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I don't think that data centers are a good idea for Maryland because of the major risks to the power grid, water supply, and land use. Data Centers have a huge environmental impact in the areas where they are located.
The escalating utility costs in Maryland are primarily driven by rapid increases in distribution rates for infrastructure upgrades, high capacity market charges and volatile natural gas supply costs. I support the Ratepayer Freedom Act to prohibit utilities from using ratepayer funds for non-essential expenses such as lobbying. Implementing policies that reduce peak load through improved efficiency as well.
Yes, the availability of public transportation be improved across the state. Having more available public transportation will allow less cars to be on the road allowing for better walking and biking infrastructure and reduction of traffic congestion. This will also be better for the environment.
1. Expanding health care coverage for Marylanders. , Expanding Medicaid to cover more families in need.
2. Expanding Child-care subsidies, universal pre-k, universal school lunches
3. Increasing affordability for working families. The cost of living is becoming more difficult to sustain for Marylanders.
I fully support the Access to Care Act expanding access to health care coverage for immigrants. I believe in removing barriers to professional licensing for foreign-trained workers, and strengthening ESL programs. I believe that we should pass legislation banning former ICE employees from working as police officers or public school teachers.
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I was dubious about bringing data centers to Maryland, but their arrival seems inevitable. As Vice Chair of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, I am working to ensure that there are guardrails to protect water quality, energy use, and neighboring communities.
PJM, the multi-state grid operator, is a large part of the problem. The reality is that Maryland currently has to import most of our power. We must increase supply so as to drive down costs. In the meantime, tighter oversight on the utilities and offering a break to our lower-income neighbors is needed.
I was an outspoken opponent of former Gov. Larry Hogan's proposal to widen I-270 and install toll lanes. We need both roads and mass transit. Funding for Metro, completion of the Purple Line, and flexible telecommuting will help address part of our traffic congestion.
As Vice Chair of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, I helped craft the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. This 10-year plan was intended to return our K-12 public schools back to national prominence. Funding, obviously, is an enormous challenge. We should continue to focus on jobs and economic development as the Trump Administration disrespects our federal employees and targets Maryland. Public safety-- including our 9-1-1 Centers-- must remain a top priority.
I sponsored a bill to allow Marylanders who are not yet citizens to work here in health occupations. We had a shortage that resulted in LONG emergency room wait times. I passed several bills on Language Access to be sure that folks for whom English isn't their native language can still access government. We need to welcome, educate, protect, and celebrate our immigrant communities!
I’m not opposed to data centers, but Maryland should require them to pay the full infrastructure and energy costs they create. Large data centers increase electricity demand and can strain the grid. If grid upgrades such as new power lines, transformers, or substations are needed, companies should cover those costs rather than shifting them onto households through higher electricity rates. Any tax incentives for data centers should also be limited, transparent, and tied to clear public benefits.
Rising utility costs in Maryland reflect several pressures: growing electricity demand, including from data centers; the need to modernize aging grid infrastructure; and clean energy transition costs. Households should not be forced to choose between paying rent and electricity bills. We should expand reliable in-state generation, require large new users to pay the infrastructure costs they create, and strengthen Public Service Commission oversight to protect households from higher rates.
Yes. Reliable public transportation is essential for access to jobs, education, and services, and it helps reduce traffic congestion and transportation costs for households. Maryland should continue investing in transit while improving efficiency, including express or limited-stop train service so riders traveling longer distances can reach major destinations more quickly. Projects that improve east-west mobility, such as the Purple Line, can also strengthen regional connections.
My budget priorities are to protect Maryland’s core investments in education, healthcare, and transportation while ensuring fiscal sustainability. We should control cost growth by improving efficiency and adjusting timelines for major programs when necessary rather than cutting essential services. I support stronger transparency and accountability for state grants to nonprofits through the creation of a centralized system that tracks funding, spending, and tax compliance.
I am an immigrant myself and was naturalized in 2015. Maryland should better recognize foreign credentials so immigrants do not have to restart degrees or training completed abroad. We should create licensing equivalencies and expand workforce development and English-language programs, including stronger ESL and bridge classes in schools. Better integration helps immigrants overcome barriers, use their full potential, access jobs that match their qualifications, and strengthen our economy.
