Name: Rich Corkran

Party affiliation: Democrat

Place of residence: Ellicott City

Date of birth: March 27, 1947

Place of birth: Easton

Current occupation: Teacher

Education: Bachelor of Arts in government, Franklin and Marshall College; Master of Administrative Science, Johns Hopkins University; Master of Science, educational technology, Johns Hopkins University.

Community associations, involvement: Member, GlenMar United Methodist Church; member, Brampton Hills Community Association.

Professional associations: Howard County Educators Association, United States Tennis Association, U.S. Soccer Coaches Association.

Family: Wife, Maryann. Two children, Christine, 23, Michael, 20.

Campaign office address and telephone: 4705 Ilkley Moor Lane, Ellicott City, MD 21043. 410-461-3210.

Candidate’s Web site: corkran4mdsenate.org

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

1. Stopping the ‘‘culture of confrontation” in Annapolis.

2. Continuing education funding including increased school construction and slowing the increase in higher education costs.

3. Working to get the Option 2 map approved next year by the General Assembly.

How would you rate the performance of the current representatives of your district: excellent, good, fair, or poor? Why?

Fair. I don’t think he represents the majority views of District 9 residents.

Do you support amending the constitution to give the legislature more budget authority?

Yes.

Is the rate of growth in Maryland too fast, too slow, or about right, and why?

In Maryland about right but in Howard and Carroll counties too fast. We need to have the infrastructure in place before we continue to expand. (schools, roads, public safety, public transportation).

What programs would you like to add or cut from the state budget? How would you pay for additional programs? What would you do with the money from any cuts you make?

Not being an incumbent, I am just this summer learning about all the parts of the state budget. I would certainly maintain or increase education funding, especially school construction and school renovation. Thornton is expensive, but it was passed and is law so we should follow through with it. Higher education costs need to be addressed. We do not need to raise taxes. If jobs continue to grow and more people move into Maryland(especially in Howard and Carroll counties), the tax base will increase and money will be available for programs that benefit people.

Are there specific taxes or fees that you would cut?

No. I might remind the readers that there was a 10 percent state income tax cut phased in from 1997 to 2002. This was done by a Democratic legislature and a Democratic governor.

Do you support slot machines for Maryland? Why or why not?

I support slot machines only if the residents who would live near the gaming establishments agree to have them there. Certainly at race tracks would be an option as long as the state gets its fair share of the revenue generated.

Do you support giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants? No.

Do you support in-state tuition to illegal immigrants?

No.

What is the biggest problem facing higher education and what would you do to solve it?

The biggest problem is spiraling costs for a college education. Certainly money can be found in the budget (without raising taxes) to stabilize the giant increases from 2003 to 2005.

Where would you get more money for the Transportation Trust Fund?

Put the money back that was ‘‘borrowed” by the present governor to balance his budgets. Certainly gasoline taxes are sufficient enough to maintain a steady flow of money for this fund. Gasoline taxes do not need to be raised any further. Gasoline prices (set by the oil companies ) are too high already.

What specific transportation projects do you see as priorities for the state?

Expanding Md. Route 32 as long as we can balance expansion with resident concerns along Md. Route 32. Commuting from Carroll county must be a nightmare.

Light rail, metro, ICC are important to some counties but I have not studied all the ramifications of these yet to make an informed decision.

Should there be a dedicated funding source for Washington and Baltimore mass transit?

Yes.

Would you re-regulate the electricity industry?

Yes, if legally we can.

Do you believe Maryland’s gun control laws are too strict, not strict enough or just right?

Just right. Let’s enforce the laws already on the books first and then see if we need to make modifications.

What is your position on abortion?

A complex issue that pushes too many buttons. Presently the law of the land, federal and Maryland, is pro-choice so I am pro-choice.

Should the Maryland constitution be changed to allow same-sex marriages?

No.

Does the state need stricter controls to protect the environment?

No. Again, lets enforce the laws we have now and see where changes need to be made. Sometimes health issues and medical costs collide with environmental controls, in that case I will side with health issues and keeping medical costs down.

Does the county commission form of government still work? Should we adopt a charter government or code home rule?

I am not a Carroll county resident so I am not sure if it works or not. I look forward this campaign season to talking to Carroll County residents about this issue. Code home rule seems best to me but again I look forward to hearing from voters. Apparently the legislature this past session could not give Carroll County residents to right to expanded commissioner districts as they requested by referendum so something has to change.

Which redistricting map did you prefer for Carroll County? Why?

Option 2 because it gave more representation to District 9B \residents which a state senator from District 9 should represent.