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410-790-2733
Data Centers are necessary for American national security. They generate jobs and taxpayer revenue. Having said that, it is essential that companies constructing data centers bring their own systems for generating power and provide water for cooling. This makes construction of additional data centers in Maryland impractical in many cases.
Data centers are part of the reason for increased costs. Part of the problem also is a delay in connecting new energy projects to the grid. We should realize that it is now cheaper to produce new clean energy than it is to start a new fossil fuel plant. And once clean energy projects are online, there are no fuel costs to worry about. There are costs associated with the transition to a clean future. Very clearly these costs should not all be borne by rate payers.
There should be interconnected transport systems throughout Maryland, and these systems should allow for pedestrians, bicyclists, and people without a car to get to where they need to go. Let’s make towns and cities more efficient and productive and do what we can to eliminate traffic jams and frustrated travelers. Most commuters agree that the commute is the worst part of their day. Let's fix that.
My top priorities are health, education, and the environment. We no longer have to choose between economic growth and environmental preservation. I will fight for any program that allows for sustainability, where we are able to meet the needs of the present without compromising the survival of future generations. Maryland needs to adopt programs that improve life expectancy and life quality. Let's translate economic growth into what we really care about.
There has been much talk concerning a moratorium on data centers. How about a moratorium on ICE facilities? I will support solutions that allow hard-working immigrants to stay in their communities and get documentation necessary for them to continue to perform critical jobs. We can be safe, welcoming and continue to grow economically. Immigrants are an essential part of any plan to make that happen.
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Data centers have become a necessary evil due to rising demand for data, storage and new advancements in technology that everyone is using. However, before any more come to Maryland, we must have a plan for the energy and environmental protection needs. Maryland already has an energy production issue, currently importing over 40%. Additional data centers must come with regulations requiring them to generate their own energy instead of plugging into the rest of the grid.
Maryland must invest in renewable long-term energy solutions such as nuclear and natural gas. For many years, Democrats in in Annapolis have doubled down on failed energy policies – overreliance on solar and wind, plus expensive mandates on utilities to meet unrealistic ‘green-energy’ goals, which have made our state one of the most expensive for utilities. Also, stopping or at least pausing ratepayer funded programs that show up on your bill could save at least $40 for ratepayers right away.
All the money generated from our extremely high gas tax, vehicle registration fees, emission fees and titling fees goes into the Transportation Trust Fund for roads and bridges, but also mass transit. Mass transit currently recovers less than 10% of its costs at the farebox – it used to be required to recoup at least 35%. That has forced the TTF to subsidize over 50% on mass transit. Given the current fiscal crisis, I can’t support expanded transit beyond the inefficient system we have now.
My budget priorities include advocating for fairness in local government and community college funding, opposing cuts to our developmentally disabled community, and reducing the size and spending of Maryland's government overall. We must scale back a lot of other items to prioritize what is most important, but putting the burden on working families by raising taxes and fees is unacceptable in my opinion.
We are a nation that embraces people from all over the world. Anyone who wants to become an American and embrace our values is welcome to me. Illegal immigration subverts the process of legal immigration. I support enforcing our immigration laws compassionately, fairly but firmly. When someone is here illegally and commits additional crimes, I support local law enforcement's ability to cooperate with federal law enforcement to arrest and deport them as quickly as possible.
