Legum’s New Line

Jobs

For Judd, jobs are priority number one. We need to take real action to help create new jobs and put more money in people’s pockets. That means supporting local businesses that create jobs and cutting government waste. Judd has concrete plans for Maryland.

Increase access to capital for small businesses.
For every dollar of loan guarantees that the state provides to small business, the result is six dollars in private financing. Maryland currently has $50 million for this purpose that is largely unused — let’ s put it to use. Our small businesses are the backbone of our local economy.

Reduce processing time for permits.
It can take 45 days or longer for small businesses to get the permits they need to operate. This is unacceptable and costs us good jobs. We must cut the bureaucracy and issue permits in one week or less.

Spend Maryland dollars to help Maryland business.
Only 10 percent of the money the Maryland government spends on contracts goes to Maryland small businesses. We must support our local economy by prioritizing Maryland companies first.

End unfair increases in unemployment insurance.
Sky-high unemployment insurance rates can devastate small businesses. We need to place limits on increases in insurance for small businesses, and support businesses with seasonal and short-term employment.

More from Judd on the economy.

Chesapeake Bay

The 25-year, multi-billion-dollar effort to restore the Bay has been a failure. If we don’t act quickly, we face an economic and environmental disaster. I will work to tighten pollution limits — then enforce those limits — establishing tough penalties for those who break the law.

Two specific ideas I support to help clean up the Bay:

1. Power plants fueled by chicken litter. Agriculture remains the top source of nutrient pollution in the Bay. Poultry waste, in particular, pollutes our waterways and has caused fish kills. A bio-fuel powerplant on the Eastern Shore could turn chicken litter into green energy.

2. Eliminating taxpayer subsidies to polluters. Maryland produces 60 percent of its energy from coal, which pollutes our air and water. Yet, thanks to special-interest lobbyists, Maryland taxpayers still spend millions each year subsidizing coal. I’ll fight to put an end to these subsidies and invest in renewable energy sources.

More from Judd on the Chesapeake Bay.

Fiscal Responsibility

State government must balance the books, just like Judd’s great-great-grandparents did at their general store. As our Delegate, Judd will fight for an honest and responsible state budget. His specific ideas include:

1. Switch most state employees to a four-day, 40-hour work week. By doing this, the state could close most offices on Friday. Police, firefighters, prisons, courts and other essential services would continue to operate on a regular schedule. Utah implemented this schedule last year and saved millions by reducing energy use 13 percent and cutting maintenance bills. Employees saved over $6 million on gasoline and had more flexibility to spend time with their families. Citizens benefit because state agencies are open later, giving them more flexibility. Maryland, with more than twice the population of Utah, could enjoy even greater savings.

2. End special interest giveaways. Maryland plans to spend over $40 million between now and 2020 subsidizing the purchase of coal. This is not only a waste of money, it runs counter to our goal of increasing the use of green, renewable resources. The state fails to even calculate the cost of dozens of other special interest tax breaks. All of these measures should be scrutinized and eliminated, where appropriate.

3. Embrace open source software. The state should stop paying millions of dollars to companies such as Microsoft for bloated software full of features most state employees do not use. Open source software is available for free or at a nominal cost. For example, while Microsoft Office costs hundreds of dollars, OpenOffice is a free alternative with virtually identical functionality. A recent study found the federal government could save nearly $4 billion a year by switching to open source software. Maryland could certainly reap substantial savings. Moreover, IT experts say open source software is now more secure than its traditional counterparts.

4. Eliminate or consolidate state boards and agencies. There are some state agencies we can eliminate completely. For example, we have an agency called the State Board of Contract Appeals, dedicated to adjudicating disputes between the state and its contractors. In 2003, a bipartisan commission recommended the agency be eliminated because the few dozen cases before it each year could be handled more efficiently by the regular court system. Seven years later, it is still around and taxpayers are on the hook for $3 million over the next five years to keep it running.

In other cases, we can consolidate functions. We currently have one group of engineers, architects and planners devoted to building stadiums and arenas (Maryland Stadium Authority) and another devoted to building schools (Interagency for Public School Construction). These two entities perform many of the same tasks and could be combined into a unified state construction agency.

5. Zero-based budgeting. Under a typical state budget process for an agency, the previous year’s budget is effectively assumed and the agency informs the state how much more money the agency needs for the upcoming year. We can be better stewards of taxpayer dollars by requiring, on a rotating basis, every agency submit a zero-based budget. Every few years each agency would have to submit a budget where no expenditure is assumed and every dollar must be justified.

More from Judd on the budget.

Education

Improving our schools requires more than just dollars. Judd believes we must focus more time and resources in the classroom, while establishing real standards and accountability for students and schools. He’ll work to improve training and pay for teachers and build stronger links between schools and the communities they serve. By giving our children the resources they need now, we ensure a stronger economic future for all of us tomorrow.

More from Judd on Education.

Ethics

Lobbyists and special interests have too much influence in Maryland. That’s why Judd isn’t accepting campaign contributions from PACs or anyone registered to lobby the Maryland Government. In fact, he’s returned thousands in unsolicited contributions from State Lobbyists and PACs. As Delegate, Judd will remain open and accessible and take a hands-on approach to representing your family and your neighborhood. That means holding regular open office hours, making his official schedule available online and using new technologies ensure that Judd is always in touch with constituents.

More from Judd on Ethics.

Check out Judd’s position on other topics including: Energy, Transportation, Development, Government Transparency.

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