We must attract and expand businesses in order to expand revenues. This is the only way we can meet our education spending targets. I am the only candidate in this race focused on growing our local economy and improving affordability. Visit voteforarinze.com/issues to read my plan to build 500K sqft of SCIF Space to attract Intelligence Agencies and Contractors to Howard County. Regionally, we need to compete with similar SCIF concentrations in Anne Arundel, Northern VA, and Montgomery County.
Visit my website to read my First Time Downsizer Plan offering a $20K property tax credit for seniors that downsize in Howard County and sell their old home to a first time homebuyer. My plan lowers prices by increasing single family and 55+ inventory — and does so without impacting school capacity.
I have 18 years of experience at the Federal, State, and Local levels of government. I am the only candidate offering written policy solutions to our greatest challenges.
My Cure for Care Plan will cut childcare costs for working families by 65%. The plan is modeled after the Michigan Tri-Share initiative: a voluntary employer based benefit program. Employers that opt into the program pay 1/3rd of the daycare bill for eligible employees; Howard County pays 1/3rd of the bill; and the family pays the final 1/3rd. Employers use it as a recruitment and retention tool, the County keeps both parents in the workforce, and the family gets affordable childcare.
The County is off pace of its 2030 goals, but it is difficult to invest in green infrastructure when prices are sent soaring by wars and rogue tariff policies. We’ve also been impacted by mass layoffs and slashed federal funding. Until economic conditions improve, local government must leverage its resources and public platform to bring greater awareness to existing efforts like the Green Bin, mass transit options, and expanded electrification.
Howard County has a legal and moral obligation to uphold the U.S. Constitution and Maryland law. All residents, regardless of status, religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation deserve to have their rights and freedoms protected. As the only candidate with 18 years of policy experience (7 in law enforcement), I know how to use both public policy and legal representation from the Attorney General’s Office to protect our residents and their rights.
I spent 4 years in the Baltimore SAO & I currently work for the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention & Policy where we coordinate investigations into criminal organizations; develop juvenile crime policy; and support survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. I also mentored at-risk boys at Elkridge Landing Middle. We must engage youth before they commit crimes and go after the adults that are recruiting young people into their criminal activities.
Campaign Phone
443-398-2288
Campaign Instagram
@teamjessicanichols
Blueprint obligations equal approx $5M of a $75M education funding deficit. The schools’ percentage of the county general fund has declined over the last several years and it is imperative that reverse that trend by increasing revenue and strategically reallocating. Re-zoning will help grow our tax base without increasing the tax burden on individuals who already live here. We must also make better use of investment income and PayGo money to chip away at deferred building maintenance.
Yes. Many of our teachers and first responders travel from out of the county, young professionals are priced of the market and working families continue to see their rent increase. I will champion a Housing for Heroes act, offering tax breaks and down payment assistance to our essential workers. We must also increase housing supply without continuing to concentrate poverty in the same areas. Public trusts and vouchers will also create opportunities.
Yes. Childcare is extremely expensive, and lower income families are disproportionately impacted — with parents often working nontraditional hours.
We must leverage mutual aid models among community groups, faith orgs, employers and daycares so all families have access to quality childcare.
Eldercare is costly and the quality varies. I will insist on frequent facility inspections and drop-in observations of home healthcare providers. There is an opportunity to explore mutual aid here too.
The Howard County Climate Forward plan ensures that we do our part to mitigate the global climate crisis. Embracing electrification in new construction and creatively collecting solar energy are 2 goals with high return. We must also do more with stormwater collection and make EV charging more accessible.
Washington DC and the Trump presidency has shown a causal disregard for the constitution. I applaud the efforts of the current council and county executive to keep ICE out of our community. We have seen the playbook that this regime will use to spread fear and lawlessness. As County Council person I will work closely with governor and Attorney General to ensure we have a rapid cohesive response when our community is in danger. I will also ensure we invest and uplift the local mutual aid efforts.
We must begin by addressing the economic determinants of crime. Crime is a symptom of complex unmet needs. Increasing housing stability, access to food and essentials go a long way. So do harm reduction strategies and early intervention. We will never incarcerate our way to safety. Investment in youth mentorship, workforce training, restorative justice and treatment for substance abuse are all nonnegotiable elements of the solution. All must be done with cooperation from local law enforcement.
