Since launching my campaign to represent the 5th Legislative District in the Maryland House of Delegates, I have knocked on doors and attended events throughout Carroll County to meet with thousands of voters.
The question that I am asked most often is, "What will you do to help our county?"
One of the issues that I am passionate about is the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association (CCVESA) sponsored bill, which would give an additional fundraising source to our local Volunteer Fire Departments and nonprofits. This bill provides a creative way to increase revenue for our fire departments and would alleviate some of the financial pressure that our emergency services face without increasing the cost to county taxpayers. Unfortunately, this common sense bill has failed to pass through the legislature for the last seven years. When elected, I will prioritize the passing of the CCVESA bill in the 2015 legislative session.
Another issue that separates me from some of my opponents is my focus on education. I am a strong advocate for repealing Common Core so that curriculum is left to our local school board and instruction is left to our educators. I will also stand strong to defend hold-harmless state aid that has been threatened by our declining enrollment.
Our county is facing important local issues that we must address in the next legislative session. In order to ensure that our bills do not continue to fail in the Maryland General Assembly, our House Delegation needs fresh, conservative and determined leaders to represent Carroll County in Annapolis.
Because of my focus on issues important to Carroll County, coupled with my common sense conservative values, I have received endorsements from organizations and individuals that include the Carroll County Fraternal Order of Police, 2012 Maryland Republican Nominee for the United States Senate Daniel Bongino, and many of our locally elected officials.
I will always put the people of Carroll County before politics, and I humbly ask for your vote at the June 24 Republican Primary election.
Joshua Stonko
Manchester
