Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

download Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

of 19

Transcript of Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    1/19

    Progressive NeighborsQuestions for Maryland Gubernatorial Candidates 2014

    Attorney General Doug Gansler

    Better government

    1. Progress has been made in improving transparency in the General Assembly over the past fouryears, with greater access to online tools for the public, the posting online of committee votes,and increased audio and video coverage of legislative deliberations. Much still remains to bedone, however, including posting of subcommittee votes, committee amendments and votes,and the institution of a system to allow constituents to sign up to testify online the day before acommittee hearing so they don't have to spend all day in Annapolis waiting to testify. Do yousupport these improvements, and do you have others youd like to offer? What would you do tomake the Assembly a more democratic institution? Do you support stripping the party centralcommittees of the power of appointment, which ultimately lies with the Governor, and are youwilling to support special elections to fill legislative vacancies?

    Answer:

    Improvements in General Assembly Transparency. I support all of the measures listed above forimproving transparency in the General Assembly. As Governor, I will be an ally with those pushing forthese measures. Because a Governor-led effort to change the ways of the legislative branchs ownprocedures is likely to be sidetracked by turf battles and arguments over separation of powers, I believethat I would be most effective leading by example. Earlier this year, I shared some of my ideas forimproving transparency in State government. These ideas are:

    (1) Appointing a Public Information Inspector General. At present, Maryland has nostatewide agency solely responsible for promoting public access to information. Instead, weallow each administrative agency to set its own transparency standards and disclosure rules. Asa result, Maryland has a spotty transparency record. To ensure the transparency necessary fortrue public accountability I would create an Inspector General within the Comptrollers Officewho will be charged with monitoring and ensuring that the public not only has access to publicinformation, but has access to that information in a format that allows them to assessgovernment performance and demand accountability. To do that, this Inspector General will becharged with collecting public information across agencies, conducting agency performanceaudits, ensuring user-friendly public access to the information and audits via a TransparencyPortal, monitoring complaints about access to public information, and making recommendations

    to remove undue barriers to public information. In addition to performance audits, the InspectorGeneral will produce an agency report card identifying areas of improvement and barriers tokeeping Maryland transparent and accountable to the public.

    (2) Creating aComprehensive Open MD Transparency Portal. Maryland collects a wealthof information, but it is not integrated in a meaningful way nor is it provided in a user-friendlymanner. My Administration will consolidate existing databases across agencies into one user-friendly, easily navigated portal that will allow visitors to generate custom reports detailinggovernment expenditures and performance across entities and programs. This will include links

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    2/19

    to pre-approved and final contracts describing the nature of the service provided, auditsperformed, subsidies and tax credits provided, and tax dollars spent. Additionally, the databasewill include a performance monitor that includes information on jobs created, revenuegenerated, and other performance metrics. The public will be able to do a side-by-sidecomparison of costs, subsidies, etc. versus jobs created, revenue generated, etc., allowing for amore accurate cost benefit analysis of various projects. Finally, the tool will allow users to trackthe location of all state contracts/projects sorted by legislative districts receiving incentivesalongside geographical data noting unemployment and economic development needs across thestate.

    (3) Adopting anOpen Meeting Records Rule. My Administration will adopt an OpenMeeting Records Rule modeled after the disclosure requirements of the White House Office ofInformation Regulatory Affairs that will promote transparency in Marylands rule makingprocess. To comply with the rule, I will set up a user-friendly website that archives everymeeting with outside parties (state or local governments, small business, special interestsgroups, etc.) when the meeting concerns state regulations under review. The information wouldinclude date of the meeting, attendees and a PDF scan of attachments provided by the outsideparties.

    (4) Opening the Books. My Administration will create a database that allows the public toexplore state contracts awarded to corporations alongside campaign contributions made by thatcorporation, its officers or employees. With this tool, Marylanders could easily discover whengovernment agencies may be awarding contracts based on political connections.

    (5) HostingDemocracy Innovation Labs. As Governor, I will host open source innovationlabs and competitions in partnership with technology leaders and hubs including the GreaterBaltimore Technology Council, iStrategy, OpenGov Foundation and others to developtechnological tools that enable Marylanders to make the state more accessible, transparent andaccountable to Marylanders.

    (6) ProvidingLocal Sunshine Challenge Grants. I propose to provide localities and countiesinfrastructure support to replicate and link local expenditure tracking to state portals. The bulkof state expenditures are distributed by localities that have incongruent reporting at best.Providing tools to local municipalities will encourage greater transparency and cost-benefitanalysis at all levels of government.

    Special Elections to Fill Vacancies in the General Assembly. The Maryland Constitution currentlygrants the central committees of the political parties the responsibility to select individuals to fillvacancies in the General Assembly. Stripping central committees of that power would require aconstitutional amendment. Many believe that leaving the selection in the hands of the political partiesrisks a vacancy being filled for political expediency rather than the best interests of the constituency ofthe relevant district. Even when that is not the case, the perception that it does undermines publicconfidence. As Governor, I will convene a commission to study whether a constitutional amendment iswarranted to allow special elections. I will also look at measures that can be taken short of aconstitutional amendment to ensure greater transparency in the process and to promote more directdemocracy.

    2. Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in the US. Unfortunately, some of our states wealthiestresidents and most successful corporations avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Assessingluxury taxes and requiring that businesses file combined tax reports would generate revenuesand help small and local businesses compete.

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    3/19

    Would you support combined reporting and luxury taxes? Please explain briefly.

    Answer:

    I believe strongly in creating a vibrant environment for businesses to grow and strengthen oureconomy, but not through measures that let them avoid tax contributions to the state, contributions thatfund the very public services and institutions that can make this state attractive to businesses and thejobs they bring. According to the Maryland Department of Legislative Services, if the loophole oncombined reporting had been closed in fiscal year 2013, the state would have collected an additional$154 million dollars. This is a significant source of lost revenue that could be reinvested in our schoolsand infrastructure two essential public services that our businesses rely upon to attract and retaincompetitive employees. Moreover, the additional revenue could be used for incentives and investmentsto attract and grow quality businesses. We need to close the corporate tax loophole and look for otherways to ensure that everyone pays their fair share, such as combined reporting. If we can get an honestaccounting, we can collect all corporate taxes rightly owed to Maryland and avoid creating new taxesand fees that target businesses.

    As for luxury taxes, I would look at each category on its own merits. My priority will be to better fundour states priorities through closing tax loopholes.

    3. The juvenile justice scandal in Baltimore raises immediate concerns, and Marylands prisonpopulation has nearly tripled to over 22,000 since 1980. People of color are disproportionatelyarrested, convicted, and incarcerated. This is a civil rights issue.Would you advocate for legislation and policies establishing creative approaches to crime andrehabilitation--alternatives to incarceration? Please explain briefly.

    Answer:

    Of the adults under correctional control, one in 11 are African American. Approximately 12%-13% ofthe American population is African-American,but they make up 40.1% of the almost 2.1 million maleinmates in jail or prison (U.S. Department of Justice, 2009). This disparity demands that we take aserious look at the application of justice in the United States, that we do a federal and state examinationof the structural application of sentencing and mandatory minimums on nonviolent crimes andtechnical offenses during probation and parole. It also demands that we consider these facts as wedevelop legislation and policies to address crime, rehabilitation, and re-entry programs and makeresource decisions.

    As Attorney General and a prosecutor for nearly my entire career, I have seen the high public cost ofunder-serving the educational needs of disadvantaged communities. The failure to intervene to confrontthese inequities can be seen across generations, revealing a structural disadvantage that

    disproportionately impacts low-income families and communities of color. A strong education budget one that benefits the hardest hit communities is essential to removing these disadvantages.Similarly, I think curbing crime also means shifting our approach to challenges like mental illness,substance abuse and drug addition, treating them as public health problems and not just criminal justiceproblems. As Governor, I will work to enroll the vast majority of prisoners who are eligible inMedicaid pre-release, to provide health coverage for them from day one of release. Under theAffordable Care Act, the federal government will pay 100% of coverage for the first three years.Increased access to mental health and addiction treatment can reduce incarceration rates, improvehealth outcomes, and save the state money.

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    4/19

    In addition, I will reform our broken re-entry system. Right now in Maryland, re-entry fails nearly 50%of the time, meaning that we are spending $1.3 billion a year on a system that is not much more than arevolving door.Offenders enter the system with limited educational levels and they leave with limited education

    levels. They enter with limited job skills and oftentimes substance abuse issues; they leave with thosesame issues.The only difference is they now have a criminal record, making it even more difficult to get a job or

    find housing. As a result, they end up right back in the system. Below are some of my ideas forreforming the re-entry system:

    (1) Deputy Secretary of Public Safety & Correctional Services Responsible for Re-entry.To ensure re-entry considerations inform all DPSCS decisions, I will establish a DeputySecretary of Public Safety & Correctional Services responsible for re-entry. This deputysecretary will help develop a strategic plan to reorient Marylands correctional system towardsuccessful re-entry, ensure re-entry considerations inform all agency policy making, coordinateefforts with other agencies, ensure that resources align with system needs, work with nationalpartners, as well as monitor access to critical areas of education, transitional housing, workforceplacement, training certification and identification, and community resources so as to assessdeficits and make resource recommendations.

    (2) Establish Re-entry Intake Centers. To assist eligible offenders with re-entry, create re-entry intake centers within each correctional facility that focus on successful re-entry from themoment of incarceration. Upon incarceration, eligible offenders would be given an assessmentthat provides a comprehensive overview of risks and needs. This assessment would examinecore areas to map resources, referrals and support. Each resident would then work with adesignated social worker familiar with the assessment. The social workers would have access toMarylands new offender case management system to assist with their efforts and woulddevelop a re-entry plan with the offender and assist him in accessing evidence-based programsand services.

    (3) Establish Re-entry Courts. Re-entry courts are specialized courts that help reducerecidivism and improve public safety through the use of judicial oversight. They are designed tohelp offenders successfully transition back into the community. These courts integrate treatmentand other social services via evidence based programs with enhanced judicial monitoring forparolees with a goal of reducing recidivism and parole revocation, thus promoting public safety.The responsibilities generally assigned to re-entry courts include reviewing offenders re-entryprogress and problems, ordering offenders to participate in various treatment and reintegrationprograms, using drug and alcohol testing and other checks to monitor compliance, applyinggraduated sanctions to offenders who do not comply with treatment requirements, providing

    modest incentive rewards for sustained clean drug tests and other positive behaviors.

    (4) Annual Cost Benefit Analysis of Correctional System, Including Recidivism and Re-entry Efforts. In order to develop a functional corrections system, lawmakers and taxpayersneed more robust and transparent access to information that would allow for a comprehensivecost-benefit analysis of correctional programs as well as the larger correctional system. Anannual complete cost benefits analysis that incorporates actual costs of corrections, pensions forancillary and actual employees, health care costs for correctional employees, in addition to re-entry program and other program costs will allow the public and lawmakers to monitor and

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    5/19

    evaluate how tax resources are being invested and the relationship between those allocationsand the rate of recidivism and other crime metrics. This robust annual analysis will help ensurewe are creating evidence based correctional programs that actually work and that we areadapting programs in response to metrics.

    (5) Redemption Laws: Returning Honor to Those Who Make Good Choices. The mark of acriminal conviction casts a long shadow often depriving those who make good choices from thebenefit of a chance to compete for jobs, housing and services. Automated background checks bycompanies, housing agencies, tenant management companies have led all individuals convictedof a crime to be viewed and treated the same -- irrespective of crime, time served, offense andtime since conviction. The resulting denial often comes before an applicant has the opportunityto demonstrate their work record, accomplishments and redemptive steps such as completion ofdrug treatment programs. In order to ensure public safety without denying those who makegood choices the opportunity to compete for jobs, housing and services, we should conduct acomplete review of current background check laws and rules and develop a rational system ofbackground checks with redemption shields. For example, if an offender stays clean for 5years since time served for a nonviolent conviction and successfully participates in pre-releasetraining and programs including drug treatment and job training programs -- a redemptionshield would prevent unlimited public access the individuals criminal record.

    (6) Challenge Grants To Retain Staff and Expand Mental Health and Substance AbuseCounseling Programs and Treatment Across the System. Re-entry programs that includemental health support services along with substance abuse treatment and support groupsradically improve outcomes for this population. Current programs are understaffed and lacksufficient resources. There is an acute shortage of social workers, case managers and otherneeded service providers available to work in these programs. Challenge grants that wouldprovide various financial incentives to social workers and case managers for working in high-risk and stressful environments that serve the public would help the state properly staff re-entryprograms and directly impact the reach and success of state programs targeting this vulnerablepopulation.

    (7) First Step for First Night: Providing Transitional Housing to Ex-Offenders. A failure tosecure housing during the first 90 days of release is one of the key factors that impacts return toprison. Facilities like the Re-entry Center in PG County report that success for those withtransitional housing is 83 percent compared to those with no access to secure and stablehousing. Yet it is very difficult to obtain housing with a criminal record and limited prospectsfor employment, and without resources or assets. Investing in subsidized transitional housingoperated by re-entry centers, would allow ex-offenders to receive the counseling and wrap-around support to support integration needed to ensure successful re-entry.

    (8) Protecting Children of Incarcerated By Fostering Connections. Keeping social andfamily connections where appropriate and fostering the health of those connections needs to beprioritized to ensure those released have needed social supports upon re-entry. Sponsoringconstructive family engagement programs to benefit both parents and children of theincarcerated improves outcomes. Family-dedicated recreation zones at correctional facilities,digital story-telling resources to help parents of incarcerated children remain engaged, andparent-child sports teams have been shown to motivate offenders to accelerate their completionof job skill training, drug treatment counseling programs, and education certificates includingGEDs.

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    6/19

    (9) Bringing E-learning and Secure Mobile Technology to Facilities. Innovative educationaltechnologies adapted to the correctional environment offer a huge opportunity to address theeducational deficiencies that so severely undermine successful re-entry. Deploying specializede-learning tools, using tablets uniquely programmed for each offender that account for his/herspecific learning needs, has the potential for successfully addressing these educational stressorsat tremendous cost savings. These technologies would enable correctional facilities to morereadily cultivate relationships with local community colleges and workforce training programs,providing inmates access to apprenticeship training materials as well as recognized certificateprograms. The format also would allow prisons to transform libraries into a digital space,reducing costs of maintaining a brick and mortar library, while providing the offender withaccess to education, job applications, and legal and recreational reading materials.Appropriately monitored, these tablets also could be a tool for maintaining contact with familyand other social support systems, accessing social services, and tracking progress on re-entryplans.

    (10) Convening Innovation Summits of Faith-based and NGO Providers to HelpCoordinate Non-Profits Efforts Statewide. Many re-entry programs in the state dependheavily on the faith-based community for support and social networks. Coordinating theseefforts and connecting them with efforts at the state level will enable us to leverage them andprovide a far more robust system of support upon re-entry. To foster this coordination andcooperation, Maryland should convene government leadership and non-profit leadership atregular re-entry innovation summits where participants discuss best practices and evidencebased successful programs, explore and develop opportunities for collaboration and theleveraging of resources, and more.

    4. In 2013, the General Assembly passed a law providing for same day voter registration, but onlyduring the early voting period. The State Administrator of the Board of Elections objected toproviding same day registration on Election Day itself, when the vast majority of votes are cast,claiming that it was not feasible. Do you support expanding same day voter registration toElection Day, and if so, what steps would you take to see it become law?

    Answer:

    Based on a long-standing interpretation of the Maryland Constitution by the previous MarylandAttorney General, voter registration has to be complete before Election Day. Nevertheless, last year,my office advised the General Assembly that same day voter registration could occur during the earlyvoting period without a constitutional amendment. I also took other measures to ensure that all entitledto vote may do so. On Election Day in 2006, after voting at my home polling place, I traveled to apolling place in Prince Georges County. There, I witnessed long lines snaking around the building as

    predominantly African-American voters waited hours to cast their ballots. This stood in stark contrastto my own experience voting at a polling place in Montgomery County that served a more affluentcommunity, where voting took just a few minutes. Also in Prince Georges County, I learned thatmisleading fliers were distributed to citizens that were clearly designed to dissuade, mislead andoutright suppress votes. Even more concerning, the deceptive tactics used that day were focused onhistorically disenfranchised voters.

    Upon taking office in 2007, I established a Voting Irregularities Task Force to review irregularities inthe 2006 election and recommend improvements to ensure voter protection. In addition, in 2008, I

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    7/19

    wrote a letter to detention facilities throughout the state, urging wardens in the strongest possible termsto make registration and voting opportunities available. This letter appears to have been successful. MyTask Force received direct reports from organizations and individuals who were able to assist withregistration of pre-trial detainees throughout the state. I also wrote a letter to election officialsinstructing them that voters whose homes were foreclosed do not lose their right to vote, therebyprotecting them against a partisan effort to knock them off the voter rolls. I also testified on CapitolHill in support of federal legislation sponsored by then Senator Barack Obama and Senator Ben Cardinthat would impose stricter penalties on individuals who produce or distribute materials designed tointentionally suppress voter turnout during federal elections. And I held accountable peoplesuppressing the vote in these ways, for example successfully prosecuting a man who distributedcampaign flyers illegally, and successfully prosecuting a campaign operative, who used robocalls tosuppress minority voter turnout in 2010.

    As Governor, I will support efforts to further improve the ability of Marylanders to exercise their rightto vote, so that all Marylanders who come to the polls to vote can do so.

    5. Do you support enacting state campaign finance reforms and laws that curtail corporateinfluence on elections, and laws that enable voluntary public financing of campaigns for stateoffice in a manner that would allow candidates to receive funding after demonstratingsignificant community support?

    Yes, I do, and I already have a strong record of promoting campaign finance reform. In 2010, I formedthe Attorney Generals Advisory Committee on Campaign Finance, which released a comprehensivereport in January 2011 that drew major attention to our states outdated and in places problematiccampaign finance laws, and proposed meaningful reforms. These reforms included new limits oncorporate influence, a closing of the LLC loophole that many companies exploit, and fullerdisclosure of who makes campaign contributions and how they get spent. Almost immediatelythereafter, the General Assembly formed a Commission to Study Campaign Reform. In its report to the

    legislation offering its own reforms, the Commission stated that the report of my Advisory Committeehas been an invaluable resource for the commission and provided a foundation from which thecommission built its efforts. (Commission Report, Dec. 2012, at 1.) The General Assemblysubsequently enacted the most significant campaign finance reform in Maryland in years, includingclosing the LLC loophole, among other things.

    There is still much to be done to improve transparency and accountability in campaign finance, and asGovernor I will work to carry out more of the Advisory Committees proposed reforms. I will alsosupport efforts to explore voluntary public financing of campaigns, along the lines of what has beenproposed in the past by Senator Jamie Raskin (a member of the Advisory Committee), and informed bywhat is done in places like Arizona, Connecticut, Maine.

    Human Rights

    6. The transgender community has been fighting to be included in statewide civil rightsprotections since 2007. While there are ordinances in Montgomery, Howard and Baltimorecounties, as well as Baltimore city, there is no statewide law (as there is in 17 states, DC andPuerto Rico) to go along with the sexual orientation anti-discrimination law passed here in2001. Do you support a comprehensive gender identity law for Maryland, including publicaccommodations protections, and will you actively lobby the legislative leadership to make it

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    8/19

    happen?

    Yes, I do. I am proud that I helped lead Maryland down the path to marriage equality, testifying insupport of marriage equality before any other statewide elected official in Maryland would. Whilesame-sex marriage was still illegal in Maryland, I issued an opinion enabling same-sex couples marriedin other states to obtain legal recognition here, helping to set in motion a series of events that wouldultimately lead to the recognition of marriage equality in Maryland. That opinion led to calls for myimpeachment but I remained steadfast in my support of the effort because I knew it was the right andconstitutional thing to do. And when the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Californias Prop 8were challenged at the Supreme Court, I along with fellow Attorney Generals filed a brief calling forboth laws to be struck down. I have also advocated for greater protections against domestic violence,including in the gay community. For these efforts I received Equality Marylands Ally for Equalityaward and the University of Baltimore OUTLaw Mark F. Scurti Award. While securing marriageequality was a significant step for civil rights, we must do more to secure the civil rights ofMarylanders who are discriminated against due to their sexual identity, including banning transgenderdiscrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation. We must take these steps if wewant to achieve true fairness, justice and equality all across Maryland.

    7. After the passage of federal legislation (ACA aka Obamacare), it falls to the Maryland Stategovernment to establish exchanges to provide healthcare to people in our state; therefore thenext governors actions will be critical on this issue.Do you agree that healthcare is a human right? How would you lead efforts to improvehealthcare in Maryland? Would you support legislation and policies to begin a transition to astate-financed public health system? Please explain briefly.

    Answer:

    Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights confirms that we all have a right to a standard

    of living adequate for our well-being and that of our families, which includes medical care. I agree withPresident Obamas statement that the governments role is to foster the basic underpinning we callaffording and accessing health care, either on its own, partnering with the private sector, or to providecitizens with multiple avenues to acquire and maintain health. Affordable health care is not someprivilege just for the few. Its a basic right that everybody should be able to enjoy.

    I strongly support the Affordable Care Act, and to fight legal challenges to the ACA, my office wrotethe lead brief on behalf of states in the United States Supreme Court successfully defending theconstitutionality of Obamacare, and ensuring that all workers have access to healthcare. Indeed, ourbrief was cited multiple times by Justice Ginsburg in her concurring opinion, which criticized themajority for threatening the ability of the federal government to cooperate with states to provide

    healthcare for their citizens through a minimum coverage provision. (NFIB v. Sebelius, 132 S. Ct.2566, 2617 & 2628 (2012).) As Governor, I will continue to defend Obamacare and ensure itsimplementation.

    As Attorney General, I have worked hard to advocate for consumers healthcare needs. For example,my offices Health Education and Advocacy Unit has helped many consumers whose health plan hasrefused to cover a medical procedure or to pay for a medical service that has already been provided.That Unit recently won a major grant that is being used to help Marylanders make informed health caredecisions.

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    9/19

    As Governor, I will work to ensure that all Marylanders have access to affordable, quality healthcare.This means working to make Maryland Health Connection a success, and finding ways to close othergaps in healthcare provision, including publicly financed options for expanded care to those in need. Italso means working in close partnership with the federal government, so that the costs associated withhealthcare can be shared effectively.

    8. In 2013, a bill to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana passed the StateSenate with 30 votes. The chair of the House Judiciary Committee did not allow the bill to bevoted on either in committee or on the floor of the House of Delegates. If this bill is put forwardwhile you are governor, will you support it and if so, what specific actions will you take toensure the bills passage in the General Assembly?

    Answer:

    As a prosecutor, I have seen the way that drug trade can ravage communities, but I have also seen thatour countrys obsession with drug offenses has led us to prioritize prosecuting even low-level drugoffenses over violent crimes. We need to have sufficient tools at our disposal to hold accountable thosewho fuel the violence in the criminal drug trade but we must not abuse those tools to needlesslyincarcerate nonviolent drug users, particularly when those tools lead to racial disparities inincarceration.

    During my tenure as States Attorney, nonviolent first offenders charged with only simple possessionwere diverted to treatment. During my tenure as governor, I will work with the legislature to find waysto continue to keep the focus of our law enforcement community on violent offenders.

    9. Marylands minimum wage, currently tied to the federal minimum wage, is $7.25/hour.Economic analysts across the political spectrum agree that it is extremely difficult for a familyto survive in Maryland on this level of income. In 2013, a bill to raise the minimum wage to$10/hour failed to pass a House committee vote. Do you support an increase in the minimumwage, and, if so, what is the hourly wage that you would recommend that the General Assemblyadopt?

    Answer:

    Not only do I support increasing the minimum wage, but I consider it a priority. Clearly the time hascome to raise the minimum wage here in Maryland. While the economy shows signs of recovery, toomany working families are struggling. We can and we must do better. Raising the minimum wage is

    one step we can take to strengthen the middle class, which is fundamental to growing our economyhere in Maryland.

    The current state minimum wage of $7.25 is out of step with inflation and the cost of living. A workerearning minimum wage would have to work 88 hours a week to afford housing. The take-home pay fora full-time minimum wage worker is $15,000 a year. For working families, this is several thousanddollars below the poverty line.

    Additionally, this burden is more often felt by working women, who hold 60 percent of minimum wage

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    10/19

    jobs. They earn $7.25 in hourly wages or the minimum $3.63 hour in jobs such as foodservice wheretips are expected but not guaranteed. These low-wage jobs represent the fastest growing segment of jobgrowth since the recession. Increasing the minimum wage to $10 an hour will provide economicstability for workers, as well as increase performance and retention.

    Research on the restaurant industry from 2011 has shown that increasing wages does not hurt overallemployment, and it reduces turnover as workers decide to stay longer. Further research of smallbusiness owners underscores the positive impact of raising the wage. A poll of small business ownersagreed that increasing the minimum wage would help increase demand for their products as well asalleviate reliance and pressure on taxpayer funded assistance programs that supplement low wageearnings. As wages grow, workers are more stable and productive and less likely to leave. Whenrhetoric gives way to reason, business owners can see the net effect on the bottom line is positive.

    Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have already increased the minimum wage along with ahandful of local municipalities that have local ordinances mandating wage standards above both federaland state policies.

    10.A bill requiring employers to provide at least seven days of sick leave per year received anunfavorable report in the House Economic Matters Committee in 2013. Do you support this bill,and what if any improvements to the bill would you recommend as governor?Federal law currently requires that employees be given as much as 13 weeks of unpaid leave incase of illness or other conditions of the employee or a close family member. Federal law,however, only applies to employers with more than 50 employees. Very few Marylandbusinesses meet this requirement, such that the vast majority of Maryland workers get no familyleave protection at all. In 2013, a bill to provide six weeks of unpaid family leave to employeesof Maryland businesses with at least 15 employees did not pass. Do you support this legislation,and if so, what would you do as governor to see it become law?

    Answer:

    I believe strongly that we have to find a way to address the growing segment of our workforce thatdoes not have paid sick leave, which may include legislation. People should not have to choosebetween their economic security and their health. Particularly at a time when so many members of ourworkforce are single parents whose children rely on them for their own health and welfare, orcaregivers whose parents or other relatives rely on them to help pay hospital bills, we must find ways toenable our workforce to be productive without jeopardizing their health or the health of those who relyon them.

    Finding an approach that will stem the lost wages and impact on our local economy, support the healthand needs of working parents, and recognize the constraints on small businesses is essential.

    Accordingly, the contours and specifics of paid sick and family leave legislation will be important.Audits from the District of Columbia and other municipalities that have recently enacted paid sickleave legislation will be instructive in crafting sound policy and accompanying legislation.

    The Environment and Transportation11.There is a nationwide boom in hydraulic fracking in America today, giving us a greater degree

    of energy independence than weve seen in years. However, there are serious environmentalconsequences to such drilling, and there has been a moratorium on fracking in Maryland to givethe government time to study the current state of the art.

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    11/19

    What are your thoughts about fracking in Maryland, in anticipation of the government study?Do you believe we should prioritize fracking or spend our resources in developing green energysources? How serious must the environmental degradation be for you to ban fracking? Are youconcerned about the future of western Marylands tourist and farming industries if fracking ispermitted?

    Answer:

    The environmental and economic impact of fracking is currently being studied in Maryland. Thedecision whether to allow fracking must be guided by science. There are significant public healthconcerns that must be considered and environmental safeguards that must be upheld if the State is toallow any hydraulic fracturing. We have seen that fracking in other states has been linked withsignificant health and environmental damage, including compromising drinking water. We cannotallow that to happen in Maryland, or spoil our other natural resources that are important to the Statestourism industry.

    Indeed, although fracking is currently not allowed in Maryland, its implementation in neighboringstates has already threatened our States natural resources, and I took swift action when it did. In 2011,a fracking well blowout spilled fracking fluid into a tributary that feeds into the Susquehanna River, thesource of nearly half of the Chesapeake Bays fresh water and the drinking water for roughly 6.2million people, and a home to sensitive Bay fish populations such as the American shad and stripedbass. Exposure to unknown quantities of potentially toxic and carcinogenic fracking chemicals put theBay, its wildlife and millions of Maryland and Pennsylvania residents at risk. My office filed a Noticeof Intent to Sue the company responsible for endangering the health of Maryland residents and thewater quality of the Chesapeake Bay, and our enforcement action led to a $500,000 donation to theSusquehanna River Basin Commission for water quality monitoring within the river basin. It alsocompelled the company to provide documentation of the circumstances surrounding the blowout and itsimpact on adjacent tributaries of the Susquehanna, and to implement certain best practices designed tominimize the effect that its drilling activities have on water quality and the environment.

    Here in Maryland, I have already been active in educating citizens in the risks of fracking. At mydirection, my staff has met with interested citizens, attended public meetings to educate individualsabout the issues, and created educational materials to be sure that Marylanders know how to protecttheir interests, especially regarding complicated leases of their land to oil and gas companies.

    I also put

    together an internal working group of 30 assistant attorneys general representing more than 20 separatedivisions and units within the Office of Attorney General (OAG) to provide support and shareinformation on the Marcellus Shale and other natural gas and drilling issues as they arise.

    In addition,

    members of the OAG have been assisting the members of the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling InitiativeAdvisory Commission, tasked with making findings and issuing reports on the feasibility and safety offracking, the last of which is due in 2014.

    Among my policy priorities is supporting alternative energy industries and industries that promoteemissions reductions, such as electric vehicle manufacturing and associated technologies. I will alsocommit to empowering existing business owners to reduce their contributions to air pollution, such asplant upgrades and programs to improve connectivity to mass transit.

    To support these goals we need a trained and skilled workforce that is prepared to deploy services andmeet the needs of growing green businesses. I will work to increase the workforce developmenttraining opportunities for low-skilled workers and support apprenticeships as part of contracts and tax

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    12/19

    incentives offered to new green businesses that seek to advance these goals in partnership with thestate. Increasing our use of alternative energy will reduce carbon emissions and generate energy-efficiencies in our homes and businesses that will produce an immediate savings. When connected toState projects, they will save taxpayer money.

    This past summer I outlined seven renewable energy proposals to fight pollution in the ChesapeakeBay:

    (1) InnoBAYtion Grants for alternative energy projects that reduce Bay pollution by design.(2) Credit multipliers for utility company purchases of renewable energy from Bay watershedfarm waste.(3) Encouragement of aggregate net metering tied to manure-to-energy projects.(4) Support for long-term power purchase agreements for community-based chicken-litter-to-energy projects.(5) Farm Renewable Energy Credits (FRECs).(6) Voluntary Farm Power Green Pricing and Green Marketing Programs.(7) Regional agreements on manure-to-energy.

    12.A recent editorial in The New York Times related to their mayoral campaign which focused onpublic transportation, said, Few things more directly affect the quality of a day, the stabilityand prosperity of a life, than the ability to get to work. And few are more vital to the largereconomy of the city and region than the transportation system that makes it possible.Veins and arteries: everybody needs them.Clearly this statement applies to Maryland as well, primarily to both Baltimore and the DCsuburbs. What are your plans, now that the gas tax has been raised, to prioritize publictransportation projects such as the Purple Line, CCT and Baltimore Red Line? Do you supportplans to extend Metro to BWI as it is being extended to Dulles? Do you have any thoughts onthe institution of high-speed or next-generation maglev rail in the northeast corridor? How willyou seek to work with the Governor of Virginia and Mayor of DC to craft a truly useful regionaltransportation plan for the 21st century?

    Answer:

    I strongly believe that we must shift to a transitpreferred transportation policy rather than road-centric.My priorities are the Purple Line and the Corridor Cities Transitway. I am also committed to increasingmass transit options for Baltimore City. Thus, while I believe that we must move forward with a projectlike the Red Line, I believe we must examine whether the current proposal is the right one to providethe best transit options. The impacted community has raised valid concerns that should be considered.In addition, I have concerns that in just five years the project costs have already increased another $1billion dollars. We have to ask ourselves whether the federal government will support such a project.

    I am also interested in innovative solutions for improving mass transit, like high-speed rail and maglevrail, and as Governor will do what I can to modernize our states mass transit system so that morepeople can move more quickly to and from more jobs. This requires a regional approach, given that oururban areas do not grow neatly within municipal, county, and state boundaries. The DC metro area hastransit needs that span Maryland, Virginia, and DC, and the Baltimore City metro area has transit needsthat expand well out into Baltimore County. I will week greater regional cooperation on this importantset of issues.

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    13/19

    13.Several states are considering passage of a GMO labeling bill which would mandate thelabeling of products containing genetically modified ingredients. Would you be supportive ofsuch legislation?

    Answer:

    As our states chief enforcer of consumer protection laws, I strongly believe in the importance ofensuring that consumers are not deceived, or otherwise left uneducated about the products they buy,especially when elements of those products may put their health at risk. In this vein I have broughtenforcement actions against drug makers for inadequate labeling, and I have also supported legislativeefforts to improve labeling. For example, in 2010 I joined with Attorneys General from 11 other Statesin filing comments with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its proposed nationalvoluntary front-of-package food-labeling program. In our comments we urged the FDA to consideradopting a uniform labeling program for the front of food packages, to ensure that it provides unbiasednutritional information and encourages food manufacturers to offer healthier products, and we furtherurged the FDA to require food package labeling to provide complete nutritional information bothgood and bad to help consumers make informed choices about the foods that they buy for themselvesand their families.

    When labeling does not go far enough, I have also fought to remove harmful substances from products,and even fought to remove some products from store shelves entirely. I led our states effort to removethe carcinogen arsenic from chicken feed, which was making its way into the chicken we eat, and through chicken waste into our Bay. I also succeeded in getting major alcoholic beveragemanufacturers to stop selling dangerous alcoholic energy drinks that were being marketed to youngadults and were putting their health and even life at risk.

    If GMOs are shown to pose health risks that consumers need to know about, I will support efforts toenable consumers to learn which products contain them.

    14.Recently, after a series of public hearings, Takoma Park, MD's City Council (as well as theWashington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park) passed regulations prohibiting cosmetic use ofpesticides on lawns and landscapes. Since the use of pesticides is directly linked to severalforms of cancer, as well as endocrine disruption, and is detrimental to the fish and wildlife inthe Chesapeake Bay Watershed, will you support and advocate for:a. The elimination of cosmetic use of pesticides on state public land, schools, highways, parksand other government facilities?b. Encourage Maryland county and municipal governments to follow the example of TakomaPark and ban its use?

    c. Begin a public education campaign to discourage the routine cosmetic use of pesticidesaround homes and gardens.

    Answer:

    I have been a state leader on efforts to reduce the cosmetic use of products like lawn fertilizer thathave impacts on the health of the Bay. I helped pass legislation that reduces nitrogen and phosphoruscontent in lawn fertilizer and reduces phosphorus content in commercial dishwashing detergent. Thispast year, I supported significant pesticide legislation that ultimately would have benefited the

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    14/19

    Chesapeake Bay. As Governor I will encourage county and municipal governments to reduce the use ofproducts that threaten public health and the health of the Bay, and will be happy to foster greater publiceducation on ways to be better stewards of our states natural resources.

    15.Montgomery County enacted legislation in 2011 that placed a five-cent charge on each paper orplastic carryout bag provided by retail establishments to customers at the point of sale, pickupor delivery. Retailers retain 1 cent of each five-cent for the bags they sell. The revenues fromthis charge are deposited into the Countys Water Quality Protection Charge fund. Thiseffectively shifts the burden of litter clean up costs from taxpayers to consumers, who have achoice to avoid the 5-cent charge by bringing reusable bags.Do you favor extending the Montgomery County bag tax statewide?An industry consortium led by Owens-Illinois (glass) and Alcoa (aluminum) and major stateenvironmental organizations e.g. the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland League ofConservation Voters, strongly favors a Maryland bottle bill, legislation which generallyrequires a 5 cent deposit on sealed metal, glass or plastic containers. Enactment of thislegislation would reduce litter, create recycling jobs and supplement ongoing recyclingprograms. Do you favor enactment of a 5 cent per container bottle bill in Maryland?

    Answer:

    Each year since I have served as Attorney General, I join members of my staff and we spend a daypicking up trash along the Middle River in Baltimore. I can tell you first-hand that plastic bags are asignificant portion of our landfills, and far too often end up on our streams and waterways. Soundenvironmental policy warrants a move toward reducing plastic bag use. As Governor, I would closelystudy the impact of the bag fees imposed in Montgomery County and in the District of Columbia todetermine whether that is the route the State should take. Whether it is a similar plan or anotherincentive, there is no doubt we must take steps to reduce disposal bag use.

    I also favor taking steps to increase the recycling of beverage containers. Right now only 25 percent ofcontainers are recycled, which is unacceptable. Other states that have enacted so-called bottle bills haveseen their recycling rates significantly increase and their litter decrease. Accordingly, I favor a similarapproach in Maryland. I also favor public education initiations to encourage recycling. As Governor, Iwould also work with the legislature to create food scrap composting facilities, which the GeneralAssembly has been studying this past year.

    Education and the Economy

    16.To address crushing higher education costs for students, the Oregon legislature recentlyunanimously enacted Pay it Forward, Pay it Back higher education funding legislation. TheOregon legislation directs the states education commission to develop a plan for considerationby the legislature in 2015 under which students would pay nothing for tuition while attending

    college, paying instead 3% of their income each year for the next two decades or so to cover thecosts of future students. Education loans from big banks would no longer be necessary.Do you favor similar legislation in Maryland? If not, what other approaches to reducing highereducation costs for Maryland students do you favor?Despite an award-winning public education system, Maryland faces an achievement gap. Whatapproaches would you support to address the achievement gap and maintain educationexcellence in Maryland? Please explain briefly.

    Answer:

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    15/19

    As a progressive state we can be proud of our investment in and commitment to our education system,but our pride in this achievement and investment demands that we acknowledge our biggest moralstain: Maryland shamefully has the second largest minority achievement gap in the country for K-12education.

    It's true that there are great, award-winning successes within our state's public education system, andwe should be proud of those, but there are also shameful failures within that same system. Forexample, in Baltimore - our biggest city - 80% of high school graduates need remedial math, 70% needremedial reading, and only 6% of ninth graders will actually graduate from college. We must do betterby our children.

    Thats why closing this achievement gap will be one of my most important causes. I will take this on.We will get this done. And the way to get it done is not to adopt a single one-size-fits-all approach; thecauses of the achievement gap vary depending on which school district a child is in and what strugglesa child is enduring. The way to get it done is to pursue a varied package of approaches. These includecomprehensive wrap-around of services for kids who are falling behind in their education to ensure thatwe are using state resources to remove other impediments to academic achievement - fromtransportation to healthcare to mental health services to housing. They also include partnerships withfamilies and communities to promote learning and confront barriers to early childhood education. Andthey include interventions such as bridging after-school and extended summer programs, strengtheningthe professional development and career ladders to ensure we retain exceptional teachers, expandingaccess and availability of pre-K programs, and developing real-time data driven models to informplanning and instruction.

    I have used this wrap-around strategy to good success to address challenges families face wheninteracting with the justice system, creating the state's first Family Justice Center. As governor, I willadapt this strategy to challenges our children and their parents and guardians face in pursuing a qualitypublic education. We must be comprehensive in our push to close the shameful gap that exists in ourschools.

    Consistent with this strategy - one that recognizes that academic achievement is shaped by multiplefactors - I will work to ensure that our state does not keep using testing standards that set unrealisticgoals and incentivize schools to focus on testing instead of teaching. Measurement and accountabilityare important, but not at the expense of genuine, equitable educational attainment.

    Lastly, understanding that Marylands school districts are largely independent entities that retainsignificant control on how they address problems and dedicate resources -- one of my most importantroles as Governor will be to not only champion resources for our schools but also to appoint expertsand leaders who are the best-in-class from across the state and nation to support our efforts to confront

    this serious problem.

    17.Inspired by the Bank of North Dakota, legislators in several states, including Maryland, haveproposed the creation of a state bank. In North Dakota, the nine-decade old bank serves as adepository for all state tax collection and fees, and deposits are reinvested in North Dakota inthe form of loans, thereby enhancing the availability of credit in the state. Do you supportsetting up and funding a commission to study the feasibility of establishing a state bank inMaryland?

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    16/19

    Answer:

    I support efforts to spur robust reinvestment in our communities, and to ensure that credit does not dryup for our states working families and those who are working to make conditions better for theirneighborhoods. Over the last several years, I have worked to address the harms created by theforeclosure crisis, and that work has informed my support for developing a well-functioning system ofcommunity banks in Maryland. These banks are often better positioned than the big banks to assess therisks and opportunities of investing in neighborhoods, and have more of a stake in neighborhoodsuccess than banks that are far removed from the actual community they are serving.

    In the spirit of finding more ways to ensure that our states banking sector has a stake in the localcommunity outcomes of its loans and other financial services, as Governor, I will support a commissionto study the feasibility of establishing a state bank in Maryland.

    18.The State of Connecticut recently enacted policies aimed at diversifying or converting defense-related industries to other nonmilitary products, emphasizing environmentally sustainable andcivilian product manufacturing. Would you advocate for similar legislation and policies?Please explain briefly.

    Answer:

    Maryland is home to many military bases and I am proud of the work done by our men and women inuniform and their families. I am also proud of the excellent research they have done that has lead toimprovements in protections to our state, such as research on hydrodynamic models that has helped usanticipate major storm events that threaten to uproot Maryland families and destroy Bay shoreline. I ofcourse want our state economy to thrive as much in peacetime as in wartime, and I know the Marylandmembers of our armed services feel the same. For this reason I support efforts to ensure that thenonmilitary sectors of our economy are strong and growing. This includes efforts to help innovativeresearch that begins in the military sector research connected to fighting disease, improving quality oflife for the injured, and more to move into the nonmilitary sectors, through improved tech transfersand other supports for research-led economic growth. And in all of my economic efforts, I plan toinclude environmental sustainability by design, so as Governor I will advocate for measures to moveour economy in an increasingly sustainable direction. This includes supporting the alternative energyeconomy (see Answer 11 above).

    19.Please provide specifics on how you would promote job creation and job retraining inMaryland. Are there changes in the Maryland tax system which may be appropriate to

    encourage job creation and job retraining?Do you support the right of Marylands private and public sector workers to have collectivebargaining rights and union representation?

    Answer:

    Job creation/retraining. To be our best Maryland we need to graduate students who can meet thedemands of the current job market as well as tomorrows job market. But there is more to mycommitment to fully fund a quality education for all students than how it benefits the Maryland

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    17/19

    economy. I believe one of the best weapons we have to combat the inequities that prevent economicmobility is a quality education system for all students. In other words, it is both fiscally sound andsocially just to increase our investments in educating our children, and to directly target the structuralbarriers that prevent our school systems from working effectively and equitably.

    In addition, this past summer I outlined my Build it in Maryland plan to create jobs:

    (1) Buy Maryland: Maryland Preferred Procurements and Grants. Revise procurementand grant policies for all State agencies to give preference to goods and servicesmanufactured or provided by Maryland businesses, if they are competitively priced and ofcomparable quality.

    (2) Industrial Business Zones ("IBZ") Program. Using existing manufacturing footprints,identify industrial business zones across the state to facilitate the growth of Maryland'smanufacturing hubs. Given the space requirements for industrial operations, land zoned formanufacturing businesses under the IBZ program would be preserved for this purpose andnot be rezoned for commercial or residential development. Within each zone Marylandwould (i) subsidize workforce training programs for manufacturing-related jobs, (ii) providetax credits for manufacturing companies that move into vacant commercial or industrialproperty, and (iii) award manufacturing assistance grants for capital projects that improveproduction, efficiency and competitiveness of Maryland exports.

    (3) Maryland Lifecycle Manufacturing Credit. Support Maryland businesses benefitingfrom the current Research & Development Tax Credit by extending them a tax credit formanufacturing those products in Maryland. This additional manufacturing tax incentiverewards innovators by lowering their cost of producing products as they transition fromresearch to production and ensures Maryland reaps the economic and job creation benefitsof their research. These incentives allow our entrepreneurs to reinvest in new ideas and newtechnology, they ensure the economic and job benefit of the research incentives remain inMaryland, and they help Maryland retain top talent whose ingenuity can fuel job growth foryears to come.

    (4) Green/Renewable Energy Tax Credit. Provide tax increment financing or taxabatements for Maryland businesses renovating vacant industrial buildings to manufacturerenewable energy systems. The renovations must primarily support the production ofcomponents or sub-assembly parts for qualified biomass, hydropower, solar or wind-basedelectricity generating plants. To ensure that the tax benefits only accrue while the spaces areused to develop Maryland renewable energy capacity, the State will negotiate long-termrestrictive covenants that prevent neglect or misuse.

    (5) Maryland Small Business Manufacturing Initiative. Establish a competitive pilotprogram to prepare twelve small and medium-sized enterprises ("SMEs") to manufacturetheir goods in Maryland for export within 12 months. This fast-tracked exporting programwill provide each SME with a $25,000 grant and export assistance from the Department ofBusiness and Economic Development to refine their business plans in order to targetoverseas markets.

    (6) Summer Workforce Training for Students. Develop a summer workshop for highschool and college students to learn the skills needed to succeed in the high-tech

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    18/19

    manufacturing industry. In addition to in-class STEM curriculum, students will gainexposure to careers in engineering and manufacturing through tours of Maryland factoriesand R&D facilities, as well as presentations by Maryland entrepreneurs and SME owners.By exposing students to 21st century careers, we build upon the STEM education standardsthat will make them competitive at home and abroad.

    (7) Made in Maryland. Launch a digital media campaign, including an online marketplace,led by the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development, to promoteMaryland-made products and businesses. Supporting a statewide "buy local" campaign andonline market not only raises the profile of local manufacturers, but also supports thesustainability of Maryland commerce. A dynamic, consumer-facing website highlights thediversity in our businesses and the quality of their goods, all while fostering Marylandpride.

    Collective bargaining. As a leader, I believe it is my responsibility to give voice to the voiceless. It iswhy I became a prosecutor, it is why I became Attorney General, and now it is why I am running forGovernor. All my jobs have been about protecting Marylanders. I take that obligation seriously whetherit is protecting the victims of crime, protecting consumers, protecting homeowners, or protecting kids,and to me protecting Marylanders means protecting the hardworking families that make up Labor andprotecting their right to be heard. I believe strongly in the right of workers to organize, identify issuesof concern, and engage in collective bargaining. As public leaders we must protect the rights ofworkers to speak with one voice to remedy unsafe and unhealthy working conditions, ensure fair payand benefits, and confront injustice in the workplace.

    As Governor, I will work to protect the interests and ability of workers, including public educationemployees, to organize and bargain collectively at their place of employment. I will be a vocal andvisible supporter of the rights of employees, especially those who are the most vulnerable in our laborforce. Hourly workers who have entry-level skills are often the easiest members of our workforce tointimidate and threaten. The labor statistics underscore this point -- the majority of employees in hourlywage service jobs are women and recent immigrants who are more easily threatened with loss of jobsecurity when challenging unfair workplace practices and unacceptable behaviors. Raising ones voiceto air a grievance or challenge a management decision takes courage. The wave of anti-union sentimentin our country underscores how difficult it can and often is for employees who earn a fraction of theirchief executives. Unjust practices in the workplace undermine the values that we seek to protect in oureconomy.

    As Attorney General, I have worked hard to protect the rights of workers who are forming unions andengage in collective bargaining, and as Governor I look forward to doing the same with the addedscope and significance that office brings. As the saying goes, past as prologue. In 2012, SEIU 500came to me when they sought to organize the adjunct professors at American University (AU), of

    which I am one. Without hesitation, I offered my assistance my photo front and center on theliterature used to marshal support for their organizing efforts. I also reached out to some of my morewell-known and highly regarded colleagues at AU to encourage their support. Today, I am proudmember of SEIU.

    That is not the only time I have stood up for workers trying to organize. Quite recently, ahead of anelection for representation at the new casino at Rocky Gap, UFCW called to report that the employerhad placed anti-union fliers on worksite bulletin boards. They needed my help. I immediately reachedout, learned we had someone on site for a system demonstration and was able to go directly to

  • 7/27/2019 Doug Gansler 2013 Progressive Neighbors Survey

    19/19

    company leadership that day to get the fliers removed. I then made a personal call to the companypresident to vouch for UFCW and encourage him and the company to approach the relationship as apartnership.

    Even more recently, SEIU 500 reached out to us when new management took over at the Center forSocial Change and there was concern that the new management would not recognize recent electionsand negotiate with SEIU. I reached out to management, requested that they meet with SEIU 500,arranged the meeting, facilitated the first meeting, fostered trust among the different parties, checked inon progress and successful negotiations resulted. And just months ago, I refused to cross a picket linein front of the Montgomery County Democratic Gala.

    Upon becoming Attorney General, I immediately established the first Attorney Generals LaborCouncil, convening labor leaders from around the state for regular meetings to hear the issues ofparamount concern to labor in Maryland, identify areas where our office could be helpful and shareinformation about our work that could be helpful to labor. As a result of these meetings, wechampioned various pieces of legislation, advocated for more inspectors/investigators at DLLR, gotmuch need information out about the mortgage foreclosure settlement as well as information about howto use our office to fight insurance claim denials, as well as so much more. I also established a single

    point of contact for labors legal questions and concerns to ensure consistency of advice, as well as asingle point of contact for policy concerns.

    As Governor, I look forward to continuing this tradition.

    Housing20.Nearly one third of Maryland residents live in rental housing, and the number of Maryland

    renters increases every year. Yet since 2000, the median rent for Maryland residents hasincreased approximately two-thirds, pricing many families out of their homes. In 2013, a billwas introduced in the House of Delegates to stabilize rent increases at 5% per year and requirelandlords to provide a just cause for refusing to renew a lease. Do you support this bill? What

    other actions would you take to promote affordable housing and expand renters' rights?

    Answer:

    I support the right of local jurisdictions in Maryland to determine whether rent stabilization is needed intheir area. As Attorney General, my office has assisted hundreds of tenants who were having troublewith their landlords.