Legum’s New Line

I just received the news that my candidacy for State Delegate has been endorsed by Maryland’s teachers.

I believe that, even in times of economic uncertainty, we must continue to invest in our public schools system. It is the foundation of all future economic growth.

We also need to focus more time and resources in the classroom, establish real standards and accountability for students and schools, better training and pay for teachers, and stronger links between schools and the communities they serve.

I’m proud that Maryland’s teachers have confidence that I can get the job done.

Comments Off

The Republican Governor of Indiana has an editorial in today’s Wall Street Journal with some ideas to stimulate the economy that are worth thinking about. Some of his ideas seem promising:

• Payroll tax holiday. Suspend or reduce for the emergency period, say one year, the Social Security payroll tax on workers.

• Accelerated or full expensing of business investment. Economists differ about its success on past occasions, and certainly it involves a degree of pulling forward investment that would have happened eventually. But it seems well matched to the current situation where so much money is cowering on the sidelines, and a burst of new investment might jump-start growth that enables more investment in the future.

Some of his ideas I oppose strongly:

• A “freedom window.” Might we try some sort of regulatory forbearance period in which the job-killing practice of agonizingly slow environmental permitting is suspended, perhaps in favor of a self-certification safe harbor process?

I think the recent oil spill in the Gulf illustrates the danger in taking short cuts on environmental permitting.

But with unemployment over 9% nationally and over 7% in Maryland we certainly need a more aggressive effort to get people back to work. I don’t believe good ideas come with a party label.

Comments Off

Today, our campaign received the endorsement of The Capital. Here’s what the paper had to say:

Among the four Democrats, we support the two incumbents – House Speaker Michael E. Busch and Del. Virginia Clagett – and political newcomer Judd Legum… Legum, an attorney, is committed to restoring the environment and serves on the Severn River Commission.

You can read more about my views on the environment here.

If you’d like to get involved in the campaign email volunteer@juddlegum.com.

Comments Off

I’ve been walking around District 30 since January, dodging 3-foot snow banks and continued throughout the summer, even in triple digit temperatures. I’ve talked to thousands of people and many folks are dissatisfied with government. They believe special interests have too much power and their voices are being drowned out.

So how do citizens get a louder voice?

The first step is getting more people out to vote. There is a huge opportunity in this year’s election to increase participation across the board, early voting. Starting Friday at 10AM, you can vote early at a variety of locations around Anne Arundel County.

Here are the two that are most convenient to residents of District 30:

Annapolis Senior Activity Center
119 South Villa Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401 [Map]

Edgewater Library
25 Stepneys Lane
Edgewater, MD 21037 [Map]

The polls will be open from 10AM to 8PM on Friday, September 3 through Thursday, September 9 (except for Sunday, September 5 when early voting centers are closed.)

Everyone should vote early. You may think you will be able to vote on Election Day (September 14) but your kid could get sick or you might have to stay late at work. Bank your vote now and no matter what happens, your voice will be heard.

If you are reading this blog post, I’m fairly confident that, one way or another, you’ll be voting. But make sure to tell all your friends, family and neighbors about early voting.

While you are at it, tell them to vote for Judd Legum for Delegate!

Comments Off