The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that works to promote political reponsibility through the informed and active participation of citizens in their governemnt. The League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.
The candidates' answers appear as submitted in reponse to a nonpartisan questionnaire. If answers exceeded the specified word limitation, the additional words were cut where practical, or at the end of the candidate's statement. All candidates were asked the same questions as other candidates running for the same office.
An asterisk (*) denotes incumbents.
The League assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. This guide was produced by The Sun in cooperation with the League.
GENERAL ELECTION: Tuesday, Nov. 8
, POLLS OPEN: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR
At the request of The Sun, each candidate was asked to respond to this question in 100 words or less:
Taxes: What is your position on taxes, especially as taxes relate to state government and the state's economy?
Candidates also were asked these questions by the League of Women Voters, with answers limited to 50 words:
Growth Management: What should be the role of the state government in regulating land use and managing growth, considering the impacts on economic development, on private property rights, and on degradation or preservation of the environment?
Schools: To what extent should state financing be used to offset inequities in local funding of education? What are your views on privatization?
Welfare: How would you reform the welfare system to reduce long-term dependence on it without jeopardizing the well-being of children?
Health Care: Concerning health care, what are your views and positions on (1) universal coverage, (2) coverage for reproductive health, including prenatal care, family planning, and abortion, (3) financing by employer-employee contributions, and (4) cost controls?
Crime: What is your position on licensing gun owners and registration of guns? What approaches would you advocate for the prevention and control of crime?
Issues: What are the most important issues facing our state and how would you respond to them?
Parris N. Glendening
Democrat
Age: 52
Residence: Prince George's County
Education: B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Experience: (Work) Prince George's county executive, 1982-present; associate professor. (Volunteer) University Park Elementary School, 1984-present. (Political) Prince George's County Council chairman, 1980-1981. (Awards) City and State Magazine's Most Valuable Public Official, 1990.
Running Mate: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
Taxes: As Governor, I will hold the line on taxes and will work to reduce targeted taxes that impede business growth. During my term as Prince George's County Executive, we have reduced six separate business taxes, including the research and development equipment tax, the transfer tax and the property tax. Maryland's tax on high-tech research and development equipment should be eliminated completely. During my first six months in office, we will conduct a thorough review of all taxes and regulations, seeking to reduce or eliminate those with anti-competitive effects.
Growth Management: Maryland should have a strong policy of directed growth to reduce sprawl, using incentives as we have in Prince George's County where we have a five-year property tax credit for investment in targeted older communities. Every state program should be reviewed to determine if it encourages sprawl or revitalization.
Schools: We must seek adequate funding to meet potential of every child and reduce funding disparities. To accomplish this in an affordable manner, spending priorities must be changed. Though I have serious concerns about the viability of privatization as an effective school reform measure, I would not prevent local jurisdictions from pursuing this course.
Welfare: By encouraging responsible behavior and providing quality education, effective job training, child care and health care coverage, we can make welfare a hand up instead of a handout. Good paying jobs with advancement opportunities are the best incentive to get people off of welfare.
Health Care: I believe that all Marylanders are entitled to reasonable, affordable health care, which should be funded in a way that does not harm business and job growth. I also support prenatal care, family planning and Medicaid funding for abortion.
Crime: We need to put more police on the streets and expand community-based policing, improve Maryland's education system and increase economic opportunity, and support community crime prevention efforts such as boot camps, juvenile justice reform, drug treatment. I support ban on all assault weapons, and requiring licensing for purchase of new handguns.
Issues: My vision calls for raising education to our top priority, it is the foundation on which our families and communities prosper and succeed; requiring stiffer punishment for violent offenders and expanding crime prevention efforts; jump starting the Maryland economy; preserving our environment; and making Maryland's government more efficient and effective.
Ellen R. Sauerbrey
Republican
Age: 56
Residence: Baltimore County
Education: B.A.
Experience: (Work) Maryland House of Delegates, 1978-present. Minority Leader, House of Delegates, 1986-present. (Awards) Republican Woman of the Year, State Central Committee 1992. Legislator of the Year, ALEC 1992, 1987. Associated Builders and Contractors 1981.
Running Mate: Paul H. Rappaport
Taxes: Maryland personal income taxes are 44% above the national average, one of the factors that has caused our state to be less competitive than neighboring states in attracting new jobs. I have pledged to cut personal income taxes by 24%, phased in at 6% per year over the next four years. This tax cut will allow for 2.5% growth in the state budget the first year it is phased in and it will not affect local aid. It will, however, give back to our taxpayers more of their hard earned dollars to spend as they see fit.
Growth Management: Government closest to home is most responsive to the needs of citizens. The state's role should be setting broad goals and influencing local policy by ensuring that economic development, housing, open space grants, state infrastructure monies, transportation planning, etc. consider growth management goals. Private property rights must be protected.
Schools: The problem is not lack of money. Many private schools succeed with half the financing of the state's poorest public schools. I will reduce a top-heavy centralized bureaucracy and encourage competition in poorly performing school districts, such as new charter schools, tax credit and private management of failed schools.
Welfare: I favor time limits for eligibility and identification of paternity for able bodied persons to collect cash benefits and denial of cash benefits for children born ten months after a woman enters the welfare system. However, I would provide health and nutrition services for their children and aggressive child-support enforcement.
Health Care: Insurance regulation should guarantee access, renewal of coverage and portability between jobs; vouchers should assist working poor to access private insurance; I oppose employer mandates but would encourage use of the medical IRA and standardization of forms for cost savings. I favor free market solutions that ensure citizens retain choice of health plans and physicians.
Crime: Gun control doesn't work because only law-abiding citizens are affected, not the criminals. I have introduced measures such as mandatory sentencing in crimes involving firearms and truth in sentencing. We need better drug rehabilitation programs, and must integrate the juvenile justice system with the adult system for violent crimes.
Issues: My top priorities are public safety and cutting the size and cost of government. My running mate has 37 years experience in law enforcement. He'll work with our criminal justice system to combat crime in Maryland. My proposed budget slows government growth, eliminates the deficit and gives business and taxpayers a tax reduction.