Ten questions for…Tony Bruce

Editor’s note: Sadly, Mr. Bruce passed away August 5, 2006.

On Wednesday I featured Patrick Armstrong with the first edition of the Ten Questions for the Maryland General Assembly. Today by sheer happenstance we’ll hear from his primary opponent Tony Bruce.

You should know the format by now, questions in italics, answers in plain text. Unlike yesterday’s U.S. Senate candidate Richard Shawver, these answers were e-mailed to me so I don’t have to transcribe. Thank you Tony!

Question #1:

Some of you participated in the recent special session to modify the large rate hikes that were to be enacted by Baltimore Gas & Electric. However, our electrical rates from the local Eastern Shore suppliers went unchanged. With that in mind, would you be more in favor of a total repeal of the 1999 deregulation laws, or do you believe the concept is sound and only needs a few guardrails and rate safeguards?

Generally, I believe that public utilty regulation should have been continued. I don’t believe you can have true competion when there are a minimum number of suppliers and only one distributor. That being said, I think we now have to see how the new Public Service Commission is going to act, before trying to reassemble the reguation laws.

Question #2:

In the last two sessions of the General Assembly, the issue of health insurance and who pays for it has taken center stage. (Examples: the Fair Share Health Care Act and its proposed expansion with last year’s HB1510, which was sponsored by Delegate Hubbard and defeated in committee.) Recently the state of Massachusetts adopted legislation effective in 2007 mandating all residents secure coverage under some public or private health insurance plan or face a financial penalty. Do you see this concept as an idea Maryland should adopt?

The health care bills this year were for political theatrics and lent nothing to expanding health care coverage or minimizing costs, private or public. Tax credits are a better approach then penalties to encourage coverage although I am willing to look at the specifics of the Massachusetts or any other approach.

Question #3:

Within our area, Somerset County traditionally has among the highest unemployment rates in the state of Maryland. In every election, well-paying jobs and how to secure them is an issue. If you are elected to the General Assembly, what policies would you favor commencing or retaining in an attempt to create or lure good-paying jobs for the Eastern Shore?

1. Assure that there are facilities availiable for relocating business to consider, even if the spec building sits for awhile.

2. Have preapproved sites available for business relocation/expansion. The agencies responsible for approvals need to have a checklist approach with generic formulas; e.g. The amount of storm water containment will be # if the impervious surface is # .

3. Enforce job formulas tied with financial assistance: if the loan/grant/tax package was supposed to produce a given number of jobs and did not, there should be a payback with lien status not subordinate to other financing.

4. Do a better job of uniformly utilizing existing economic development tools such as the enterprise zones, arts districts, main street or commercial revitalizations, employee training, state purchasing, minority business programs, etc. Right now the local business wishing to expand does not have sufficient awareness of what is availiable. They need to be able to go to one place with realistic expectations enhanced with a good business plan. The Universitys’ business development assistance for business planning needs better
publicity.

5. We need to assure that the public school systems and the post secondary systems are sufficiently flexible to offer the skill/knowledge base a particular employer needs in a timely manner.

Question #4:

This year a state takeover of several failing Baltimore City Schools was thwarted by the General Assembly overriding an earlier veto of a bill Governor Ehrlich rejected. A few states, though, are attempting to remove themselves from the federal “No Child Left Behind” regulations for various reasons, even at the risk of losing federal dollars. Do you support the federal NCLB mandates or do you feel the state could and should go without the additional restrictions (and funding)?

I do not see how we can turn down federal funding until another source of funding is found, notwithstanding the mandates of No child Left Behind. If there was an independent source of funds, then a Maryland only approach might be desirable, but in truth the State Board of Education (and other State agencies) have always imposed their own unfunded mandates that are often the least desirable approach to the responsible local agency.

Question #5:

In the 2006 General Assembly, the Blackwater development in Cambridge became a contentious issue which led to legislation that was eventually defeated. However, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation has continued to apply pressure to legislators and encouraged voters to speak out on what they perceive as a threat to bay water quality. On the other hand, the city of Cambridge sees Blackwater as a needed shot in the arm for its economy and tax base. Where do you see yourself on this issue and related development matters?

If the proposal meets the approved requirements under State law and those parameters have been been included in the local regulations in reliance, the local political subdivision should have the final say.

Question #6:

The last two sessions of the General Assembly have seen an inordinate amount of time spent dealing with personnel matters and political appointments. Some have claimed this as a usurpation of power properly belonging to the executive branch (governor’s office) but others see this as a proper extension of the duties of the General Assembly. In your opinion, has the General Assembly gone too far or does the Governor still wield too much power when it comes to personnel decisions?

I think the politicalization of this issue has contributed to a lack of confidence in both the executive and legislative institutions. I believe the replacement of many career individuals was foolish and shortsighted, but the Governor has the right to take that approach. However, the General Assembly has the duty to monitor public agencies and eliminate or modify them when the job is not getting done.

Question #7:

For the Eastern Shore, transportation can sometimes be tricky because of Bay Bridge traffic and traveling to and from the beach on a summer weekend can be a real headache. Solutions advocated range from another Bay Bridge to a ferry service to a light rail system, and as always people want the existing highways improved. What transportation improvements do you feel are a priority for the Eastern Shore, and how would you pay for them?

I think light rail or some other mass transit approach is the only long term cost effective approach with minimal demographic impact. User fees and the fuel tax are limited, but I am unwilling to consider a dedication of a part of the sales tax to mass transit until I am sure the whole State including the Eastern Shore will benefit.

Question #8:

Drugs and gangs are a growing problem on the Eastern Shore. The local authorities do their best but we’re a long way from fighting the problem successfully. In what ways do you think the General Assembly can best address this crime issue, and what tools do you see working best?

I think the statutes are already on the books. We cannot lock up everyone. As it stands, a person develops a record before being incarcerated and serves on probation a series of convictions. The weak link is the underfunded parole and probation departments and an extrodinayily too heavy a case load per agent. If probation has a chance of working the agent must have the time to deal with the offender.

The only statutory change I see would be the elimination of the annonimity of the juvenile record. I do not see any justification for any sentencing authority not to be aware of and consider the juvenile record.

Question #9:

This year, you will be the first in the history of the General Assembly to be nominated and elected through the use of early voting. Proponents have stated that early voting is beneficial for turnout, but others claim the new regulations will encourage fraud and have petitioned to place the issue on the ballot as a referendum. In addition, these same laws have made absentee ballots available upon request with no reason needed. With that in mind, are you in favor of repealing the early voting laws, and why?

The manner of early voting is imposing an unfair burden on the rural election boards, when the simple appoach would have been to allw them to use absentee ballots. We will see if it encourges voting. If it does. then the concept is not objectionable. I do not expect there to be fraudulent voting problem related to early voting.

Question #10:

It is almost a certainty at this early date that either Governor Ehrlich will be reelected or Baltimore mayor Martin O’Malley will take over the governor’s chair early next year. If you are elected to the General Assembly and the representative of the opposite party (i.e. a Democrat would be working with Governor Ehrlich, a Republican would be working with Mayor O’Malley) wins election, with what issues do you see being able to find common ground with the governor?

I know of no reason reasonable people cannot find common ground. Since I expect to have the unopposed Senator from the opposite party as the Senator for District 38A with whom local issues demand agreement, I expect to make compromises so long as everyone is approaching issues as problem solving. Were the Governor to be of the opposite party, I would expect the same approach and good faith efforts. Most of the time all of us have the same concerns; the expense of government, minimal regulation, assisting education, assuring health care and making the tax burden fair. It is a matter of making the extra effort to try and find common ground.

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Here is another case of what I intended the Ten Questions to be – reasonable and detailed answers to each question with elements of specificity. Since I don’t read the answers prior to my compiling the posts (I like to be surprised and/or amazed) it’s nice to sit here and read answers like Mr. Bruce gave. I may not agree with the answers but by and large he did a good job of answering the questions.

The next edition of Ten Questions will be answered by District 38B hopeful Jack Lord this coming Wednesday, for the first time we’ll hear from the Republican side of things.

Author: Michael

It's me from my laptop computer.

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