Democrat

Candidate Name: Peter Franchot

Place of residence: Takoma Park

Date of Birth: Nov. 25, 1947

Current Occupation: Delegate (District 20), Maryland House of Delegates

Education: B.A., Amherst College; J.D., Northeastern University School of Law

Campaign Office Address: 962 Wayne Ave., 5th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20901, 301-565-2006

Web site: www.franchot.com

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

My first priority would be to reform the Office of Comptroller. One of the most important functions of the Comptroller is to provide revenue estimates to legislators for them to craft a balanced budget. The figures for these estimates come from the Board of Revenue Estimates, which the Comptroller’s Office staffs. In 2005 alone, the estimates were off by one billion dollars. As a result, we had to make budget cuts and fee increases which were unnecessary once the revenue came in. I would increase funding and staffing for the Revenue Estimation office, so that we do not hurt our state in the future with more inaccurate revenue estimations.

Secondly, I would restore the independence and integrity of the Comptroller’s Office in the tradition of Louie Goldstein. I would not be, like our current Comptroller, a rubber stamp on the Board of Public Works for Bob Ehrlich’s failed and divisive agenda of cuts and borrowing.

Third, I would restore a progressive, Democratic voice to the Comptroller’s Office that will fight for balanced and efficient transportation, greater open space, and improved education.

How would you rate the performance of the incumbent comptroller: excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?

I would rate the incumbent’s performance poorly. He has been a strong ally of Bob Ehrlich on the Board of Public Works. He has provided inaccurate revenue estimates to the legislature, which has hurt our state. But more importantly, he has displayed a real lack of leadership and focus, and it shows with his pattern of offensive comments about women and immigrants at Board of Public Works meetings. These outbursts have created controversies which have drawn national attention to Maryland, impugned the integrity of the Comptroller’s office, and hurt the business climate of our state.

How much money do you want to spend on school construction, and where will you find that money?

School construction is a critical issue facing the education system of our state. I support the recommended funding level by the Association of Boards of Education and Association of Counties of $400 million. In the 2007 fiscal year budget, the legislature appropriated $332.7 million for school construction, which is $43.4 million higher than Governor Ehrlich’s requested amount. This is the highest that funding has been since 1971, and it can be attributed to the leadership of Democrats in the legislature who make school construction a priority. Our current comptroller, who claims he is a Democrat, has used his position on the Board of Public Works to threaten to cut school construction funding to those who disagree with him. I believe we can increase the level of school construction funding and still be under appropriate debt funding levels.

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

I believe the rate of growth is about right, but under Governor Ehrlich, all constrains of smart growth have been removed. As a result, we are seeing the damage of uncontrolled growth in different regions of our state. I am a strong advocate of smart growth policies, and will continue to advocate for them in the Comptroller’s Office. It is important that we focus current and future growth in areas with existing infrastructure in order to effectively utilize mass transit and prevent sprawl. This is a sharp contrast between my two opponents who have supported policies which have lead to sprawl and unmanageable growth.

Do you support slot machines for Maryland? If so, why? If not, why?

I do not support slot machines for Maryland because they breed addiction, bankruptcy, crime, corruption, and broken families. I am the only candidate running for Comptroller who does not support slots.

Do you have confidence in the state’s voting machines for the upcoming election?

I have confidence in the voting machines themselves. However, Governor Ehrlich and Comptroller Schaefer have played games on the Board of Public Works in holding up software contracts for local Board of Elections, which could jeopardize the smooth functioning of our election system this fall.

Do you favor mandatory electronic tax filing?

I support electronic tax filing. There is considerable more room for the automation of filing. But, I also believe that we should preserve the option of filing with a written form to take into consideration those taxpayers who may not have easy access to a computer.