Ten questions for…Jack Lord

Today I get to check out “my” side of the aisle as the first Republican to respond to my Ten Questions call was District 38B candidate Jack Lord. Jack is running for the second time, in 2002 he made it through the primary but lost in the general election. Maybe having the Ten Questions will help clarify his positions a little bit more.

You know the drill, questions in italic and answers in regular font. Jack sent this as a WordPerfect file so he made it easy on me – way to go Jack!

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?

No one could have predicted that Natural Gas or Coal and Gasoline would have increased so much in the past several years. The rates were capped for six years now it’s time to pay the piper. There was no relief for the customers of Delmarva Power here on the shore. It shows that an attempt to control business in this sate by the legislature usually ends in failure.

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 proposal by Massachusetts will not work on the eastern shore until we bring in higher paying jobs so the lower middle income families can afford insurance.

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?

Higher paying jobs and High Tech companies will not relocate to Maryland until we make Maryland more business friendly. That means changing the makeup of the legislature.

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)?

No child left behind means accountable teachers and schools. Most schools could not do without the Federal funding. Worcester is probably the exception. They have some of the highest test scores but receive the least funding of any School system in the state.

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 encourage 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?

Since that development is in District 37B I would defer to the wishes of the two Delegates representing that area.

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?

Only since the Democrats have lost control of the appointment process and large numbers were replaced are they upset. I think the system works fine.

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?

Another Bay Bridge is necessary. But not in that same location. The tolls should be raised to $5 and the money put aside in an untouchable account where the State can’t use it for any this else other than to build a new bridge.

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?

This is more of a local issue and should be handled by the local police departments with help from the Combined Drug task forces In each county.

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?

I think a better system would be to require photo ID’s and allow absentee ballots for any one who couldn’t vote on election day. And repeal the early voting part.

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?

Unlike the current Delegates I would vote for bills the help Worcester/Wicomico counties. I would work with the Governor if money were available to bring some jobs and industry to Worcester county.

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As a disclosure, I got an e-mail from Jack on Saturday asking me to slightly change the answer in #7 to read “Where the State couldn’t use that money for any than else other than to build a new bridge .” However, I left the original answer above as it was because I didn’t want to set a precedent about letting people change their answers at will to whatever may sound more palatable to the voters or in order to address an opponent. In Jack’s case, I think he was attempting to clarify the sentence a little bit. In a debate you say what comes out of your mouth and get the reward or penalty for it.

I also got another set of answers sent to me over the last few days from District 37B candidate Jim Adkins, so the upcoming schedule looks like this: on Saturday, TQ will feature District 38B hopeful Sonny Bloxom and Adkins will get his crack at monoblogue’s growing audience on Wednesday, August 9th.

Because I’ll be out for vacation, the next Maryland General Assembly TQ edition would occur on Saturday, August 20th but that participant is yet to be determined. Also I’ll begin scheduling the “debates” that I’ll do for the Ten Questions participants (each question posted with all candidate answers) and begin working on my endorsements for the primary election.

Once again, Saturday’s TQ space will be occupied by Sonny Bloxom, one of those running for a District 38B seat.