Name: Paul Gilligan

Party affiliation: Democrat

Place of residence: Burkittsville

Date of birth: Sept. 11, 1946

Place of birth: Cambridge, Mass.

Current occupation: Retired Public Health Service; owner, General Store

Education: MHS, Johns Hopkins University, 1976; Bachelor of Science, Loyola College, 1970; MRL, U.S. Public Health Service, 1972. Harvard University, attended 1974 to1975.

Community associations, involvement: Mayor of Burkittsville; past president, Mid-Maryland Land Trust Assoc. Inc.; past chair, Brunswick Regional Planning Committee; Gubernatorial appt., State Rural Legacy Advisory Board; past president, South Mountain Heritage Society, Inc.; member, Citizens Zoning Review Committee, Frederick County; president, Harpers Ferry Conservancy, Inc.; member, Democratic Club; past member, Committee for Frederick; member, Maryland Municipal League; member, Maryland Mayors Association.

Professional associations: Retired Public Health Service Officer.

Family: Wife, Laurel. Daughter, 23 and son, 20.

Campaign office address and telephone: 2 W. Main St., P.O. Box 243, Burkittsville, MD 21718. 301-834-7851.

Candidate’s Web site: Not at this time

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

Quality of life issues and growth are affected by:

1.The need to fund Rural-Ag land preservation. 2. Municipal funding resources for urban infrastructure development (i.e. water, sewer, traffic), local schools construction, and transportation both highway and particularly mass-transportation. 3. Healthcare coverage initiatives.

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

Poor. Lack of leadership, little or no interest in growth issues affecting Frederick and Washington counties, little or no interest in health care coverage issues for working families and his poor record on environmental issues.

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

No.

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

Too fast in rural areas, and poorly executed in urban areas.

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?

I would not add programs at this time, but I would fully funding existing programs and then look at the impact on the budget. One area that does need to be looked at, as a cost to working families, is the rapid rise in assessments. There is dramatic inflation of housing cost resulting skyrocketing property taxes. These cost are difficult to manage for new homebuyers and homeowners on fixed income.

Are there specific taxes or fees that you would cut?

Yes. Some fees have to be looked at more closely such as the ‘‘flush tax” on septic systems.

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

No. Data shows that it will create more costly social problems. We need cleaner revenue.

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?

Enormous increases in tuition costs! Increase access to grants and scholarships and long-term low interest loans and perhaps a tuition cap on yearly increases.

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

Additional revenues could be derived from areas that benefit from specific transportation projects. Local governments often request such expansions to create business opportunities.

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

Creating mass-transportation between key cities. Extended hours of operation for mass transit.

Locally, we should limit the expansion of traditionally rural roads which ultimately result in new development, increase traffic and disturb the delicate farming balance. Funds for these expansions could be reduced and redirected to local mass transit.

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

Yes.

Would you re-regulate the electricity industry?

Yes.

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

About right.

What is your position on abortion?

It is the law of the land as reaffirmed recently in the confirmation hearings but the State could establish some reasonable limits.

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

No.

Does the state need stricter controls to protect the environment?

Yes.

Does the county’s commission form of government still work?

Yes.

Should we adopt a charter government, or code home rule?

Not yet. But issues regarding charter government should be studied and brought to the attention of the public and not attempt to force a referendum without adequate public discussion.