned how to build coalitions, lead grassroots advocacy efforts, and utilize the latest research in the field to pass evidence based policies.  This training has led me to take a results oriented, evidence based, non ideological approach to public policy that will serve Maryland well.

Furthermore, I will go into the General Assembly with the independence that is necessary to represent the best interests of all District 20 residents equally.  I have not raised any money from PACs, lobbyists, and businesses.  Therefore my hands will not be tied. 

Lastly, I have the courage, vision, passion and energy that are necessary to fight powerful vested interests in order to pass far reaching innovative policies.  My passion and energy has been exemplified by the grassroots door to door campaign I have run this summer in which I have personally knocked on over 7,000 doors throughout Silver Spring and Takoma Park.  My vision is exemplified by the innovative policies and legislation I have proposed during this campaign.