“A Platform For Maryland’s Future”

Fiscal Accountability in State Government;

I am committed to cutting wasteful spending in state government, lower taxes, establishing a business friendly environment, with lower taxes for small business and private sector investments.

Economic Development:

Maryland’s current unemployment rate is 7.4% , with 4,489 more unemployed for the month of December.     As  Senator I will support policies that will foster small business development.   To help stimulate employment I would consider supporting a payroll tax holiday to lower the cost of hiring new workers, this would also temporarily increase a workers take-home pay by an additional 7.5 %.   By giving credits to people, not to companies,  would lower employers labor costs and you stimulate consumer spending.    A ” tax Holiday” has been backed by the National Federation of Independent Business.

Justice and Public Safety:

We must put an end to Maryland being ranked 5 th as the most violent state in the country.  I support “truth in sentencing legislation”that requires violent offenders to serve 85 % of their time.  With a steady increase in illegal emigration to Maryland over the years, we must have strict enforcement of all federal emigration laws in Maryland.

I support  ”Jessica’s Law” S.B. 413 that provides severe punishment for child predators and pedophile.

I support enforcement measures for Federal E-Verify System, for  illegal Immigration.  E-Verify is a electronic system set up for employers to verify the legal status of potential employees.

I support the freedom and protection  of Second Amendment of the constitution, the right of “self protection” for Maryland citizens.

Health Care Reform;

Our first priority for reforming health care, should be to reduce cost, by supporting reform of medical malpractice insurance, allow for purchase of interstate health care insurance, and allowing individuals to purchase health insurance  at group rates through a professional, trade or civic association.  For those left without health insurance, they should be provided coverage through a public / private partnership. for primary health  care and prescription medication coverage.

I am opposed to unfunded mandates for individuals and business owners or a single payer federal program.  States need to be given the ability to develop there own program that fits there needs best.   The best solutions for reforming health care have come from the local communities not the federal government.

Government Transparency and Accountability;

Citizens should be more engage in public policy discussions that impact there lives,  By creating a user- friendly web-site for the General Assembly with live web-stream broadcast of the legislative sessions, and by posting current legislation to be considered for public access  State government needs to adopt, the new interactive web technology and social web to engage citizens more with there elected official.

All state budgets, expenditures and state contracts should be posted on the web for public access.   Providing a comprehensive searchable web-site with user-friendly information.       The work of government should be open and transparent

Education:

Maryland is one of only two states in the mid Atlantic region with a compulsory attendance at age 16, were D.C. and Virgina the age is set 18.   I would support increasing the compulsory age from 16 to age 18, in order to decrease the drop out rate of school attendance.

As your Senator, I will play an active role in promoting Maryland industry and its people.  As a state we need to become more competitive with other states in the region, by developing pro-business policies   My  goal is to help Maryland live up to its full potential, as a modal of good government, accountable to the people.  For many years we have been facing a crises in leadership, it is now time to have a public servant that puts people ahead of politics. It is my hope,  that I can earn your trust and confidence to serve you in the state Senate.

Respectfully Yours!

Meyer Marks

Maryland Senate District 16