2022 Voter Guide: J. Sandy Bartlett, candidate for Maryland House District 32

Why are you running for office?

I am proud of the accomplishments we've made over the past four years in the General Assembly and my contributions to the legislature have kept the state moving forward. I believe there is more I can contribute. There are bills that have not made it out yet, but are imperative, i.e. the repeal of marriage as a defense to rape. We also are hearing from counties about assistance with law enforcement transparency and crime reduction.

What is the most pressing issue in your district?

My constituents want to feel safe to raise their families, worship freely and have a good income. They are very concerned about local crime. Thankfully, there has been a decrease in violent crime in Anne Arundel County, but there is prevalent theft and drag ragging. These are problems that diminish one's quality of life. The most pressing issue is a good overall quality of life.

How will you help your constituents deal with inflation?

In the General Assembly, I serve on the Judiciary Committee, and I work closely with other members of the General Assembly who serve on the standing committees that work on the budget and revenue for the State. My contribution to help my constituents deal with inflation has been and will continue to be through direct constituent services. We receive numerous calls, letters, and emails from constituents who need assistance with specific basic needs. We help them receive state resources of which they may not be aware but for which they qualify.

What do you see as the top transportation priority in your district, and how would you address it?

The top transportation priority in my district ties in with a good quality of life and that is no SG MAGLEV. My constituents are concerned about the environmental impact of transpiration. I do not support state revenues being used for the MAGLEV project. In my district, we need clean, zero-emissions, with reliable frequency public transportation. I am working with the top employer in my district and the Laurel Racetrack to provide another shuttle option for Ft. Meade workers. In my district we all utilize the beautiful Baltimore-Washington Parkway, but the congested traffic on it is a huge disadvantage.

What should schools do differently during the next pandemic to help students, families and teachers?

The students, teachers, parents and administration did an excellent job getting through an unpredicted lengthy pandemic that presented unparalleled difficulties. Now that we've seen what can be done quickly out of necessity, we need to continue to keep strong lines of communication open and resources readily available for the community. I would suggest that the schools continue to work closely with non-profits they are an excellent supplement and many non-profits stepped up to feed or teach families how to manage during the pandemic. I would also strongly suggest that the federal delegation do all they can to re-implement the Pandemic Relief Team so that preventive measures are strengthened through consistent scientific research. This is an opportunity to recruit new young scientists and increase STEM interests.

How equitably do police officers treat people of color?

Generally speaking, police officers treat people of color equitably. As members of the General Assembly, we do not merely focus generally. We passed the Police Accountability Act of 2021 to get more data on the treatment of persons of color by the police. Some law enforcement agencies are better at equity than others, but it is our goal to have equity statewide. I am eager to hear from independent investigative agencies and citizen lead review organizations that have only recently been implemented.

What would you do to make sure Maryland's voting system is secure and accurate?

To make sure Maryland's voting system is secure and accurate, I will continue to work with the Board of Elections and provide constituents with the Board's communications as to what voters should do before and during the election phases.

What are the right goals and deadlines for Maryland to reduce carbon emissions and develop renewable energy sources?

I proudly supported and voted for The Climate Solutions Act of 2022. We were able to pass legislation that reduces carbon emissions among other include greenhouse gases by 60% by 2031 and requires net-zero emissions by 2045. We created incentives to develop more renewable energy sources. The reduction in single driver traffic in daily commutes is a simple overlooked source that we can do to reduce carbon emission. I am eager to see more bicyclists, carpools and less traffic one day in my district.

What's Maryland's best use of federal COVID relief money?

The best use of federal COVID relief money was spread throughout the budget we just passed in the General Assembly. This federal money was a one-time revenue resource that we had to utilize wisely and conservatively. We tried to get communities and organizations back up to pre-pandemic status where we could and among other things, some of the money was used for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future advancement as well as to shore up schools given the decline in enrollment rates.