Candidate name: Brian J. Feldman

Party affiliation: Democrat

Place of residence: Maryland

Date of birth: Feb. 4, 1961

Place of birth: Pittsburgh

Current occupation: State Delegate⁄Attorney

Education: BS, Accounting, Pennsylvania State University ; MA, Government, Johns Hopkins University; J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law

Community Associations: Member, Board of Directors, Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington; Member, Board of Directors, The Dwelling Place

Professional Associations: American Association of Attorney⁄CPAs; Maryland Bar Association; Montgomery County Bar Association

Family: Married; Two children

Campaign office address and telephone: P.O. Box 34408, Bethesda, MD 20827; (301) 517-5719

Campaign Web site: www.BrianJFeldman.com

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

1. As the national Biotechnology Industry Organization state legislator of the year for 2005, I will continue to take a leadership role in promoting Maryland’s emerging biotechnology sector. I will build on the Biotechnology Investment Incentive Act which I gained passage of which took effect in 2006. The potential of this sector with respect to both scientific⁄medical breakthroughs and economic benefits for our state are tremendous.

2. Securing the necessary operational and capital funding for our education system, both at the K-12 and higher education levels.

3. Redesigning the state’s fiscal structure in order to provide a predictable revenue stream to fund critical transportation and mass transit projects. Our transportation trust fund is wholly under funded, thereby contributing to the traffic congestion problem in our region.

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

Excellent. The current state delegates representing Legislative District 15 have worked together in a bi-partisan fashion to bring back unprecedented amounts of bond money for local projects and to gain passage of key legislation that has substantially benefited both Montgomery County and District 15.

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

Yes. The Governor of Maryland has more budgetary authority than any Governor in the United States. Amending the Constitution to allow the legislature to shift budget dollars between various priority items (not enhance the total amount) would produce a more balanced process. The current system is skewed far too heavily in favor of the Governor.

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

This issue varies dramatically in the State from region to region. In Montgomery County, the rate of growth⁄development has been problematic. We do not want an urban sprawl zone extending from D.C. to the Frederick County border, yet our County faces that possibility in the not too distant future. Unchecked growth has been a contributing factor to the problem.

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?

To insure that the 40-50% college tuition increases at our public universities over the past 4 years do not put a college education beyond the reach of many middle-class Marylanders, I would like to add to programs which enhance higher education opportunities for the children of working class families.

Are there specific taxes or fees that you would cut?

Given the unprecedented increases in property values in Montgomery County and throughout our State over the past 5 years, a property tax reduction is warranted.

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

I do not have any moral objections to the use of slot machines to garner revenue but did vote against the slot proposal considered in the House of Delegates during the 2005 Session due to several concerns I had with the proposal. There was no competitive bidding process provided in the proposal for the valuable licenses and I came to view the funding of core Government functions from an unstable revenue source such as slot machines as constituting suspect public policy, i.e. the dollars tend to come disproportionately from individuals least able to afford such losses. Another concern revolves around the likelihood that any slots initiative in Maryland would result in the expansion of gaming in our neighboring states that already have it as they attempt to protect their existing revenue base, thereby triggering a cycle whereby gaming across the region continues to escalate over time. We are likely far better off in the long run by building a state economy and stable, reliable, revenue base around a high wage paying industry such as biotechnology.

Do you support giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants?

This is a difficult issue for which I have not yet made a final determination. However, when one gets beyond the intuitive initial emotional response surrounding this issue, a case certainly can be made that illegal immigrants are driving on our roads already whether they have licenses or not. It certainly can be argued that from a public safety standpoint, it is likely in the best interests of our community as a whole that all such drivers at least be qualified to drive and be insured.

Do you support in-state tuition to illegal immigrants?

I voted for such legislation during the 2003 legislative session, HB 253, along with the majority of the General Assembly. When one gets beyond the intuitive initial emotional response to this issue, it is important to note that the individuals covered by such legislation largely came to this country at a young age, attended Maryland public schools for the most of their lives, and graduated from those schools. The key issue revolves around the fact that if such young people are not able to extend their education, they are then at a heightened risk of committing crimes and costing our society in numerous other ways. Given these options, I opted for the expanded access to education route and voted for HB 253.

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

The 40% to 50% tuition increases we’ve experienced over the past 4 years at our public universities have placed a college education beyond the financial means of many young, talented Marylanders who come from middle-class families. I will fight to enhance existing financial need based scholarships and similar programs to expand access to higher education for Marylanders from middle-class working families.

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

The Maryland state sales tax rate is currently among the lowest in the region and encompasses a very narrow base. I would support a 1 cent increase in the sales tax, earmarking one-half of that increase directly towards the Transportation Trust Fund.

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

The InterCounty Connector, the Corridor Cities Transitway and the Inner Purple Line.

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

Yes. I believe our entire fiscal structure needs to be redesigned to provide for a predictable, dedicated, revenue stream for mass transit projects.

Would you re-regulate the electricity industry?

As a member of the House Economic Matters Committee, the Committee with jurisdiction over this issue, I have become familiar with the myriad of complexities associated with the electricity industry. The competition envisioned when the industry was deregulated in 1999 has not yet materialized. With the recent spike in electric prices, there is a natural desire to explore the possibility of re-regulation. However, as the only practicing attorney on the Committee, I believe we should proceed cautiously before embarking down the road of re-regulation as there are numerous legal issues involving the assets of the industry that will have to be addressed before re-regulation is feasible and⁄or its potential benefits can be properly analyzed.

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

While I believe that Maryland’s current gun control laws are generally reasonable, our laws in this area should be strengthened by the enactment of an assault weapons ban. I co-sponsored such legislation during the 2004 session.

What is your position on abortion?

I am pro-choice.

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

Unlike some, I do not believe in tinkering with the Constitution unless absolutely necessary. I would not be opposed to legislation which permits the issuance of a civil union or marriage license to individuals on a gender-neutral basis.

Does the state need stricter controls to protect the environment?

We have appropriate laws currently on the books to protect the environment but have done a poor job in terms of adequately enforcing those laws. We need to increase funding for enforcement and create a culture in the enforcement agencies that those who fail to comply with our environmental laws will be prosecuted and severely sanctioned. Moreover, I believe in the concept of Smart Growth. The state should be more vigorous in using a carrot and stick approach to rewarding those whose actions are consistent with smart growth principles while sanctioning⁄holding back funds to those who violate such principles.

What is your position on the Corridor Cities Transitway? Assuming you support it, do you believe it should be a bus or light-rail system? What would you do to advance its funding?

I strongly support the Corridor Cities Transitway. I believe a light-rail system, as opposed to a bus system, holds out the most promise for relieving congestion through an extension from the Shady Grove Metro to Germantown, Clarksburg and ultimately to Frederick. There is virtually no opposition to this project and Montgomery and Frederick County legislators, working with our U.S. Congressman, must raise the profile of this issue in a far more forceful way to secure much needed federal funds.

The upcounty remains one of Montgomery County’s fastest growing areas and a growing crime problem is a concern for residents? What is your plan for providing state support to the local mission of protecting public safety?

As a former U.S. Justice Department attorney and state delegate currently representing a large portion of the UpCounty, I share the concerns that residents have with a growing crime problem. Young people commit much of this new crime. I believe that the best approach to combat this problem is for the State to form partnerships with the County government to provide ample summer employment and recreational opportunities for upcounty youth who are at high risk of engaging in criminal activity.